How to Get Around Ireland
Read our travel guide on how to get around Ireland. Before traveling to Emerald Isle, you must choose a specific mode of transportation. Options include a rental car, taxi, bus, train, or tours. And is it even possible to get around Ireland without a car? Here's everything you need to know before you go.
Before every trip abroad, we do have a very similar planning routine.
First, we get excited about one country, which, at the moment, seems like the perfect destination, and we cannot believe we did not have it on our travel radar earlier.
Then, I choose the must-visit places we simply cannot miss (there are usually way too many, at least for the time we have), and then it is Martin's time to figure out how to fit all of the sites into our itinerary - see our Ireland road trip itinerary.
This step is usually very tightly connected with choosing the right way of transport for each country.
Figuring out how to get around your next destination is always very important.
Many details need to be included, such as the country size, available public transport to more secluded places, time of the year, the length of your vacation, travel budget, sought authenticity, the possibility of meeting locals, and last but not least, the comfort you require during travels.
When we planned our trip to Ireland, we included all these details in our deciding process.
We weighed all the pros and cons, and in the end, we figured that based on our requirements, renting a car would be the best way to get around Ireland.
But if you are about to visit this wonderful country, also nicknamed the Emerald Isle, you should know that there are more options you can choose from.
Ireland has a good infrastructure, so except renting a car, a traveler can take advantage of getting around by public transport (bus or train), private transport, or there's also the possibility of joining a tour.
Everything only depends on your plans.
Lastly, don't forget that the combination of all modes of transport is not a bad idea at all.
Therefore, without any further ado, here's our travel guide on how to get around Ireland so you can make an informed decision.
Car
For many, getting around Ireland by car is the most natural way of traveling, and we can clearly see why, as this was the option we also went for.
Still, it is important to know this is not the only 'right' way of seeing Ireland, as it does not need to suit everyone.
First of all, we have to say that we do have plenty of experience of driving abroad, for example, in New Zealand, Canada, or Iceland, so we were not that anxious before the trip.
But we completely understand that for many of you, driving in a foreign country for the first time, especially in a country where you have to drive on the opposite side of the road (unless you come from a country where it is common to drive on the left side), might be a difficult task.
To have something to start with, we recommend you read our post on tips for driving in Ireland, which will give you a practical insight into the topic and what you can expect.
Although you can travel to Ireland by ferry and take your own car with you, we presume that you will most likely need to rent a car first.
What are the advantages of traveling around Ireland by car? First of all, it is freedom.
Basically, you can plan your travel itinerary any way you want, and you'll still be able to get there and not be dependent on bus timetables, train routes, etc.
You'll be able to see much more during the day, you'll be more flexible when choosing accommodation (and save money), and your days will be much longer, which you'll appreciate for the sightseeing part of your trip.
Also, some of Ireland's top attractions are deep in the countryside, such as the Blarney Castle or Kylemore Abbey, and we feel that with limited time, you would have to make many compromises and miss out on many wonderful places without the car.
On the other hand, renting a car in Ireland can potentially have a few downsides as well.
First of all, it's definitely not cheap, and the gas price is constantly increasing.
Secondly, parking in the cities is usually a nightmare, and when it is not, then you can be sure it is very expensive.
Thirdly, roads in Ireland are often narrow and twisting, so you must pay attention all the time.
As we often have long days on the road and see many things in one day, only then do I really appreciate how challenging it is for Martin, who, on top of that, must drive several hours a day.
Last but not least, especially in the high season between June and September, renting a car can get very expensive, and the traffic is heavier in top places such as Gap of Dunloe or Ring of Kerry.
Despite these cons, we would have opted for renting a car in Ireland again, as it really allowed us to get the most out of the trip.
Still, it is necessary to know that this option might not be the best for you.
And in this case, it is perfect that there is an alternative called public transport.
Travel Resources
If you decide to rent a car, we think it is best to choose Dublin airport as your pick-up location as it's very convenient.
Don't forget that the roads in Ireland are narrow, and driving a smaller car might be a good idea.
Here you will find the best deals on rental cars in Ireland.
Public Transport
Is there a good and efficient way to get around Ireland without a car?
It is strange that Ireland is, from the outside, perceived as such a perfect road trip destination that many people struggle to imagine there is another way to explore the country.
For those of you looking for an answer to this burning question, we do have good news.
You can travel around by bus or train, but before you choose some of these modes of transport, make sure that you know all the pros and cons that come with your decision.
Moreover, you will have to create a more complex travel itinerary that also includes travel times, schedules, distances from stops, etc.
Bus
Our top pick for traveling around Ireland without a car would be bus transportation.
The national company Bus Eireann connects not only the large cities but also small towns, so with the right planning, you'll be able to see a lot of Ireland this way.
Sure, buses still can't compete with rental cars in flexibility and freedom, but it is an option that is actually viable, not only on paper.
Yes, you still have to adjust your plans to timetables.
The traffic, especially close to larger cities, can be a nightmare, but you'll also be able to reach the majority of top destinations on the island.
Be prepared that you'll have to change buses in the major hubs, which might take time, but even the smallest towns, such as Cobh or Kinsale, have a bus stop.
So if you prefer exploring countries this way because of the authenticity and possibility of meeting locals, we do think it is a good option.
If you are short on time, we think it would be best to choose two or three top areas in Ireland you would like to see and then focus on them, than jump aimlessly from one place to another.
This way, you would probably lose a lot of time and spend many more precious hours on board than in Ireland's countryside.
Before you commit to this type of transport, we recommend checking the best deals, such as Open Tickets or Hop-on-Hop-off Coach Passes, that will help you discover a certain road for a much cheaper rate.
It is not surprising that your best bet to find a connection to a specific location is from Dublin, which is not only the capital city of the Emerald Isle but also the transportation hub of the country.
Train
After returning home from Ireland, we decided to create this article. It was not until then that we realized we had not actually seen a train during our two-week trip.
And this is also a small hint for you that this way of getting around might be beautiful, but probably not the most practical one.
If you have plenty of time and the experience is for you more important than the destination, then you will have a blast while traveling around Ireland by train.
Irish Rail is the national company that schedule trains around the country, but usually only between large cities, such as Dublin, Galway, Belfast, Cork, or Limerick.
If you want to get from one point to another, you will hardly find a more scenic way to do so.
But once you want to see places outside the cities, only then you'll see how limiting this way of getting around might be.
Although tickets are not very expensive compared to other European countries, in the end, you'll have to combine them with other modes of transport, which will add up to the final cost.
In our opinion, unless you are a train fan, it's probably better to take buses instead as they're more extensive and cheaper.
Tours
Another perfectly fine option to get around Ireland pretty easily is by taking a tour.
This option is surely not for everyone, but we would like to point out all the pros and cons of this option.
Moreover, to make a good decision, it is always important to gather all information available.
Because you never know, one day, you might want to travel around Ireland with an organized tour.
At the moment, we are at the stage of life when we prefer our own freedom and want to move around independently, without guides and other travelers.
Still, we already have many experiences with taking tours.
Sometimes, it was just more comfortable, like in Peru, where we took tour to Sacred Valley, as there were so many stops we would need days without our own car.
Sometimes, it was almost unavoidable, like in Israel, when we wanted to visit the West Bank.
No matter what is the reason behind it, we cannot simply say that taking the tour is not a good option.
Yes, it is usually pricier, you have to be in a group with people you do not know (unless you book a private, even more, expensive tour), and you are not the master of your own itinerary.
On the other hand, this is exactly the point why tours exist. They will do the hard work for you.
Arrange transport, create an itinerary, obtain tickets, and make sure your time is spent effectively, and the only thing you have to worry about is enjoying your day to the fullest.
Travel Resources
When it comes to Ireland tours, there are two ways how to approach this option.
Firstly, there are tours that can basically take you around the whole of Ireland or its most interesting parts.
These trips usually take several days and include everything you need, such as this 6-Day Best of Ireland Tour.
Alternatively, you can easily opt for day tours like the popular Cliffs of Moher Tour from Galway or Ring of Kerry Tour from Cork
These tours are great for travelers combining public transport with other modes of transportation.
Taxi
If you want to visit Ireland on a budget, then you should probably skip this section entirely.
Still, getting around the country by taxi might be an alternative for some of you, although we believe it will be only a one or two-time decision.
For example, if you need to get from or to the airport, or if you want to go from a pub to your B&B late at night.
But if you plan on traveling around the country by bus or train and will sometimes have a hard time getting to more remote attractions early or later in the evening, only then might you appreciate that there's a cab waiting for you, willing to take you to your final destination.
It makes more sense to plan the taxi rides with your friends or family so you can share expenses with more people.
For this scenario, we always recommend asking around and finding another three to four people with similar plans to keep your budget at bay.
Plane
Ireland has five international airports: Dublin, Belfast, Knock, Shannon, and Cork.
Still, especially if you are traveling from outside the U.K., you will probably fly in and out of Dublin, as Ireland's capital city has the busiest airport in the country.
We arrived in Dublin Airport, rented a car straightaway, drove around the island, and then dropped it off again at Dublin's airport.
But is it a good idea to get around Ireland to fly domestically?
Honestly, unless you have less than five days, we do not think it is worth it.
Yes, you can fly, for example, from Dublin to Cork, but getting to and from the airport also requires time, plus you would miss out on many attractions in between those cities.
If you are a business traveler, a traveler visiting a family in a certain destination, or if you are interested in one particular area, then flying around Ireland might make sense.
One more possibility is that you are short on time and want to skip a few days of driving that you might have planned only for getting back to your final destinations.
But other than that, we do not think flying domestically in Ireland is the best way to get around.
Hitchhiking
Honestly, we don't think hitchhiking is a good way to get around Ireland for most travelers.
It might be a good help if you mostly use public transport and need to get to more remote places such as Slieve League, where buses are scarce or non-existent.
But we would definitely not rely on hitchhiking, at least if this is your hard-earned vacation.
Or, you can, but you have to be extremely flexible as there might be days when you won't be able to get a ride.
On the other hand, this way of travel might be best for those of you who want to meet locals, and the journey is more important for you than the destination.
If you really want to get around Ireland by hitchhiking and see some of the top attractions, our advice is to travel between late June and mid-September, when the season is in full swing, and your chance to meet travelers going in your direction is the highest.
We knew right from the start that we wouldn't be hitchhiking in Ireland.
In fact, we usually hitchhike only when completely necessary.
For instance, if there was no other option to reach our next destination in remote places such as Chilean Patagonia.
Still, we think that if you decide on this means of transport, you should be extremely careful and to enhance your safety, travel in a couple and tell someone about your plans.
Here you will find more tips on staying safe in Ireland.
Hiking
In the past, we visited several countries with famous national hiking trails that allow outdoorsy travelers to see the best the destination has to offer without the necessity of using public transport.
We have a few in mind, for example, Israel or New Zealand. Improving the network of hiking trails has been a trend lately.
Although Ireland does not have an official national walking path that would lead you around the entire island, you will certainly find interesting routes here if hiking is your thing.
Although it is for sure possible to discover Ireland on your own, for regular travelers who love hiking, it will probably be best to choose a place with a dense network of hiking paths.
Then, see as much as possible in the area and later move to another location packed with top attractions.
Even though we traveled around the island by car, we spent some time in Glendalough, and in our opinion, this is a perfect area for hiking.
There are several trails that can be connected together.
We hiked the Spinc and the Wicklow Way, but you can extend several independent tracks and explore Wicklow Mountains National Park relatively easily.
We also enjoyed the Diamond Hill Walk in Connemara National Park, another popular hiking destination.
There are a few more amazing national parks in Ireland worth exploring on foot.
But even super popular places such as Cliffs of Moher can be explored on foot, as you can opt for a trail that connects Doolin with Liscannor.
As you can see, you can definitely include some hikes and walks in your itinerary, even if you're pressed for time.
We actually think that hiking in national parks, then moving around by public transport to reach another national park, might be a fun approach, in case you are flexible time-wise.
And do not forget that the only way to enjoy it long-term is to have comfortable and reliable gear.
Otherwise, the whole experience can turn into a nightmare.
Here you will find more tips on what to pack for Ireland.
If you want to be in nature as much as possible, there's an option to sleep at campsites.
Due to the frequent rainy and windy conditions, we recommend having a backup plan as it is wise to, from time to time, sleep in warm B&B and stay dry.
Now, if you decide to get around Ireland on foot, you just need to find the traditional black waymarkers with yellow men on them and start your hiking adventure.
Travel Insurance
We never leave home without travel insurance that was designed to cover our expenses if something goes wrong during the trip.
Travel insurance protects against theft, flight delays, injury, illness, cancellations, and much more.
World Nomads provides travel insurance for travelers to cover their trip essentials, including sports and adventure activities.
SafetyWing is affordable travel insurance for backpackers, long-term travelers, and digital nomads.
Travel smarter and safer!
Biking
Getting around Ireland by bike is actually a perfect transport mode for all cycling enthusiasts.
I actually took a bike tour with my parents several years back when I was still a kid, so it shows that the profile is not that demanding, and with the right planning, everyone can do it.
Ireland is notoriously known for its changeable weather, so we recommend this option only from May till the end of September, but this depends mainly on you and your toughness.
For more information on the weather, read our guide on when to visit Ireland.
Ireland does not have one official national biking trail, but the infrastructure is constantly improving, and once you leave cities behind, traffic is not that heavy if you stick to the rural roads.
We would say this activity is pretty safe as well, but more importantly, it's one of the best ways to stay fit and active while traveling.
There are several ways to get around Ireland on a bike.
You can plan an itinerary with several stops along the way, which means you will be almost constantly on the move.
Then, it is possible to choose the top attractions in the region, explore them on a bike, then hop on a bus or train, get closer to other must-visit places and basically combine biking with getting around by public transport.
Last but not least option is to rent a bike for specific trips.
For example, exploring the Gap of Dunloe in the Killarney National Park, biking parts of the Wild Atlantic Way, or the Dingle Peninsula will be an unforgettable experience.
When deciding to explore Ireland on a bike, there are several things to factor in.
First, you should know what gear you need and how to pack light, as biking through cold winds and rain is fun only when you have good quality gear.
Secondly, to enjoy the trip, you should know your fitness level and practice at home before you go.
Also, it is essential to create a sensible itinerary, so your trip won't turn into a race with time.
Always pin all the places you want to visit and factor in biking time and time for exploring cities, castles, and other attractions along the way.
Lastly, we recommend making hotel reservations in advance, especially if you travel during the main season.
When you have a car, and there is no availability, it is no problem to drive another 20 or 30 kilometers to another hotel.
But after a full day in the saddle, it could be a significant problem for those getting around on a bike.
Although this means of transport might be challenging, there are not many better ways to be so close to Ireland's nature.
Travel Resources
Here you can find links to all the travel resources we use and which you might find helpful when planning your next holiday.
Accommodation: When looking for accommodation, we usually search hotels via Booking.com or Hostelworld.
Tours: Although we love to travel independently, some places are better to visit with a guided tour.
We prefer GetYourGuide for its easy-to-use interface and solid reputation. Another great alternative is Viator.
Rental Cars: When going on a road trip, we always use Rentalcars.com, a reliable site for booking a rental car in advance.
Flight Tickets: When looking for flight tickets, you can search Skyscanner to find the best price.
Travel Insurance: World Nomads and SafetyWing cover against risks of travel.
