Travel tips for getting around Ireland

Travel tips for getting around Ireland

When planning your next trip to Ireland, rest assured there are lots of ways to get around. Five international airports serve Ireland: Dublin Airport, Belfast International Airport (Aldergrove), Cork Airport, Shannon Airport and Ireland West Airport (Knock). The busiest airport in Ireland is the Dublin Airport, carrying over 22 million passengers per year. Service is available to Great Britain and continental Europe, while Belfast International, Dublin, Shannon and Ireland West (Knock) also offer transatlantic services. Airlines in Ireland include: Aer Lingus (the national airline of Ireland), Ryanair (Europe's largest low cost airline), Aer Arann and CityJet.

The first railway in Ireland opened in 1834, and the network quickly reached into all corners of the island. By 1920 almost 3,500 miles of track threaded the countryside and no Irish town was more than 10 miles from a railway station. Long distance passenger trains in Ireland are managed by Iarnród Éireann (Irish Rail) and connect most major towns and cities across the country. Seventeen travel centres and rails stations make traveling around Ireland by train an enjoyable experience.

Two local rail networks provide transportation within Dublin and its immediate vicinity. The Dublin Area Rapid Transit (DART) links the city centre with coastal suburbs, while the light rail system named Luas, transports passengers to the central and western suburbs.

In Northern Ireland, all rail services are provided by Northern Ireland Railways (N.I.R.), part of Translink. Services in Northern Ireland are sparse in comparison to the rest of Ireland or Britain. A large railway network was severely curtailed in the 1950s and 1960s (in particular by the Ulster Transport Authority). Currently suburban services are offered to Larne, Newry, and Bangor, as well as services to Derry. There is also a branch from Coleraine to Portrush. Waterside Station in Derry is the main railway station for County Londonderry as well as County Donegal in Ireland.

Ireland also has one of the largest dedicated freight railways in Europe, operated by Bord na Móna. This company has narrow gauge railways totaling 1,930 kilometres (1,200 miles).

Rail Europe offers some great specials including the Eurail Global Pass which provides great flexibility for a wide range of travel. The Pass allows unlimited Train travel through the 20 Eurail Countries: Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Holland, Hungary, Italy, Luxembourg, Norway, Portugal, Republic of Ireland, Romania, Spain, Sweden and Switzerland.

The knowledgeable and friendly staff at HotelsinOne can give you more information about airports, rail travel and train station locations. They will be able to point you in the right direction whether you’re looking for an exciting day trip or a relaxing holiday.