Ireland Transport

Ireland's national airline is Aer Lingus (EI) (www.aerlingus.com).

Dublin Airport (DUB) is 10km north of the city. An air-coach service runs to and from the airport, 24 hours a day. Citylink runs a service from Galway to Dublin Airport (travel time: 3 hours). Dublin Bus offers many routes throughout Dublin to/from the airport, including an AirLink Express bus from Heuston and Connolly railway stations. Taxis are also available. Airport facilities: Duty free shop, car hire, bank, currency exchange, bars, restaurants, tourist information centre and chemist.

Shannon Airport (SNN) is 24km north of Limerick City (travel time: 25 minutes). Bus services are available to and from both Limerick and Clare, approximately every hour. A daily express coach travels between Limerick and Shannon, plus to Ennis bus station. Citylink operates a service from Galway to Shannon Airport (travel time: one hour, 15 minutes). Taxi services are available 24 hours a day to Limerick City. Airport Facilities: Outgoing duty free shop, bank, currency exchange, bar, restaurant and tourist information centre.

Cork Airport (ORK) is 8km southwest of Cork city. Buses travel between the city centre and airport in about 15 minutes. Airport facilities: Outgoing duty free shop, car hire, bar and restaurant.

Knock International Airport (NOC) is 11km north of Claremorris (County Mayo) and receives scheduled international flights from the UK only: Ryanair from London Stansted, Bmibaby from Birmingham and Manchester, Loganair from Dublin, Easyjet from London Gatwick and British Airways from London Gatwick via Dublin. Taxi services are available to Claremorris, where onward rail and bus connections are available to the rest of the country. Airport facilities: Duty free shop, bar, restaurant and car hire (pre-booking advised). There is an Airport Departure Tax Knock International Airport: €10 for those over 12 years of age.

Rail
Rail passes offer a wide variety of discounts. Visit the following websites for more information:

Inter-Rail Pass (www.interrailnet.com)
Eurailpass (www.eurail.com)

Sea
Main ports are at Baltimore, Dublin (www.dublinport.ie), Galway, Kinsale and Wexford.

In addition to conventional ferry crossings, many ferry companies now offer high-speed services as well as highly modern craft on many Irish sea routes. Fares and schedules vary by season.

For more information, contact one of the following:
Brittany Ferries (www.brittany-ferries.com)
Irish Ferries (www.irishferries.com)
Isle of Man Steam Packet (www.steam-packet.com)
P&O Irish Sea (www.poirishsea.com)
Stena Line (www.stenaline.co.uk)

Air
Aer Lingus and other airlines operate services throughout the country. Private charter flights are also available. The Aran Islands are served by Aer Arann (www.aerarann.ie) via a 15 minute flight from Connemara Regional Airport (located 27km west of Galway city).

Sea
Ferry services run to the various west coast islands; enquiries should be made locally.

Rail
Rail services in the Republic are owned by Iarnród Eireann (Irish Rail) (www.irishrail.ie) and express trains run between the main cities. There are two classes of accommodation, with restaurant and buffet cars on some trains. Children under five travel free. Children aged five to 15 pay half fares. A range of rail-only and combined rail and bus tickets are available for unlimited travel within the Republic of Ireland. 

There is a fast suburban rail service (DART, Dublin Area Rapid Transport), travelling from Malahide in the north to Greystones in the south.

The Britrail and Eurorail card systems are valid in Ireland (www.eurail.com). The EuroDomino pass enables holders anything from three to eight days' extensive travel within a one-month period on the entire rail network of their chosen country. It is valid in 26 European countries. (www.raileurope.co.uk/railpasses/eurodomino.htm)

Road
A network of roads link all parts of Ireland. Traffic drives on the left. Ireland changed all road signs from imperial to metric measurements on 20 January 2005.

Bus
National bus services are run by Bus Eireann (Irish Bus) (www.buseireann.ie) which has a nationwide network of buses serving all the major cities and most towns and villages outside the Dublin area. Bus services in remote areas are infrequent. An ‘Expressway' coach network complements rail services. The central bus station is in Store Street, Dublin. A variety of special passes are available. Enquire at any bus station.

Several independent bus companies, which are often cheaper, faster and more frequent than Bus Eireann, operate regular, scheduled services to and from Dublin. Further information can be found in local papers.

Extensive bus services operate in Dublin. Buses in the city are run by DublinBus from 06:00-23:30 during weekdays with a limited night bus service on Thursday, Friday and Saturday every 20 minutes, 00:30-04:30. Dublin also has its own tram system (LUAS) which is a high-speed service with convenient stop locations throughout the city. Dublin taxis can be hailed or hired at a taxi rank. The three main taxi ranks in the city are O'Connell Street, Dame Street and Saint Stephens Street.

Car Hire
All international hire companies are represented in Ireland, as well as local operators. Age requirements vary from a minimum of 21 to a maximum of 70 years. A full licence from the driver's home country is required, and the driver will normally be required to have had at least two years' driving experience. It is advisable to book hire cars in advance, especially in the peak season. If travelling with small children, a child seat should be ordered in advance. Wearing seatbelts is required by law.

Taxi
Service is available in major cities. Taxis are metered in Cork, Dublin, Galway and Limerick. In other areas is it advised to agree on a fare beforehand. Cruising taxis are infrequent. Places to get taxis are at hotels, rail and bus stations or taxi stands.