1

Agree with #1.

Tips:

Consider avoiding any hostels described on line as "party" - they tend to attract the younger drunker crowd which is a pain when you're trying to snooze.

Don't bother with a bike in Dublin - it's walkable. London has a bike hire scheme you can use at will - see http://www.tfl.gov.uk/roadusers/cycling/14808.aspx but you kinda need to know where you're going (central London can be a bit of a maze for the uninformed, so get a copy immediately on arrival of the A-Z - the small pocket book sized one would be sufficient).

As for public transport, train service in Ireland is limited, consider using the buses instead. See www.buseireann.ie/ or http://www.aircoach.ie or http://www.citylink.ie/ or http://www.gobus.ie/news.php?id=7. Failing that hire a car, especially if you want to do something like the 180km long scenic Ring of Kerry.

Trains are much more useful in the UK especially in the SE near London; out of London they radiate in all directions. There are however numerous terminus, so check which station to go to should you be doing a day trip. Further afield they're not so helpful in areas such as Cornwall or Yorkshire Dales. It really depends where you wanna spend a week in England.

Be careful with your laptop, they have legs when in hostels. Consider bringing a kensington lock for it. As for the phone, save yourself some weight and install Skype on your laptop instead - if you want to stop everyone hearing the other person you're talking to you should have a headphone socket on your laptop.

Taking the train/ferry to/from UK/Ireland is an adventure in its own right and quite fun. If you're in a hurry or really budget strapped, you may find it cheaper to fly; air traffic is heavy between Ireland (both North and South) and the UK and you're therefore very spoilt for choice, with flights to no less than 22 different UK airports from the South's airports, and 19 options out of Belfast City or Belfast International airports. To list all the permutations would just confuse the heck out of you no doubt (plus take forever to type out), so use the point and click map on the excellent http://www.skyscanner.net site - the direct link is http://api.skyscanner.net/api/ajax/maps/introduction.html .

How much are you budgeting per day (after paying for flights across) in GBP or EUR currencies?

2

I live in England and go to Dublin around 3 - 4 times a year. I love Dublin. Its an expensive city, so your looking at around 5 euros a pint however there are pubs i can point you towards that are around 4 euros a guiness that are only a short walk away.

If you are looking for things to experience in Dublin let me know. Ive done so much there and really enjoy that city. Getting around is easy. There are tour buses priced at 15 euros that you can hop and and off at. They drop you off in teh city center. To be honest alot is within walking distance.

Temple bar is the lively place in Dublin. It consists of a road with cobbles with all the local bars on there. Goghertys is a must if you visit Dublin. Its by far the best bar i have ever been too in my entire travels throughout Europe.

I would avoid renting a car in Dublin as traffic is bad. You dont need to anyways and would be a waste of money. Hostels theres are around 4 that i know of in Dublin. We stayed at Goghertys hostel which is above the bar there which was brilliant. If its your first time to Dublin they are very helpful at the front desk and can give you details on excursions etc. Dorms were safe too.

Again theres so much to see and do in Dublin.. and you really dont have to spend much to do so. Private message me if you want and i can give you the top ten things i would recommend you try out to experience the true Dublin.

As for England havent really stayed in hostels here as i normally just drive everywhere and stay in a hotel. Driving here is easy. Just dont drive in London! :)

England is easy in terms of transport. I would recommend car hire here or trains. . again depends on where you go.

3

your looking at around 5 euros a pint however there are pubs i can point you towards that are around 4 euros a guiness

Not if you buy it in the shops and sip it in the parks.
I have pretty much given up getting ripped off in Western pubs.
4 cans for the price of a pint.... No wonder they're gradually all closing down.

4

Hi mikelk,

Congrats on beginning your travels :)

As the others have said Dublin is a very walkable city so there's no need to rent a car to get around it. We also have a bike rental scheme if you'd like to cycle a bit futher out. Assuming you're visiting other parts of Ireland and not sticking solely to Dublin you can take buses or trains to most parts of the country. These website should help your planning:

http://www.buseireann.ie/
http://www.irishrail.ie/
http://www.citylink.ie/

For taking the ferry to England please see:

http://www.irishferries.com/ie/index-uk-ie.asp
http://www.stenaline.co.uk/ferry/ferries-to-ireland/

If you already own a smartphone install Skype, Viber and Whatsapp on it and you can use them to contact friends and family when you're connected to wifi for free. This will save you buying a pay as you go sim card or as Fwoggie suggested use Skype from your laptop.

For a food budget it really depends on whether you're planning to mostly make your own meals in hostels or eat out a lot. A main course in a nice (but not fancy) restaurant in Dublin will cost between €10-12 assuming you're ordering burgers/pasta dishes/carvery etc. Lots of places do early bird/pre theatre meal deals. For lunches you can get freshly made sandwiches and a bottle of water/coke for approximately €5 in lots of city centre cafes.

5

freshly made sandwiches and a bottle of water/coke for approximately €5 in lots of city centre cafes

Ouch ! !

6

Thank you to everyone. Great to see the support i will look into the sites you have recommended to me. I am looking to spend about an average of 50 dollars a day. with spending around $20 average a day on place top sleep, but well be staying with the friend who lives an hour outside of London for about 2 or 3 days. that will save me some money. thanks for the advice on hostels I'll make sure to look out. I want fun but not college level fun. Lol I am really looking forward taking this adventure.

7

As you will soon see to your delight, buying fresh in supermarkets will save you such a lot of money.
Do a bit of walking too, over buses etc.
Just be aware, they don't use $'s in Ireland.
Sounds like the makings of a great trip. Best of luck with everything.

8

I am looking to spend about an average of 50 dollars a day. with spending around $20 average a day on place top sleep...thanks for the advice on hostels I'll make sure to look out.

That's a very tight budget for travelling in Britain and Ireland...at $20 a day, you'll have to stay in hostels as that outlay won't get you anything else...to save money, try and have your main meal in the middle of the day when lunch deals are available...for the rest of your food, buy breakfast and supper ingredients in the local supermarket and prepare in the hostel...

Museums are nearly all free in the UK and Ireland so that's another money-saver...you can research this branch for the best budget advice on how to conserve transport costs...

9

I am on staying in hostels and shopping locally for fresh food. might stop in a pub to to get a fresh pint, but other than that I plan on shopping at the local markets. I plan to do a lot of walking and interacting with local people. I'm definitely not looking for the usual places that are so call popular parts of the country. this for me is more about growing myself and experiencing things out of my comfort zone.

10

I plan to do a lot of walking and interacting with local people....his for me is more about growing myself and experiencing things out of my comfort zone.

In that case, you've almost certainly come to the right country...Irish people are - for the most part -chatty, have a natural curiosity about foreigners/visitors and like to make them feel welcome in the country so you won't be alone for long...good luck with all...

11

Well how things chance. I have the chance to teach English in France. It will included a place to live and three meals a day for a month or two. It its being paid for all i have to do its get airfare and my passport. I don't know where i will be in France, but i am feeling very blessed. My kids will miss me but there are older and they can stay with mom. I will be going up to Wellington springs to meet up with childhood friend. Will be going in March and found cheaper to fly into London them take euro star to Paris or where every i end up. Man i am so blown away!#!

12

Just as *11 - WaterhazardJack says.... You'll meet friendly folk, no matter where you are.