tamnoon
Registered User
Posts: 1
(2/10/04 1:32 am)

Parking/Driving in Dublin, Cell phones

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Hello. I'm planning a 25 day tour in April and am hoping you might have some ideas for me...

1. I plan to have a rental car the whole time. (i got a killer rate with Hertz through AAA). I want to pass through Dublin & Belfast on my grand tour, but understand that driving and parking there may be more trouble that it's worth. What would you suggest in the way of losing the car for 2-3 days or worry-free exploration on foot in each place? parking garage? out-of-the-way neighborhood street parking?

2. Hertz offered me a free cell phone rental with the deal, but couldn't tell me how much the air time would cost. Any thoughts?

3. Lastly, I'm finding myself reluctant to book hostels and B&Bs too far in advance because I (sometimes) tend to be an impulsive traveler and never know where I'll want to spend an extra day or so. I understand that the summer can be tricky in the way of finding a bed, but what about early/mid April? Can I comfortably take it a few days at a time, or should I book places for all 4 weeks and cancel if needed?

Thanks again for these archived forums and your generous help. Outstanding!

Dude
Unregistered User
(2/10/04 2:43 pm)

driving in Dublin

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I would not recommend driving in Dublin. How about staying at a B&B outside Dublin and taking the bus in to do your sightseeing? Once you get off the bus you can join the hop-on-hop-off tour and get to a lot of the "must sees" easily and at your own pace.
We stayed two nights in Dunshaughlin and parked our rental car in a shopping center parking lot very close to the bus stops.
25 days! I'm so jealous! Have a wonderful trip, and let us know all about it when you return.
Judy

tamnoon
Posts: 2
(2/11/04 12:20 am)

driving in Dublin

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thanks Judy, that's good advice. you echo what others have told me. i will plan to stay outside of town and explore the city on foot, by bus & cab, etc.

did you have any reservations about leaving your car in a parking lot? i guess it's something that i'll sort of have to feel out once i'm there.

thanks again!

Michele Erdvig
ezOP
Posts: 2138
(2/11/04 1:23 am)

Re: Parking/Driving in Dublin, Cell phones

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Hi tamnoon,

I am delighted to hear that you are enjoying my forum. What a great trip you are planning with plenty of time to see Ireland.

I agree with Dude about staying in the suburbs of cities and taking public transportation into town for sightseeing. As long as you don't leave anything visable in your car it should be fine in parking lots in Ireland. It is seeing things like cameras or expensive coats, etc. that tempts people to break in.

I don't have a clue how much the Hertz cell phone will be. You could just use it in case of an emergency and use call centers at internet cafes or a phone card when you need to call home. That would be the most economical way to do it.

In April you are fine winging it for most of the time. However, around Easter you might consider reservations. If you are going to popular places like Dublin or Galway reservations are in order especially because of spring break.

Michele