mitchrc

We're going to Ireland in late October for 7 to 10 days on a driving trip. We're just beginning our planning and can fly into Shannon or Dublin. Any thoughts on which would be better? I'm leaning toward Dublin simply because I don't want to deal with a car while we're actually in Dublin.

MaryZ

I think it will depend more on where you want to go than anything else. If most of your time will be spent in the west, then fly into Shannon. You could then spend your last days in Dublin after returning your car. Or, reverse it by flying into Dublin, spending some time there, and then picking up your car before heading out.

Some people have said that it's easier to get used to driving in Ireland on the less congested roads around Shannon.

Holldoll

If you're not used to left-hand driving, I'd definitely start my trip in Shannon. Much easier driving in that area to get used to it. Then, if you want to include Dublin in your trip, do that at the end. What we did is when coming to Dublin we dropped the car at the airport and took a cab (or public transport) into the city. Despite having driven left-hand for a week, we did not want the car in Dublin--which we felt was a wise decision.

mitchrc

My left hand driving experience is limited to a long journey in Australia and it was not the most pleasant drive I've done so I agree that I'd rather start in a less congested part of the country. If we fly in and out of Shannon is there an easy way to get back to Shannon from Dublin, i.e. rail?

MaryZ

You can get a train from Dublin to Limerick. From there, you can taxi or bus the 15 miles or so to Shannon.

Clifton

Have driven in both Ireland and Australia and would have to say that Ireland is a bit trickier, due to road width, lack of shoulders in many places and more aggressive drivers on average. So the point about getting used to driving is valid.

However, I was reading the other answers and not wanting to assume anything for others, but it seemed to me that most people were thinking that you'd fly into one place and out of the other (an open jaw or multi-city routing). That would be the best way, if you could arrange it, as it would save backtracking on a short schedule such as yours. The prices usually aren't too much higher, if at all.

But, if you must fly in and out of the same airport, I'd personally recommend making it Dublin. You don't want the car in Dublin. Busy, busy, busy place. So, it will be parked and costing you rental and parking fees. If you are going r/t to a single airport, you can stay in Dublin, then get your car on the way out and make your way around.

mitchrc

You read my mind. I'm leaning toward an open jaw trip flying into Shannon and out of Dublin.

Holldoll

Definitely the brest way to go if you want to include Dublin in your trip. It works out quite well that way. Good luck on everything!

Keenan

I have completed the 'open-jaw' a few times ending up in Dublin and would highly recommend it. The only drawback was that I was a bit worn down by the time I reached Dublin and my energy level may have reduced my touring enthusiasm. Anywho, if you haven't been to Ireland before the fly in to Shannon/fly out of Dublin would be great for all the reasons provided by the other posters. The Dublin traffic can be a bear so consider alternative ways to get back and forth from the airport such as AerDart which runs a combination bus/train route, or at least they did a while back. Enjoy your trip and we may cross paths in October. K PS Dan Dooley has offices both at the airport and just behind Trinity college next a train station. Just food for thought

MileKing

We just returned from a 2 week Ireland trip where we flew in/out of Dublin. I have a somewhat different perspective. We picked up the car immediately, but bypassed Dublin and headed for Wicklow. In my view, it was easier getting used to driving on the motorways around Dublin because they are more like U.S. roads, you don't have traffic coming at you, and the lanes are standard size. This allowed some time to get used to being in a different driving position as well as familiarize yourself with the Irish road signage ("poor" would be a generous characterization). We returned the car towards the end of the trip and took the Air Coach bus into Dublin for our last few days. I support the recommendations not to drive in the city of Dublin....way too much traffic.

Flying into one airport and out of the other airport (Dublin/Shannon or vice versa) would be the best option, but that option is not always available and may involve additional expenses.

HappyCheesehead

Are you completely set on seeing Dublin? We just got back from a trip (our first time)where we flew into Dublin, spend two days there, picked up our car south of the city center and headed out to see the country. We returned the car to Shannon, where we flew out. 5 minutes out of the Shannon airport and you can be totally in the countryside if you wish.

We decided to see Dublin first as we would have a chance to get over our flight and get a couple good nights sleep before tackling the roads. That said, I am sorry we went to Dublin at all. I wish I had not spent two of my precious vacation days on it. Not that there is anything really wrong with Dublin, it is just another big city, and I have seen plenty of those.It was not til I got out to the country that I felt like I had arrived in Ireland, IMHO. Additionally, most all the highlights of our trip were in the west and southwest, I could have spent more time there.

spootiskerry

While I'm not a fan of big cities, Dublin is worth a look and if you like beer, you MUST go to the Guinness Brewery tour. On the 7th floor you have a 360 degree view of the city and it's a fascinating tour. This will be my 3rd trip to Ireland and I'm a musician so I spend most of the time seeking pubs in small towns for Irish sessions. I also like to visit ancient ruins and just north of Dublin is Drougheda (Newgrange)and then west of there is Kells. I loved Westport and took a bus tour to Cong (The Quiet Man) one day. That was very cool. The Ashford House is amazing. I took the train back to Dublin. This year will be my first with a car. Got a good deal at irishcarrentals.com $302 for 13 days, including tax.

rshersnow

If you are planning to drive in Ireland I would recommend flying into Shannon. Dublin driving can be overwhelming your first time in Ireland.

d1carter

We just returned from Ireland and I'm already wanting to return. My family and I flew into Shannon, rented a car and drove to Ennis, north or Galway, down to Dingle, over to Kinsale and Waterford, and finally to Dun Laoghaire, where we turned in the car at the ferry terminal. We flew out of Dublin. We stayed in Dun Laoghaire for three nights and used the DART to go into and out of Dublin each day. I would recommend this. You don't want or need a car in Dublin. The flights were about the same as using just one airport. I hope you have a good time, and as the Irish say, "All the best"

Ozarksbill

It all goes to show that people have different reactions. Of course Dublin is a typical city...did I say typical with Book of Kells, music in pubs, Dubliana museum, Abbey Theatre, Kilmainham Gael, etc? Well, this is like lots of cities with a certain charm and history. I'd skip the Guinness brewery tour myself except that top view is good.

Yes, there are great sites in the environs like Trim castle, Newgrange, Glendalough. And yes arriving Shannon and seeing the beautiful West country is certainly good, too.

Bill in the Ozarks
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