Transportation and Itinerary Help for 5 days

Posted by kassannalee on 06/25/18 07:18 PM

Hi! I'm needing some expert advice please....
I will be arriving in Dublin on a Thursday morning, and departing the following Tuesday at noon.
I do not want to rent a car, and I do not want to take an organized tour or day trips. Also, single female traveler here.

My goal is to get from Dublin and either to Dingle, Connemara, or other recommended very scenic coastal area, on Thursday and then back to Dublin on Monday
.
I do photography and paint. Although, I'd like to experience the small village life, I mostly want to enjoy the nature of the country.

I haven't had much luck finding direct transportation from Dublin to Dingle other than a flight.
If I fly, how do I get around the area once I arrive? Are there cabs?

This is my first trip to Ireland, so all input is much appreciated. Thanks in advance.

Posted by Laura

Rick Steves' Europe

06/26/18 06:52 PM

16893 posts

Trains will get you across to the opposite coast, but not all the way to Dingle, which requires a bus. See the map of main routes, costs, and links for further schedule research at https://www.ricksteves.com/travel-tips/transportation/trains/ireland-rail-passes. www.transportforireland.ie is another link that combines bus and train schedules.

There are taxis in Dingle, as well as small van tours of the peninsula (which would be worth reserving ahead).

Posted by Anita

RIchmond, BC,Canada

06/26/18 09:33 PM

856 posts

I think with so little time it would make the most sense for you to take the train to Galwayand base yourself there for your stay. Trying to get to Dingle on public transit would take up the better part of a day, and then you have to do the same again to get back to Dublin. You would end up using a large portion of your time just trying to get somewhere on a bus. From Galway there will be more transit options to get to places if you don’t want to do a tour or don’t have a car. You could even get over to Inishmore from Galway. Take a look at the transit map and schedule and pick accommodations near good bus service ( I seem to recall there was an area downtown where most of the buses were within a couple of blocks). To get to places further out of town you are probably going to have to pay for a taxi, or use the regional transit. Check this site if you haven’t already : http://www.galwaytransport.info/2012/11/regional-national-bus-coach-long-distance-services.html

Posted by Robert

Colorado Springs

06/27/18 12:51 PM

2828 posts

Good advice from the others. While Dingle is great you would indeed wind up spending most of 2 days just getting there and back. Better to keep it simple and just take the train to Galway and base yourself there. There's plenty to do in and near Galway, and as was mentioned the Aran Ferry has a pickup point right in the town (for a small fee) to get you out to the ferry landing at Rossaveel and the trip over to Inishmore. You might consider overnighting on the island - it's a whole different experience in the early morning and late evening after the day trippers have departed. Magical lighting, haunting vistas, and with no crowds you'd have a chance to experience a bit of village life.
Another option would be to continue your journey west from Galway to the pretty village of Clifden - about an hour and a half by bus from downtown Galway. The town itself is quite charming and, using it as a base, you could explore the beautiful Sky Road, the Connemara Loop drive to the National Park, Kylemore abbey, and the village of Cong. Another lesser known but very pleasant day trip (or overnight) would be to take the ferry from Cleggan out to the island of Inish Bofin.
Lots to see and do in Connemara, and exploring it would be much easier (and a better use of your limited time) than trying to do Dingle without a car.