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Dublin Transport: Getting Around Dublin
Dublin Getting Around | Dublin Transport | Dublin
The Best Ways to Get Around in Dublin
To experience the full splendor of weather-worn cobblestones or the architectural
heights of the Samuel Beckett Bridge, you have to know how to get around in Dublin.
Luckily, whether you enjoy early morning tours or late night crawls, mid-afternoon
cruises or a simple day’s drive, there are plenty of ways to see the city. Trams,
buses, trains, cycling, and walking tours are some of the most popular methods of
getting you where you want to go.
Trams
Tram service in Dublin is known as Luas, and
is essentially a light rail service that provides convenient access from a variety
of points in the city, including the city centre and the docks. Popular among suburban
commuters and those who wish to see the full expanse of Dublin for an affordable
rate, grabbing a seat on Luas is a great way to get a sense of the scale and overall
feel of the city. Because Luas is above ground, riders are whisked along tree-lined
boulevards and over city bridges amongst pedestrian and motor traffic. A pleasant
recorded voice announces upcoming stops while music plays faintly overhead. For those
who have never been to Dublin before, a quick ride on Luas will allow them to get
their bearings, and give them a better idea of how they wish to spend their time
in the city.
Buses
For those who prefer traveling by bus, there are two options: the
Dublin Bus, and the nationwide Bus Eireann. While Bus Eireann is the best choice
for those travelers who wish to see the rest of the country, the Dublin Bus is convenient
and incredibly affordable for those who know where they’re going within the city.
With clearly labeled destinations and several routes that terminate in the center
of the city, the Dublin Bus is easy to find and easier to ride. Service begins around
7am and stops at about 11:30, depending on the season, day, and any recent adjustments
to the schedule.
Sightseeing Buses
For the more adventurous souls, there are literally
dozens of sightseeing buses, each with its particular specialty. The infamous Dublin
Ghost Bus Tour will provide plenty of amusement and an otherworldly nighttime portrait
of the city. The Backpacker Pub Crawl tour’s extensive familiarity with local watering
holes and drinking spots will ease your worries (and make you glad you’re not the
designated driver). For those who want the complete urban survey in 24 hours, The
Dublin City Tour takes you by the 25 top attractions all within a day’s time. And
for the castle enthusiasts who have a soft spot for gorgeous scenery, the Dublin
Bay and Castle Tour will not only take you to Malahide castle for a multi-hour tour,
but to Howth summit for a spectacular 10 minute glimpse of the Dublin Bay.
Cycling
While
motor powered vehicles have their advantages, there is nothing quite as invigorating
as being able to bicycle through the city. Dublin’s recent additions to its bike
paths — including an 8 kilometer lighted extension of the Grand Canal route — provides
riders with personal, uninterrupted access to the city and its waterways. Cyclists
are also frequently spotted in the busier sections of town, although those who have
little experience with riding next to city buses and in the midst of massive urban
congestion are advised to stay within the relatively safe boundaries of the designated
cycling paths.
Those who are visiting but wish to ‘hire’ their own private bicycle
can easily do so at the Phoenix Park Bike Hire. Tour-minded bicyclists can rent a
bike and enjoy an evening tour with a knowledgeable guide from Neills Wheels. Dublin
also has a ‘Bike Week,’ which is attended by cycling celebrities and the local cycling
community. Bike Week features a variety of contests, awards, and general bicycling
camaraderie.
Walking
Simple, elegant, and requiring the rental of absolutely no equipment
(unless of course you want to buy special footwear), walking around Dublin is one
of the most pleasurable and intimate transportation methods available. Pub crawls,
poetic ruminations, and leisurely strolls by the Canal are perhaps best enjoyed by
foot. Of course, Dublin has a slew of walking tours for those individuals who prefer
a focused experience to the unexpected discoveries of casual wandering.
You can see the noteworthy points of interest of the city and also help employ history
graduates of Trinity College by taking the Historical Walking Tours of Dublin. These
informed and highly educated guides will take you through the places where it all
happened — from Dublin’s initial formation to the potato famine to the War of Independence.
Available year round, the Historical Walking Tours meets at the front gate of Trinity
College.
Those interested in Dublin’s rich literary history will be delighted by the
two hour Dublin Literary Walking Tour. With scheduled stops at the Dublin Writer’s
Museum and the James Joyce Cultural Center, every attendee will be exposed to the
city’s roster of world renowned writers. Literary geniuses Oscar Wilde and Jonathan
Swift are both alumni of Trinity College, which is the end point of the tour.
For
walkers who want to see the urban highlights, Pat Liddy’s Walking Tours of Dublin
offers everything from shopping tours to great eateries to the general survey of
the city’s most popular cultural attractions.
Trains
Trains are not the best option
for those visitors who are in no particular hurry or wish to sightsee. However, for
those Dublin visitors who want to get out and explore the local countryside and cities
beyond, trains provide the most efficient method of travel. The best local train
service in Dublin is the DART train. With a standard route that encompasses the northern
scenic point of Howth all the way to the southern suburbs of Bray, DART is the ideal
choice for rapid journeys across both the city and Dublin county at large. Irish
Rail, also known as Iarnrod Eireann, is best used for traveling across the country,
or to other prominent Irish cities such as Cork or Limerick. Once boarded at either
Dublin’s Heuston or Connelly stations, the non-smoking train offers riders the choice
of 87 different station destinations in the comfort of either standard or super standard
class.
Boats/Cruises
A number of boats and cruise vessels avail themselves of Dublin’s
picturesque location on the Liffey river. Although technically not a way to get around
‘in’ the city, the Dublin Liffey River Cruise is a great way to get around the city,
and enjoy beautiful, engaging views. The forty-five minute cruise includes lectures
on the history of the city and the river. Private boats from Dublin can also be chartered
or hired, although rates (and availability) do vary.
Taxis/Cars/Limousines
If you don’t
like walking, taking trains, sitting on buses, cruising on boats or riding bicycles,
you can always rent a taxi, car or limousine to drive around Dublin. For those who
don’t mind spending an enormous amount of money, Dublin by limousine is quite a memorable
experience. Limousine service should always be booked in advance, with the number
of passengers and destinations clearly delineated. There are a few private car companies
that will rent to visitors, many of which are known internationally, such as Thrifty
and Budget car rental. These rental services usually have offices based either at
Dublin airport, or in the city center.
There are also dozens of taxi cab companies in Dublin. However, taxi service is probably
the most expensive and least convenient for visitors, especially on weekend nights
when waiting an hour for a private cab in Dublin is not uncommon.