Taking the Train from Shannon to Dublin

divinemissmandy · Member

Taking the Train from Shannon to Dublin

Michele Erdvig · Host

Mandy,

I have info about the free train travel on my Hot News page. This is the link: http://www.irelandyes.com/news.html It is called the Golden Trekker Pass and is good till the end of the year in the Republic of Ireland and through Sept for No. Ireland. You can click through to their website and read the rules. Silver Surfer expires at the end of August.

How many people are in your group? It might make sense to take a taxi to the train station from Shannon Airport. It will also be more convenient. This is the Irish Rail site: http://www.irishrail.ie/home/ From there you can check on timetables. Sixmilebridge is pretty close to Shannon Airport as is Limerick. Check times and routing to see what you like best.

Michele

yesiree · Guru

I'd take a bus or a cab to the Limerick rail station. Buses leave the airport every few minutes and will have you at the station very quickly (FYI - it's actually much faster to get from Shannon Airport to the train station in Limerick than it is to go from Dublin Airport to either of Dublin's main train stations). The bus will cost less than 6 per person and you can purchase a ticket at the kiosk in the arrivals hall... or from the bus driver.

Trying to go via Ennis or Sixmilebridge would mean taking ground transport to Ennis or Sixmilebridge, then waiting for the train that would take you to Limerick, and then transferring to a train to Dublin, so that would require more time and transfers.

At Limerick you can either buy your ticket from the window or one of the kiosks (or online). In Dublin, you will arrive at Heuston Station which is a bit of a distance from city centre (in the vacinity Guinness & Kilmainham Gaol). You'll likely take a cab or the LUAS train to get to city centre or your accommodations in Dublin.

You'll need to apply for your Golden Trekker passes in advance http://www.discoverireland.com/us/ireland-plan-your-visit/facts/golden-trekker/

Hope this helps... I spent two weeks on the rails in Ireland this summer... very nice experience... roomy, decent bathrooms and a good food cart on the longer routes.

Michele Erdvig · Host

Corey,

Thanks for the first-hand info for Mandy. And welcome back from Ireland. We enjoyed your adventures.

Mandy,

The bus website is: http://www.buseireann.ie/ Depending on the number of people traveling together, it could be cheaper to take a group taxi. Check out the options.

Michele

tony2phones · Guru

The Taxi from Shannon Airport to Limerick will cost E35 fixed price and the taxi desk is to your right as you enter the main concourse from Arrivals.

http://www.shannonairport.com/to-from/byairportcab.html

you already have the link for the pass and this must be applied for at least 48hours prior to arrival for the Pass to be sent to you. These are the click links

http://www.discoverireland.com/us/ireland-plan-your-visit/facts/golden-trekker

and http://www.discoverireland.com/us/campaigns/golden-trekker/northern-ireland

There are 2 options from Limerick to Dublin both requiring a change. The main route is via Limerick Junction (which is a long way out fro Limerick) and runs every Hour there abouts. The other route goes out via Nenagh but is mainly a local route and takes a good bit longer. (Just be aware that this might not be the one you want to get on)

http://www.irishrail.ie/your_journey/printed_timetable_pdfs/2010/Dublin%20Limerick%2010.pdf

http://www.irishrail.ie/your_journey/printed_timetable_pdfs/2010/Dublin%20Limerick%20via%20Nenagh%2010.pdf

It is just a pitty that Bus Eireann and the like dont run a similar scheme as far as I am aware.

divinemissmandy · Member

You guys are awesome! So very helpful. There are 5 of us total including myself. I have 2 people that are over 65 coming so I want to be sure to make it as easy as possible. I have already emailed the taxi service to make sure their base rate holds true for the 5 of us. Although we're not against taking a bus. As was said above, I just want to see which one will be more cost effective.
Again I cannot think you guys enough. It's so awesome to be able to write my question and get all these answers and experiences.
We're planning on taking the paddywagon tour up to NI. Anyone been on one?

Michele Erdvig · Host

Mandy,

Bit (Cowboy Craic) often recommends Paddy Waggon Tours. I believe she may have taken it before. I'm sure she will chime in when she sees this.

Michele

tony2phones · Guru

Paddywagon run a couple of tours North from Dublin one covering Belfast and the more popular one to the Causeway and North Antrim coast. Be warned the latter is a long day setting off bright and early getting back late. If its the Belfast tour then you would probably be better getting the train or bus to Belfast and taking one of the Black cab tours.

They also get the occasional bad review, usually from the folk that have to stay behind for the extra couple of photo's, the last minute trip to the visitors centre and the like. Then expecting the guides and drivers to be pleased that they have thrown the tight schedule by an extra 1/2 hour.

CowboyCraic · Guru

Mandy,

Curiousity and many a younger traveler who asked about the PaddyWagons sent me off on a rollicking 4-day adventure. At 44, I was the eldest on that particular tour. That being said, age was never a real factor. If you like fun, fast clip, informative, adventure packed tours, you will not be disappointed in a Paddy Wagon tour.

I really enjoyed their informative Belfast narrative. It was done from a neutral perspective, which isn't always easy to find.

I evne stayed in their hostels instead of opting for the deluxe tour which puts you in B&Bs, as I wante dto know what my younger travels would be experiencing. I am not a fan of hostels and dorm type sleeping . That being said, I was impressed with their hostels.

Slan Beo (Take Care)

Bit

divinemissmandy · Member

So just wanted to let you guys know that the cheapest rate for taxi for 5 people is 45 euros.
I also have to say I'm very impressed with the responses I get from anyone I email in Ireland. I usually have a reply the very next day which is awesome.
Thanks for your help too guys! Bit, we thought about hostels (which is good to know for next time

) But we thought it wasn't somewhere that my great-aunt should stay. We do have a guest-house set up in Dublin when we go. But for future reference, would you say it's good for any age or for younger groups? I think of dorms when I think hostels.

yesiree · Guru

Thanks for the taxi info.

I think the guest house was probably a good idea for this trip.

That said, hostels have become very popular with traveling seniors, so although college-age will make up the bulk of guests, there are a lot of families and mature adults there too.

Most hostels have dorms and 2-share, 4-share, 6-share rooms... depends on the place.

Advantages to a hostel is that they are inexpensive, usually convenient to transport and/or town centre and they often offer free wifi or internet access. Some offer a full breakfast, others toast & tea. They also have kitchens and large community rooms.

Disadvantage is that they are budget accommodations, so sometimes the beds and pillows aren't quite as comfy (although I've stayed in hotels and B&Bs with bad beds too), shared bathrooms and no in-room TVs.

Definitely research before you book a hostel as they can vary greatly, and keep in mind that the people who leave reviews are comparing them to other budget accommodations, not 5 star resorts.

I'd suggest stopping in to one or two hostels while you're in Dublin and asking to be shown around. You'll know pretty quickly if they are right for you.