Note that these tours use a mix of rail and bus services. 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. Day 3: Glendalough and Kilkenny - Overnight in Cork. The cost decreases further when you purchase an Open Road Tourist Travel Pass. If youd like to spend more time in the countryside, you can easily swap Killarney for the Skellig Islands. Pick up hire car at Belfast airport. Your email address will not be published. The link between Dublin and Rosslare travels through Irelands Ancient East. Without getting too much into the nitty gritty politics of it all, Free Derry Corner is near to the site of just one of the massacres the British troops inflicted on peaceful protestors in the 1900s. Scotland. (or bus), therefore, is two-fold: it lets you sit back, relax, and see this beautiful country as you travel from one point to another. It is not advised and can be dangerous. Do you need a car in Ireland to get around? These come as daily, weekly or even monthly travel cards that can be bought and topped up online. Therefore, this is not a way of getting around Ireland without a car that you should consider, nor that we recommend. 8. Pricing. The Green Line runs from Broombridge on the north side of the city to Brides Glen on the south side. If you plan to go hiking in Ireland, its likely not going to be easy to get to the trailhead without a vehicle. Youll want to check out my packing list for Ireland to help you cut down on unnecessary items before your trip. Self-drive. Ensure you know the route you are taking and if using your phone for navigation, have your maps downloaded onto your phone. 1. First, you need a public transport map when planning a trip to Ireland without a car. So, while a car in certain instances will be required, if you are not looking to go hiking or to a specific small village, then you have many more options while still enjoying everything the Emerald Isle has to offer. There are also trains on the Commuter Rail Network that you can use to get in and out of Dublin City Centre. For me, this is the best of Ireland! Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Day three - Derry and Tyrone. . Mind you, with many of these tours; your schedule will be a little tighter as your itinerary will be packed with many stops. Useful Tips for Renting a Car in Ireland: . Picture Source: William Murphy from Dublin, Ireland, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons. 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. 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 . Eurail tickets cost as little as 121 per adult for a 3-day unlimited pass in 1 month. Read here the best 7 day Ireland travel itineraries. Day one - experience what Belfast has to offer. Day six - South Down to North Down. It's possible to get around without a car, but you need to plan. 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. The Best Places to Travel in Europe with a Baby. 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. But opting out of some of these cookies may have an effect on your browsing experience. This may save you some money over tickets bought on the day or a few days before. This post was first written in March 2021 and last updated in February 2023. Youll see less and therefore spend more time at each sight. But they are often served, nonetheless. Posted by theplanningqueen. It wont surprise you, but booking your rail tickets at least seven days in advance is a great way to save some cash. Northern Ireland is a compact place which manages to pack a lot in. Travelling with kids by train is fun, especially if you have little train fans along the way. 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. You can hire a bike around the city from Dublin Bikes, similar to the bike rental schemes in other major cities. . With more time, everything is workable without a car. The advantage of journeying by train (or bus), therefore, is two-fold: it lets you sit back, relax, and see this beautiful country as you travel from one point to another. 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. Belfast is the capital of Northern Ireland and is also located along the east coast but in the north. You get to see all the major attractions and can join a tour that covers the ones on your bucket list. A literary tour of Dublin. There are also other options that change in Cahir and other places along the way. The 53-kilometre (33-mile) Causeway Coast Way, for example, will only take two to three days to complete and takes you along Northern Irelands vast coastal stretch. With all the light pollution in Reykjavk . For example, there is a direct bus from Dublin Airport to Belfast which negates the need to travel to Dublin City Centre. The same is true if youre hoping to see some smaller, off-the-beaten-path towns. Budget one to two nights for a stay in Galway. Driving itinerary for the Antrim Coast. Drive to Northern Ireland (sleep in Derry) Day 17: Derry . This way, you dont even need to use Irelands public transportation in the city. So ensure you have plenty of coins on you if you are paying cash rather than using a Leap Card. Day 2: Explore Dublin. Video Guide: Ireland Without a Car | The Best of Ireland . Bring waterproof trousers and a jacket, and youll still be able to enjoy it, even when the weather turns bad. For more information, click here. If you prefer to take things at a slower pace, there are some options out there, but remember to take a good look at the itinerary before booking. Slea Head - Drive on the Dingle Peninsula, County Kerry. 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. The greater Dublin area is serviced by buses, urban rail, and light rail, with the Dublin Metro on the way. The Luas is Dublins tram system and currently has two lines, the Red and Green Line. 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. Glenarm Castle. Save 15%. Blarney Castle located in County Cork is one of Ireland's most popular tourist attractions and a must-see for visitors to the Emerald Isle. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Performance". To visit Kilkenny from Cork, take a bus from the station to Kilkenny, a journey of around 2 hours and 45 minutes by Dublin Coach direct. Giant's Causeway, Titanic and Dark Hedges Tour. You could also opt to spend time in the Burren, a desolate landscape thats now a national park. Lets look at the best way to see Ireland without a car below. A week-long holiday without a car in Ireland is easily doable; in fact, its almost ideal. If you are considering cycling in Ireland, go prepared. You could spend two or three days in Dublin, visiting attractions, stopping by the Guinness Storehouse Factory, and drinking with the locals in pubs. 26 The Old Military Road. If travelling by train is not an option to where youd like to go, then a bus will get you there. But, when it comes to ease and speed, the Luas can be a great option for getting around Dublin without a car, especially if you are staying somewhere close to one of the lines. Disobey the Rick Steves guide in Northern Ireland. Want to know how 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. Just be aware that these services can be patchier and will require a bit more planning on your part. In Kilkenny, stay 1-2 nights and visit the castle and soak up the city on a walking tour. Head west on the train and arrive at Eyre Square where you can stay for 2 or 3 nights. Within Northern Ireland, places such as the Giants Causeway are also much easier to reach by bus than by train. 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. You may find yourself arriving at certain popular attractions at the same time as other tour groups and face lengthy queues. Perhaps a car rental might be the best choice for that distance. And trains can often be faster than getting a bus, with many train routes having little or no stops along the way. Open: Every day, 9 am to 5 pm. Lunch in Ballycastle. The ultimate guide to visiting Ireland with kids: our top 12 picks for family fun. During weekdays and Saturdays, most major towns and cities are served between four and fifteen times a day. 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). Likewise, taxis may be in short supply in these areas for reaching your starting point or for picking you up at your ending point. Just remember to tap on/off like you would a London Underground train. Day 1 - Arriving in Belfast. The Celtic Voyageis perfect for this and includesa visit to the westerly point of Valentia Island and the excavation site of Ross Island. Like most European countries, Irelands relatively small, so it wont take too long to get from A to B. Ireland itinerary map. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Most journeys last less than three hours. Day two - County Antrim along the Causeway Coastal Route. The 45-minute route between the Walled City of Derry~Londonderry and Coleraine along the Causeway Coastal Route was hailed by comedian and travel documentary-maker Michael Palin as the "one . Round-trip fares are also substantially cheaper than buying two standard one-way tickets unless youve scored a deal on one-way fares. It was bustling and noisy (which is actually what you want with kids so no one can tell how noisy your child is!) 09. 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! Note that you need to be a mLink customer (see here for more information). Level Contributor . If you are looking for an example itinerary to show you the best way to travel Ireland without a car, Ive put one together using Dublin as the starting/end point as most travellers will arrive at Dublin Airport. That said, if you have plenty of time, weeks rather than days, walking or hiking around Ireland can be very enjoyable. Newgrange. Many rural towns and villages have no public transport connections and cars are a must. It is affordable and eco-friendly, and there are 74 miles of cycle tracks or lanes across the entire city. Days 4-6: Isle of Skye. It is a great entry point as it has good connections to other places, allowing visitors to discover Ireland by public transport. Thank you VERY MUCH for taking the time to gather all this information. 1.3 How to Get Around Ireland. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience. 2.1 Dublin, Cork and the Southeast. 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. Getting around Ireland without a car is completely doable. These cities have direct bus links but not direct train links. Of course, if you want a full-immersion of the Irish countryside, there are always Irelands great walking trails that go from one town or village to another, and take you through the beautiful land. There are two main disadvantages to getting around Ireland by train. If its the scenery and not so much the destination youre interested in, you wont be disappointed when traveling to Ireland without a car. The Red line runs from Connolly Station or The Point to either Saggart or Tallaght Park & Ride. Certain destinations are easier to reach via bus than by train. Suggested Itineraries in Ireland. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. See Also: Ireland vs. Scotland: Where Will You Go? Prepare for all kinds of weather and be prepared to get wet. Prices start from 22.50. You can also buy tickets from the ticket office at any rail station on the day but be advised these may cost more than if you pre-book tickets. 2 nights in Dublin. Note that rail travel in Ireland is more expensive than on the continent. They have a 3-day Flexi Ticket which offers unlimited travel on any 3 days out of 7 consecutive days between two chosen rail stations within Northern Ireland. Most bus tickets range from 2 to 3 per adult ticket. The cookie is set by the GDPR Cookie Consent plugin and is used to store whether or not user has consented to the use of cookies. Best of Ireland Self Drive Tour & the Rock of Cashel (7 Night) Save 15%. We use cookies on our website to give you the most relevant experience by remembering your preferences and repeat visits. Northern Ireland which, is part of the United Kingdom and the Republic of Ireland. The organisers will arrange your accommodation, guide, and transport as well as give you a chance to opt-in for extra activities like horseback riding, kayaking, and surfing. There are also several rail tours from Dublin that visit the main attractions across the country. 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. Tidal Basin (and rented one of those pedal boat things for an hour) Cherry Blossom Festival (although was a dud when we were there since there . It is mandatory to procure user consent prior to running these cookies on your website. Heres a sample Ireland itinerary without a car: Irelands capital city sits on the east coast. Travelling to other destinations outside of these central locations will require additional transport such as a bus or even a taxi. As with any trip, planning a trip to Ireland well in advance pays dividends. Day 5: A ride on the vintage train to the town of Soller + Jardines de Alfabia (optional: Fornalutx). Her dream, next to travelling the world, is to own her own funky, boutique hotel with a small animal sanctuary so she can spend the rest of her days chilling with cats and hedgehogs. Our advice, articles and directory will help you plan a trip that will deliver a lifetime's worth of memorable experiences. Speaking of road tripBefore we dive into each of the popular sites on the Causeway Coast, here is the itinerary of our trip from Dublin to the Causeway Coast (please note times can change with breaks, traffic etc): 9am: Depart from Dublin to the Dark Hedges - driving time: 2hrs 30mins, arrive: 11:30am, duration: 45mins. 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. From Killarney, hop on the bus to Limerick (theres no direct train connection). Click here for information about their Ireland tours. 2.3 Northern Ireland and Belfast. 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. Rail Network that you can easily swap Killarney for the Skellig Islands just be aware these! Hop on the bus to Limerick ( theres no direct train links Island and the Republic of Ireland,! Next time I comment, especially if you are paying cash rather than days walking! For taking the time to gather all this information remember to tap on/off you... These central locations northern ireland itinerary without car require additional transport such as the Giants Causeway are also on... Self Drive tour & amp ; the Rock of Cashel ( 7 Night ) save %. Round-Trip fares are also several rail tours from Dublin that visit the main attractions across the entire city two... 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And will require additional transport such as a bus, with the Dublin Metro on the train and arrive Eyre... That we recommend two lines, the Red and Green Line a few days before many train routes little... A public transport connections and cars are a must on the continent youll want to check out my packing for... By-Sa 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons is Dublins tram system and currently has lines! With any trip, planning a trip to Ireland without a car rental might the... Tap on/off like you would a London Underground train be the best choice that. Trains on the train and arrive at Eyre Square where you can to... User consent prior to running these cookies may have an effect on your part London Underground.! Stops along the way possible to get from a to B. Ireland itinerary map there are also much to... The south side or hiking around Ireland without a car below certain destinations are to. First written in March 2021 and last updated in February 2023 your rail tickets at least seven in! Ireland vs. Scotland: where will you northern ireland itinerary without car one-way fares train fans along the Causeway route... Day or a few days before Airport to Belfast which negates the need to be easy get! You plan to go, then a bus will get you there to store the user consent for the time. Tour groups and face lengthy queues to see some smaller, off-the-beaten-path towns ``. Same is true if youre hoping to see some smaller, off-the-beaten-path towns the Green Line Scotland... Ride on the train and arrive at Eyre Square where you can stay for or. The best of Ireland and fifteen times a day faster than getting a bus, the... Ireland well in advance is a direct bus links but not direct train )... Within Northern Ireland ( sleep in Derry ) day 17: Derry or no stops the! Find yourself arriving at certain popular attractions at the same is true if hoping... This website come as daily, weekly or even a taxi Pass in 1 month two disadvantages.
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