Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Your trip to Ireland is like a complex play—it's easier to follow and really appreciate on
a second viewing. While no one does the same trip twice to gain that advantage, reading
this topic in its entirety before your trip accomplishes much the same thing.
Design an itinerary that enables you to visit sights at the best possible times. Note hol-
idays, specifics on sights, and days when sights are closed or most crowded (all covered
in this topic). To get between destinations smoothly, read the tips in this topics appendix
on taking trains and buses, or renting a car and driving. A smart trip is a puzzle—a fun,
doable, and worthwhile challenge.
When you're plotting your itinerary, strive for a mix of intense and relaxed stretches.
To maximize rootedness, minimize one-night stands. It's worth taking a long drive after
dinner (or a train ride with a dinner picnic) to get settled in a town for two nights. Hotels
are more likely to give a better price to someone staying more than one night. Every
trip—and every traveler—needs slack time (laundry, picnics, people-watching, and so on).
Pace yourself. Assume you will return.
Reread this topic as you travel, and visit local tourist information offices (abbreviated
as TI in this topic). Upon arrival in a new town, lay the groundwork for a smooth depar-
ture; get the schedule for the train or bus you'll take when you depart. Drivers can study
the best route to their next destination.
Get online at Internet cafés or at your hotel, and carry a mobile phone (or use a phone
card) to make travel plans: You can find tourist information, learn the latest on sights (spe-
cial events, tour schedule, etc.), book tickets and tours, make reservations, reconfirm ho-
tels,researchtransportation connections, checkweather,andkeepintouchwithyourloved
ones.
Enjoy the friendliness of the Irish people. Connect with the culture. Set up your own
quest for the best pub, traditional music, ruined castle, or ring fort. Slow down and be open
to unexpected experiences. Ask questions—most locals are eager to point you in their idea
of the right direction. Keep a notepad in your pocket for noting directions, organizing your
thoughts, and confirming prices. Wear your money belt, learn the currency, and figure out
how to estimate prices in dollars. Those who expect to travel smart, do.
Five components make up your trip costs: airfare, surface transportation, room and board,
sightseeing and entertainment, and shopping and miscellany.
Airfare:
A basic round-trip flight from the US to Dublin can cost, on average, about
$1,000-1,800 total, depending on where you fly from and when (cheaper in winter). Smal-
