Know where I want to go in Ireland, now, how to do it?

Question

My friend and I are going to be going to Ireland in the near future, and we know the areas we want to visit (at least a general idea) and we want to backpack. Are there ways to get from one general location to the other without renting a car? How do the busses work? Also if anyone has any ideas on type of pack, and shoes, that would be helpful as well...

Answer 1

The public transport system is very good in Ireland (easily on a par with that of the USA imo)

there are a number of bus services in ireland

Bus eireann is very comprehensive and visits almost 90% of towns and villages throughout the 26 counties of the Republic and most of the major towns in northern ireland http://www.buseireann.ie

CityLink is another very good company but their services are much more limited than bus eireanns http://www.citylink.ie/

nestor buses are probably the cheapest but they only travel east/west and vice versa http://www.nestorlink.ie/

for travel to the north (places not covered by bus eireann) try ulsterbus http://www.ulsterbus.co.uk/

The Irish rail service is clean and safe but misses out large chunks of the north west http://www.irishrail.ie

hope you have a good trip, just pack for the wind and rain no matter what time you arrive here.  It really doesnt matter if its july or january.

Answer 2

Fewer and fewer people are picking up hitch-hikers now because of increased speeds on the roads and increased levels of crime - so it's a good idea to have a plan B in case you get stranded somewhere. One more private bus company to add to your list in the answer above is Rapid Express, they're cheap and fast, website is http://www.jjkavanagh.ie/routes-express....

my tip for clothing would be breathable waterproofs - it can be really warm and clammy even while raining.

hope the trip goes well.

Answer 3

There are buses in Ireland, mostly coaches from one county to the next, in dublin and the larger cities they have regualr buses. Vist the Bus Eireann website (www.buseireann.ie/) and that will give you the timetable and prices (a bit expensive) I dont know anyone that has backpacked around Ireland but i'm sure it can be done with a little planning.

It just means that you will be stuck other tourist when you visit places such as the ring of kerry and the likes...i'm sure you will have a great time anyway

May the luck of the Irish be with you forever x

Answer 4

Awesome! This sounds like a fun trip. Backpack the west coast. Some places I like are Killarney, The Bera peninsula, The Dingle Peninsula, Cliffs of Mohr,The Burren,

Galway and the Aran Islands. Pack and travel light for the times you walk/hike.Be prepared for any weather, at any time.  Don't rent a car for more than one day to get to places not served well by the generally good public transportation system.

   Depending on how much time you have, try to stay in one area for a couple of days to really get a feel for the town/area before moving on, otherwise you spend more time than you want to on the bus/ train.

   Galway is a must see!

Answer 5

Bus system works pretty well. You've got a good few choices to pick from. Try www.buseireann.ie or www.rapidexpress.ie. Theres also the train system, www.iarnrodeireann.ie.

Answer 6

I took a Paddywagon tour in 2003. Cheap and so fun!

http://www.paddywagontours.com/

Have fun and Kiss the Blarney stone!

Answer 7

Lots of people backpack around Ireland every year.  Bus eirann is an option but there is also the train and city link which is pretty cheap.

There are lots of hostels and B&Bs that are cheap.  If you get over to County Offaly Tullamore stop in and visit Charleville castle you can ask Terri to volunteer to clean for a day or so and get to camp on the land for a stop.

http:/www.charlevillecastle.com