Tips for Dublin

Jayuk1983

Three of us are going to Dublin next week for four nights from Wednesday-Sunday and I was wondering if anybody could offer me any advice on things to do, best deals etc please?

I have heard Dublin is very expensive so I am considering purchasing the Dublin pass when we get there. Also, please could anybody suggest what we should do re travelling? We are planning on getting the shuttle bus to and from the airport but will we need to buy any other travel tickets there? None of us mind walking to and from places.

We are staying in the Jury's Inn on Parnell Street and have got quite a reasonable rate considering the time of year and the premium location.

Attractions we'd like to do are the Guiness Museum, the open-top bus and possibly the zoo. I am wondering if it might be cheaper to just pay for the attractions individually instead of buying the Dublin Pass, although I believe this covers transport from the airport.

Also, please could anybody suggest any reasonable restaurants? I am thinking of printing off vouchers for Pizza Hut and the Gourmet Burger Kitchen and have also heard that the restaurant in the Jury's Inn is very competititve. There is also a Tesco across the street from our hotel so we may not eat out every day, as we have bed and breakfast at the hotel.

I have an iPhone and plan on buying some data so I can use it over there but I am unsure if the voucher code apps I use over here will work in Ireland.

Many thanks in advance for any advice anybody can offer me.

Bob_the_Saver

Tip 1. Take a brolly.
Tip 2. Stout walking shoes (that's only from the gate to immigration- you'll see).
Tip 3. Jury's usually do a help yourself breakfast - so fill up.
Tip 3. Learn to hop on one leg. If they make you take your shoes off at security on the way back there is often no chairs to sit on to put them back on.
Tip 4. Check your vouchers apply to ROI
Tip 5. Understanding the locals can be difficult so take a Polish/English phrase book.

SaveTheEuro

The cheapest way into Dublin from the airport is the 41 bus. It takes a bit longer than the coach but costs €2.20 as opposed to €6.

I posted before a few thoughts on places that offer good value or are free, so here goes again:

St Stephen's Green is a beautiful little park at the southern end of the main shopping street, Grafton St.
The Prime Minister's office and the home of the President are open to the public on Saturdays. Entrance is free. The President's home is in Phoenix Park, which is huge.
Watch out for bars with live traditional music. If you're lucky you'll also come across an inthralling storyteller in a pub. I've heard ones make a good joke last 20 minutes.
The General Post Office on O'Connell St is the home of the Easter Rising. Walk in and breathe the history.
Nearby is Eason's, one of many bookshops. It's a favourite of rural exiles who pop in to buy the weekly paper from back home.
And around the corner is Moore Street, with its traditional street market and loud and colourful hawkers.
Street sculptures are dotted about. The locals have fun with the names. Molly Malone is known as "the tart with the cart."
Theatre in Dublin is superb, and far cheaper than London, but book ahead. There are excellent concert venues too.
The DART train service runs along the coast. It costs only a few euros and the views are excellent.

McKneff

Definitely go to the Zoo, its brilliant and worth every penny.

Dont go on the boat trip, it's a toal rip off.

If you have to go on a service bus, have the correct money, no change is given on the bus.

Completely ignore the beggars, they are millionaires in disguise, well maybe not millionaires but they have more money that you, all your friends and me put together.

The real Dubliners are lovely people. One gent stopped us on the O'connell street on our last day there, asked us if we had enjoyed our stay in his lovely city,lovely man and very, very proud of his city and pleased that we had enjoyed ourselves. Eating is very expensive, but if you want a sandwich snack or something like that, find a supermarket, they are half the price. Have a lovely time, its a lovely place.

Jayuk1983

Thanks for the helpful replies.

Please could anybody tell me more about the rambler ticket I have heard about? E.g. is it recommended and worth it. Thanks.

scot88

On my first visit to Dublin I took the city sightseeing bus, went round the whole journey just to get my bearings, then jumped on and off wherever took my fancy. If you're lucky you will have a driver who is great with the "craic" as well as the history. Most of the main tourist attractions are within fairly easy walking distance from your hotel, so you could just go into the tourist office on O'Connell Street and grab a free map and go.

Good advice from the other replies too.

smudge56

The Dublin Pass will save you a fortune. Just visiting a couple of places will pay for it. If you get it at the Airport it gives you a free journey into Dublin and if you buy a tour bus ticket at the same time you get a discount on that too. The tour buses are well worth the money and the tour guides are so funny - cracking jokes all the way round. You can jump on and off whenever you wish

Edinburghlass_2

Jayuk1983 wrote: »

Thanks for the helpful replies.

Please could anybody tell me more about the rambler ticket I have heard about? E.g. is it recommended and worth it. Thanks.

Go to the booth at the left hand side of the exit from the airport and buy your tickets from there as it gives you travel on the Airlink bus in to the centre.

http://www.dublinbus.ie/en/Fares--Tickets/Tickets/2-Journey-Daily-Weekly/

Slightly cheaper to buy a family one day ticket, you don't need to have children to be a family but if you do have kids its up to 4 under 16 and two adults.

http://www.dublinbus.ie/en/Fares--Tickets/Tickets/Family-Tickets/

con1888

If you have time I really recommend Kilmainholm Gaol it is a fantastic trip and quite cheap. The tour bus stops at it or you can get the normal service bus ( ask at the bus station on Occonnell Street or any bus driver and they will tell you which one to get.

I stayed in Jurys in Parnell and it was nice and clean big rooms and central location. Just across the occonell bridge there was a pub called Fitzgeralds they do a lovely bar lunch reasonably priced.

It is expensive in Dublin so be prepared but its wonderful I try to go at least once a year and lived there for 6months as a child ( outside city centre).

I am jealous

Bob_the_Saver

For a simple Airport city service bus use no 16 (cheaper than dedicated airport service) Read link in full

http://www.dublinbustransport.com/Dublin_Bus_Transport/Route_16A.html