traveldk.com

Dublin Bus runs a comprehensive network around the city, every 10–20 minutes from 6am to 11:30pm. All buses operate an autofare system so make sure you have change or a travel pass. One-day, three-day, five-day, weekly or monthly travel passes are available from tourist centres and some news-agents. Nitelink Buses operate every 20 minutes from 12:30am to 2am Monday to Wednesday, and from 12:30am to 4:30am Thursday to Saturday from Westmore-land Street, D’Olier Street, College Green, St Stephen’s Green and O’Connell Street. Travel passes are not valid on these buses, which have a flat charge of €4–6. Green and cream bus stops are for the Hop-OnHop-Off tourist buses and are situated at 16 major tourist points around the city.

DART (Dublin Area Rapid Transport) is an electric train service covering 28 stations from picturesque Malahide and Howth to the north of the city to Greystones in County Wicklow, with a few city centre stops. The last train leaves the town centre at 11:30pm.

A new light railway system is currently under construction in Dublin. The first three lines (A: Tallaght to Abbey Street; B: Sandyford to St Stephen’s Green; and C: Abbey Street to Connolly Station) are due to open in 2004. A fourth line, B1, from Sandyford to Cherrywood, and a fifth, from Connolly Station to Docklands, are in the pipeline.

The centre of Dublin is compact and easy to walk around, and increasing numbers of streets are being pedestrianized.

Taxi ranks can be found at the airport, main stations, large hotels and a few designated areas around the city. Fares are metered, with the base rate around €3. Taxis can be hailed in the street.

All the main car rental companies have desks at the airport and in the city. A full driving licence is required and age restriction is generally between 23 and 70 years. Rental usually includes unlimited mileage and third party fire and theft insurance.

City and town speed limits are 50 kmph, outskirts are 80 kmph, with 100 kmph on open roads and 120 kmph on motorways. Speed cameras are in frequent use and on-the-spot fines can be issued by the police. Road signs come in both English and Irish and kilometres and miles.

Most rental cars now take unleaded fuel, but leaded and diesel are also available. The nearest petrol stations to the centre are at Ballsbridge, Donnybrook and Usher’s Quay.

There is plenty of parking available in the centre, with electronic signs at various strategic points giving up-to-the-minute availability of spaces. Clamping is in operation throughout Dublin for illegal parking.

Ireland’s train service is operated by Irish Rail (Iarnrod Eireann), with trains to most cities and main towns. Direct services are efficient but some areas such as Donegal are not served by the railway and there are no coastal routes in the south, east or north, so these areas must be explored by car or bus.