POWERPUFF71

The plan is for 6 of us /5 (24year old) girls and myself(34)/ will be flying into Cork. We were told we can then take a bus to Galway for one night than to Dublin for 2 nights.
As this is our first trip to Ireland, how easy is it to get the bus and what info do I need ahead of time. Do the routes go to all the main sights? Is there a website for the schedule & stops?
Also, is there an inexpensive alternative to staying at hostels? I understand the B&B's are delightful but are they easy to access with the bus routes? Are taxis an option?
Any and all advice would be greatly appreciated.

youngblueeyes

Not sure why you are flying to Cork, then leaving to go to Galway (3 hrs journey), then leaving Galway to go to Dublin (3 hrs journey). Cork is one of the most beautiful places in Ireland and is neighboured by Kerry which is also fabulous.If you aren't renting a car there are bus tours you can do, check out https://www.buseireann.ie/asp/TourList.asp or http://www.paddywagontours.com/tours.php
Otherwise there is just the standard buses that go between the cities, they go mostly on motorways as it's quicker. Again buseireann is the main transport company, check their website for routes, times etc. I'm not suggesting for a moment that Galway & Dublin aren't great, they are, but hardly worth the trip for 1 or 2 nights.

TimS

Have you considered renting a car? With a group your size, the price is probably going to be less than bus tickets. And you'll have the freedom to go to small towns and rural areas where the bus doesn't go and stop anywhere you wish along the way. AutoEurope (www.autoeurope.com) shows a basic rate of $291.13 USD for a three-day rental of a seven-passenger Ford Galaxy minivan (standard transmission) to be picked up at the Cork airport and dropped off at the Dublin airport. If you have a platinum MasterCard that specifically includes Ireland, you can decline CDW coverage and take the basic rate. Don't drive in Dublin. Turn in the car at the Dublin airport, take a bus into the city, and use public transportation while you're there.

Where2Travel

How many nights do you have in total for this trip? It sounds like yo may be trying to fit too much in by picking three locations that are quite far apart in a short timeframe.

POWERPUFF71

I agree, it is alot to fit in. We plan to stay in Ireland from Wed. till Sunday and then fly to London. Also, I was incorrect in saying we were to fly into Cork. We are flying into Shannon, which makes alittle more sense.
I would rather not drive in Ireland, as they drive on the opposite side of the road. So thanks YoungBlueEyes, I will use that bus info right away.

So, any must do/sees in Doolin/Shannon, Galway and Dublin. I would like to take the daily city tour in Dublin. Can anyone give me the website. thanks everyone.

pontoon

In my opinion, perhaps you should think again about driving. It is not as big a deal to change sides of the road as you might thing and I am always surprised how quickly I adjust when overseas. With the amount of people in your party you could share responsibility. The reason I put this forward is that the bus tends to take all day to go nowhere and takes away your independence to see what you really want. Here's another option: rent a car in Shannon - Drive to Galway - where the roads vary from deserted to quiet - and then hop on the train for a relaxing trip from Galway to Dublin, having left the car in Galway? It is easier to do Dublin without a car.

pontoon

Is this the one? http://www.dublinbus.ie/your_journey..._city_tour.asp

POWERPUFF71

that link looks good, thanks pontoon