jamaicawed
Registered User
Posts: 1
(11/19/03 12:42 pm)

Getting Around

---

My husband & I are leaving for Shannon 12/25/03-1/1/04. We are planning on spending our first and last night in/close to Shannon due to flight times. We are debating about renting a car due to credit card restrictions/issues (holding additional amounts on our credit card). We are planning on "winging it" the rest of the time, but some of the places we would like to see are the Cliffs of Moher, Blarney Castle/area and maybe Killarney. Would it be possible to get around by taxi and/or bus?

Anita
Unregistered User
(11/19/03 12:57 pm)

Train and Bus

---

I spent three weeks in Ireland in April and got around entirely by train and bus. You can buy a train/bus pass and the bus station that will give you a certain number of days of travel such as 8 out of 15 consecutive. I made up my travel plans based on the train and bus schedule.It is best if you base youself out of a town for two or three days then do day trips from there. From Galway you can do day trips to the cliffs, Connemara, Aran Islands. From Killarney you can do day trips to the Ring of Kerry, Dingle, Gap of Dunloe. You can probably get a bus from Cork that will get you to Blarney, but I didn't go there so I'm not sure. If you have any more questions about the train/bus pass I will be happy to answer. It's a great way to travel.

Michele Erdvig
ezOP
Posts: 1948
(11/19/03 5:52 pm)

Re: Getting Around

---

Hi jamaicawed,

Anita has given you excellent advice from her own personal experiences traveling around Ireland using public transportation. However, given your short time in Ireland and the short daylight hours at the time of year you are traveling, you would probably be better off renting a car. Traveling by bus and taxi takes time and planning. Renting a car will simplify things and optimize your sightseeing and daylight hours.

Since you are traveling around the holidays you should be aware that there will be many other people traveling to and within Ireland then. It is a busy time of year. Also, most B&Bs will be closed at Christmas time. Many hotels have special packages that include a couple of nights (including meals). With many restaurants closed around Christmas it is a must to have reservations for the few days around the holiday. New Year's Eve will likewise be crowded.

You should be thinking about some of your reservations now.

Michele