Car/bus/train.

I arrived back from Ireland on the 30th of May this year after using car/bus/train to get around. My son came with me for the first 2 weeks and we hired a car in Dublin, headed up to Donegal and then made our way down the west coast to Galway where my son drove back to Dublin to return the car and head on home whilst I continued my journey by public transport. Driving between the different towns was easy but driving in the towns was a nightmare. Galway was probably the worst but traffic was heavy in most towns although you could usually find a place to park.

After my son left me in Galway I traveled by train to Limerick and then by coach to the rest of the towns I wanted to visit. I found the Transport for Ireland websites pretty useless as once you figured out your route the TFI website just took you to the website of the bus company that you wanted to use without transferring any of the information that you had just gathered so you had to start all over again on the new website. Eventually, I just downloaded the app for each individual bus company that I wanted to use and booked my tickets through that. In order to figure out which bus company to use I just used Google to tell me which bus companies have services between the towns I wanted to visit. You can then buy your ticket online and you receive a QR code that the bus driver scans when you board. It was very easy and simple  as most of the operators show you in real-time where your bus is. 

Ireland was very busy with tourists, mostly older ones, even in the shoulder season and I had a little bit of trouble getting accommodation in Cork but I discovered that if I stayed in smaller towns outside the larger ones I never had any trouble getting accommodation. For instance, instead of staying in Waterford, I stayed in a very pleasant seaside town called Dungarvan and caught a coach into Waterford to do some sightseeing. There was always at least 4 buses a day from each town.

I probably missed out on a few of the sights by not driving but the lack of stress by taking public transport was worth it. I am 78 years old and didn't want the anxiety of driving by myself, trying to find a parking space, trying to find the hotel etc. It was also interesting sitting back and enjoying the view from the large windows in the coach.

I also had all my luggage in a Caribee 80 litre SkyMaster hybrid backpack. Although I never used the backpack function, it was a pretty good unit to pull through the streets due to its heavy duty wheels as I often Ihad a few hundred meters to walk from the stop to my accommodation.

 I also used the Freenow app for calling a taxi. Uber will also work but ride-share is not legal in Ireland so these apps connect you to a taxi and you pay the driver directly by cash or card. It worked very well for me.

I was very lucky with the weather as it was sunny for most of the time I was there. Public transport could be a bit of a problem in bad weather as not all of the buses left from a terminal and some of the stops did not have shelters.

However, everything worked out well for me and I was a bit sad to go home even after 5 weeks on the road. Using public transport in Ireland has a little bit of a learning curve but once you get used to it it is very easy.

Hi Stephen,

Thank you for taking the time to share your journey—it sounds like a wonderful and well-planned trip. It’s always helpful to hear how others navigate transport and accommodation, especially when traveling solo.

Your insights into using public transport, booking apps, and staying in smaller towns are thoughtful and practical, and I'm sure they will be of use to others who are planning trips to Ireland.

It’s great that you were able to enjoy the views, avoid stress, and still see so much of the country. We’re glad the weather was on your side, too! It’s clear you made the most of your five weeks, and we really appreciate you sharing what you learned along the way.

Regards,
Eoin

Hi Stephen,
I have read the whole post. This is an invaluable and balanced account—thank you for sharing it. Your experience clearly shows both sides of traveling in Ireland: how convenient driving can be between towns, but how stressful it can become once you’re actually in them. Your explanation of switching to public transport is especially valuable, as many people assume a car is the only practical option. The tips about using individual bus company apps, relying on Google to identify routes, and booking QR-code tickets are handy and very realistic advice. I also appreciate your point about staying in smaller towns like Dungarvan to avoid accommodation shortages and crowds. Great insight for travelers visiting during busy seasons. Your perspective as a 78-year-old traveler is refreshing and encouraging. It’s reassuring to hear that public transport allowed you to travel comfortably, reduce stress, and still enjoy the scenery and experience. The luggage, taxi app, and weather notes are practical details that many people overlook but will definitely help others plan better. Overall, this is an excellent reminder that traveling more slowly and comfortably can be just as rewarding, if not more so, than trying to see everything. A very thoughtful and helpful post.