colleenbee08

My husband and I have 2 nights in N Ireland to spend one full day exploring the Causeway coast. Then we would llike to spend the next 5 nights in either Shannon or Galway. I have tried to find a train schedule from Belfast to these two cities but am not having any luck. Would you suggest that we take a plane? I am more in favour of the train so we can see the country that we pass through on the way.
We are open to any tips, thanks

flanneruk

Shannon's a non-place: an airport surrounded by an industrial estate. The nearest railway station (and real town) is Limerick.

There are no flights to either airport from Belfast. Trains in both the Rapublic and NI are really based on their respective capitals, so to get to either Galway or the Limerick area by all-train or all-plane you need to change at Dublin.

It's normally quicker to get a bus (the plane system really isn't geared for changing at Dublin, and can be gob-smackingly pricey): the best intra-Ireland journey planner for trains and buses is at www.translink.co.uk/jp/jpclient.exe

colleenbee08

Thanks for the tip flanneruk. Doesn't sound as if Shannon is the place to stay then.
I checked out the link you gave and am confused. My inquiry to go from Belfast to Galway showed only bus travel. Surely there must be train travel between at least part of that journey. Am I missing some step?
thanks Colleen

Man_in_seat_61

There are trains Belfast-Dublin and Dublin-Galway, a very pleasant way to travel, but with a change of train (and station, from Connolly to Heuston) in Dublin.

www.irishrail.ie for times and fares for both routes.

Erov

If it were me I would travel to Dublin airport from ni and grab a rental car. You can cross the country in about a little over 2 hrs and theres a great new highway (M4). Been to Galway many time and a day or 2 is more than enough time there.
That is why you need a car, you can head North or South from Galway and checkout some neat costal places.

colleenbee08

Thanks, Erov. In the time between my inquiry and your reply, that is exactly what we have determined as the best plan. We have decided to use Kilkenny as our base to do day trips from. Can't wait!

KK_Cat

Rental car is definitely the way to go. I live in Kilkenny and it is a great location, but I would not consider Galway a day trip from here. If you only have 5 days my own preference would be to do Dublin to Kilkenny spend 2 nights here, then head over west and spend the remaining 3 nights in the Galway/Mayo area and then head back to Dublin.

Josser

Hello Man_in_seat_61

How is it going with the TV series?