I've been reading the posts regarding getting around in Ireland and it seems everyone is simply renting cars. I'm curious if the trains may be a way to go. I'm planning a future trip for about 5 days, arriving in Dublin. I think I would like to go to Dingle, but was thinking taking a train to Killarney and either a bus to Dingle or renting a car for a day or two in that area, and then back to Dublin. Am I out to lunch in thinking this and should only consider a car with shorter trips around Dublin?
Posted by
Bloomington, IL, USA
9371 posts
Train coverage is less extensive in the western part of the country, so you might have to rely on buses to get to some locations. And a shorter term car rental might well be just as expensive as renting for the whole time. You could take a train/bus combo to Dingle and then take a local tour, if you wanted, to get around the Slea Head Drive. Or you could look at renting a car for your whole trip, unless that makes you uncomfortable. You will just have to look at the costs of all combinations to decide which works better for you.
Posted by
harwich, mass, usa
42 posts
i'm going in July and staying in limerick. renting a car. but beware they do drive on the other side if the road and roundabouts and intersections will be tricky. espcially if you also get a standard transmission and have to shift with your left hand. also it would be good to become familiar with the road signs they use(they are different from ours in the usa)
good luck. cow paths will be narrow.
Posted by
Eastern Iowa, USA
8056 posts
Yes, unfortunately the trains in Ireland are limited at best, and the best of Ireland is not on a train line. Buses are actually a good option to renting a car, and renting a car is certainly expensive and a driving challenge. I suggest doing an internet search on Irish buses. There used to be some private lines that hit the major destinations and even some that offered a "hop-on-hop-off" ticket like a rail pass. Been a while since I searched...and I wound up renting a car...but for a single or couple, I probably would have seriously considered a bus.
Posted by
Minneapolis, MN, USA
8700 posts
As others have said, train service is limited. Depending upon your itinerary, Bus Eireann probably will serve you better for getting from point A to point B. And as others have said, private tour buses operate in popular tourist areas, including the Dingle Peninsula. However, nothing beats a car for seeing the countryside and being able to stop and admire the view or take a short walk on the spur of the moment. With only five days, I suggest that you consider flying into Dublin and out of Shannon (or vice versa). No wasted time backtracking.
Posted by
Texas
518 posts
When I was reading about driving in Ireland, it really made me nervous. It sounded daunting. In reality, I found it fun. It is true that you have to be careful because of the narrowness of many roads and sharing the road with everything from bicycles and trucks to hikers and motorized wheelchairs, but it did not make me nervous. You can reserve an automatic transmission if you do so ahead of time. The challenges of driving did not compare to the enjoyment of stopping wherever we wanted or seeing the very out of the way sights.
Maybe it's because I'm accustomed to driving in Houston and Dallas, but I loved the freedom of a car. Most of the driving was through very rural areas. Oh, be sure to use a gps. We took our own Garmin that we were accustomed to. Also, you need a good map. We bought an Ordnance Survey spiral atlas. That was invaluable.