Hello -
Using public transport (we don't want to rent a car), we'd like advice on the best, and most economical way, to travel between Belfast and Dublin (one-way). Also, never having been to Belfast, (we have one day there) we're interested in any quick touring suggestions. Dublin suggestions are welcome too! Thank you!
Are you just doing these two cities? I did a combination bus/train pass and it got me everywhere I needed to go. I took the bus only when the train didn't work, which wasn't often. These kind of tickets are usually sold for a specific time frame, a week, ten days etc., and have a start and end date so you have to plan well. But, if you are just going from Belfast to Dublin just take the train, I think it's an hourly departure.
Mari, we took the train from Dublin Connolly Station to Belfast Central, no reservations just walked up. It's about 10-12 euro per person each way. It takes a little over two hours for the trip, and I arranged for a Black Taxi Cab driver to meet us at the station, and we took a tour of some of the Troubles areas for a couple of hours. It's a great way to get a bit of history and perspective from a local, and was not very expensive, I think in the 70-80 euro range. We asked John to drop us near Belfast City Hall where there are free tours once or twice daily-it's a great building and worth seeing.
There is good public transport in Belfast, too.
Thank you so much for both suggestions! We won't worry about reservations then and will just take the train between Belfast and Dublin. Thank you for the tour tip too. I'd heard good things about the Black Taxi tours. May I ask how you booked that tour? Thank you!
Mari, I will PM you with info.
Dave
Hello! I've found the tour! Thank you!
Great, I did find Norman's TA page too:
And the RS show with Norman:
http://www.ricksteves.com/watch-read-listen/video/tv-show/northern-ireland
Bus or train. Both take about two hours. In Belfast visit St. George's Market, Titanic Museum, City Hall, Crumlin Road Gaol, take a Black Tour of Shankill Road to learn the history of The Troubles, and have the seafood chowder at Mourne's next to Kelly's Cellars. That should fill your Belfast day. Remember you will be using pounds not euros in Belfast.
