Hello, I am planning a much-too-brief trip to Ireland in August. I would rather not rent a car. The train schedules are confusing to me! I wonder if it would work to ride the train/bus from Dublin about noon on a Sunday, stay in Dingle until Thursday, then ride the train/bus back to Dublin. Then our plane leaves Dublin on Friday to come back home to NM. Any thoughts on that?
Best options would be train from/to Dublin into either Killarney or Tralee (same route) and then bus to/from Dingle. You'll have to take tours out of Dingle to explore the penninsula, but Dingle town is very walk-able.
The Irish Rail website has some very inexpensive tickets available if pre-purchased on-line.
Bob
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Bob
Help Us to Help You. The more you tell us about your plans (dates, interests, budget), the better we can tailor our advice to suit!
I have something of a reputation for negativity when it comes to Dingle but then I play devils advocate. To get from Dublin on a Sunday to Dingle in the same day take the 09.20 train to Tralee getting in at 14.12 and the 16.15 bus to Dingle getting in at 17.20 no point going via Killarney as the bus to Dingle goes via Tralee. My question though is. Why are you going to a place which has an extremely limited Public transport system without a car when there are any number of places with equal merit and good transport links.
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Two rules for Ireland, Take your time & bring a sense of humour
Welcome to my forum. As you see you can get to Dingle via train and bus. You can go to my Transport page for links to both.
A better area to base without a car for the SW would be Killarney. From there you can take many different tours (to Dingle too!) plus you can see the scenic areas around Killarney. I know that some travel writers don't like Killarney but don't be swayed by that. Killarney is a fine town surrounded by mountains and lakes. It makes a perfect base for the SW. Re-consider your choices. The train goes directly from Dublin to Killarney so no buses to bother with.
Thank you all for the information. I will discuss with the family. I'm not sure why Dingle appeals to me except for being near the ocean... I love fresh seafood!
If you like seafood, the sea and ease of transport would you consider Kinsale, a beautiful old and very historical town.
Sunday morning train from Dublin at 08.25. Arrive Cork at 11.15. Bus to Kinsale at 12.20 Arrive Kinsale 01.15
Kinsale would be considered the gourmet capital of the south of Ireland and there is lots for a family to do with an adventure centre that does windsurfing canoeing,sailing etc.
Have you considered Galway? under 3hours from Dublin by train or bus. I know I am biased but with 4 days why spend more than one travelling between Dublin your destination and back. Galway is a small vibrant city and quite different from Dublin, there are options outside central Galway such as Salthill and Spiddal (An Spidéal) to the west and the Burren and Clare coast to the south. Along with the Burren/Cliffs of Moher, you would have the options of the Connamara/Kylemore Abbey and other side trips on regular day tours. Unfortunately Oyster season starts in September but I can safely say that you can get the highest quality seafood anywhere in Ireland around the Galway bay area, we just don't make a song and dance about things round here, unless of course it is a song and dance you'r looking for.
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Two rules for Ireland, Take your time & bring a sense of humour
Galway is a good option too. (Thanks Tony!) There are day tours from the city you can take. There are not many day tours from Kinsale. Without a car it is important to choose a base carefully. As for fresh seafood, you will find it all over Ireland not just by the shore.
Well, you all got me thinking. The Sunday travel to Dingle looks impossible. Killarney seems nice, as does Kinsale. I will have to keep thinking and pondering the maps and train schedules. I'm glad I asked!