My husband and I will be on RS's Best of Ireland trip from May 13-26. It begins in Dublin and ends in Belfast, both places we have been before. The tour ends on Thursday, May 26 and we have a 10 AM flight from Dublin on May 28. We are debating where to spend the two days/two nights in between. Questions:
1) We are thinking of staying in Belfast rather than Dublin. Does anyone know if it is super easy to get from Belfast to Dublin (bus/train?) on the same day to catch a 10AM flight from Dublin? We do not want to feel rushed!
2) Has anyone done day trips using public transportation or tours out of Belfast that were interesting? Armagh?
3) Can anyone recommend a smaller town outside of Belfast on the way to Dublin that would make an interesting overnight stop? Skerries? Howth? Newly?
Thanks for any information you might be able to share.
Posted by
317 posts
Hello Elle
Greetings from Ireland. Just rushing out the door for a traditional music session in Derry, so I'll keep my answers brief, which may be a welcome idea! :)
- Super easy indeed to get from Belfast to Dublin airport. Aircoach offer a very reliable service.
- Lots of day-trips from Belfast but you'll have covered most things on your Best of Ireland Tour. Armagh is definitely nice and historic, and would be worth exploring. if you have time and like some gentle but exciting hiking, check out this newly restored gem https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Gobbins
- Theres a beautiful town called Carlingford, half way, but logistically not half-way if you know what I mean. It would take a little bit of chopping and changing of public transport to get to Ive always enjoyed Newry, it just was a little too authentic for some of the guests Ive brought there before (long story) and its not really on the visitor trail. Maybe a great reason to stay. It would be very handy for getting to Dublin airport. Howth is very nice, perfect place to unwind.
Slainte/good health
Stephen McPhilemy
Rick Steves Ireland Tour-Guide
Derry & Dingle
Posted by
Seattle
191 posts
I would stay somewhere in Dublin or airport vicinity before a 10am flight rather than bus it from Belfast. The Aircoach runs every hour on the :30 and takes almost 2 hrs to get to the airport, which for me is not frequent enough and doesn't give me a lot of room to miss a bus or overcome any unforeseeable issues. For a 10am flight (especially if you have to go through US pre-clearance), you would need to take the 5:30am bus to get their in a comfortable time.
I think Howth would be a good option, plus it would be a quick cab ride to the airport (and has some great pubs).
Posted by
OP
MIdwest
43 posts
Thank you both for your replies! I think our comfort level will be best served by staying closer to the airport in Dublin the night before. In light of the Belgium terror attacks, I imagine security will be extra tight at all major airports. We'll have just one other night to schedule so perhaps we'll extend in Belfast and do a day trip from there. Elle