Traveling from U.S to Shannon then through out Ireland. Better off with Irish Rail or renting a car?

Question

I noticed that I could get a rail pass for $143 and a car would cost $206(without the gas). would I be able to get around to all the places of interest. Mass transport is awful here in the U.S. not sure if it is any better over there. Does the extra cost for the rental out way the trouble of the the trains time tables?

Answer 1

The trains only connect the cities, they don't really go anywhere near the places of interest. You would end up paying a fortune for taxis anyway, so you're much better off getting a car. But take the train to Dublin if you're going there, a car in Dublin is a nuisance, as you have to pay a lot of money for parking.

Answer 2

Ireland doesn't have the best rail system. Even though it's cheaper to travel by train, you'll find that the best spots in Ireland are those little pokey out of the way places that a train journey just doesn't allow you to see. In fact, to be brutally honest, I can't think of a worse way to see Ireland than through a train window.  You'd be better off on the bus.

"The trains in Ireland run from Dublin to all major Irish cities. Keep in mind that service to more remote, provincial towns is often round-about and sometimes more expensive. For travel to these smaller cities, many travelers find that it is more convenient, but much less comfortable, to travel by bus."

"For safe travels on the Ireland railway, remember to keep your belongings with you. Some travelers find it is a good idea to hide valuables (money, passport, jewelry) in their clothes, especially during night train rides. Thieves will sometimes rob sleeping train travelers, and the luckless victims will wake up at the next station penniless. Not to worry though: in terms of safe rail travel Ireland is among the safer countries, with fewer robberies reported than other comparable regions in Europe."

Answer 3

The best way to see Ireland is definitely by car. Although it'll work out a bit more expensive, you'll get to see so much more (all the best bits in fact), so the value is in hiring a car.

The Irish rail service doesn't go to any of the top sights. It'll get you from Dublin to the other cities and major towns in the country, but the scenery on route is very boring.

By car you can travel to the Cliffs of Moher, towering 200m above the Atlantic, check out the interesting limestone region of the Burren, visit beautiful and wild Connemara, on the east coast of Ireland, while Killarney, the breathtaking Ring of Kerry and West Cork, with its miles of unspoilt coastline, are all spectacular sights in the South West that you'll miss if you take the train. The east of the country is equally worth exploring. Wicklow, just south of Dublin, also known as the 'Garden of Ireland' is fantastic with beautiful sandy beaches and from here you can head down to Counties Wexford and Waterford in the 'sunny' South East – more beaches and more fantastic scenery!

With a car you can stop off wherever you want, picnic where you want, spend as much time at an attraction as you (no running back to catch train) and you'll get to go to parts of the Emerald Isle where no train track has ever been.

The best way I can put it is that you'll get to experience the REAL Ireland of you hire a car.

http://www.novacarhire.com/car-hire/Irel...

Answer 4

Renting a car is the best way.  However, note that the cheap price of $206 is likely for a manual transmission.  Maybe you feel comfortable driving that in Ireland, but a lot of people (even though they may drive it in the USA).  Remember that while your pedals (clutch and gas) will be in the same place, you'll be sitting on the right side of the car and your gear stick will need to be used with your left hand.

The roads are incredibly narrow (and often lined with hedgerows -- stone walls overgrown with shrubs) and windy.  When we went over, we spent a LOT more money on the car to get an automatic.  It was a lot more comfortable not having to worry about everything else.  We could just drive (and trust me, that was scary enough for an American!).

Answer 5

Definitely a car.. its more flexible and the rail transport system is really not good. The trains don't even connect the major cities eg: to go from Cork to Galway, you have to change trains in portarlington or dublin

Answer 6

I would recommend a car as you can take that exactly where you want and you dont have to follow a time table and I am sure you will find it worth the extra money.

Shannon is a beautiful place and I am sure you will have a great time.  You should look around as I have found cheaper rental cars then that but of course depends on what you are after.

Answer 7

Defo better off with a car, it prob will work out  more expensive, but it'll be worth it in the long run :)