Travelling in Ireland

I am from Canada and wondered what the most efficient form of transportation is in Ireland. Is to really expensive to drive? Or is it more efficient and cheaper to buy a bus pass? There is two of us travelling

Thanks!

Penny

I am from Ireland and I have to tell you that the public transport system in Ireland really is very poor regionally. It is ok in Dublin, relativley easy to get about but when travelling to other parts of the country, it can become a bit of a nighmare. My advice would be to rent a car in order to really see all of the things that you would like to see. Stuff like touring Connemara and other sligtly more remote places can be rather frustrating if on a bus.
I don't know how long you are planning on staying touring but an economy car will cost you Euro €403.04 for 21 days. That is based on the middle of June, hiring from Dublin Airport and returning to Dublin Airport. Petrol is quite expensive here at the moment (€1.089 per litre).

Bus fares vary but the main bus service is the national service Bus Eireann. http://www.cie.ie/home/
There are other independent bus services that operate between city's such as Galway and Dublin that are cheaper and more comfortable. www.citylink.ie and www.gobus.ie However your problem there lies in a the fact that different companys operate to only specific areas etc so Bus Eireann although it is more expensive...it does service all areas of the country.

Rail travel in Ireland is really not an option as it is much too expensive and this country is simply too small for air travel.

Car hire was based on quote from main car supplier here in Ireland http://www.budget.ie

In my opinion, I would think that renting a car would make your tour of Ireland 20 times more enjoyable and it will alllow you to visit areas that you want to go and not just pass by them on a bus route.

Any more questions don't hesitate to ask.

I second everything squishyspu has said... Very good answer.
If you decide not to hire a car you could always try hitch-hiking, you'll be the only ones doing it in Ireland so someone may just give you a lift as a novelty.... or maybe not.

Hi, not sure if you've travlled to sunny Ireland yet. I agree, the public transport in Ireland is not that good. If you want to see the small scenic villages which are off the beaten track then car hire is the way forward. The only thing is the road signs are not that good either especially in the country side. I suppose this is the laid back nature of us Irish . -snip-Good luck. I love Canada. I was there last year.

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Yep - totally agree. Rent-a-car is your best option, but book it in your own country before you get there. It'll be cheaper - for sure.
I've done the trains many times - and the only trip I'd recommend (with a couple of nights stay the other end), is Dublin to Ennis (with a change in Limerick). It's a beautiful trip and doesn't take too long, about 4 hours in all. Then get the short bus ride to Miltown Milbay on the West Coast. Miltown is a lovely (and so genuinely Irish) town, with endless music in the bars. There are some good family B&B's there and the breakfast will keep you going till night time.

thank you so much everyone for your information
We have not started planning our trip but will in the next couple of days. Look forward to looking into all of the options!
We are going at the end of July..if you have any more tips..ie weather --great places to stay ..things to eat or must do\s please send them on.

We are heading out again at hte end of July for nine days..including a u2 concert..yeahhhh

I flew into shannon, and took a bus to galway for 15 euro there are also a bunch of other buses that go between the towns in the west and south. I remember there was a special the one weekend to go from galway to dublin for 5 euro! the towns in the west aren't that big, so once you get to them you can have a walk around and still see a lot.

but... buses will just get you around the towns and cities. you def won't be able to get out to Connemara or the cliffs of moher or anything like that on a bus.

I'd say bus half of it and rent a car for the other half.

thanks for that info!

Does anyone know of any good places to stay..i am staying with my BF and we dont want to spend too much on accomodations..smaller boutique types hotels or private B&B's woudl work..?

B & B's in which area??

Definitely hire a car; let's not forget how much it rains in Ireland! Also having taken public transport numerous times, firstly the taxis never seems to know where they're going plus waiting for a bus in the rain can make the trip seem impossible. Suggest easycar.com, brilliantly priced and very helpful – but you get what you pay for!