Hello, there will be 2 of us traveling to Ireland in October for 6 days. We are clear that we have no intentions of renting a car. We intend to spend 3/12 days in Dublin and 2 1/2 days in Belfast. We will use trains and buses to do day trips, or perhaps use a tour company. I'm even considering hiring a private driver. We are from the coastal area of California. So, seeing oceans, beaches, cliffs is not a major on our list. We like inner-city adventures and doing day trips. There might be a scenic tour if we find the right one. My question has to do with location to stay in while in Dublin. Since we will be using public transportation such as trains and buses, does it matter where in Dublin we stay? I note there are several train stations in Dublin that take passengers to different parts of Ireland. So, would you recommend staying near a train station or staying in the City Center and taking taxi/Uber to a train station?

The other option is to stay the entire 6 1/2 days in Dublin and do multiple day trips from there, including Belfast.

Thank you ~

I wrote a long reply last night but never posted. Alessandrazoe has a great trip report on Northern Ireland. I would do half Belfast, half Dublin and be very happy. I have done a McCoimbs tour of the coast and it was great. I have also taken the train. Belfast city hall, St George's market etc. I would try and book a Mary Gibbons tour from Dublin to see Newgrange. You have a better chance of getting a slot with her tour. They only take so many out to the tomb at a time. I do love the luas and bus, leap card also is good for the dart train from Connelly station. Hueston station is for points west and south. I will see it this post.

ok, it posted. We had some bad storms last night so maybe it got lost in the cloud. St Stephen's Green or Christ Church area are excellent locations. I have stayed on Smithfield Sq and liked that also. Luas stops right there. A Maldron hotel is located there. Great whole foods grocery type store, places to eat and Jameson. I don't like staying on O' Connell St or Temple Bar. Dublin is also very walkable.

We stayed at The Spencer Hotel which is very modern, near the train and bus stations and walkable to most destinations. It is on the north side of Liffey River.