Traveling by car or bus

Posted by estrauss7 on 03/13/23 10:11 AM

Good morning,

We are traveling from New York to Dublin for 8 days in April. The question is whether we rent a car or try to travel via bus or rail. There are clearly challenges driving and taking in the landscape. We are interested in history, culture, the arts and the landscape. Pubs, music etc. are not a priority. Although our itinerary is in the formative stages and I am slightly confused with all the possibilities, it looks somewhat like the following.
1. fly into Dublin-take bus to Galway
2. See cliffs of Moher, Burren
3. Dingle and Kerry
Kilkernny via Glendalough
4. Kinsale-Cobb
5. Cork
6. Dublin
If we did take public transit with the above in mind, what are the possibilities?
Your opinion and suggestions are most appreciated.
Eric

Posted by Badger

Uppsala, Sweden

03/13/23 10:28 AM

6970 posts

You posted the same question yesterday, why not continue in that thread?

Posted by wasleys

Lincolnshire, UK

03/13/23 01:08 PM

2280 posts

Dingle and Kerry Kilkernny via Glendalough

Kinsale-Cobb

This has me a bit confused. IIs this a mistake as it would make sense to do this after Cork?

That is a very busy itinerary for 8 days, especially travelling by public transport... You will see lots of landscape through the window but not going to have a lot of time for the history and arts. You aren't goiung to have a lot of time in the various places.

You can do a day trip from Galway to Cliffs of Moher and the Burren.

Galway to Dingle is going to take nearly the whole day with three different buses. What are your plans once you get to Dingle?

Dingle to Kilarney is another half day with two buses - again what are the plans for Kilarney?

Kilarney to either Kinsale or Cobh is another half day. Travelling between the two involves going into Cork and back out again.

Cork to Kilkenny is another half day but trying to get to Glendalough from Kilkenny is going to be a bit of a nightmare. You would be better heading back to Dublin from Cork and doing Glendalough and Kilkenny as a day tour from Dublin.

Posted by Dick

Olympia, WA, USA

03/13/23 11:29 PM

6713 posts

I agree that it's very rushed. You're moving between cities or towns several times (it's hard to understand the sequence you've laid out) in just eight days. And you leave very little time for Dublin, which is where you'll find most of the history, culture, and arts you're looking for. Of course you won't want a car there.

I think the bus (coach) straight from DUB to Galway is a good idea on your jetlagged arrival day. The next day you could look for a tour that takes you either to the Cliffs/Burren or to the Aran Islands or to Connemara, each a very scenic choice. Maybe another day for another such Galway-based tour. If you don't find a tour you like, you could rent a car in Galway to explore on your own. After two or three Galway-based days, take a train or coach (or drive) back to Dublin for the rest of your time.

Alternatively, a similar strategy based in Cork -- coach from DUB to Cork, tours or car or local buses for Cobh and Kinsale, then back to Dublin by coach or rail.

Posted by Anita

RIchmond, BC,Canada

03/14/23 01:55 PM

932 posts

You simply can’t visit all of these places by bus/train in eight days. In fact, I would suggest using just two locations if you don’t want to rent a car and those would be Dublin and Galway. Go straight to Galway the day you land and from there you can do a day trip to the Cliff of Moher and the Burren, and also the Connemara area, and a even go to Inishmore for a day. Then return to Dublin by train and from there you can do day trips to Glendalough, Newgrange, and many other historical places. You will actually see a lot more this way as you won’t be wasting so much time packing up to move to the next location, and sitting on a bus or train just looking out the window. Remember, day trips leave first thing in the morning, and if you are still on a bus trying to get to the next town you will not be able to join a guided day trip until the next day. So, each time you change locations you lose valuable sight seeing time.