Please help me make good use of our time...

Phillip · Member

Please help me make good use of our time...

Michele Erdvig · Host

Phillip,

Are you arriving in Shannon after an all night flight? If so, it may not be wise to drive to Killybegs. It is more like a 6 hour drive. Generally 2 hours is the maximum you want to drive with jet-lag.

Are you self-catering in Killybegs? How long will you have there? How long do you have in Ireland? Are you also departing from Shannon?

Get back to me with more info so that I can better help.

Michele

Phillip · Member

Thanks Michele for the quick reply.

Yes we are traveling overnight. We will be staying with relatives in Killybegs but everyone also works so we will be branching out on our own (I'm sure) during the days. We will arrive Shannon 8:10am on 6/24. We depart approx 10:00am on 7/6. We will have our 9 year old son with us as well. I'm also trying to get this CDW insurance on my credit card out prior to getting there (1 less thing to worry about) but seeming to struggle just a little. Any suggestions? If you rent a car without waiving the insurance it just gets soooo expensive. I also can not get any lower on the CC 3% International surcharges. Any tricks? Does your book have any kind of driving maps (specifically in the areas I will be visiting and driving through)? I would like to purchase (especially for the tips on the taxes). Thank you for helping me be prepared for myself and my family!

Michele Erdvig · Host

Phillip,

Since you are not staying in self-catering and have no urgent need to arrive in Killybegs on the date you arrive in Shannon, I suggest you break the journey and overnight somewhere between the two places. Your relatives will certainly understand that by driving exhausted on Ireland's challenging roads you will be a hazzard to yourselves and others. Better to arrive alive, as they say.

Take a look at my "Money", "Car Rental" & "Tips & Tricks" pages for more on declining CDW, info on credit cards, etc. There are very few credit cards out there anymore that don't add the 3% + foreign transaction fee. Capital One does not for my MasterCard and I understand that USAA does not. Check with them for details.

My book has maps to give you a general idea of where you are going but I would not call them "driving maps". Most guidebooks are not large enough to provide the detail that you need. Instead I recommend you get a Michelin Map or The Complete Road Atlas of Ireland by Ordnance Survey Ireland. Both are available on arrival in Ireland at the airport tourist office or convience store. You can also order them online.

You might enjoy exploring the following sites:

http://www.donegaldirect.com/default.aspx

http://www.donegalbay.com/

Michele

stewh · Guru

Hi, I agree wholeheartedly with Michelle's advice about driving. I have made the mistake of driving too far after an all-night flight from North America. Not a good experience. Vacation can be exciting without being hectic. I have found that I recover very easily from jet lag if I take a more relaxed approach. Have a great trip.

Phillip · Member

Thanks to both of you for your advice. Wish us luck!

Michele Erdvig · Host

Phillip,

We do indeed wish you a good trip. Please let us knows how it goes. If you do decide to drive to Killybegs on your first day we will be wondering if you would advise others to drive so far.

Michele