Page 373 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - Ireland

TR A VEL INFORM A TION  371

remote area like Connemara
(see pp210–12) but have only a
very limited amount of time
in which to see its main
attractions, a local guided tour
of the area is the most efficient
way of getting around. These
can often be booked at your
hotel or the local tourist office.
Healy’s Galway Bus Tours run
one- or two-day tours, starting
from Galway City to the Cliffs
of Moher and The Burren and
to Connemara and Kylemore
Abbey, making regular stops Cars waiting in line at a Dublin taxi rank
at places of interest. Half-day
or one-day tours such as this area (see p372). The on-street mileage; if not, it is always best
are available in many of light rail service, Luas (see p372), to confirm the fare to your
Ireland’s main tourist areas. provides an easy way to reach destination before travelling.
Other popular tours of rural suburban areas previously Taxis in Northern Ireland are
Ireland include Glendalough only acces sible by bus. The reasonably priced; journeys
(see pp144–5), Donegal (see Luas lines connect with the within the centre of Belfast
pp228–35) and the Ring of DART rail service (see p372) will usually cost no more than
Kerry (see pp168–9). at Connolly Station. £10 by mini-cab or black cab.
In Dublin and other cities In the rest of the Republic In most decent-sized towns
in the Republic, Bus Éireann the bus services, including city in the North you will find at
and some local companies buses in Galway, Limerick, least one taxi office or a rank
run half- and one-day excur- Waterford and Cork, are where you can wait for a cab.
sions. Dublin Bus Tours run oper ated mainly by Bus Otherwise, ask for the number
Dublin City tours, with live Éireann; a timetable is avail able of a taxi firm at a local hotel or
commentary. These hop-on- at tourist offices and bus B&B. A taxi plating scheme is in
hop-off buses stop at many of stations. Some bus routes place, with large plates at the
the city’s most famous sights. connecting towns and villages front and rear of the vehicle,
In Northern Ireland, are served by private which helps identify official
Ulsterbus/Translink operates companies as well as Bus taxis. Tipping taxi drivers is
tours from the Europa Éireann. For bus times custom ary but not obligatory.
Buscentre in Belfast to major (and stops) in more remote
places of interest in Northern areas, try asking the locals. DIRECTORY
Irleand, including the Northern Ireland’s bus
Causeway Coast (see p265), network is run by Ulsterbus/ National Bus
the Glens of Antrim (see p271) Translink including in Belfast Companies
and the Ulster-American Folk where the local service is Bus Éireann
Park (see p273) near Omagh. called Metro (see p373). Tel 01 836 6111. ∑ buseireann.ie
Tours run daily during summer Regional timetables are
months with a more limited available at bus stations. Ulsterbus/Translink
schedule during the rest of the Tel 028 9066 6630.
∑ translink.co.uk
year. Belfast City Sightseeing
operates regular hop-on-hop- Taxis Bus Tours
off bus tours around the city. With the exception of the
Love Ireland lists a range of Republic’s most rural places, Belfast City Sightseeing
bus tours in the Republic, while there is usually a local taxi ∑ belfastcitysightseeing.com
the Northern Ireland Tourist service. Apart from in Dublin, Dublin Bus Tours
Board includes various bus where they are plentiful, Tel 01 873 4222.
tours, from cultural sights to cruising taxis are a rarity and ∑ dublinsightseeing.ie
areas of natural beauty, on its the best places to find taxis are Healy’s Galway Bus Tours
website, all bookable online. at train or bus stations, hotels Tel 91 7770 066.
and taxi ranks – your hotel or ∑ galwaybustours.com
B&B will also be able to provide
Local Transport details. Taxis are identified by Love Ireland
Local bus services throughout an illuminated sign on the roof ∑ loveireland.com
the Republic are generally displaying the driver’s licence Northern Ireland Tourist
well run and reasonably priced. number. Four- or eight-seater Board
Dublin Bus runs the bus taxis are available and prices ∑ discovernorthernireland.com
services in the Greater Dublin are usually based on metered

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