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Dublin is a large city, counting with over 1 million citizens, but not with high skyscrappers as other big towns. Therefore, people live in many areas around the city and far from the city center, being public transport of great importance to daily tasks as work, study and shopping. Thankfully, Dublin is a major transportation hub for the rest of Ireland and is in reality very well serviced by transport operators, like buses, tramlines, trains, taxis, public bikes, car renting, etc… if you’re not thinking about buying a car, that won’t be a problem for you. Although, it might be tricky to find the right option and use it correctly, even more being new in town. That’s why we prepared a set of tips to make your life easier when you want to go somewhere!
Dublin Bus is the main service operator in the city and operates an extensive service in the Dublin City and Greater Dublin area. The two stock buses are fast and the stops are always displaying the time to the next bus arriving, what makes it easier to use of this sort of transport. You can also use the Dublin Bus App for updated timetables and a cross city map to plan your route.
The fares to this transport vary according to how many stops are you passing by, goes from €2.10 to €3.65, and the payment can be made in cash (having the correct amount, because there no change is given back) or by Leap Card (to be mentioned).
For trips outside of Dublin, if you are going to visit cities such as Cork, Galway, Kilkenny or Belfast, check out: www.gobus.ie, www.dublincoach.ie and/or www.buseireann.ie.
Iarnród Éireann (Irish Rail) is the national railway operator and there are two major inter-city railway stations, Connolly station located within a fifteen-minute walk from the school and only a five-minute walk from O’Connell Street and Heuston station is on the Red LUAS line. Just like the buses, the fares vary depending on how many stops are you crossing, and can be paid by ticket bought in machines located in every station, by cash or card, or also by Leap Card.
For trains to Galway, Cork, Limerick, Waterford and Kilkenny , please ensure that you buy tickets in advance as great reduction offers are only accessed online.
Iarnród Éireann also operate the Dublin Area Rapid Transit (DART) as part of the Dublin suburban rail network which runs along the coast of Dublin on the Trans-Dublin route from Howth and Malahide, in the north to Bray and Greystones in County Wicklow to the south.
Check out www.irishrail.ie for timetables.
Luas is the name of the tram system in Dublin city centre. Currently, there are two Luas lines, the Green line and the Red line, and they mainly serve the south-side of the city. The nearest Luas stops to the school can be found within a fifteen-minute walk from the school at Connolly Station and Lower Abbey Street, both on the Red line. The fares are from €2.10 to €3.30 and tickets can be bought in every station at the automatic machines.
If you are staying in Dublin for a longer period of time it is well worth getting a Leap Card. This is a convenient way to pay for public transport services, saves you carrying change and Leap Card fares are usually 20% cheaper than paying in cash! For students, the fares are fixed and you have even bigger discounts. You simply buy your card, Top-Up with travel credit at any newsagents and you are ready to go. If student, you can go to the Trinity College Leap Card center or at the bus company at O’Connel Street and pay the €10 fee, getting your new card with a picture on it right the way.
As a student, having credits on your leap card you can use any transport:
For more information visit: www.leapcard.ie.
Bicycles are widely used in Dublin city, motivated by the presence of several bike paths. There is also the availability of bikes for rent, placed in over a 100 stations all over Dublin City. You can by an anual pass for €25.00, or a day pass for €5.00. Your pass gives you the right to use any bike for a half an hour period and drop it in any of the stations, without paying anything else.
For more information, visit www.dublinbikes.com
Driving is a great way to explore the countryside and will allow access to beautiful towns such as Dingle in Kerry and Kinsale in Cork as well as the Game of Thrones and Giant’s Causeway tours close to Belfast. Just don’t forget: the Irish roads are oriented the same as the British roads, the contrary of the majority of countries!
Check out: www.rentalcars.com, www.europcar.ie.
We all wish you a nice trip!
