Travelling to and within Ireland.
by Derek Miller
To enjoy travelling in Ireland one has to have first travelled to Ireland. As Ireland is an island nation, travelling to Ireland means arriving by either air or sea. One also has to consider the modes of transport on offer to travel around this wonderful country.
If you intend to arrive by air, you will enter the country through one of four airports. For visitors arriving on flights directly from/through North America either Shannon or Dublin airports will be your destination. Shannon Airport due to its proximity to Cork & Kerry is the most ideal destination. Dublin Airport is Ireland's biggest airport, serving the North Atlantic routes, Middle and Far Eastern routes and European routes. Regular shuttle flights are available between Dublin and both Cork and Kerry Airports. Cork Airport can be reached from many European destinations as well as from all over the world if you change flights at either London or Dublin. Cork Airport is, at the most, just two hours away from a stay in the Cork / Kerry region. Your final choice of arrival airport is Kerry Airport. Kerry Airport can be reached by flights from the U.K., or Düsseldorf. If you intend to arrive by sea, which is ideal for those who wish to use their own car, there is a choice of 3 ports of arrival. The closest port of arrival is Ringaskiddy, which is just outside Cork City. Next Rosslare, which is located in the southeast corner of Ireland and is suitable for those who prefer a shorter sea journey. Finally Dun Laoghaire just outside Dublin links with Holyhead in North Wales for visitors coming through from the Midlands and Northern England.
If you have arrived in Ireland by air or sea at Dublin / Dun Laoghaire or by sea at Rosslare, a comfortable way to travel onward to Cork or Kerry is by train (Iarnród Éireann). Kent station in Cork is less than 5 minutes walk from the city centre. It is also possible to change trains at Mallow to get to Millstreet, Killarney and Tralee. For Killarney and Tralee this will cost a small bit extra. Full timetables are posted at all stations. Travelling by bus (Bus Eireann) is a cheap way to get around Ireland and a great way to meet people. Often very lively conversations will develop during your journey, with plenty of advice given for your stay in Ireland. The Dublin Bus Navigator is useful for finding your way around the capital city. The cheapest way to travel by bus is to get a rambler ticket available from most bus stations. These give unlimited travel on all Scheduled services - excluding Day Tours. If you are travelling as a group of 10 people or more, then why not hire a coach for your stay in Ireland. This way you will be chauffeured day and night to you chosen destinations in safety and with no worries about who drinks and who does the driving! For complete travel independence a car is your best choice whether you bring your own or hire one. The roads in Ireland are uncluttered and once off the main National primary routes, roads are considered crowded if you see another car going in the same direction and one coming against you at the same time. For those who want to travel at a leisurely pace and enjoy the fresh air, Ireland is ideal cycling country. Bicycles can be hired nationwide. Finally hitchhiking is perfectly safe in Ireland, for those on a low budget this is an ideal way to get around and meet people. Getting a lift is quite easy, especially if you have the flag of your country sewn onto the back of your backpack and displayed so drivers can see it easily. Many local people in Ireland hitchhike so you will often have competition at the best locations for a lift, which is usually between the 30m.p.h., and 40m.p.h. signs on the road-leaving town.
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