Getting Around
Good roads, domestic airlines, bus and rail services mean it's easy to get around the island of Ireland
By Road
Visitors to Ireland must bring a valid national driving licence with them, issued in the country of their permanent residence.
Driving in Ireland is on the left of the road and seatbelts must be worn at all times, in the front and back of the vehicle. Drivers should note that they are obliged by law to carry their driving licence at all times when driving in the Republic of Ireland. Motorcyclists and their passengers must wear helmets. There are very strict laws on drinking and driving and the best advice is simply, “don’t drink and drive”.
The measurement of speed limits on roads in the Republic of Ireland is kilometres per hour (km/h). Motorists are urged to remember the change of driving laws when crossing the border between Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland.
The measurement of speed limits on roads in Northern Ireland is miles per hour (mph). In Northern Ireland, the speed limit is 30mph in built-up areas, 60mph on the open road and 70mph on motorways unless shown otherwise. In the Republic of Ireland, the speed limit is 120km/h on motorways, 100km/h on national roads and 80km/h on non-national roads. There is a good network of petrol stations throughout Ireland, selling unleaded petrol and diesel. Barrier-free tolling on certain motorways in the Republic of Ireland was introduced in September 2008 – visit www.eflow.ie for further information.
By Taxi
There are metred taxis in Belfast, Dublin, Galway, Limerick and Cork. In other areas, fares should be agreed beforehand. In Belfast and Londonderry there are share-taxi services which operate like mini-buses. Taxis are usually found at ranks in central locations and do not usually cruise the streets
By Bus & Train
The island of Ireland has a reasonably comprehensive public transport system using rail and bus services. The rail network serves many large towns and cities across the island, including the ferryports of Larne, Belfast, Dublin,
Dun Laoghaire, Cork and Rosslare.
Bus services link to the rail system as well as providing access to ferryports and airports. Recent investment in road and rail has provided more comfort for travellers, offered greater frequency of service, improved travel times and opened up new services, including the western rail link between Galway and Limerick.
Rail and bus fares offer good value for the traveller with various discount tickets available offering unlimited travel on bus and rail services. The Dublin Bus 3-day Freedom Pass offers visitors unlimited travel on tour buses, airport links and regular bus services.
Northern Ireland
Translink (Northern Ireland Railways, Ulsterbus, Metro – Belfast’s bus service) Tel: +44 (0) 28 9066 6630 or visit
www.translink.co.uk
Check for specially discounted fares when travelling by public transport. For instance, Freedom of Northern Ireland/Emerald Card/Irish Rover tickets offer unlimited bus/train travel for 3, 5, 8 or 15 days. The Enterprise is a fast, high-quality rail network linking the cities of Dublin and Belfast. The journey takes just under two hours and is probably the most comfortable way to travel between the two cities. Catch the Enterprise from Connolly Station in Dublin and Central Station in Belfast.
By Air
Belfast International Airport – Airport Express 300 now operates a 24-hour service between the airport and Belfast city centre with buses departing regularly throughout the day, £7* single and £10* return.
The bus leaves from the bus stop located opposite the terminal exit.
Taxi fare to city centre is approximately £22*. George Best Belfast City Airport – Bus 600 into the city centre, runs on the hour and then every 20 minutes, £1.50* single and £2.60* return. Taxi fare to the city is about £7*.
Trains run from adjacent Sydenham to Belfast and beyond. *Prices are subject to change. For information on access to and from airports and ferryports throughout the island, log on to
www.discoverireland.com.
By Bicycle
Strap on your helmet and put your foot to the pedal around the roads of Ireland.