I’ve made Dublin my home for the past few years, and throughout my time at Trinity, I’ve been happy to stick to my routine. I claimed that I was “too busy” and “public transport is too much of a pain” to explore the rest of Ireland. I kept telling myself, “One day, you’ll do a big trip around the country, don’t worry about it now.” Yet, as I entered my final year at Trinity, the thought in the back of my head got louder and louder.

I need to explore Ireland before it’s too late

But let’s be real: Is it worth traveling Ireland without a car? My answer is yes, if you plan ahead. And what better time to go than the remaining summer months? With these tips, you’ll be ready to visit a few of the spots I recommend below and plan your own adventure around Ireland!

Your Leap Card is your best friend

A common misconception is that your Leap Card is only valid in Dublin. Not only do you get student discounts, but TFI’s (Transport for Ireland) unified system across the country allows you to use public transport across the country and book discounted train tickets online.
Bus: Book larger commutes in advance (such as Dublin – Cork or Galway). These can sell out, especially during the summer and at peak travel times. As for the local buses, there’s no need to book in advance (ex: you’ve arrived in a city such as Cork or Galway and you want to take a local bus to another town nearby).
Train: Book online (and make sure to click Young Adult for a discount!)

The Essential Links & Apps

It can get a bit confusing with all the different TFI websites and apps available to you, so I’ve added them below for your convenience: 

ℹ️ To plan your trip: transportforireland.ie/plan-a-journey


ℹ️ To book train tickets: irishrail.ie

ℹ️ To top up your Leap Card: Leap Top-Up app
For rural areas: TFI Anseo App

ℹ️ Google Maps: I use this to check where my bus stop is and which direction I need to be heading in! I find it is much more accurate than Apple Maps and easier than the TFI Live app. It’s easily accessible and great to save locations (including bus stops!).

When is the best time to go? 


April – September. Some of the coolest places are closed during the winter, and you’ll have a much better chance of sunshine and good weather. Don’t worry though, the crowds in Ireland are nothing compared to some of the major cities in Europe. If you do want to avoid people though, go earlier or later in the summer.

Here are a few spots you might like to visit that aren’t the main cities everyone flocks to in Ireland.

My recommended spots

Saltee Islands 

The Saltee Islands, off the coast of Wexford, can be visited in a day from Dublin. Puffin season is the best time to go (May – July). How can you say no to good weather and adorable birds?

 Getting there from Dublin

         ➡️ Take the train to Wexford – 2 hr 30 min

         ➡️ Take the 390 bus to Kilmore Quay – 45 min

         ➡️  Take the ferry to the Saltee Islands! – 20 min

Kinsale

Rated as ____, Kinsale is one of my favorite towns in Ireland so far. Kinsale marks the beginning of the Wild Atlantic Way, with colorful buildings and      local shops that make you want to buy everything. 

        

How to get there from Dublin: 

         ➡️ Take the train to Cork (and visit Cork if you haven’t!) – 3 hrs

         ➡️ Take the bus (226, 228, there’s multiple) to Kinsale – 30 min

Achill Island 

       If you have more time, Achill Island is one of the most magical places in Ireland, with some of the prettiest beaches, stunning views and the loveliest people on the West Coast. You can hike, surf, and generally enjoy the scenery on any part of the island.

   

How to get there from Dublin: 

         ➡️ Take the train to Westport – 3 hr 30 min

         ➡️ Take the 450 bus towards Dooagh – 1 hr

         ➡️ Once on the island, use the TFI Anseo App to book a bus on-demand. You can also rent bikes and get around the island that way too!

A few extra tips: 

🧳 Travel light – Let’s be real, you need an outfit for the rain and wind. We’re not here for a fashion show. Wear your comfortable shoes and basics that will keep you in a good mood when it’s raining, not necessarily what looks good. 

💲Bring coins – In the case that something happens to your Leap Card, cash will get you where you need to go. Most commuter buses accept card payments, but some local services still only accept coins.

🚃 Take the train as far as you can. They are more reliable and on time. I find it much less stressful to take the train as close as I can to my destination, and then bus the rest of the way if need be!



What if I do want to rent a car? 

I get it, you don’t want to depend on a bus or train to get you around, especially if you want to visit some more remote spots in Ireland. If you have a bigger budget, I recommend using GoCar. GoCars are placed all over Ireland, especially in the main cities. You can book your car in advance, and there are none of the usual under-25 fees. Pro tip: Take the train to the closest city or town and book your GoCar from there to save a bit of money and avoid extra fees for kilometers that you can do by train. 

The pact I made with myself in my final year to explore Ireland is what made this year so special (and bearable). But don’t wait like I did. So, just take a friend, book the trip, and have fun, rain or shine!