Rolling verdant hillsides, ancient castles and sparkling lochs – Ireland is astounding, romantic and steeped in history. The towns are charming, as are the people, who have perfected the art of cozying up next to a crackling fire on dreary winter days.
If you’re lucky you might be blessed with unfiltered sunshine. If not, you’ll get to experience a whale of a time hopping between museums and pubs.
As the Gaelic saying goes,Go n-éirí an bóthar leat : may the road rise up to meet you; may your journey be easy and smooth.
Yes! The south part of Ireland—today known as the Republic of Ireland—succeeded from the UK after the War of Independence in 1922. The northeastern tip—aptly referred to as Northern Ireland—decided to remain part of the UK.
How does that affect modern day travelers?
While Northern Ireland uses pounds, the Republic of Ireland uses Euros. The public transportation systems are split, and while road signs in Northern Ireland indicate miles per hour, you’ll see kilometers listed in the Republic of Ireland.
Currently, the border between Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland is hardly discernible and it’s not likely that your passport will be checked. But all that might change depending on the outcome of upcoming Brexit discussions.
Public transportation in Ireland
Since Ireland itself is two separate countries, public transportation can seem confusing. While the Republic of Ireland uses euros, Northern Ireland uses pounds.
The good news is, there’s no need to be overwhelmed — use the National Journey Planner to plan trips throughout the island. You can plot routes online or through the app. It’ll give you the most efficient routes from point A to point B — including instances where walking or cycling is more ideal than motor vehicles.
Still, the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland each have their own transportation services. Here’s what you need to know:
Public transportation in The Republic of Ireland
The Republic of Ireland uses a combination of trains, trams and buses to link the region — including the cities of Dublin and Cork. All modes of transport are above ground. Your options include:
Dublin Bus. 136 routes within the city of Dublin.
Luas. Tram/light rail system around and within Dublin.
Dublin Suburban Rail. Trains connecting outlying suburbs to the heart of Dublin.
Bus Éireann. Cross-country transport around The Republic of Ireland.
DART (Dublin Area Rapid Transit). A commuter rail serving Dublin and the surrounding coastline.
The Leap Visitor Card.
Get unlimited access to Airlink, Dublin Bus, Go-Ahead Ireland routes (only in Dublin), Luas, DART and the Suburban Rail with a Leap Visitor Card. You can purchase one online (it’ll be mailed to your house), at the airport or from agents in Dublin. Rates are as follows:
1 day (24 hours) — €10.00
3 days (72 hours) — €19.50
7 days (168 hours) — €40.00
Northern Ireland
Northern Ireland, which is on the same island but technically part of the UK, is connected by Translink. A public corporation, Translink operates the following methods of mass transit:
Ulsterbus. 22 bus stations operating around Northern Ireland. Goldline buses are the inter-city coaches that connect cities and towns.
Belfast’s Metro bus. The bus company offering transport around Belfast.
Fare on Translink buses and trains is determined by the time of day and how many “zones” you move through. A single adult fare for a trip through just one zone costs $3; a ride through 3 zones costs $5.75. Budget travelers should visit the Translink website to calculate fares in advance, based on where you’re going.
iLink smart card.
Get unlimited access to Translink routes with an iLink card. Top it off at a station or at an eligible kiosk. iLink cards are most similar to NYC MetroCards in that they’re reloadable and make it easy and convenient to board buses and trains with just a swipe.
Getting to and from the airport
Dublin airport (DUB). The Dublin Bus has frequent routes between the city center and Dublin Airport on the 41 or 16. Buses pick up passengers outside the Terminal 1 exit and can be paid for using a Leap card or exact cash. Fare prices vary depending on where you board, but shouldn’t be more than €3.80 one way (about $4.20).
Cork International Airport (ORK). Catch the 226 bus in front of the terminal building to Parnell Place Bus Station in Cork City, which is where buses that travel throughout Ireland depart from. A single adult ticket costs €2.80 (about $3).
Belfast International Airport (BFS). The Airport Express 300 bus departs opposite the exit of the terminal. Tickets can be purchased from the driver or at the tourist information desk in the airport for £8 into Belfast (about $10).
Airport transfers.Get into the city or to the airport with ease from Dublin or Belfast when you book an airport transfer in advance.
With Irish rail journeys across the country taking just a few hours in any direction from Dublin, most train journeys are short and sweet in Ireland.
Eurail offers an Ireland rail pass, which also gives you a 30% discount on Irish Ferries and Stena Line, which can get you to Wales.
Taxis and Uber in Ireland
Uber isn’t as prevalent in Ireland as it is in the US; in fact, you’ll only find it in Dublin and Belfast.
Since the transportation industry is heavily regulated by the government, private drivers aren’t allowed to drive with Uber. This means that when you order an Uber in Ireland, you’ll actually be catching a ride with a licensed taxi or limousine driver.
Among locals, hailing a taxi via an app is much more common than using Uber. You’ll likely have better luck getting picked up using either mytaxi or Lynk taxi service apps.
Ireland car rental companies
If you’re driving through the countryside or between regions, renting a car lends a front-row seat to seaside cliffs and mammoth limestone formations. The following rental companies set up shop at Ireland’s airports:
No, Lyft is not available in Ireland. Try using mytaxi or Lynk to hire a last-minute ride.
You can catch an UberX from the Dublin airport to Dublin for €41-€53 (about $46-$59).
Yes. Dublin’s bike share system — comparable to Citi Bike in the US — is called Just Eat. They’re distributed throughout the city and can be paid for using a Leap card or by paying with a credit card at the terminal next to the bike station.
You can buy a three-day Just Eat pass for €5 (about $5.60) or a year-long pass for €25 (about $28).
The first half hour is free to use with the swipe of a pass. But after 30 minutes, the following fee structure kicks in:
1 hour. €0.50
2 hours. €1.50
3 hours. €3.50
4 hours. €6.50
Every additional 1/2 hour. €2
Traveling during COVID-19
The CDC advises postponing travel to protect yourself and your family from getting or spreading COVID-19. If you plan to travel during the pandemic, monitor the risk assessment levels for your destination when planning your trip, before departure and on arrival. Follow safety measures that include wearing a mask in public, social distancing and washing your hands. If you are diagnosed with, have symptoms of or are waiting for test results for COVID-19 — or are otherwise at risk of illness — do not attend gatherings or travel for 14 days.
If you are visiting Canada on your next vacation, or travelling to Europe with a connecting flight, take advantage of our domestic flights! Check our flight schedule for complete details.
Up to 15% off ski vacations and snowboarding trips
Enjoy the thrills of the best skiing worldwide plus exploring new locations with group ski trips to destinations like Canada, Europe, New Zealand, Japan and more. Duration: 7-16 days.
With your Eurail pass, you can take advantage of hundreds of benefits in Europe. You can travel on ferries, visit museums and get a discount on your hotel.
Veronica is the senior publishing support for travel at Finder and has been scouting airline, hotel and tour package deals for over five years. She has a Bachelor of Tourism major in Travel Management from University of Sto. Tomas Legazpi, Philippines and has been a local tour guide. She does her own itinerary and budget research every time she travels and has mastered the art of packing light for her family of three.
How likely would you be to recommend finder to a friend or colleague?
0
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
Very UnlikelyExtremely Likely
Required
Thank you for your feedback.
Our goal is to create the best possible product, and your thoughts, ideas and suggestions play a major role in helping us identify opportunities to improve.
Advertiser Disclosure
finder.com is an independent comparison platform and information service that aims to provide you with the tools you need to make better decisions. While we are independent, the offers that appear on this site are from companies from which finder.com receives compensation. We may receive compensation from our partners for placement of their products or services. We may also receive compensation if you click on certain links posted on our site. While compensation arrangements may affect the order, position or placement of product information, it doesn't influence our assessment of those products. Please don't interpret the order in which products appear on our Site as any endorsement or recommendation from us. finder.com compares a wide range of products, providers and services but we don't provide information on all available products, providers or services. Please appreciate that there may be other options available to you than the products, providers or services covered by our service.
