I am planning on visiting Ireland for the first time for 3 weeks next May/June. I will be travelling alone. I have traveled solo many times on the continent via Eurail passes. That is my preferred means of transport once on the ground but I hear the train system in Ireland is not as good as it is on the continent. Expense has ruled out renting a car by myself. Are buses the way to go in Ireland? And are they frequent and reliable. I will be focusing on the west counties as well as Dublin. I like making firm B&B/hotel reservations when I travel so I need to know my public transport options are reliable and frequent.
Thank you all for any help.
Posted by
Downingtown, USA
2429 posts
Dublin is walkable and also has good public transit. Trains not like the rest of Europe but buses go all over.
Posted by
Bloomington, IL, USA
9369 posts
Yes, the buses are frequent and reliable. You can use the journey planner at www.buseireann.ie to plot out the segments of your trip.
Posted by
Downingtown, USA
2429 posts
Sorry, forgot to tell you that buses in Dublin require exact change. Nancy can tell more about that than me as my memory fading. Sorry.
Posted by
Bloomington, IL, USA
9369 posts
LOL, no I really can't because the only bus I have taken in Dublin is the hop-on, hop-off. On another trip I had a car (bad idea), and on another trip I walked wherever I wanted to go.
Posted by
Downingtown, USA
2429 posts
I am laughing even louder, can't believe Nancy drove in Dublin, even I wouldn't admit to doing that. Only thing I confess to is driving in Paris, not once but twice. Anyway, that said, buses are reliable in Ireland. There is a good website for buses in Ireland that will show you where they go. Cousin did this several years ago as solo and only using buses, no trains and had no problems. I am not sure if they still do this but Irish Tourist Bureau used to publish a book of B&B's that are board approved. It is great as it show prices, number of rooms, directions, e-mail info,etc. Try to get that if you can. Good luck.
Posted by
Bloomington, IL, USA
9369 posts
I have driven in Dublin twice, actually, which is how I know it's a bad idea for a newbie (or anyone, really). The first time we were basically just passing through and stopped in town on the way to the airport for a couple of hours. The second time was the stupid one. I gave the OP the URL of the Bus Eireann website in my first post. The Irish Tourist Board does still publish the B&B directory - you can request it online before you go, or pick one up at the Tourist Information when you arrive.
Posted by
Adelaide, SA, Australia
977 posts
Local bus transport in Dublin is very good, as advised make sure you give the driver the correct money for the trip. Train trips to Howth and Dalkey from Dublin are worthwhile too
Posted by
Phoenix, AZ, USA
1035 posts
You need exact change, but isn't this the norm most places? I know it is conventional wisdom here to not drive in Dub, please don't shout me down. Compared to say, Manhattan, it is a drive in the park.
Posted by
OP
Saint Paul, MN, United States
6 posts
Thank you all for your replies. Thank you Nancy for the web-site tip. I will definitely check that out.