Public
Transport
Dublin’s public transport system is a bus and rail network,
although a new network of 40 trams was introduced by Luas
Light Rail Lines (telephone: (01) 646 3400).
Iarnród
Éireann runs the clean and speedy electrical DART
(Dublin Area Rapid Transport) rail services (telephone: (01) 836
6222), which operate Monday to Saturday 06:30-24:00 and Sunday 09:30-23:00.
Rail fares vary to routes. The lowest DART fare is €1 and tickets
are available from any DART station and at 35 Abbey Street Lower.
Bus Átha
Cliath (Dublin Bus) runs the city bus services (telephone: (01)
873 4222) which operate daily 06:00-23:30, with a night bus service
(Nitelink) running daily 00:30-04:30. Bus fares
vary to the number of stops: one to three stops cost €1.60,
four to seven stops cost €2.40, eight to 13 stops cost €2.80,
14 stops and over cost €3.20 (concessions available). Nitelink
tickets cost €4–€6, depending on the destination.
Drivers prefer exact change. Pre-paid tickets may also be purchased
at the CIE Information desk at Dublin Airport, Dublin Bus Head Office
or at bus ticket agencies.
Information on fares and timetables can be found at the Dublin
Bus Information Office and Irish Rail,
O’Connell Street, and Dublin Tourism Centre.
Various passes for rail, bus or both combined are
available. There are one-, three-, five- and seven-day Rambler Tickets,
costing €5, €9.50, €14.50 and €17.50 respectively,
for unlimited travel for consecutive days on all Dublin Bus scheduled
services, excluding the night buses.
Taxis
Taxis can be hailed on the street, hired
at taxi stands (O’Connell Street, Dame Street and St Stephen’s
Green) or by telephone. Radio Link (telephone:
(01) 850 0111) is a reputable company. There is often a long waiting
period for a taxi at peak times, especially Friday and Saturday
nights. It is customary to tip the driver 10-15% of the fare.
Limousines
The Limousine
Company (telephone: (01) 843 9055) specialises in corporate
hire and offers conference-seated limousines from €65 per hour
(minimum four-hour hire period).
Driving
in the City
The volume of traffic in the city is increasing and parking is expensive
and limited, although some hotels and guesthouses have private parking
for guests. Visitors should avoid morning and late afternoon rush
hours if possible. Drivers should stay out of bus lanes at all times,
whether driving or parking. There are also many one-way systems
in the centre, including the quays alongside the River Liffey.
Street parking is limited in the centre and official car parks are
the best bet. The city’s main car parks are Arnotts,
Middle Abbey Street, on the Northside and Brown Thomas,
Clarendon Street 2, on the Southside. Both are in the middle of
shopping districts. For kerbside pay-and-display meters are standard;
the maximum time for parking is three hours. Parking prices on the
city centre streets are €2.50 per hour Monday to Saturday 08:00-19:00.
Sunday parking charges are €1.30 per hour between 12:00 and
18:00.
Clamping zones operate within the city centre and the recovery of
a clamped vehicle will cost about €80. Recovery of vehicles
is from Control Plus (telephone: (01) 602 2500).
Car
Hire
A national driving licence and deposit are necessary
for visitors to hire a car in Ireland; most require
the driver to be over 23 and under 70 years old
and to have held a full driving licence for at least a minimum
of two years without endorsements.
Avis,
1 West Hanover Street (telephone: (01) 844 4466) Budget,
151 Drumcondra Road Lower (telephone: (01) 837 9611), and the local
Access
Car Rental, Dublin Airport (telephone: (01) 844 4848), are among
the main providers. Pre-booking is recommended
in summer and payment is usually accepted
by credit card.
Bicycle
Hire
The best routes are along Dublin Bay and across
the Wicklow Mountains, as central Dublin is lacking
in cycle paths. Cycle
Ways, 185–186 Parnell Street (telephone: (01) 873 4748;
fax: (01) 872 9462; email: cycleway@indigo.ie;),
and McDonald Cycles Ltd, 38-39 Wexford Street (telephone:
(01) 475 2586), both offer a bicycle hire service. |
