From Galway take a train to Limerick City, a journey which should take around 2 hours. While Dublin Airport does not have a train station, there are bus links to the two main train stations in Dublin, Connolly and Heuston. This itinerary is designed as a road trip. See here for more information. However, you may wonder if its possible to travel to Ireland without a car. Ireland Road Trip: Where to stay in Northern Ireland Blackrock House B&B. Portrush's first 5 Star Bed and Breakfast, Blackrock House B&B offers luxury boutique B&B accommodation that fuses modern style with authentic coastal living, so you stay by the sea in style! When youre ready to explore Galway, head to St. Nicholas Collegiate Church, which Christopher Columbus visited, and admire the Spanish Arch in the city walls. Day 5: Wicklow Mountains. Day 1: Arrive in Dublin. Be granted the gift of the gab by kissing the Blarney Stone at Blarney Castle. I am trying to find a balance between being able to see things not on the normal beaten path. Whether you take the train, the bus, or a combination of public transportation in Ireland, youll still be able to access most of the country during your trip. Local services can be patchy at best in very rural destinations. Ireland is such a small island that you can cover a lot of ground in a week and feel quite at home within two. If ticking off as many places as possible isnt as important as seeing a good portion of the country in general, a leisurely pace might be more your style. Day 5: Ring of Kerry and Killarney - Overnight in Killarney. Killarney is the ideal base for day trips to the eponymous national park, the Ring of Kerry, the Dingle Peninsula, and the Skellig Islands, all of which are beautiful. So, if you are choosing this option, allow plenty of travel time. Stay 1-2 nights and visit King Johns Castle, the museums and galleries, and the Milk Market. Irish Countryside on the Dingle Peninsula. Other uncategorized cookies are those that are being analyzed and have not been classified into a category as yet. All cities and big towns will have a centralised bus station from where you can hop on buses to all corners of Ireland. Any cookies that may not be particularly necessary for the website to function and is used specifically to collect user personal data via analytics, ads, other embedded contents are termed as non-necessary cookies. But how to spend a week in Ireland without a car? Drivers do not handle money and do not accept bills/paper money, nor do they give change. This helps visualize the distance between destinations and decide what order to follow. Dublin has one main bus station, Busras Bus Station (pictured below), from where buses to other parts of Ireland depart. The city boasts the Dublin Area Rapid Transit, dubbed DART, which services the city centre as well as the coastal area with 31 stations in total. What a beautiful time of year to go! For the ultimate hiking adventure, you can take a Ring of Kerry hiking tour that takes 6-7 days to complete. Follow her on Instagram . Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. The Hop on Hop off buses are a bit easier in that you can purchase your ticket from the central office, normally on OConnell Street, or from representatives at bus stops or from the driver himself. A week-long holiday without a car in Ireland is easily doable; in fact, its almost ideal. There are lots of visitors to Ireland who decide hiring a car is not for them. There are a number of operators who run tours around the main tourist attractions and towns in Ireland. The White House (from the outside) The National Mall. Picture Source: William Murphy from Dublin, Ireland, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons. Click here for more information and to book this tour. The Northern Ireland Causeway Coastal Route stretches 120 miles from Belfast to Derry-Londonderry, with several additional inland scenic drives to extend your journey too. There are two main disadvantages to getting around Ireland by train. Some routes often have a refreshments trolley service. Day 6: Dingle Peninsula, Cliffs of Moher, and Doolin - Overnight in Doolin. The Celtic Voyageis perfect for this and includesa visit to the westerly point of Valentia Island and the excavation site of Ross Island. Location. Always use reflectors and ensure you have working lights front and back to use between dusk and dawn. This is the ideal option for those wanting to explore Northern Ireland without a car as it offers both rail and bus services across much of Northern Ireland, giving you more flexibility. In Northern Ireland, Translink is a great resource for finding routes in the country. . 109 helpful votes. 3 nights in Galway, with a day trip to Cliffs of Moher. 4. Belfast is the capital of Northern Ireland and is also located along the east coast but in the north. You can find detailed timetables for Iarnrd ireann here. Route 350 departs Ennis and meanders through quaint villages, epic landscape and even skirts alongside the Cliffs of Moher. . Road traffic can make this mode of transport dangerous and therefore less attractive. Mistake #5: Completely Writing Off Northern Ireland. Always wear bright, highly visible clothing, preferably with a hi-vis jacket. By clicking Accept, you consent to the use of ALL the cookies. Cycling is another option for getting around Dublin without a car. Dublin Northern Commuter serving towns to Dundalk from Connolly or Pearse Street Stations, Dublin Portlaoise Commuter from Heuston Station, Dublin Longford Commuter from Pearse Street and Connolly Station, Dublin/Dunboyne M3 Parkway from Dublins Dockland/Connolly via Clonsilla, Dublin Southern Commuter from Connolly to Gorey Station in, Phoenix Park Commuter from Portlaoise through the Phoenix Park Tunnel to Grand Canal Dock. For more information: Read more by Michelle Rae Uy , Greek Islands 101: Plan Your Perfect Adventure, Visit Japan: Best Tours to the Top Places, Must-See Places in Brisbane: Top 5 Things To Do. An Itinerary for Getting Around Ireland Without a Car, Final Thoughts on Traveling in Ireland Without a Car, How to Spend 7 Days in Ireland: A Complete Itinerary for the Emerald Isle, 15 Must-Try Irish Foods to Savor During Your Next Trip to Ireland, Ireland in June: Weather, Packing Tips, and Must-See Attractions, 10 Days in Ireland: The Ultimate Ireland Road Trip Itinerary, 12 Helpful Tips for Driving in Ireland That You Need to Know. These cookies do not store any personal information. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Performance". Certain routes may require you to change buses halfway, but as mentioned, many cities and large towns have direct bus links. TITANIC BELFAST. Many people choose this method when looking for how to travel to Ireland without a car. Day 3: Glendalough and Kilkenny - Overnight in Cork. The Irish Rail operates over a dozen train routes, and the railway runs in every direction. Cork, in southwest Ireland, on the other hand, has buses and urban rail, with plans for a light rail system. Hi Peggy, Im not familiar with that area but upon a quick look online, it looks like you could take a bus, given it will take a bit. Many buses will depart from Busras/Connolly and travel along the quays in Dublin towards Heuston where passengers can board those buses. Running from Howth all the way to Bray (sometimes Greystones), you can catch one from the centre of Dublin, at Connolly Station or Tara Street Station and head either north or south along the coast. Irish Rail also offers a family ticket for two adults and four children. Im planning a 30 day trip to Ireland this fall and would prefer to use mostly public transportation. Perhaps a car rental might be the best choice for that distance. With this guide to the different options and with an explanation of public transportation in Ireland, youll soon have a better idea if getting around Ireland without a car is for you. This tour takes you from learning about the Linen Trade in Northern Ireland to intergalactic exploration to an Iron Age settlement. With other travelers in the group, youll have a more sociable time than if you traveled solo. 1. If you have been wondering how to get around in Ireland without a car and are planning to stay in the main cities (and perhaps take day trips from there), then one of the best modes of transport is the train. Re: Help!! You can hire a bike around the city from Dublin Bikes, similar to the bike rental schemes in other major cities. Ireland is a delight to visit with children. For even more fantasy style scenery, Iceland is another great pick. Within Dublin, you will find Dublin Bus serving the far corners of the city and its suburbs. Limerick isnt a place you get FOMO over, but it is an unforgettable experience for those who visit. This article explains how to get around Ireland without a car and goes over the different options you have when visiting the country so you can still get to where you want to. Within Northern Ireland, there are two main bus operators, Ulsterbus and Goldline. There are fewer trains in the middle of the day and on weekends. It does not store any personal data. Buses, slower and cheaper, can get you where the trains don't go. Most people visiting Ireland will land in Dublin and that gives you plenty of options for touring Ireland by train. The same is true if youre hoping to see some smaller, off-the-beaten-path towns. A day trip to the Cliffs of Moher is an unforgettable experience on the coast of Ireland. Lunch in Ballycastle. Travelling in Ireland without a car will usually involve one of these modes of transport and below youll find a breakdown of each option, the advantages and disadvantages of each, and why they may be the best way to travel around Ireland without a car. The market is home to a little taste of Valencia, with small stands of fresh produce, as well as dried meats and cheeses, chocolates and liqueurs. but it was also stylish and fun with a great menu, friendly staff, delicious food and gorgeous views. Please read our full Privacy Policy here. Northern Ireland which, is part of the United Kingdom and the Republic of Ireland. From Limerick you can take the train to Killarney, changing trains at Limerick Junction and Mallow. Another great route is one in Northern Ireland between Derry and Coleraine. A combination of bus and train journeys will get you to the main cities and towns from where you can base yourself and take short trips out to visit the harder to reach attractions. Driving itinerary for the Antrim Coast. At least two nights in each location is advisable so you break up the travelling and have at least one full day for exploring. Useful Tips for Renting a Car in Ireland: . Bus travel is a much more widespread form of public transportation in Ireland than hopping on the railroad. Dublin. Staying centrally will leave you closer to where the day trips depart but even Salthill, which is worth visiting, is walkable meaning you dont need to use any public transport within the city. The Red line runs from Connolly Station or The Point to either Saggart or Tallaght Park & Ride. You can also use Google Maps and Rome2Rio to plan your journeys. You do not need a car to get around Ireland and with a little bit of extra planning and research, or by joining a tour group, you can enjoy the best Ireland has to offer without worrying about driving on the wrong side of the road or down narrow country roads. Frequent rain is common in Ireland even during summer (read my post to find out when is the best time to visit Ireland). Reviews. Secondly, train travel in Ireland can work out more expensive than taking the bus. More information about all Tourist Rail tickets in Ireland can be found by clicking here. Out of these, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. Packed with scenery, historical sites and colourful coastal villages, the 313km/195-mile Antrim Coast Road packs a punch. 5.30pm - Dinner at Ramore Wine Bar, Portrush (perfect for families) Whenever possible, I avoid family-friendly restaurants like the plague but Ramore Wine Bar is different. A three-day pass to the citys bike-share service costs just 5 (or $6). Day 2. These fares are taken from CityLink and are examples of the cost of bus tickets for intercity travel by bus in Ireland. Dublin Bus serves all corners of Dublin and even the outer suburbs have regular services. Make sure to have a helmet and working lights if you are cycling during rush hour, especially during the winter months when it gets dark from around 4.30pm. Answer 11 of 16: I did read through the other posts on the topic, hoping for a little more up to date info. Most major cities in Ireland have buses that can take you to destinations within the city. Head west on the train and arrive at Eyre Square where you can stay for 2 or 3 nights. If you stay in a central hotel or guesthouse, you will be within walking distance of the sights and attractions of the city. Their most popular tour is a 6-day Ireland itinerary that takes in Blarney Castle, the Ring of Kerry, Cliffs of Moher, Giants Causeway and more, some of the best places to visit in Ireland. Youll see less and therefore spend more time at each sight. One of the best options for touring Ireland without a car is to join a tour group. Dunluce Castle. Services on both of these operators can be found by consulting Translink. Slea Head - Drive on the Dingle Peninsula, County Kerry. The "Republic of Ireland" is the place where most people travel, but Northern Ireland is so worth the trip. If you're just visiting for 7 days . We love a good road trip, and the Causeway Coastal Route in Northern Ireland certainly meets the definition of a good road trip! Home to the Glens of Antrim, the world-famous Giant's . Always ride one in front of the other, never side-by-side. I am including a trip north to Belfast for those looking to explore some of Northern Ireland as well as the Republic of Ireland. Ireland by rail - highlights. Day 2: Explore Dublin. From Connolly Station, visitors to the Emerald Isle can travel. There is plenty of things to see and do in Cork. Afternoon - drive to Galway Your return journey to Dublin will be by bus which will take around 2 hours. Heres a sample Ireland itinerary without a car: Irelands capital city sits on the east coast. . Pictured here is Cork's Kent Train Station, Cork. In past years, they have extended the service to all days during the summer. There are also one-day and seven-day tickets similar to the 3-day Flexi. Ireland Currency - Euro Language - English, and Irish (both official) Capital City - Dublin Official name - Republic of Ireland Population - 5,054,000 (est in 2022) Flag orange green and white Nickname - The Emerald Island Total Area - 70,280 km (27,135 mi) 1.3 How to Get Around Ireland. If you are wondering how to travel around Dublin without a car, then this section is just for you! Find out why Northern Ireland was named World's Best Food Destination at the International Travel and Tourism Awards 2018! However, you need to plan routes and starting/end points very carefully. Prices start from 22.50. That said, here are various ways to enjoy an Ireland itinerary without a car, whether youre spending 7 days in Ireland or longer. Michelle is Los Angeles-based writer, editor, and photographer with a bad case of wanderlust. Discover the scenic highlights of Ireland's north on this varied 8-day self-drive trip. It was bustling and noisy (which is actually what you want with kids so no one can tell how noisy your child is!) Day 1 - Arriving in Belfast. Hiking in Ireland will also require stamina and time, so if you are unfit or only have a short allowance of time in Ireland, this mode isnt for you. A stone's throw from Blarney village on top of its famous castle lays another important attraction: The Blarney Stone. Ballintoy Harbour . Budget one to two nights for a stay in Galway. Then jump on the Dublin-Cork line to explore the southern city of. I brought my own car on the ferry from the UK to Ireland which cost around 200 for one passenger and one car. The 12th-century ruinone of our favoriteswas the largest and most important Augustinian monastic site in Ireland. Rick's Best Three-Week Ireland Trip (by Car) Spend your first three nights in Dublin, using buses and taxis, then pick up a car for the rest of this itinerary. It is not advised and can be dangerous. These are the main routes out of Dublin by train and serve many corners of the country. Just note that they can be packed in the mornings and evenings. Carrick-a-rede Rope Bridge. The biggest advantage to a guided tour of Ireland by bus/coach is that someone else does the driving. Details. On Sundays and public holidays, trains come by much less frequently. Here is a rough itinerary for your visit to Northern Ireland which includes a good section of the Causeway Coastal Route. Day 7: A guided tour to Cuevas del Drach (a visit to the island's most famous caves and their underground lake) + extra beach time (optional: Cuevas del Hams). If you are staying along one of the coastal suburbs of Dublin, or want to visit Howth, Malahide, Dun Laoghaire or Bray, then hopping onto the DART (Dublin Area Rapid Transport) is easy. However, a quick search online shows that it does seem small dogs may be allowed on most public transportation. I will say that if youre used to train travel around Europe in general, this is a bit different. Your email address will not be published. Top tip: If you are going for a country rail ticket ensure you purchase the correct one for the country you are visiting and your own citizenship status. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. Theres also Glendalough, which takes about a day or two to complete. The train runs 5x per day and takes around 1 hour 15 minutes. Click here for more information. It's possible to get around without a car, but you need to plan. Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. To give you an idea of what our 7 days in Ireland itinerary looks like, here is a map. The Green Line runs from Broombridge on the north side of the city to Brides Glen on the south side. It also has a commuter rail with four lines: Northern, South Eastern, Western, and South Western. Ireland was split into two in 1920 and next year, this division shall clock a century. Analytical cookies are used to understand how visitors interact with the website. Note that rail travel in Ireland is more expensive than on the continent. Day two - County Antrim along the Causeway Coastal Route. To read more about affiliate links, please visit my Disclosure Policy page. This itinerary will see you base yourself in main cities and towns from where you can explore the wider city or take day trips to other tourist attractions. No, not all. For an epic tour that ticks off many items on most Ireland bucket lists, the seven-day Grand Tour of Ireland might be the right choice. Use the bus to get across town or to and from the airport while you are in a major city. There is lots to see and do around Killarney and you should plan to spend 2-3 nights there. Day 5: A ride on the vintage train to the town of Soller + Jardines de Alfabia (optional: Fornalutx). I would confirm this by contacting the bus and train companies youll be using to ask them first so there are no surprises. But you should be aware that there are instances where a car is necessary. In these cases, youll need to use the bus. Theres no direct train line between Kilkenny and Cork, but the bus takes just two and a half hours. The Irish Rails website has a section indicating the lowest online fares available. Eurail passes are valid in Ireland, which is fantastic if youre on a multi-country trip. Guests can enjoy sweeping views across sandy beaches, windswept headlands and the Atlantic Ocean in the stunning Edwardian . You could also opt to spend time in the Burren, a desolate landscape thats now a national park. Bus ireann is the national operator for bus travel in Ireland, transporting passengers to more than 3000 destinations in Ireland. Urban types who enjoy city stays will find comfort in the fact that Irelands biggest citiesare easily accessible via public transport. This route runs along the Causeway Coastal Route, which means youll pass by beautiful, unspoiled beaches, and the backdrop of the Binevenagh Mountains. These trains reach commuter towns and have more regular services around typical rush hours to bring workers to and from the city. Lets look at the best way to see Ireland without a car below. When I did my road trip around Northern Ireland, I needed a car to access some of the hard-to-reach spots as well. One of the most stunning rail journeys on the island follows the south-east coast from Dublin down to the Rosslare Europort, and takes you through Ireland's Ancient East.. Best of Ireland Self Drive Tour & the Rock of Cashel (7 Night) Save 15%. Ive always left my dogs at home, so I cant say from personal experience. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. There are also several rail tours from Dublin that visit the main attractions across the country. Performance cookies are used to understand and analyze the key performance indexes of the website which helps in delivering a better user experience for the visitors. A second pro tip is to base yourself in a handful of well-connected towns and take day trips into the surrounding areas rather than stay a night at every destination (there are plenty of day trips from Dublin as well as Belfast day trips to explore). Im going in June and will need to get to Castletownbere from Dublin. Prices are still cheaper than in the summer and the weather is usually warmer, however, can still be unpredictable with the rainy season. The trams are fast, but they are very popular and crowded during rush hour. Many tours include accommodation, so youll stay in the best places, eat great food and get to meet plenty of people along the way, local and tourists alike. Round-trip fares are also substantially cheaper than buying two standard one-way tickets unless youve scored a deal on one-way fares. Not only could you be in danger from someone who picks you up, but you could be in danger from traffic along the roads you are walking until you hitch a ride. While hitch-hiking is still used as a form of exploring in some countries, it is extremely rare in Ireland. . I was staying in Ireland for 2 months so bringing my own vehicle was a lot more economical. Make sure to do a little planning ahead of time and if you can, prebook your tickets to avail of the best fares. And trains can often be faster than getting a bus, with many train routes having little or no stops along the way. The train is best if youre exploring the outskirts of the city since theyre designed for commuters. Lacing together the cities by train is slick, though some journeys in this itinerary involve transfers (usually just one). If you are choosing to go hiking in Ireland, while this is a great way to get around Ireland without a car, hiking trailheads and starting points may be located in small, rural towns with no public transport. On Sundays and bank holidays (find a list of Irish bank holidays in this post), timetables are reduced so service will be less frequent on these days. This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. For an epic tour that ticks off many items on most Ireland bucket lists, the seven-day. Remember long-distance hiking requires stamina, strength, and endurance, not to mention a lot of planning and preparation. 2 nights in Cork, with a day trip to the Ring of Kerry. . On this 10 day Ireland itinerary, tour the highlights of this country. There are also taxi offices dotted around the city from where you can get a taxi. You could also visit Blarney Castle and Cobh by guided tour from Cork. Not everyone is comfortable driving in Ireland, and thats especially true when they drive on the left side of the road, and the steering wheel is on the right side. Explore Belfast and tick the Giant's Causeway off your bucket list in Northern Ireland before crossing into Ireland to hike in the majestic Connemara National Park, discover the . But they are often served, nonetheless. Dublin is teeming with sights and attractions - so pick one or two to see in the morning. Day one - experience what Belfast has to offer. Visiting Ireland without a car is especially easy in Irelands capital city, Dublin.

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