how to get to Dingle, Ireland, from Birmingham, England

I don't know where Dingle is but maybe its kinda near an airport? Birmingham has an extremely easy to get to airport. From Birmingham New Street in Birmingham it is only 10 minutes to Birmingham International station. Both stations have lifts to all platforms and staff who can assist (book 24 hours ahead). All the trains have wheelchair facilities. There are at least 9 trains both directions most hours. The station and airport are step free. There is a free cable car which runs every 90 seconds and takes 2 minutes between the railway station and the airport. It is completely level for entry. That's what I would suggest. If your friend is closer to a different station in the Birmingham area most stations are manned most of the time and very few are inaccessible. I am familiar with almost all the local stations from personal experience and can assist with information about them.

I was in Dingle a few years ago and neither rail nor air provide nearby access, if I am correct. Shannon is definitely the closest major airport and its a few hours away by car. You check flight from Birmingham to Shannon. From there, I'm afraid some local expertise might be helpful. You might try posting this question in the Dingle Forum on TripAdvisor? I got great help from there planning my trip. I loved Dingle and recommend it highly but could imagine any physical challenge could provide issues. The town is sprinkled along a hillside that runs down to the sea. There are a number of shops near the shore but many others that require going up hill. Granted, there were nice sidewalks but there is some elevation to deal with. Final note, when I was there, road signs and such near and within Dingle were in Gallic, makes personal navigation interesting. Good luck.

Julia, There are "fairly cheap, easy ways" to get from Birmingham to Dingle, but unfortunately they're not ideally suited for persons with "mobility issues". Will you friend be travelling with a companion that can assist them during the trip? The easiest method would be a flight from Birmingham Airport to Shannon via Aer Lingus. There's also an airport at Kerry, but it doesn't seem to have any flights from Birmingham. Aer Lingus currently have flights listed as low as £29.99, but that varies according to the travel day. For those without a Car, it would be necessary to travel via Bus Éireann from Shannon to Tralee or Limerick, and then from there to Dingle. The Bus trips range from 4H:20M to 5H:10M, with two changes. About 20M is allowed for changes, so that may be adequate? I suspect it wouldn't be an "easy" trip for someone in a Wheelchair. Another option would be for you to hire a Car and go to Shannon Airport to pick up your friend. It shouldn't be too difficult to get around the main part of Dingle by Wheelchair. That will depend on where you're staying, and where you want to explore while you're there. The area down by the harbour is relatively flat and there are some nice Pubs there to enjoy some good music and of course a Pint! There's a slight incline heading up the main street from the bright yellow Small Bridge Pub towards St. James Church. Good luck!

Aer Lingus has a flight operated by Aer Arann that leaves Birmingham at 16:55 and arrives at Shannon at 18:35. According to the Journey Planner on the Bus Eireann site, a person can leave Shannon at 18:50, connect in Limerick, and arrive in Tralee at 21:40. However, there is no way your friend can get off a plane and onto a bus in 15 minutes. The next option is Shannon-Limerick-Tralee, departing at 20:50 and arriving at 23:40. Assuming you will have a rental car, you would need to pick up your friend in Tralee. The last bus from Tralee to Dingle leaves at 18:00. However, if your friend flies from Birmingham to Cork on an Aer Lingus flight operated by Aer Arann, your friend can get to Tralee at a more reasonable hour. Leave Birmingham at 17:15 and arrive at Cork at 18:50. Leave the Ccrk airport on the 19:45 bus that goes directly to Tralee and arrives at 22:45. IMO, flying to Cork clearly is the better choice. Your friend won't have as long a layover before catching the bus, it goes directly to Tralee, and it arrives in Tralee an hour earlier than the bus from Limerick.