B&B Question

ohioscott · Member

B&B Question

CowboyCraic · Guru

Scott,

Welcome to the Forum! Congratulations on your anniversary! biggrin

B&B vouchers in November are not necessary, as it is the off season. Vouchers have their own caveat, as a B&B host doesn't have to accept a voucher over a cash customer. I used B&B vouchers on my very first trip. It was explained to me by one B&B owner that they actually lose money on the vouchers because of fees on their end that they have to pay.

You say that you have booked your flights. Have you booked to fly in to one airport and out the other, Shannon - Dublin or Dublin - Shannon? That would give you the most flexibility in scheduling your lodging. A stop into the Tourist Information Center in whatever town you decide to lay your head should suffice for finding lodging at that time of the year. The exception would be if you are planning on time in Dublin. Those lodging reservations you would want to plan out ahead of schedule.

Slan Beo (Take Care),

Bit

Michele Erdvig · Host

Scott,

We often have discussions here on the pros and cons of B&B vouchers. They greatly limit where you can stay as not all B&Bs accept them. Some types of vouchers require that you pay a few euro extra per person for an en suite (private bathroom). You will be limited enough in November so don't limit yourselves any more by getting vouchers.

You can find B&Bs from 32-40 euro per night. Obviously in off-season you will be paying the lower rates. And do ask for the lower rates.

You will be fine winging it in November. I suggest you have a list of B&Bs that interest you and are open for each town you are interested in staying. That will save you time and trouble. As Bit has suggested, any tourist office will find you a place to stay for a small fee. But it is easy enough to look for the signs and ring the doorbell to see what is available.

Heed Bit's advice to book ahead for Dublin. And do note that in Dublin it is mostly hotels.

I would suggest booking your first and last nights. That gives you stability for your trip at each end. Plus you know where you want to be on those nights. On your first night try to be no more than a two-hour drive from your arrival city. Jet-lag can affect you greatly.

Michele

Sidz · Guru

All good information above. No need at all to use vouchers, especially at that time of year. Price will be cheaper and choices better.

ohioscott · Member

Thats kind of what I was thinking, concerning the vouchers. We would, more or less, just be paying for a list of B&Bs and we could probably find something on our own for atleast the same rate or even less. So, we'll probably go without the vouchers

We are flying into and out of Dublin....and yes , I was thinking about booking something there ahead of time. We talked about staying in Dublin the first two nights. I was thinking maybe something on the outskirts .....maybe finding someplace with free parking, and taking a train/bus into the city. And maybe the same on the last night.....stay maybe an hour or two outside of the city and drive to the airport in the a.m. What do you think??

Scott

CowboyCraic · Guru

Scott,

For the most part, you are better off to pick up your car on the morning that you are heading out of Dublin and turning it back in on your return, utilizing ground transport, taxi or air-link bus, to get to and from the airport. Parking is not the only concern in Dublin. There is also the headache of navigating her crowded streets. Free parking is virtually nonexistent in Dublin.

T'were it me,depending on your arrival time, I would most likely pick up my rental car and head straight out to my first stop point, saving Dublin for the last two days of your trip.

Slan Beo, Bit

Michele Erdvig · Host

Scott,

Once again I agree with Bit about spending your last two nights in Dublin. If you depart Dublin on arrival day you will get a jump start on your trip. Just plan on no more than a 2 hour drive on the first day.

If you prefer to stay in the suburbs of Dublin instead of city center I recommend Malahide. It has DART and buses to the city. You can go to my "Lodgings" page for suggestions on where to stay. However, you can easily return your car for the last two days and stay downtown. The choice is yours.

Michele

ohioscott · Member

Thanks for the tips. It does sound like a good idea to leave Dublin for the last two days. We can save a couple of days on the car rental too.

Michele....I ordered your book...cant wait to get it. Dont worry though, I probably have plenty of questions to post before November rolls around smile

Scott

Michele Erdvig · Host

Scott,

Thanks for ordering my book. It will answer a lot of your questions. But I'm sure you will have a few more before November! As always, I am happy to answer anything about travel to Ireland.

Michele