Ireland Journal

Transportation

Getting around Ireland: Ireland is easy to navigate. Though a car is useful in exploring the nooks and crannies of Ireland’s countryside and seaside, they countries bus and train system is extensive, easy to navigate, comfortable, and get you pretty much anywhere you want to go. And I have felt completing comfortable traveling solo on buses. With Ireland’s national rail, you can essentially travel between the larger towns and supplement with rail commuter lines and Bus Eireann.  Both systems have easy online planning and purchasing with ticket pick-up at the station kiosk.

Driving: I was a little apprehensive about driving, but once I took the plunge it really is not that intimidating. Although it does help to have a navigator that reminds you which lane to turn into, if you’re used to driving on the “other” side of the road.

Getting around Locally: Invest in a Leap Card if you’re going to be moving around Irish cities on public transit. Good on Dublin buses, Luas, and commuter rails. You can pick up in a local store and then add on via an app. You don’t need to tap off on the buses, but you do for the Luas or you will be charged the full-distance line fare (tap on and off on the Luas platform – not on the tram itself).

Dublin