susan001

I'm planning a trip to England and Ireland in July. For the first time abroad, I'm planning to rent a car (at least for the England portion). I've read some posts that suggest driving in Ireland is a nerve-racking experience (a friend also said this). Do you think driving in Ireland is more taxing than driving in England? I'd like your feedback on the subject as well as anything you can tell me about public transportation in Ireland. Thanks!

nytraveler

Apples and oranges. England has a lot of motorways - high speeds and major roads - but in the deep countryside you will still run into very narrow roads with ditches or hedges in each side - and if you meet another vehicle someone will have to back.

Ireland has few real highways and LOTs of fairly narrow - and sometimes VERY narrow local roads. Also lots of sheep everywhere (yes, ON local roads) You should assume average speed to get anywhere as 30 to 35 mph.

However, in both places cars tend to be tiny - so if you are a confident driver and good parker (parallel on either side in small space - not pull into giant mall spots twice the size of the car) you should have no problems.

susan001

Thanks, NYT. I'm good at parallel parking on the right side . I'm curious what others might have to say about public transportation in Ireland.

travelbug30years

Absolutely rent a car and drive Ireland. You will love it. Yes, the roads are narrow in many places but Ireland and England are countries where driving slower allows you to view the scenery and sights which is why most of us travel.

That said ... my friend and I drove all over England and Ireland, putting over 2500 miles on the rental car and enjoyed most every minute of it. We found B&B's that were delightful, met locals that were colorful, and most of all we had immense freedom to go where we wanted all the time.

Best part is ... you can stop whenever and wherever you want. You can't do that with public transportation. You will find public transportation in big cities and that is fine but out in the country you want a car. You will come upon places where you just have to stop and take a photo, or eat or visit with the locals and you can't do that from a bus.

I have also ... traveled all throughout England and Ireland via motorcoach with large groups and though it was interesting, it was frustrating in that you can't stop when you want.

So, get the car, get your 'you go girl' on and you will be fine. It takes a bit of getting used to drive on the other side of the road but once you do you will be fine and you will love it. Have fun and enjoy!

Padraig

nytraveler wrote: "Ireland has few real highways and LOTs of fairly narrow - and sometimes VERY narrow local roads. Also lots of sheep everywhere (yes, ON local roads) You should assume average speed to get anywhere as 30 to 35 mph."

That is true only of some areas - the places that many tourists visit because they want to experience locations that are relatively unspoiled, such as mountains or the more remote parts of the west coast, the sort of places where you should not be in any sort of hurry.

susan001

Travelbug30years, thanks so much for the encouragement! I will be driving on my own, but intend to buy a GPS here and program it before I go. It can't be worse than schlepping bags on and off trains and racing down and up stairs to get to the next platform. I've done much of this over the past 10 years; one of my knees now just doesn't like lots of stairs, particularly while carting baggage.

raincitygirl

Susan, my friend and I drove for a week in Ireland this past summer, from Dublin to county Cork and then all around in the countryside in Cork. We didn't see any sheep on the road, found the GPS very helpful and really didn't have any problems at all. What we did have was a very good time!
I think you will too.

susan001

Padraig: Thanks for your helpful comment. I do plan to visit the west coast.

raincitygirl: Thanks for your feedback and encouragement!

Tony2phones

Driving in Ireland is like driving in England 30+ years ago before traffic jams and speed cameras and attitude.. A far more pleasant experience. Yes the roads are narrower than US folk are used to and yes there are a lot of smaller roads. But the accident rate per capita is far lower than most would expect. Road signage is far better than even 5 years ago, The motorways are handy but slabs of tar with little scenic appeal so I often find myself not saving the 10minutes or so every 100 miles and using the old N routes.

Basically if you drive with any degree of competence and confidence at home you can drive here..

susan001

Tony2phones: Very helpful comment. Thanks for the insight!

irishface

I would add my voice to all who have encouraged you here. You mentioned schlepping bags up and down steps, etc. It is great to go a few steps from car to B&B. If I know that a B&B will be a one night stand, I just put the essentials in a small bag to carry in and leave the larger suitcase in the trunk (although my suitcase is not that large).

Another great thing about driving in Ireland is the patience of Irish drivers. I am recently back from a trip to Ireland and France. Not one driver honked at me in Ireland--not even when I hesitated a minute at an intersection. Not one driver was on my rear bumper when I was going less than the speed limit.

Go and enjoy!

nytraveler

Train and bus are not great in Ireland. Servce is limited and often doesn;t go from A to B with out going back though Dublin - or some smaller hub.

Definitely do car unless you really can't manage it.

susan001

Hi Irishface: I appreciate your encouragement. My brother just discouraged me from driving in Ireland due to the narrow roads and required insurance. Hmmm. So many people on this forum think it's no big deal. I'll give it all some thought.

nytraveler: thanks for the info about public trans. Much to consider.

garyincary

I recently spent two weeks in Ireland. I had never driven on the left side of the road, and I rented a stick shift, rather than automatic transmission. I would most definitely do it again, and agree with all those who say that having a car heightens your experience significantly.

If you're worried about rental car/insurance, rent from Dan Dooley, and get the extra collision coverage, and you'll be fine.

The roads in some areas are very narrow, and figuring 35 mph as average driving speed is a good idea. I will admit that the first day was a bit testy for me. However, by the second day, I was pretty good, and by the third day, it was very natural and relaxed. Just take your time, don't be in a rush, and you really will be fine.

centraleurope

You really can't see Ireland without a car. The first day or two will be nerve wracking, but then you settle into it.

I drove all around Ireland and Scotland with no problem. When I arrived back home, I ripped the rear view mirror off the car pulling into my garage. Go figure.

susan001

garyincary: I appreciate your comment very much. Thanks for calming my fears.

centraleurope: Thanks so much for encouraging me to have a car. Ironic about bumping the mirror off in your own garage .

-------------------------

I've been doing some more planning tonight. I think what I will do (after 2 weeks in England) is take a plane from London to Shannon, and rent the car there, since I'm primarily interested in seeing the west coast (Cliffs of Moher, the Burren, Dingle Peninsula, etc).

Please feel free to chime in with any recommendations.

indy_dad

Hi Susan,

We also flew into Shannon and enjoyed visiting the surrounding area. Trip report and blog link:

http://www.fodors.com/community/euro...ids-photos.cfm

Have fun.

Tony2phones

Shannon is a great smaller airport and the roads are a good introduction to Irish roads. Another option could be Knock (Ireland West) which would bring you up in line with Westport to start a southern roll down.. Kerry airport would have you handy for the Dingle option as a start and get it out of the way. Cork could be an option from which to roll north.

Galway and Cork both have motorway links to get you to Dublin and DUB which I assume will be your departure airport.

susan001

Thanks, indy_dad. I'll take a look.

Tony2phones: Thanks for the detail. All of this helps. Yes, I'd be flying out of Dublin.

susan001

Indy_dad: Nice report with photos. Sorry that part of your trip was a wash, with the rain. Same happened to me last month in France. For 2 weeks I had almost nothing but rain. 3rd week saw sun and nice high temperatures.