Hello All: My friend and I are planning on visiting Ireland and Scotland next May or June. We are planning on flying round trip from Dublin. I was wondering what the best way to see thses places would be? Renting a car or getting a rail pass? Like I said above we are planning on leaving from Dublin so we don't want to do too much back tracking.
Thanks!
Posted by
Bloomington, IL, USA
9369 posts
Rental car, absolutely. The train service is not extensive in the west, particularly. With a rental you will be able to stop wherever you want to, and get into areas that you would need a train/bus combo to get to. Plot yourself a circular route if you are really set on a Dublin-Dublin itinerary. Alternatively, you could fly into Dublin and out of Shannon (or vice versa). You won't need a car (or want one) in Dublin. If you are doing a couple of Dublin days first, just wait till you leave town to rent. If you are doing Dublin days at the end, drop the car at the airport and take public transport into town for your last few days. EDIT: Forgot to factor in the Scotland part of your trip, but I would still stick with the rental recommendation.
Posted by
New York City, NY, USA
5678 posts
YEs, but you'll likely want to pick up another car. Fly to Edinburghvisit the city for a day or two, and then pick up a car to drive for the balance of the visit to Scotland. You might want to look into an open jaw flight. Pam
Posted by
Kent, WA, USA
107 posts
Brittany, I did a similar trip several years ago, but I started in London, crossed south Wales, over to Ireland, across to Galway, back to Dublin, up to Belfast, ferry to Scotland, then Edinburgh, York and back to London. ALL on buses and trains, so it is doable.. But there is a trade off, its nice not having to hassle with a car and driving but it does limit you. I did a few half-day private bus tours to see some areas that weren't easily accessible by public transport.. But there are some hassles associated with rental cars and driving also.. I tend to agree with the other responders, and a rental car will work best, but I wouldn't rule out buses and trains.. Kind of depends on your route and what places you want to see and things you want to do, and how much walking you would enjoy..
Plot out your route and where you want to go and then see if you can get there with a bus or a train, it might work out?
Posted by
Goleen, Co Cork, Ireland
69 posts
Hi, rental car especially in Ireland! So much easier and fantastic for transporting luggage....
Posted by
chicago, il
113 posts
Another way to get from Dublin to Scotland is to do a rail sail combination vis Belfast. Step one would be to go by rail from Dublin Connolly to Belfast Central by Enterprise Train (http://www.irishrail.ie/ or http://www.translink.co.uk/Services/Enterprise/ for information on this leg) and then take a taxi to the port at your own expense. Then you would board the ferry to Carinryan and then transferred to Ayr by coach where you then would catch the train on to Glasgow Central Station.
http://www.stenaline.ie/ferry/rail-and-sail/scotland/ has further information on this.
Posted by
washington
837 posts
I cannot imagine how one could see Scotland without driving. Totally agree that the best course is to fly into Edinburgh and rent a car upon exit. We did make a one day exception when we rented a car to drive up to St. Andrews and back to Edinburgh. We stayed at 6 Brunton Place, a b and b where there is ample street parking available.
Posted by
Lexington
49 posts
I drove in Ireland and took trains in Scotland on separate trips. I enjoyed both and wouldn't change what I did. I also had a couple of Heart of Scotland tours out of Edinburgh, which eliminated driving as well.