Page 372 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - Ireland

370  SUR VIV AL GUIDE

Travelling by Bus and Taxi

The bus services throughout Ireland are generally quite
good for a rural island. However, longer journeys often
involve changing buses en route so extra travelling time
should be allowed. Touring by bus is also a good way to see
Ireland – local tourist offices have details and prices of the
numerous tours available and they often take bookings.
There are taxi ranks in all major cities and towns in Ireland.
In the Republic, taxis are identified by a yellow light on the
roof. In the North, cities like Belfast and Londonderry have
both mini-cabs and London-style black cabs.

Getting Around by Bus fares are available on the the A typical Dublin Bus, operating throughout
the city and its periphery
There is an extensive long- website and at major bus
distance bus network stations. Belfast has two main 6 consecutive days to 15 days
throughout Ireland and buses bus stations – the Europa of unlimited travel out of 30
are generally considerably Bus centre off Great Victoria consecutive days. A variety of
cheaper than trains. There are Street and Laganside Station. other tickets are also available.
regular connections between For reasons of security, there are A Freedom of Northern
the main towns. Coaches are no baggage rooms at any of Ireland pass gives you unlimited
reliable and comfortable, and the stations in Northern Ireland. travel on all Ulsterbus routes
most offer free Wi-Fi. for either a day, three days or
The Republic of Ireland’s a week. Ulsterbus also offers
national bus company, Bus Tickets and Fares cheap day-return tickets.
Éireann, operates a country- In the Republic, long-distance Students are eligible for a
wide network of buses serving buses are about half the price of discount of one-third off fares
all the cities and most of the the equivalent train trip. If you by showing a Translink Student
towns. Timetables and fares are are making the return trip on Discount Card. There are also a
listed on the website. In Dublin, the same day, ask for a day- number of period passes
the main bus station is the return ticket, which is much available that combine bus
Busáras on Store Street, a short cheaper than the normal round- and rail travel (see p369).
walk from O’Connell Street. trip fare. Under-16s pay
There are also a large number approximately half the adult fare
of private bus companies, and student travelcard holders Bus Tours
which either compete with also get a healthy reduction. While the local bus services
the national network or For those intending to do a lot in Ireland are generally
provide services on routes of travelling it is cheaper to adequate for getting from
not covered by Bus Éireann. buy an Open-Road ticket. This town to town, using public
Ulsterbus/Translink runs an allows unlimited bus travel transport isn’t a very practical
excellent service throughout throug h out the Republic for a way of exploring specific areas
Northern Ireland including certain number of days in a set or regions in great detail, unless
express links between all the period, ranging from 3 days you have a lot of time on your
major towns. Timetables and of unlimited travel out of hands. If you find yourself in a

Express service bus in Northern Ireland

370-371_EW_Ireland.indd 370 08/03/17 11:08 am
Eyewitness Travel LAYERS PRINTED:
Practical template “UK” LAYER
(Source v1.6)
Date 7th January 2013
Size 125mm x 217mm