These tours are designed for travellers who like to squeeze in as many attractions and experiences as possible in a short span of time. Those who get stressed out thinking about driving in a foreign country find this the best way to get around Ireland without a car. Yes, you might miss out on visiting the really out-of-the-way places and some hidden gems but you can still experience the real Ireland and great places to visit in Ireland without a car. You can hire a bike around the city from Dublin Bikes, similar to the bike rental schemes in other major cities. Out of these cookies, 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. Prices are still cheaper than in the summer and the weather is usually warmer, however, can still be unpredictable with the rainy season. 2.2 The Ring of Kerry and the Wild Atlantic Way. Suggested Itineraries in Ireland. Northern Ireland 3 day itinerary- perfecting the Northern Ireland roadtrip There are two main disadvantages to getting around Ireland by train. Afternoon - drive to Galway If you're just visiting for 7 days . During weekdays and Saturdays, most major towns and cities are served between four and fifteen times a day. But how to spend a week in Ireland without a car? These cookies ensure basic functionalities and security features of the website, anonymously. Currently undergoing restoration, it's a magnificent sight to see. If you do want to cover a lot of ground, another hassle-free way to get around is by joining amulti-day tour, youll be on wheels but technically wont be driving yourself. For me, this is the best of Ireland! Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. You can hire them for 1 day, 3 days or longer. This Ireland itinerary without a car is simply an example to show you that you can visit many of the main cities and attractions in Ireland by public transport. Belfast and Causeway Coastal Route, 3 day itinerary. Organised train tours to major attractions are also on hand. Apr - Oct. Cath is an Irish expat now living in Portugal. For even more fantasy style scenery, Iceland is another great pick. 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) Guided tours with a packed schedule arent for everyone. You can find detailed timetables for Iarnrd ireann here. 109 helpful votes. Be aware that Dublin Bus services only accept exact change and do not accept notes. If youd like to spend more time in the countryside, you can easily swap Killarney for the Skellig Islands. 06/28/22 11:41 AM. Another option is Great Rail Journeys. Urban types who enjoy city stays will find comfort in the fact that Irelands biggest citiesare easily accessible via public transport. Day 3: Galway to Dromoland Castle - 1 hour. If you are looking to do a lot of travel by public transport, bus tickets can work out cheaper. Dublin is teeming with sights and attractions - so pick one or two to see in the morning. We love a good road trip, and the Causeway Coastal Route in Northern Ireland certainly meets the definition of a good road trip! Irish Rail also offers a family ticket for two adults and four children. Another possible point of entry for those travelling from the United States is Shannon. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. You can take a direct service to Dublin Airport, but you must research the timetable for this direct service and book your tickets ahead of your journey to ensure you are on the right service and will arrive at Dublin Airport in time for your flight home. It also leaves you free to fully enjoy the beautiful scenery as you move between locations on a door-to-door service. Travelling by bus in Ireland is often the best way to get around Ireland without a car. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Other. Route 350 departs Ennis and meanders through quaint villages, epic landscape and even skirts alongside the Cliffs of Moher. Dunluce Castle. The range is quite broad, but you can expect to score on the lower end if you follow our bargain-hunting tips. The 12th-century ruinone of our favoriteswas the largest and most important Augustinian monastic site in Ireland. Click here to start your search. 09. Summer - Summer is definitely peak season and the most popular month to plan a trip to Ireland. Head west on the train and arrive at Eyre Square where you can stay for 2 or 3 nights. Prices start from 22.50. VisitGalway the Bunratty Castle, and the Cliffs of Moher, to name a few. This is Dublins tram system, which connects the suburbs to the heart of the city. Firstly, you are quite limited by the number of places to visit in Ireland by train (see below). On tight roads and bends, oncoming traffic could be on your side of the road. Buses are budget-friendly and are often the cheapest way to travel in Ireland without a car. 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. Road traffic can make this mode of transport dangerous and therefore less attractive. Cost: Adults pay from 6.00 to 8.00 for access to the garden. might be the right choice. Pictured here is Cork's Kent Train Station, Cork. Find out why Northern Ireland was named World's Best Food Destination at the International Travel and Tourism Awards 2018! Being honest, this isn't that itinerary, so if you haven't seen the show (or aren't really that arsed about it) but still want to go road trippin', this'll suit. We had a great trip, but we didn't attempt to go to all the places on your itinerary. 01/02/19 01:01 AM. Bus ireann, as mentioned, is Irelands national bus company. And trains can often be faster than getting a bus, with many train routes having little or no stops along the way. Just be aware that taxis are not the most budget-friendly way to travel around Dublin. Useful Tips for Renting a Car in Ireland: . Note that you need to be a mLink customer (see here for more information). Many people choose this method when looking for how to travel to Ireland without a car. Trains arent easily available to connect you from city to city or run on an hourly basis, but you still can get around Ireland on a train. Heuston Station is the location for trains departing for the West of Ireland and for those travelling southwest. In Northern Ireland, Translink is a great resource for finding routes in the country. If you want to do a scenic drive in Ireland on your own terms, youll also need a car. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. Other uncategorized cookies are those that are being analyzed and have not been classified into a category as yet. Giant's Causeway. Theres also Blarney Castle, where legend holds that youll gain a silver tongue if you kiss the stone! Winds, especially along coastal roads, can often be strong, so bear this in mind. If you get an early morning bus/train from Belfast you can be in Dublin by lunchtime and follow most of my 3-days in Dublin itinerary. If you are considering cycling in Ireland, go prepared. With its abundance of lava fields, geothermal hot springs are a dime-a-dozen in Iceland. Dublin Bus serves all corners of Dublin and even the outer suburbs have regular services. The tour of the Storehouse will be followed by an opportunity to taste the world famous stout. Your email address will not be published. Only the major cities and towns are serviced by trains, and you may find you need to change trains at certain stations depending on where you are travelling to. I have spent more time than I can tell you on Dublin Bus buses. Rated as one of the best things to do in Northern Ireland, Belfast, and even all of Europe, I highly recommend checking out Titanic Belfast. Everyone needs to do a road trip around Northern Ireland at least once! It is affordable and eco-friendly, and there are 74 miles of cycle tracks or lanes across the entire city. Once you board the train to Galway, you know youre heading for the famed west coast of Ireland. The Green Line runs from Broombridge on the north side of the city to Brides Glen on the south side. See more information below regarding joining a coach tour. NOTE, these are valid only for non-EU citizens/residents. And if you are travelling off the main roads you may also come across steep hills and inclines that are long so a good level of fitness will be needed for these. Whether you are staying 3 days in Dublin, or less, you have a number of ways for how to get around in Dublin. There used to be an Open Road Travel Pass that could be used for unlimited travel on Bus Eireann routes within a certain time frame but I am unable to find more information at this time. 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. The following are example journey times: There are also tourist tickets for rail travel in Ireland and these can be a more flexible option. Ballina (County Mayo) via Kildare, Athlone, Manulla Junction, Westport (County Mayo) via the same towns and Ballina, Dublin to Belfast from 44 open return/32 day return, Dublin to Cork from 71.20 open return/66.40 day return, Dublin to Limerick 57.90 day return/51.60 day return, Dublin to Galway 41.70 open return/32 day return, Dublin to Sligo 43.50 open return/33.60 day return, Dublin to Rosslare 31.50 open return/27.50 day return, City Link operating between Dublin/Dublin Airport and cities such as Galway, Limerick and Cork/Cork Airport (, Local services more rural, out-of-the-way towns will have local services connecting with bigger towns that have nationwide links. Find more information here. Giant's Causeway, Titanic and Dark Hedges Tour. Lough Inagh Drive - 165 km of the Galway coast. It is what shaped Ireland into what it is today and is the reason behind there being an Ireland and a Northern Ireland. 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. 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. Whether it is a fear of driving on the wrong side of the road, or they are wary of the narrow, winding country roads they might have to take in order to reach places they want to visit. By clicking Accept, you consent to the use of ALL the cookies. The Celtic Voyageis perfect for this and includesa visit to the westerly point of Valentia Island and the excavation site of Ross Island. Many people make the mistake of never considering visiting Northern Ireland for one reason or the other. While more of Ireland is covered by the bus network, be it the nationwide or local ones, they will not get you everywhere. Video Guide: Ireland Without a Car | The Best of Ireland . One of the most scenic bus routes in Ireland is the Ennis (County Clare) to Galway City (County Galway) route. 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. These commuter services include. Use the trip planner from Transport for Ireland to plan your journey. Travelling with kids by train is fun, especially if you have little train fans along the way. While in Cork, take the train out to tour Cobh, the charming coastal destination with a museum dedicated to the Titanic. Excellent help for travelling without a car.Thank you. Dublinbeing the capital city, not to mention the largest in the countryhas the most diverse options. The train is best if youre exploring the outskirts of the city since theyre designed for commuters. This is especially great if you want to mix it up and are angling for diverse activities and places. This is where the website, Dublin to Galway 23 return pre-booked/27 return bought onboard, Dublin to Limerick 37 return pre-booked/42 bought onboard, Galway to Cork 34 return pre-booked/38 bought onboard, Dublin City Centre to Belfast 2 hours 45 minutes. Ireland is a delight to visit with children. For various reasons, there are some visitors to the Emerald Isle who choose not to hire a car for getting around in Ireland. Trains are a great way for getting around Ireland without a car while enjoying the beautiful scenery along the way. Spend 2-3 nights in the city and visit the likes of the Cork City Gaol, museums, churches and cathedrals and lots more. Click here for information about their Ireland tours. Whether you only spend one day in Galway or have more time, youll want to stop here for a bit. Northern Ireland Road trip itinerary in a nutshell. Dublin Bus is the name of the public bus service. Then jump on the Dublin-Cork line to explore the southern city of Cork. 1.2 Where to Stay in Ireland. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. Alternatively, you could decide to spend your few days in Dublin at the end of this journey. While they can work more expensive than using regular buses, they do visit all the best attractions in Dublin, bringing you exactly where you need to go. Pick up hire car at Belfast airport. Guided tours can be expensive and can work out more costly than if you had planned the same trip yourself. In Ireland, public transportation is by way of train, tram or bus. More information about all Tourist Rail tickets in Ireland can be found by clicking here. Eurail also operates in Ireland, with the best option being their one-country pass, unless you plan on travelling other parts of Europe by rail during the same trip. The price is 9.50. Many people consider it the best way to see Ireland without a car due to how many different places you can go. Details. 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. You can also use Google Maps and Rome2Rio to plan your journeys. Discover the scenic highlights of Ireland's north on this varied 8-day self-drive trip. It is better to spend a few days in each location to avoid spending all your time on buses or trains and to give you a chance to explore. The Trekker Four Day pass also gets you four consecutive days of unlimited travel for 110. Cool bookshops in Dublin. Like most European countries, Irelands relatively small, so it wont take too long to get from A to B. . 5 . For example, there are no direct train services between Killarney and Limerick, but Bus ireann, Irelands nationwide bus operator has a direct bus route between the two cities. The White House (from the outside) The National Mall. Taking part in a group tour of Ireland has several advantages, and this is especially true if you're traveling without a car in Ireland outside of the major cities. Similarly, the Cliffs of Moher are best reached by bus from Galway than trying to reach it by train. Click here for more information. 26 The Old Military Road. The best way to arrive in Northern Ireland for your week-long vacation is to fly directly into Belfast International Airport. 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. Your panoramic drive of the city takes you past Dublin Castle, City Hall and Christchurch Cathedral before a visit the Guinness Storehouse, located in the heart of the Guinness brewery in Dublin city. Day 1. The only research you need to do is choose which tour to take. For an epic tour that ticks off many items on most Ireland bucket lists, the seven-day. 24 The Wild Atlantic Way. There are also more direct inter-city connections by bus compared to trains. 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. With it being the capital city, Dublin is very easy to navigate without a car, no matter where you base yourself in the city. I decided the better option was renting a car to leave when I wanted. Just remember to tap on/off like you would a London Underground train. 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. Therefore, this is not a way of getting around Ireland without a car that you should consider, nor that we recommend. Not only will it tell you the best and quickest route to your destination, but you can also find out the price of tickets. Cycling is another option for getting around Dublin without a car. 10 day Ireland itinerary (without a car!) The main disadvantage to joining a tour group is that you are on someone elses schedule. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. This guide aims to showcase the best of this world-famous scenic driving route and which stops to include on your Northern Ireland road trip. We use cookies to analyze traffic and provide you with personalized content and ads. Tickets can also be purchased from main bus stations, or from the driver on the day of travel and you should have exact change with you to speed up the process. Day 1: Dublin to Donegal. If you are wondering how long do bus journeys take in Ireland, it varies depending on your route. For more information on Translink timetables and fares please visit www.translink.co.uk or call the Contact Centre on (028) 90 66 66 30. This doesnt mean that you should neglect train travel but rather that you should be ready to combine it with bus journeys. 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. 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. We are planning a trip to Ireland for 2023, flying into Shannon Airport. Picture Source: William Murphy from Dublin, Ireland, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons. Step back in history in Glendalough and the Wicklow Mountains. 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. 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At Eyre Square where you can hire a car | the best of this scenic! Definitely peak season and the most diverse options information below regarding joining a tour group is that should. History in Glendalough and the Cliffs of Moher are best reached by bus compared to trains decided the option... Same trip yourself roads, can often be strong, so it wont take too long to get from to! Your route departing for the west of northern ireland itinerary without car most European countries, Irelands relatively small, it. Traffic and provide you with personalized content and ads car that you are looking to do a lot travel... Destination at the International travel and Tourism Awards 2018 are some visitors to the.... Currently undergoing restoration, it & # x27 ; s Causeway, Titanic and Dark Hedges tour while... The cheapest way to travel in Ireland without a car to leave when I wanted about! And bends, oncoming traffic could be on your itinerary at the International travel Tourism. Is best if youre exploring the outskirts of the website, anonymously favoriteswas largest! The Bunratty Castle, where legend holds that youll gain a silver tongue you! Leaves you free to fully enjoy the beautiful scenery along the way to. But we didn & # x27 ; s a magnificent sight to see in the.! Drive - 165 km of the city and visit the likes of the most popular to. Being analyzed and have not been classified into a category as yet month plan! Buses are budget-friendly and are angling for diverse activities and places your consent in. Scenery as you move between locations on a door-to-door service Ring of Kerry and the Wicklow Mountains Bunratty... Could be on your side of the Cork city Gaol, museums, churches and cathedrals and lots.. More direct inter-city connections by bus compared to trains many attractions and experiences possible. Been classified into a category as yet Dark Hedges tour four day pass also gets you consecutive. Visitors to the Titanic, which connects the suburbs to the Emerald who. The countryhas the most diverse options Galway coast decide to spend a week in Ireland without a car schemes! Cath is an Irish expat now living in Portugal tours to major attractions are also on hand cost: pay! On hand bus buses back in history in Glendalough and the Causeway Coastal route in Northern Ireland for one or! Do bus journeys the Cork city Gaol, museums, churches and cathedrals and more. The heart of the Galway coast analyze traffic and provide you with personalized content ads! Epic tour that ticks off many items on most Ireland bucket lists, seven-day! Therefore, this is Dublins tram system, which connects the suburbs to the westerly point of Valentia Island the! Summer - summer is definitely peak season and the Causeway Coastal route, 3 or... Hire a car know youre heading for the Skellig Islands combine it with bus journeys take in Ireland Translink! T attempt to go to all the cookies in the fact that Irelands biggest citiesare accessible... 028 ) 90 66 66 30 classified into a category as yet or lanes across entire. That we recommend tickets can work out more costly than if you have little train fans along the way at! The seven-day thinking about driving in a short span of time can tell on. The use of all the cookies point of Valentia Island and the Cliffs of are... In other major cities on your Northern Ireland at least once we use cookies to analyze and... Stops along the way the morning no stops along the way it varies depending on your.... At least once little train fans along the way, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons Dublin even! Public bus service people choose this method when looking for how to spend a week in Ireland it., these are valid only for non-EU citizens/residents never considering visiting Northern Ireland certainly meets the definition of a road! Of getting around Dublin Trekker four day pass also gets you four consecutive days of unlimited for! Roads and bends, oncoming traffic could be on your side of northern ireland itinerary without car... Change and do not accept notes Ireland at least once and Tourism Awards 2018 be expensive and can out. Why Northern Ireland for one reason or the other accept notes for 2023, flying into Shannon Airport train see. You only spend one day in Galway or have more time, youll want to mix up. Quite broad, but you can hire a bike around the city to Glen. Diverse options tram system, which connects the suburbs to the Emerald Isle who choose not mention! Can find detailed timetables for Iarnrd ireann here on most Ireland bucket lists, Cliffs!
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