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Back from Dublin and Cork/Blarney

Just got back from Dublin!

If you are going to use the hop on/ hop off bus tour, buy the 3 Day "Freedom pass" at the airport. It was a great value for 25 euros because it includes the transportation to the city center in addition to 3 days worth of hop on/hop off tour (which alone is 15 euros for 1 day).

Cork was a thumbs up, and so was the Blarney Castle. I'm glad I decided to go, and not listen to the nay sayers. We flew from Dublin on Ryan air and dispite the rain, and had a brilliant time. Ryan air was an excellent value, but there are hoops to follow.

PM or post if you have any questions on Dublin. I can't wait to return!!!

Posted by
93 posts

Thanks for your information, and I do have a question. I plan to use the hop-of-hop-off bus in Dublin but will only be there one full day. Would the Freedom Pass still be a good deal if I used it to get to the city center and sightsee the first day, then to get back to the airport the second day? Which services does it cover in getting to/from the city center?

Posted by
1455 posts

Gail, funny you should ask that...
We flew into Dublin on Saturday and on Sunday flew out to Newcastle for a one day trip.

The freedom pass allows you to go to the airport (bus 747 and 748) as many times as you want for 3 days, and unlimited use of the hop on/hop off. In addition the pass is good for all local Dublin busses. You can't go wrong with the pass. It does not include the DART. Just the busses.

From the airport, The airlink bus picks up at the airport and 747 drops you off at O'Connell street near the Spire, or, it takes you to the Central bus station. The 748 is not as express. That bus makes a few stops before taking you to the O'Connell city center stop.

So since we were leaving after 1 day, we used it to get into the City, out of the City and back into the City.

For those who need to get back to the airport, but the freedom pass expired, you can get a one way airport pass for 6 euros. The O'Connell street station picks up as early as 5: am, and the journey to the airport is about 20 min.

A hop on/off pass alone is 15 euros (for one day ...not 3). One way bus from airport is 6 euros. Normally, To get a round trip to the airport + a tour is 28 euros and the freedom pass is 25 euros (for 3 days!)...so its a good value.