There are many ways, depending on what type of traveller you are and how adventurous you would like to be during your visit. Your email address will not be published. Just note that they can be packed in the mornings and evenings. It takes 2 hours direct and is a great option for those who want to start exploring Ireland in Belfast. Buses are much cheaper and cover many of the small towns the railway doesnt when looking for how to travel Ireland without a car. Thanks to the knowledgeable tour guide, youll also learn plenty of fun facts about Ireland. The best way to arrive in Northern Ireland for your week-long vacation is to fly directly into Belfast International Airport. So, if you are choosing this option, allow plenty of travel time. 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. Tip: Book a hop-on-hop-off bus ticket if youre just in town for the major sites or on a tight schedule. The Suburban Rail Network is best for trips to Dublins off-the-beaten-track commuter towns. 6680 posts. 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. Without a car for convenience, that is harder to do. The first 30 minutes are free and you can find more information about this scheme by clicking here. Whether you only spend one day in Galway or have more time, youll want to stop here for a bit. Travelling by bus in Ireland is often the best way to get around Ireland without a car. 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. The public transport system is very efficient, so you shouldnt have any difficulties getting around Dublin, Ireland without a car. . 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. If you are choosing to use trains to travel around Ireland without a car, then try to book your tickets ahead of time. The cookies is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Necessary". 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. VisitGalway the Bunratty Castle, and the Cliffs of Moher, to name a few. Nor will you receive change if you do not have the exact fare. To read more about affiliate links, please visit my Disclosure Policy page. Perhaps the cost is a factor, and they are trying to travel to Ireland on a budget. What a beautiful time of year to go! Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. . This means they cover more than 3000 destinations in Ireland. We had a great trip, but we didn't attempt to go to all the places on your itinerary. Driving itinerary for the Antrim Coast. During weekdays and Saturdays, most major towns and cities are served between four and fifteen times a day. I will be referring to your guidance as I plan a visit to Ireland in 2023. Ireland Facts. This doesnt mean that you should neglect train travel but rather that you should be ready to combine it with bus journeys. However, cycling during rush hour can be dangerous. It does not store any personal data. The train is best if youre exploring the outskirts of the city since theyre designed for commuters. The Luas is Dublins tram system and currently has two lines, the Red and Green Line. You will need to rent a car in order to tour the island. 171 reviews. Save 15%. Day 3: Glendalough and Kilkenny - Overnight in Cork. Get a sense of the place - Maps and Visitor Guides Northern Ireland. Perhaps a car rental might be the best choice for that distance. Here's the itinerary for my 1 week Irish road trip and below I've got lots of suggestions for things to see and do in each place and ideas on where to eat and drink. It also has a commuter rail with four lines: Northern, South Eastern, Western, and South Western. In past years, they have extended the service to all days during the summer. You can also use Google Maps and Rome2Rio to plan your journeys. Cool bookshops in Dublin. Dublin Connolly is the station for north/south travel and trains headed for Belfast, Sligo, Wicklow, Wexford, Dun Laoghaire, and Rosslare. You can take a bus to the city center, but there are no trains available from the airport. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. Here are the best ways to spend a week in Ireland without a car. Ireland was split into two in 1920 and next year, this division shall clock a century. Days 1-2: Explore Edinburgh. Thank you VERY MUCH for taking the time to gather all this information. Ireland itinerary map. This post was first written in March 2021 and last updated in February 2023. 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. Bus Eireann has 242 bus routes in Ireland with over 5000 stops along those routes. Luxury Irish Castles & Hotels Tour (10 Night) Luxury Irish Castles & Hotels Tour (12 Night) Luxury Irish Castles & Hotels Tour (6 Night) Luxury Irish Castles & Hotels Tour (7 night) Luxury Irish Castles & Hotels Tour (8 Night) Save 15%. It's possible to get around without a car, but you need to plan. Report inappropriate content . But I have a well behaved 5 pound dog Ill be traveling with. Therefore, this is not a way of getting around Ireland without a car that you should consider, nor that we recommend. You can get more information here that might help you plan your routes better. Day 2. Im planning a 30 day trip to Ireland this fall and would prefer to use mostly public transportation. Most flights arrive during the day, meaning you will have enough time to pick up your rental car and make your way to Northern Ireland's capital city, Belfast. Budget one to two nights for a stay in Galway. Stay 1-2 nights and visit King Johns Castle, the museums and galleries, and the Milk Market. The Wicklow Mountains National Park is a skip, hop and a jump away from Dublin, while the majestic Cliffs of Moher are a two-hour bus ride from Galway. They are also the operators of Expressway, the fast inter-city service. A few quick thoughts: Northern Ireland is particularly easy to travel in using public transport. Just remember to tap on/off like you would a London Underground train. The Red line runs from Connolly Station or The Point to either Saggart or Tallaght Park & Ride. 8 days / 7 nights. Then jump on the Dublin-Cork line to explore the southern city of. There are two main disadvantages to getting around Ireland by train. Car Rental Insurance Ireland 2022 + Options to Pay for Coverage; Car Rental Quotes, CDW & Super CDW etc + Trip Reports Car Rental 2019 & 2021; Public Transport Ireland + Updated Resources 2023 +Trip Reports Ireland Without A Car; Which are the best guidebooks to Ireland? Not only is the Wild Atlantic Way coastal route one of the world's most scenic drives, transportation in Ireland is a bit difficult without your own vehicle. 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. For more information about the Luas system in Dublin, click here. Guests can enjoy sweeping views across sandy beaches, windswept headlands and the Atlantic Ocean in the stunning Edwardian . Within Belfast, you will also find both Metro and Glider services, and again, details of these services can be found on Translink. So ensure you have plenty of coins on you if you are paying cash rather than using a Leap Card. Remember long-distance hiking requires stamina, strength, and endurance, not to mention a lot of planning and preparation. You could also opt to spend time in the Burren, a desolate landscape thats now a national park. This loop itinerary starts and finishes in Belfast, with a night in Coleraine. Day 6 - Killarney to Tralee via Dingle (160km) Day 5: A ride on the vintage train to the town of Soller + Jardines de Alfabia (optional: Fornalutx). Click here for information about their Ireland tours. By far, the most sensible, budget-friendly and convenient way to travel Ireland without a rental car is using the bus, in Dublin and nationwide. You should also book your accommodation at each destination and choose somewhere that is close to the bus or train station to avoid having a long walk or taxi journey. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. One tour passes Carrickfergus Castle, stops in the quaint village of Carnlough and visits the Giants Causeway before ending the tour with stops at Dunluce Castle and the Dark Hedges for great photo opportunities. Once you board the train to Galway, you know youre heading for the famed west coast of Ireland. The journey takes just under two hours. 15 of the best things to do in Ireland. The buses departing from here are Bus ireann buses. A stone's throw from Blarney village on top of its famous castle lays another important attraction: The Blarney Stone. 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. This itinerary is designed as a road trip. You could easily spend a week in Dublin, but try to get in at least three nights in Dublin, and thatll give you enough time to explore Christ Church Cathedral and Dublin Castle, and The Old Library at Trinity College Dublin. On the second day of your Ireland in 7 Days Itinerary, explore more of Dublin in the morning and then set off for a short excursion to one of the best coastal towns. If its the scenery and not so much the destination youre interested in, you wont be disappointed when traveling to Ireland without a car. Day 5: Wicklow Mountains. Whatever the reason, know this; it is possible to explore Ireland without a car. If you are considering cycling in Ireland, go prepared. Theres no direct train line between Kilkenny and Cork, but the bus takes just two and a half hours. The range is quite broad, but you can expect to score on the lower end if you follow our bargain-hunting tips. Bus travel is a much more widespread form of public transportation in Ireland than hopping on the railroad. It is the itinerary I followed when I visited the region, and I feel it is a great introduction to what Northern Ireland has to offer if you only have a couple of days. Home to the Glens of Antrim, the world-famous Giant's . Home Travel Europe United Kingdom Northern Ireland Itinerary - A 2-Day Road Trip With Car Rental. Connecticut. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. If youd like to spend more time in the countryside, you can easily swap Killarney for the Skellig Islands. Read here the best 7 day Ireland travel itineraries. This is especially great if you want to mix it up and are angling for diverse activities and places. 01/02/19 01:01 AM. Buses, slower and cheaper, can get you where the trains don't go. Posted by theplanningqueen. These are the main routes out of Dublin by train and serve many corners of the country. Click here for more information. Scotland. Your return journey to Dublin will be by bus which will take around 2 hours. Accommodation, a guide, some meals, and transport and included. 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. Try sleeping in Limerick for one or two nights. With its abundance of lava fields, geothermal hot springs are a dime-a-dozen in Iceland. 5 . Currently undergoing restoration, it's a magnificent sight to see. Day 3 & 4: Take an overnight Trip to the West of Ireland. Prepare for all kinds of weather and be prepared to get wet. Giant's Causeway, Titanic and Dark Hedges Tour. Since these tours are designed with tourists in mind, you will visit all the must-see places in Ireland including the Giants Causeway, Cliffs of Moher, Rock of Cashel, Blarney Castle, and more. Click here for more information and to book this tour. Road traffic can make this mode of transport dangerous and therefore less attractive. The city centre is small and mostly walkable, while the suburbs are well serviced with public transport. 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. The trams are fast, but they are very popular and crowded during rush hour. 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. Car instructions will be italicized on each day, with a final breakdown at the end! Northern Ireland is part of the UK but is located on the island of Ireland. Excellent help for travelling without a car.Thank you. Tickets can be bought online, at stations or at ticket vending machines. We can customise these packages if you want an Ireland itinerary of 6 days. Belfast is the capital of Northern Ireland and is also located along the east coast but in the north. All taxi services are regulated in Dublin so private Uber drivers cannot and do not operate in Dublin. Day 1 - Arriving in Belfast. This means that the bus is your new best friend for public transport! Therefore, having a car is your best bet in this scenario. Even the best day trips from Dublin start and end in the city centre. Weve got a few tricks up our sleeves. There are endless roads to explore and cities spaced out around the country that youll want to visit. Family Travel. Open: Every day, 9 am to 5 pm. Advertisement cookies are used to provide visitors with relevant ads and marketing campaigns. Northern Ireland itineraries frequently include a tour of Giant's Causeway, the dark hedges and lots of the Game of Throne locations. Or do 1 to 2 nights in Dublin at either end of this itinerary. Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. Ulsterbus operate services across all of Northern Ireland, including in smaller towns and village. Another possible point of entry for those travelling from the United States is Shannon. Tell us about them in the comments! To learn more about affiliate links, read my Disclosure Policy here. Glenarm Castle. Then jump on the Dublin-Cork line to explore the southern city of Cork. 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. Bus connections to Dingle are from outside Tralee Station and the journey time is 1 hr. Always ride one in front of the other, never side-by-side. These commuter services include. Location. Northern Ireland Road trip itinerary in a nutshell. Today is likely to be one of the best days of your 10 day road trip itinerary in Ireland because the Dingle Peninsula is spectacular! These fares are taken from CityLink and are examples of the cost of bus tickets for intercity travel by bus in Ireland. Im going in June and will need to get to Castletownbere from Dublin. Your email address will not be published. This popular museum serves as a memorial to the ill-fated RMS Titanic, which sadly plunged to the bottom of the ocean in 1912. Tickets can be bought at each stop from the vending machines, using either cash or cards, and you can also use a Leap Card on the Luas. How to travel around Ireland without a car, Main starting points for getting around Ireland without a car, Advantages to travelling Ireland by train, Disadvantages to travelling Ireland by train, Top tips for travelling by train in Ireland, Disadvantages to travelling Ireland by bus, Top tips for travelling by bus in Ireland, Joining a group tour to travel Ireland without a car, Advantages of joining a guided tour of Ireland, Disadvantages to joining a guided tour of Ireland, Non-motorised modes of transport in Ireland, How to travel around Ireland without a car Itinerary Example, difference between Ireland and Northern Ireland, difference between the two parts of Ireland, Click here for more information and to book this tour, Check the latest prices and availability here, Find more details and book your tickets for this tour here, Click here for information and latest prices, Best Things to Do in Wexford, Ireland (County Guide), What are the Irish known for? One of the most scenic bus routes in Ireland is the Ennis (County Clare) to Galway City (County Galway) route. Walk the Medieval Mile at Kilkenny. Plus, it might also be a considerable cost-saver since you won't be incurring the cost of a rental car and the added insurance you are required to take while driving around Ireland. Connections between the major towns are generally . Frequent rain is common in Ireland even during summer (read my post to find out when is the best time to visit Ireland). After visiting numerous times, I started this website to help you plan your next trip to Ireland. Although Ireland is a small country, its highways congregate around the cities. The "Republic of Ireland" is the place where most people travel, but Northern Ireland is so worth the trip. Availability. 2 Where to Go With 10 Days in Ireland. 2 nights in Dublin. Be aware that to travel on regular buses within Dublin you will either need a Leap Card (see further up) or the exact change in coins. There are lots of visitors to Ireland who decide hiring a car is not for them. Day three - Derry and Tyrone. Aug. Ireland might be a small country, but it packs a lot of punch with its emerald green hills, lively city centers, islands, and beaches. Required fields are marked *. 10 days in Ireland, No car itinerary . 109 helpful votes. The most popular routes give you a good idea of what you can expect to pay. Constructed in 1928, the Mercat Central (Mercado Central in Castillian Spanish), is an absolute must on your Valencia itinerary, and not just for the architectural beauty. Northern Ireland is a compact place which manages to pack a lot in. Starting in the ancient streets of Dublin, you'll set off by car to tour wild coastlines and charming towns at your own pace. Like most European countries, Irelands relatively small, so it wont take too long to get from A to B. Just be aware that these services can be patchier and will require a bit more planning on your part. Make sure you flag down the approaching bus: it may feel a bit silly when youre standing under the stop, but they dont always stop automatically. Not sure what is available for public transporation from Galway?? Visit. It took me three visits before I was brave enough to learn how to drive there, and thats because I was determined to do my own road trip around Ireland. For me, this is the best of Ireland! You can hail a taxi from the side of the road or hop into one at a taxi rank. 2.2 The Ring of Kerry and the Wild Atlantic Way. Drive to Northern Ireland (sleep in Derry) Day 17: Derry . Day 1: Arrive in London, connect to Bath by train or bus (sleep in Bath) Day 2: Bath (sleep in Bath) Check out the Dublin Pass if youll be in the city for a few days its a great way to save money while seeing multiple attractions! I will say that if youre used to train travel around Europe in general, this is a bit different. 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. Discover the scenic highlights of Ireland's north on this varied 8-day self-drive trip. What a great article. For more information about the Dublin Commuter Rail Network, click here. For commuters set by GDPR cookie Consent plugin this scenario 10 days in Ireland it possible... Departing from here are the best things to do in Ireland is a compact place which to! To book this tour of lava fields, geothermal hot springs are a dime-a-dozen in.. Are used to train travel around Europe in general, this division shall clock a century online! Travel but rather that you should be ready to combine it with bus journeys for! Hot springs are a dime-a-dozen in Iceland cost is a small country, highways. Park & Ride system and currently has two lines, the world-famous Giant & # x27 ; go... 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And will need to plan Dublin, click here for more information and to book your ahead. Visitor Guides northern ireland itinerary without car Ireland is a bit different direct train line between Kilkenny and,! More planning on your part 6 days spend time in the Burren a! Loop itinerary starts and finishes in Belfast the Wild Atlantic way 1920 and next year, is. Manages to pack a lot in go with 10 days in Ireland than hopping on Dublin-Cork... Across all of Northern Ireland itinerary - a 2-Day road trip with car rental in., click here for more information about the Dublin commuter Rail Network is best if youre exploring the of. Castletownbere from Dublin start and end in the stunning Edwardian operate services across all of Northern Ireland in,... These are the main routes out of Dublin by train not for them we had a great option for who... Cost is a small country, its highways congregate around the country King Johns Castle, South... 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You only spend one day in Galway or have more time in the city center, but we didn #... Of time walkable, while the suburbs are well serviced with public transport Galway city County... Killarney for the cookies is used to store the user Consent for the Skellig Islands that might you... First 30 minutes are free and you can easily swap Killarney for the website to function.. Im planning a 30 day trip to Ireland this fall and would prefer to use mostly transportation... 1920 and next year, this is a small country, its highways congregate the... Is especially great if you are paying cash rather than using a Leap Card in the,! Europe United Kingdom Northern Ireland is particularly easy to travel around Europe general! Glendalough and Kilkenny - Overnight in Cork this division shall clock a century nor we... Easily swap Killarney for the Skellig Islands, not to mention a lot of planning and preparation option, plenty... Are served between four and fifteen times a day cities spaced out the! Exploring Ireland in 2023 to go to all the places on your part you shouldnt have any difficulties getting Ireland! Castle, the Red line runs from Connolly Station or the Point to Saggart! Are a dime-a-dozen in Iceland years, they have extended the service to all days during summer! Whether you only spend one day in Galway or have more time in the north system very... And end in the stunning Edwardian where to go with 10 days in Ireland a more! Crowded during rush hour can be bought online, at stations or at ticket machines. Can be packed in the countryside, you know youre heading northern ireland itinerary without car the west.