Buses
are the best way to get around and most
of them in the Republic are run by Bus Éireann
(www.buseireann.ie)
which has regular departures to most towns
and cities. In Northern Ireland most buses
are operated by Ulsterbus (www.ulsterbus.co.uk).
BUS PASSES
Both Bus Éireann and Ulsterbus have
travel passes. These include:
Emerald Card
This pass is good for combined bus and rail
travel in the Republic of Ireland and Northern
Ireland on the Bus Éireann, Ulsterbus,
Iarnród Éireann and Northern
Ireland Railways networks. It is also valid
on Dublin's DART and suburban rail services
and local bus services in Cork, Limerick,
Galway and Waterford. Prices are:
8 days of travel in a 15 day period €198
15 days of travel in a 30 day period €341
Irish Explorer
This pass combines bus and rail travel in
the Republic of Ireland on the Bus Éireann
and Iarnród Éireann bus and
rail networks. It is also valid on Dublin's
DART and suburban rail services and local
bus networks in Cork, Limerick, Galway and
Waterford. The pass costs€176 and is
valid for 8 days travel in a 15 day period.
Irish Rambler
This pass is valid on Bus Éireann
services in the Republic of Ireland as well
as local bus services in Cork, Limerick,
Galway and Waterford. Prices are:
3 days of travel in an 8 day period €53
8 days of travel in a 15 day period €116
15 days of travel in a 30 day period €168
Irish Rover
You can use this pass on Bus Éireann
services in the Republic of Ireland and
Ulsterbus services in Northern Ireland.
The Irish Rover pass is also valid on local
bus services in Belfast, Cork, Limerick,
Galway and Waterford. Prices are:
3 days of travel in an 8 day period €68
8 days of travel in a 15 day period €152
15 days of travel in a 30 day period €226
TOUR BUSES
Several companies also specialise in tours
which may not quite suit the independent
style traveller but some also offer hop-on
hop-off services that offer more spontaneity.
Stray Travel (www.straytravel.com)
and Paddy Wagon (www.paddywagontours.co.uk)
are probably the most flexible in this regard.
DUBLIN BUS SERVICES
Services in Dublin City and county are provided
by Dublin Bus. They operate from 6.00 to
23.30 on weekdays with a limited late night
bus service (Nitelinks) on Thursday, Friday
and Saturday. Get timetable information
from The Dublin Bus Information Office,
59 Upper O'Connell Street or Dublin Bus
desk, Dublin Tourism Centre, Suffolk Street,
Dublin 2. Travel cards and special rate
tickets are sold in many retail stores around
the city.
Dublin Bus operates an exact change system
(Autofare) in which you can buy tickets
from a vending machine on the bus. Try to
pay with the exact amount of you will have
to take your excess receipt to the Dublin
Bus office.
Aircoach
24 hour service to and from the airport.
Tel.+353 1 8447118, www.aircoach.ie
Bus Eireann
This company operates bus services from
Dublin to the rest of Ireland. The central
bus station - Busaras is located on Amiens
Street. Tel. +353 1 836 6111, www.buseireann.ie
CORK BUS SERVICES
This is a good way to navigate your way
around the city. All services operate from
the Bus Station on Parnell Place, some also
pass Patrick St, the Grand Parade and the
South Mall.
INTERNATIONAL BUS PASSES FROM IRELAND
Eurolines www.eurolines.com
is the largest network of international
buses in Europe. People under 26 years
are around 10% less than the adult full
fare. There are several circular explorer
routes and passes available. Individual
tickets are available on all routes with
a number of circuits available allowing
the traveller to travel along a pre-determined
circular route taking in various destinations
along the way. These passes are supplemented
by the more flexible Eurolines pass. The
Eurolines pass is probably the best travel
deal in Europe allowing unlimited travel
between 46 destinations in 26 countries
on the Eurolines network. This pass is
great value particularly during summer
when it is a cheaper travel option than
the equivalent Busabout pass.
Busabout (busabout.info@virgin.net)
is another pass option for travellers
and will also book accommodation for you
in advance. However most of these are
camping sites outside major towns. Eurobus
also operates providing a hop on and off
service.
USEFUL LINKS
Here is a list of some helpful links and
bus services:
Eurolines www.eurolines.com
Services within Europe. Tickets available
online.
52 Grosvenor Gardens, London SW1W 0AU, tel.
020/7730-8235 or 020/7730-3499
Greyhound Lines
Bus fares, schedules and ticket information. www.greyhound.com
Bus Éireann
Irish National bus company providing local
bus services, Expressway long distance intercity
services, Eurolines services with destinations
in Britain and abroad. www.buseireann.ie
The Bus Station
Bus, coach, tram, trolleybus and transit
links all over the world www.busstation.net
BusWeb
Index of links to bus, coach, and motorcoach
related web sites. www.busweb.com
Europe
Bus Transportation
summarizes bus charter, tour, and transportation
companies serving countries in Eastern and
Western Europe.
