Ireland in Winter

You are going to go broke and freeze your balls off in Ireland in Dec.
You also will not see anything in 1 week of traveling that way !
ONE LOVE !!
Mike

Travel through Ireland in a week??? You obviously haven't looked at the bus schedules. Plus, you can't get to Scotland from Ireland unless you fly.

Anyway, that apart, I always find winter travel more expensive than summer travel because you can't sit around outside and so you tend to head indoors which often costs money. Have a great time though.

tony - why can't the vagabond get a ferry from Belfast to Scotland?

Just wondering how much thought you've actually put into your plans?
You do realise that's it's going to be absolutely freezing and miserable here in December right?

Peter, I was being a bit literal with the "Ireland" bit since Belfast and Larne are in NI. Getting north will take up some of the OP's time.

<blockquote>Quote
<hr>I don't have much money to spend <hr></blockquote> Without being facetious I'd say you'll have a hard time in Ireland with little money. Hitch-hiking is a waste of time because you're unlikely to get frequent lifts as motorists are concerned about their insurance coverage and passenger liability. I'd head towards south or eastern Europe at that time.

I've been wondering about the camping/couch-surfing option.
Campsites are mostly closed in the winter, some have caravans or chalets for rent, but that costs money, too. Wild camping is not advisable (it's illegal actually), nor practicable in the winter. And it can be dangerous for many reasons.

Couch-surfing sounds to me like hoping to crash on someones couch. But who would take on a complete stranger and let them sleep on their couch? These times are truly over in Ireland. Well, you might meet someone in a pub who is kind enough, but it's very unlikely. I've met the odd cheapskate in our village pub who tried to charm his way into someone's house for free accommodation. Can't remember that any of them was lucky.
A lot of hostels are closed, too.

But try your luck. Might be an interesting experience. Let us know!

Northern Ireland - Scotland ferries (1)
Northern Ireland - Scotland ferries (2)

Thought you might find these useful.

Thanks for the info guys. I think it would be fine faring in that kind of weather, although I know it would be tough.
About the couch surfing, I mostly mean using couch-surfing.com and staying at friends' places - unless someone in a bar or on the roadwant to lend their warm floor to 2-4 people, I doubt I will be staying on my strangers' places in Ireland.
Are buses accessible in Ireland?
Thank!
Alex
http://thinkandtravel.blogspot.com/