Coach or Self-Drive ??

OzzieDeb · Veteran Member

Coach or Self-Drive ??

Michele Erdvig · Host

Deb,

Welcome to the forum. A week in Ireland is never enough! If you can stretch it to 10 days that would allow for more sightseeing. You probably are used to traveling vast distances in Australia but in Ireland - though a small country - traveling around takes lots of time.

I have info on my FAQs page about the differences between a coach tour and self-driving. Take a look. If you still don't know, ask more questions and we will try to help you decide.

Michele

OzzieDeb · Veteran Member

Thanks for you reply Michele. We hve travelled around Tasmania and I am emaginging Ireland is a bit like that (winding roads that take a long way to get to the next town ??)

I would love to stay in a castle overnight (would be my dream come true). Are they expensive? We are budgeting to spend AUD $200 per night on accommodation.

OzzieDeb · Veteran Member

PS. After more investigation on the net, I have decided self-drive is the way to go for us :)

tony2phones · Guru

I have just done a road trip, 800 miles over 4 days averaging 40 mph that's 5hours a day behind the wheel and I know the roads. Just don't be over ambitious.

Michele Erdvig · Host

Deb,

Self-driving is really the best way to see Ireland. But for some people a coach tour is the only way they will ever go. Getting around Ireland by car is easy although not quick. But that is the charm of the place. Have you checked out my Castle Hotel page? I have a list of all in Ireland. I've stayed at a couple myself and liked Kilronan Castle and Smarmore Castle. Either one won't break the bank. You can also read my Blog article: Ireland's Real Castle Hotels.

Let us know how we can assist you as your plans continue.

Michele

OzzieDeb · Veteran Member

Thanks Tony,
We mainly just want to go from Dublin to Galway, then down to Limerick, Ring of Kerry, Blarney, and back up to Dublin along the east coast. I hope 8 days will be ok for us.

Thanks Michele,
I looked at some of the castles you recommend. They look absolutely beautiful, however they are north of where we are going. Do you think it is worth going north to stay in them (i am not sure how long it would take to drive to them from Dublin or Galway), or should we try to find one closer to the area we are travelling around.

Debbie :)

Michele Erdvig · Host

Debbie,

How about Waterford Castle?

Michele

Melissa5 · Guru

OzzieDeb: I'm glad you decided to drive! I just completed our second trip to IReland and we drove both times. For our 1st trip we covered areas as far apart as Dingle in the SW of Ireland and Giant's Causeway all the way up on the north coast of Northern Ireland. Great trip but way too much driving in my opinion and not enough time in each great destination.

For the second trip we covered less ground, sticking with Dublin, Kenmare & Ring of Kerry...Connemara in County Galway...and Kilkenny... But we still felt like there was too much driving and not enough time in each destination!

For our 3rd trip to Ireland in 2015, we plan to spend a week in County Donegal and a week in County Clare. In fact, we may even slow it down a little more and spend the whole vacation in either County Donegal or County Clare.

So my advice is...make a list of the places in Ireland that call to you, that stir your heart and soul...and then narrow it down to 1 favorite spot. Make that your primary destination...don't add anything else unless it is a close driving distance to your primary destination.

We live in San Diego, California, and drive up to Los Angeles a lot so we are used to horrible traffic and traffic jams. However driving in Ireland poses special challenges and it isn't very relaxing...both city roads and country roads can be so narrow you will often find the mirror of your car very narrowly escaping collision with another car, with a wall, etc. You have to drive slow. You will get lost a lot.

Ireland is friendly, hospitable, green, and has great music and a lot of culture and history. Enjoy! Also a lot of wild empty spaces...we love that.

-- Edited by Melissa5 on Tuesday 27th of September 2011 04:27:43 PM

OzzieDeb · Veteran Member

Thanks Melissa
How long did you stay in Ireland on your second trip? Sounds very similar to our planned itinerary.

We are going for 10 days and mainly want to see the south west. We are from Australia (25 hour flight away and not millionaires) so unfortunately, this is probably the only time we will ever see Ireland so want to make the most of it.