Take the Train to Ireland
There are several ways to get to Ireland when you’re traveling through the British Isles and one of my favorites is to take the train. Yes, you can actually take the train from Glasgow, Scotland to Belfast, Northern Ireland! You purchase one ticket at the Glasgow train station and take the six hour trip by train and then ferry across the Irish Sea. Northern Ireland is part of the United Kingdom and should be included in any visit to the Emerald Isle. There is train service across Northern Ireland making it easy to visit Londonderry, too, but this is where the train tracks end. There are no trains heading south into the Republic of Ireland from Londonderry.
Ireland by Bus
The rail lines in the Republic of Ireland are not very extensive and miss many of the important tourist areas, making travel by bus the way to go. From Londonderry you can begin your journey south into the Republic of Ireland by bus where your first stop should be the beautiful seaside town of Sligo, Ireland. Then, following the coast counterclockwise around Ireland you will eventually end up in Dublin. Along the way you can visit Galway with nearby Clifden and Connemara, Limerick with the nearby Cliffs of Moher, Tralee and Dingle Town, Killarney and the Ring of Kerry and then Cork where you can ‘kiss the Blarney Stone’.
Bus Eireann
Bus Eireann is the state run bus service which provides both visitors and locals with reliable, safe and convenient travel throughout the Republic of Ireland. The fares are quite reasonable, making it ideal for backpackers and anyone who doesn’t want to deal with driving a rental car on some of the narrow streets and roads of Ireland. The routes of Bus Eireann mainly connect the larger cities and then you can use the local bus service to get around town. So, why not leave the driving to one of the many friendly bus drivers while you enjoy the beautiful scenery of Ireland from your comfortable seat.
Navigating the Narrow Roads of Ireland
