My husband and I are going to Ireland in the summer and we are trying to get a jump start on our planning.
I was wondering if we should go with a travel company (such as Paddywagon or any other suggestions you may have) or if we should explore by ourselves?
We are wanting to go to Dublin, Cork, The Dingle Pen., Cliffs of Moher, and the Ring of Kerry. We plan on spending 4-5 days in Ireland before heading over to the UK.
Any and all itinerary suggestions are welcome and appreciated.
Thank you!
You need time on your side - otherwise, that's what travel agents are for.
If you've got the hours, maybe days - to spend on the PC/laptop, browsing through brochures to see where you want to go, deciding the final destination(s), then starting all over again to get the cheapest flights (both direct and with one or more changes), you'll save an absolute fortune over the agents/brochures costs.... Guaranteed.
It's whether or not you've got, not only the time - but also the patience to do it all.
I never book through a travel agent anymore - either on-line, or on the High Street.
It saves me an absolute fortune - every time.... No contest.
#1 is right, but I would add two further considerations
1 - you should consider if you feel like you would prefer to be on your own, or if you would enjoy the sociable aspect of being part of a group tour.
2 - if you're going on your own to the places you mention, do you need to hire a car to get the most out of it? Clearly a hire car is not going to be much use in Dublin or Cork cities, but to get around the ring of Kerry and Dingle peninsula you will need either a hire car or a locally arranged tour, if such things exist (they very probably do, but I've never had to look into it myself). Or of course, two hired bicycles and two good sets of leg muscles!
If you do it on your own you're going to spend the entire time driving to fit it all in to the short time that you have. Sounds like way too much for 4 or 5 days. Why not skip Dublin, fly into shannon and just do some of the west coast stuff? Even if you go with a travel company it will be very rushed but at least you can relax instead of having to drive.
Thank you all for the various suggestions! We had never thought about hiring a car. By hiring a car, do you mean a personal taxi with a driver or renting a car by ourselves?
Would driving by ourselves to the various places be confusing? I had found a 3 day tour but I was afraid it would be a bit rushed. That is the main reason I wanted to drive ourselves; in case we were feeling too rushed we could pick and choose what to cut out of the trip.
Also, annabrinks1, we are flying into Dublin, so we can't really cut that out. Is there something from the things I mentioned that you think could be axed?
Hiring a car here means renting, no driver. If I was doing this trip I would go from Dublin to Kerry, as IMO Kerry is the prettiest of all the places mentioned, and leave the rest for another trip. It's going to take the best part of a day to drive from Dublin to Kerry and then another to drive back. Dosen't leave you much time to enjoy the trip. If you feel you have time for something else then maybe you could add Cork or something else nearby.
If you go with the suggestion of sticking to just Dublin and Kerry, you can always take the train from Dublin to Killarney or Tralee and hire a car locally. Probably not any cheaper - in fact probably more expensive - but also likely to be more relaxing. Equally, rather than engaging in a tour for the whole trip, you could take day tours arranged locally around the Ring of Kerry and Dingle - but if it's just you and your husband, you might well prefer to have a car so you can do it at your own place and linger wherever you like. You could also hire a car in Cork and drive to Kerry - there's some pretty nice scenery on the way.
If you want to go to all the places you mention, you will need a car or to join a tour. No question. If you can live without the Cliffs of Moher, then it's a lot easier.
Just wanted to pop in and thank everyone for all of their advice :) You all have made my first forum experience a good one! lol
My husband and I are also going in May to Ireland we will be there for 16 days Rental car co. you will find under carhire try rhino carhire it is hard to get the insurance inclusive with out breaking the bank,but rhino is great even have automatics.Why not drive to Cork(dinner and an evening stroll) first day spend the night.Day two, drive the ring of Kerry head north from there stay near Doolin second night, right by the cliffs of Moher see them that morning and drive to Galway for the afternoon then drive back east to Dublin,this way your near the airport to leave.You could make a square driving pattern and see alot.What time does your flight arrive in Dublin you should be able to make it to Cork no problem.Just remember to drive carefully and even though the miles don't seem far I have been reading don't expect to get to places in a rush.Have a great time..