Unregistered User
(9/17/03 11:20 am)
 
taxi cost, tips, ck-in times, and buying appliances

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Hi Michele and everyone, Just a few questions left in preparation for our trip next week:

1) We plan on taking a taxi from Dublin airport to downtown Dublin (or do they call downtown the "city centre?"). Does anyone know the approximate distance and cost of such a taxi ride? I was told that some taxi drivers have been known to take a rather circuitous route in order to increase the fare, but I hope that won't be the case. I guess I just want to have a "guess-timate" of what an "honest" fare will be.

2)Related to that same topic, I have heard and read differing opinions on appropriate tips. Is 10% accurate for taxi drivers or is it 15%? Is 1 Euro per bag the correct tip for porters in downtown hotels (seems high)? Is it correct that a tip to a concierge or helpful hotel reservations clerk is not expected. (I have never used a concierge here, so I don't know, but I expect we will be asking for lots of help/advise there.)

3) Regarding airport check-in times: Aer Lingus has told me to check in 3 hours in advance, yet I have seen reference to a 2 hour check-in mentioned several times on this forum. Is it that 3 hours is required in the States and only 2 hours in Ireland?

4) Regarding buying coverters/adaptors here v. buying appliances once I get to Ireland: I was shocked at the "sticker price" of coverters here. I plan to bring a couple of curling irons and my favorite hair dryer, because it accomodates the diffuser I attach to it (sorry, guys for this "girl" stuff). The converters cost about $18 each and I would need a couple of them to get the job done in a hurry. I thought about just buying similar appliances the first day upon arrival in Ireland (because in our neighborhood Target, the curling irons are only about $5 each). Do you think prices are similar in Ireland -- it sure seems less expensive just to buy Irish appliances and then have them for next time. Are there any stores in downtown Dublin where I could pick them up without spending the whole day on a "treasure hunt?"

Thanks so much for the help -- you guys are the greatest. j2spring

DebbieK
Registered User
Posts: 109
(9/17/03 11:44 am)

Re: taxi cost, tips, ck-in times, and buying appliances

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re : airport check in
I would follow the Aer Lingus guidelines
from the States ==> Ireland 3 hrs
from Shannon ==> USA 2 hrs
from Dublin ==> USA 3 hrs.


Sorry I can't help you much on the appliances ( although you should be able to find a drug store or a Dunnes pretty easily, I would think. I always get a light perm before I leave for Ireland, and then the only thing I need is a bit of gel. It is usually damp enough there, that any drying/curling I would do ,would be gone by lunch anyway.


stannseniors
Registered User
Posts: 29
(9/17/03 12:34 pm)

question

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i am also wondering about tipping - what about in a B&B?

wojazz3
Registered User
Posts: 305
(9/17/03 4:40 pm)

Re: taxi cost, tips, ck-in times, and buying appliances

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J2 & stanns

Debbie's times for the airport are good, though if you have a lot of VAT back to deal with, I might still give it 3 hours in Shannon.

Cost of a cab from Dublin airport to the city center is about E25 give or take. 10% is about right. You can take airport busses to the city center which are much cheaper and probably get a cab from there. I've never had porters take my bags. Kind of a think I'm used to doing it myself.

$20 is about right for a converter. Adaptors are about $10 for items that already have a voltage converter. My guess is that small appliances are a bit more expensive over there and quite frankly, not worth the time of looking for them. I would take the money you save by taking a bus and buy an extra converter. You don't want to spend your time in Dublin shopping for small appliances.

I think tipping in B&Bs is uncommon, but occasionally people from other countries will bring gifts from their area of the country to present to B&B owners that they appreciate. My wife brought a CD that she had recorded one year and the hosts really appreciated that. It's kind of a nice touch. I had a B&B owner give me a gift this year. I had sent quite a few bookings her way.

Bill

Allison
Unregistered User
(9/18/03 3:20 pm)
 
Appliances

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I bought a hair dryer in Dunnes in Cork in 1995 for the equivalent of $13, I would imagine it's higher now. That hairdryer has gone to Europe almost every year with friends and coworkers, along with the converters we bought the same year for under $20 in NY.

Most hotels and B&Bs will have hairdryers, but they may not fit your diffuser. I only used the converters on my last trip to recharge some batteries. (I have an awful time figuring out electricity in Ireland because the outlets usually have switches; the outlets are also located in terribly inconvenient spots.)

I bought a curling iron in Boots in London 1 1/2 yrs ago, paid the outrageous equivalent of $18. But I know I will be back in Ireland many times, so it was well worth the price to me.

(This year I got two great little rolling carryons finally, got tired of hanging bags off my shoulders.)

Are you getting close??

Allison

j2spring
Unregistered User
(9/21/03 1:52 pm)

appliances, etc

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Much thanks to Debby, Bill, and Allison for info on my recent questions. I think I have most of the details worked out now, thanks to all the generous help I've received on this forum. (If I've forgotten something, I'll just look at it as part of the adventure.) Actually, I feel that I've done all the research I can tolerate and now I'm ready to have some fun. Bless you all. J2Spring
P.S. Michele, if you're on vacation, hope you're having a FABULOUS time.

Frank
Unregistered User
(9/21/03 8:42 pm)

Michele lost again

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Yes, I think she is over in Ireland now. She has a tendency to "disappear" without mentioning it when she goes over there.

Michele Erdvig
ezOP
Posts: 1852
(9/22/03 6:10 am)

Re: taxi cost, tips, ck-in times, and buying appliances

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Hello Everyone,

Thanks for keeping the fourm rolling while I've been out of touch. I do vanish into the Emerald Isle on occasion and can't get to the forum every day. So it's great that everyone fills the breach! Debbie and Bill's comments are excellent as always and of great help.

Michele (not lost at all)