First time to Ireland. Need advice.

tquinn27 · Member

First time to Ireland. Need advice.

Itallian Chauffeur · Moderator

Welcome to Michele's Forum! biggrin

Firstly -- Some questions: Do you have any other interests other than scenery? What are your ages and general state of health? Are you dead set on NOT renting a car and self-driving? Have you considered an 'Open Jaw' or 'Multi-City' flight -- such as into SNN and out of Dublin -- or, the Reverse? Is that 16 days TOTAL, or COUNTING your two travel days?

Secondly -- Some General Answers: If you have NO interest in self-driving, your best option is to base in towns / cities that offer a good selection of Day Tours. Those places would be: Dublin, Belfast, Galway, Killarney -- and to a lesser extent, Cork and Limerick.

The BIG problem with doing 2 days in each location when using Public Transit is that you'll 'Use' 1/4 to 1/2 of one day just Moving from one location to the next.

Taxis and some Private Driver services MAY be available 'on the day', but July and August are 'Peak' tourism months -- the 'Busy' season, as it were, so I would seriously consider at least Some pre-booking.

Ireland's Rail system is of the 'Hub and Spoke' variety -- with Dublin as the 'Hub'. THAT said, it IS possible to route so as to maximize your trip and minimize time spent on transport.

Ireland's Bus service is extensive, but somewhat ungainly. For example, there is NO Direct, Express Bus from Galway to Killarney (Although, there USED to be), so that trip will require a change in Limerick -- which is Not particularly onerous -- but the journey will take about 5 hours, instead of 3 1/2 because of it.

An EXAMPLE itinerary using Public transit and Local Day Tours if flying 'Open Jaw': Fly into SNN and take an Express Bus to Galway. Use it as a base to see Galway town, Connemara, one or more of the Aran Islands and the Burren and Cliffs of Moher. (That's 4 -5 day's worth)

Take a bus to Killarney and use it as a base to visit the town, Killarney National Park, Ring of Kerry, Dingle, Ross Castle, Muckross House & Gardens and Traditional Farms and a Gap of Dunloe / Lakes of Killarney Tour. (That's an additional 5-6 days).

Take the train to Cork for a short base to visit the city, Blarney Castle, Cobh and Midelton. (2-3 days)

Take the train (via Dublin) to Belfast for a base. See the city and the Titanic Experience, Giant's causeway, Carrick-a-Rede Rope Bridge, Bushmills, Dunluce Castle, a Game of Thrones Tour and Carrickfergus Castle. ( 4 days ).

Train to Dublin for a final base. Tour the city, Newgrange and Hill of Tara, Wild Wicklow Wau (Glendalough and Powerscourt) ( 4-5 days )

Fly home.

Estimated days in each location INCLUDE travel in the estimates, but my example obviously adds up to 26 days +/- -- so you would need to 'Pick and Choose' which of the possible Day Trips were most important and forego the others. Likewise, you could 'Drop' and entire city from the plan, as well. Likewise, if you fly In / Out of the SAME airport, you'll need to allow time to 'Retrace' you trip in order to return to that airport.

Hope that get's you STARTED!

-- Edited by Itallian Chauffeur on Friday 23rd of September 2016 02:01:13 PM

tquinn27 · Member

Hi Bob!
Thanks for all the information. We are in our 50's and in good health! My husband wanted to check out some distilleries and he is an avid motorcycle rider. I am interested in the nature, culture, and history. We wanted to stay were we could immerse ourselves in the local culture. We were trying to steer clear of renting a car for the whole trip because one of us will miss the surroundings as we drive. We were trying to figure out a way to use public transportation to get to some of the main areas, do some walking tours, and possibly use an occasional driver(uber, lyfte, cab, etc.) We wanted to avoid the large tour buses, as we feel we would not enjoy that the whole time. However, we would not mind entertaining the idea for a day here and there. I have thought about renting a motorcycle for part of the trip (possibly Northern Ireland) , just not sure about the weather. We had allotted 14 days and then added 2 more to incorporate all we want to do. 16 days is our total, but we are a little flexible restricted more by budget. My husband has 3 weeks vacation max. Perhaps we are doing too much. I will have to look up "open jaw" flight! Up until now we have only traveled within the States. You have given me much to think about.

Thanks!

Michele Erdvig · Host

Welcome. Bob has given you a lot of good info to think about. I'm thinking that the pricey $11,000 quote must have been for a private chauffeur-driven tour? You can definitely do it for a lot less on your own. Take a look at my Blog and IrishFireside for two articles about the cost of a trip.

The best way to see Ireland and optimize your time is by renting a car. However, you can certainly do it by public transportation if you realize you might not be able to fit in as much. Check some of the links below for day tours:

Rail Tours

Belfast Tours

For smaller group tours check out:

Driftwood/Vagabond

Paddywagon

Whatever you decide on I would definitely have a firm itinerary and reservations. Tourism is way up and even in the shoulder season (last May) I had some problems finding places to stay.

You have plenty of time for planning. You just have to decide on how you want to do this trip. Let us know if you have any other questions.

tquinn27 · Member

Thanks so much for all of the fabulous links Michele. I especially like the links for the small group tours. The pricey quote I was given was the result of starting out with a group of 6 and downsizing to a group of 2. I am working on our itinerary now and will post when I am finished. One question that comes to mind is in regards to a base place to stay. I noticed many of the day tours leave from Dublin. So should we base our stay there and venture out?

Michele Erdvig · Host

Dublin is the most expensive place to stay in Ireland. I suggest having a few bases not just Dublin. Make a list of what you want to see in and from Dublin. That will indicate how many days you need there. Personally, I would choose Dublin, Killarney and Galway. If Northern Ireland is a must perhaps a couple of days based in Belfast.

Schalker · Member

I am late I know but here two links to smaller group tours.
Did one day tours with both of them and they were great.
They also organize longer trips for smaller groups

1. Ray and Mary Walsh from http://walkwithme.ie/ in Killarney

2.Gerrit from www.kerryexperiencetours.ie/ in Sneem

Check out their website

-- Edited by Schalker on Thursday 10th of November 2016 11:25:55 AM

-- Edited by Schalker on Thursday 10th of November 2016 11:26:47 AM

-- Edited by Schalker on Thursday 10th of November 2016 11:28:32 AM

-- Edited by Schalker on Thursday 10th of November 2016 11:30:05 AM

tquinn27 · Member

Thanks so much, Schalker! I have everything booked but the tours. We are thinking we might be renting a car, but still looking into things!