Trip planning and transport

31 questions, answered plainly.

What can I realistically see in Ireland in seven days without changing beds every night?

One region done properly, from two bases.

Which airport should I fly into for the west of Ireland: Dublin, Shannon or Knock?

Shannon, if the flight times suit.

Can I travel around Ireland by train and bus without hiring a car?

Yes, with bases chosen for their stations and bus stops.

How do I get from Dublin Airport into the city centre, and how long should I allow?

There is no train from Dublin Airport, and for now every way in is by road.

What is the best way to travel between Dublin and Belfast?

Take the Enterprise train.

Should I start a first Ireland trip in Dublin, or go straight to the regions?

Start in Dublin, but keep it short.

What is a sensible three day Ireland trip if Dublin is my only base?

Keep the bed in Dublin and spend the days at different ranges.

How many bases should I use on a ten day trip around Ireland?

Six or seven bases, with two nights in the two that matter most.

Is fourteen days enough to tour the whole island at a comfortable pace?

Yes, and fourteen days is roughly where comfortable starts.

Do I need to book Irish trains in advance, and when does booking save money?

You do not have to book: Irish Rail trains rarely sell out completely, and station tickets are always there on the day.

What is a Leap Card, where do I use it, and when is it not worth buying?

A Leap Card is Transport for Ireland's rechargeable travel card.

Can I use public transport to reach the Cliffs of Moher from Galway or Ennis?

Yes.

How do I reach the Aran Islands, and should I choose Inishmore, Inishmaan or Inisheer?

Aran Island Ferries sail year round from Rossaveal, with a shuttle bus from Galway city timed to meet the boats: about 40 minutes to Inishmore, 50 to Inishmaan and 55 to Inisheer.

How do ferries to Ireland from Britain and France compare with flying?

Ferries win when the car comes too, or when luggage, a dog or a dislike of airports shapes the trip.

What should I check before booking a ferry to an offshore island in rough weather?

Check the sailing, not just the forecast.

Are guided day tours better than self driving for the Ring of Kerry?

It depends who is holding the wheel.

Which places are practical as day trips from Dublin without a car?

Four stand up well.

Which places are practical as day trips from Galway without a car?

Galway is the best no-car base in the west.

How early should I book accommodation for a summer Ireland trip?

Earlier than feels natural, because the stock is small.

Should I stay in a city, a small town or a village for my first rural base?

Pick a small town.

What is the difference between a hotel, guesthouse, B and B and self catering stay in Ireland?

The names are regulated terms in Ireland, registered with Failte Ireland, and they describe how a place is run.

Why are Irish Escapes drive times longer than the times shown by map apps?

Because map apps assume the speed limit is achievable, and on rural Irish roads it often is not.

What pace setting should I choose in the planner for a relaxed trip?

Choose the Slow travel trip type.

How do I plan a trip around one ancestral county and still see the wider island?

Put the county in the middle, not at the edge.

What is the best route from Dublin to Galway if I want one worthwhile stop on the way?

Take the M6 motorway and stop at Athlone.

What is the best route from Dublin to Cork with a stop at Cashel or Kilkenny?

Take Cashel if the stop must fit inside one driving day.

Can I tour Northern Ireland and the Republic on one trip without separate transport bookings?

Mostly yes, with one honest wrinkle.

What should I do if a rural bus or train connection is missed?

First, check the real position rather than the printed one.

Where can I check live travel disruption before a journey in Ireland?

Start with Transport for Ireland.

How do I get to Kildare Town by train or bus?

By train, easily: Kildare town is on the main line out of Dublin Heuston, with direct trains through the day, the fastest making the run in about 25 minutes and stopping services…

How do I get to the Irish National Stud from Kildare Town?

The Stud stands at Tully, about two miles south of the town, and the easiest hop is the free shuttle bus that links Kildare railway station, Kildare Village, the town centre and…

Useful pages: Plan your journey · Public transport in Ireland · Dublin · Belfast · Plan your Ireland itinerary · Dublin and the East in 3 Days · The Grand Tour in 10 Days · The Full Island in 14 Days · Ennis · Galway city · Experiencing the Irish coastline · Guided versus self guided tours · Where to stay · Ready-made itineraries · Coming home · County Galway · Cashel · Northern Ireland · Travel notices

Sources

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