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Sunday 29 September 2013

11. Getting to Gare du Nord

If staying at Jules Ferry hostel -

Walk to République
About 7 mins (500 m)
1. Head north-west on Bd Jules Ferry toward Rue du Faub. du Temple/Rue du Faubourg-du-Temple 200 m

2. Turn left onto Rue du Faub. du Temple/Rue du Faubourg-du-Temple 220 m

3. Slight right to stay on Rue du Faub. du Temple/Rue du Faubourg-du-Temple 19 m
Destination will be on the right
4. Take entrance 4. Faubourg du Temple 74 m

République M5
Subway towards Bobigny - Pablo Picasso
5:43am - 5:47am (4 mins, 3 stops)
Get off at Gare de l'Est station

Gare du Nord
Walk to Gare du Nord - About 3 mins (200 m)
Use caution when walking from Gare de l'Est to Gare de Nord.

RER Train from Paris to Roissy-Charles de Gaulle (CDG) Airport
Line => RER B (Blue)

Trains to CDG
Note that not all trains stop at Charles de Gaulle airport, do not board on trains bound for Mitry-Claye (wrong way)!
Always check the overhead panel on platform.

Journey time is about 35 minutes to/from Paris-Gare du Nord,
you shouldn't have to wait longer than 15 minutes for a train

Charles de Gaulle airport has two train stations
• "Aéroport Charles de Gaulle 1" for terminal 1 and terminal 3.
• "Aéroport Charles de Gaulle 2-TGV" for terminal 2 (A, B, C, D, E, F, G).



Trains to/from Paris
 From CDG all trains call at central Paris.
Stations with metro + RER B connections  are Gare du Nord, Châtelet-les Halles, Saint Michel-Notre Dame and Denfert-Rochereau.

Cost => 9,50€ (as of January 2013, Zone 1 -> Zone 5)
Passes Accepted => Pass Navigo (5+ Zone), Paris Visite (5 Zone)

Transport cost

Gare du Nord to Airport 9.50€
Republique to Gare de l'Est 1.70 euro
Total: 11.20 euro - $16.26.

(A single ticket is 1.70 Euro. 2013 price)

Saturday 28 September 2013

10. Itinerary 2nd draft

Saturday 28 June: Depart Melbourne

Sunday 29 June: Arrive London
Monday 30:

Tuesday 1 July:
Wednesday 2
Thursday 3
Friday 4
Saturday 5
Sunday 6
Monday 7
Tuesday 8
Wednesday 9

Thursday 10: London to Paris
Friday 11
Saturday 12
Sunday 13
Monday 14
Tuesday 15
Wednesday 16

Thursday 17: Paris to Dublin

Friday 18: Dublin to Galway
Saturday 19:
Sunday 20:

Monday 21: Galway to Killarney
Tuesday 22: Ring of Kerry tour?

Wednesday 23: Killarney to Kilkenny
Early start from 8.00am, arrive at 14.10pm
Thursday 24: Kilkenny

Friday 25: Kilkenny to Dublin
Train departing 11.41am
Arrive Heuston Station 13.10pm
Catch a LUAS 13.26
Arrive Dublin City Centre 13.51pm. Fare €17.59

Saturday 26:
Sunday 27:
Monday 28
Tuesday 29

Wednesday 30: Dublin to London
Thursday 31:

Friday 1 August:
Saturday 2
Sunday 3
Monday 4
Tuesday 5
Wednesday 6
Thursday 7
Friday 8: Depart?
Saturday 9: Depart?
Sunday 10

Saturday 21 September 2013

9. Tours

TOURS

Galway
Cliffs of Moher and The Burren - €25
Connemara and Cong ........... - €25

Killarney
Ring of Kerry €19.00 (online price) Deros Coach Tours
€24.00 or 15% off €20.40 if booked online Wild Kerry Day Tours
€22.00 less 15% = €18.70 (online price)
Gap of Dunloe Day Tour €30.00 (bus & boat) less 10% online €27.00


Wild Kerry Tours offer Complimentary pick up from Killarney town B&Bs, hotels, hostels and bus/rail stations on request - email them for details.


Dublin
Cork and Blarney - €55 (Love Ireland.com or Daytours.ie)
Blarney Castle, Cork City, Rock of Cashel

Wicklow Mountains, Valleys and Lakes Tour - €26
Glencree Valley, Sally Gap, Glendalough, Avoca Village (Love Ireland.com or Irish City Tours.


Irish City Tours offer a Meal Deal - Special 2 course meal and tea or coffee for €10 at Avoca Handweavers.

Galway - 50.00
Killarney - 18.70
Dublin - 81.00
-------------------
Total - 149.70, ($216.00)

HOSTELS
---------------
Galway 4 nights: 76.00 ($108.34) Not sure of figure, approx.
Killarney 2 : 34.00 ($48.46)
Kilkenny 1 : 15.00 ($22.47)
Dublin 5 : 118.00 ($170.00) Approx. depends on which hostel.
-----------------------------------------
Total for accommodation (349.27)

--------------------------------------------

BUS FARES
Galway to Killarney - 26.00
Killarney to Kilkenny - 24.70
Kilkenny to Dublin - 11.88
---------------------------------
Total in euros - 62.58, ($90.00)

Hostels: 349.27
Tours : 216.00
Buses : 90.00
-------------------
Total : $655.72

Friday 20 September 2013

8. Dublin Accommodation

I had planned on staying at the YHA which is in Mountjoy Street - I'm a YHA member (life membership) and nearly always choose the YHA over other hostel. Looking at a map of Dublin in the Lonely Planet guide book, the YHA seems to be a bit further out, most of the accommodation shown was on the south side of the river (Liffey) and the ones listed in the northern section were a lot closer to the river than the YHA, so I was toying with the idea of staying somewhere else - perhaps around the Temple Bar are, but it was when I read this, that I received a bit of a nasty shock -
DANGERS AND ANNOYANCES
Petty crime of the bag-snatching, pickpocketing and car-break-in variety is a low to mid-level irritant.
Hired and foreign-registered cars are favourite targets - they seem to have a smash-my-window sign splayed across their bonnets. Take sensible precautions; supervised car parks for overnight parking aren't a bad idea. Remember also that insurance policies often don't cover losses from cars.
The area north or Gardner St, O'Connell St and Mountjoy Sq is not especially salubrious, and is afflicted with drug addiction, crime and occasional violence. Phoenix Park is a no-go area after dark; camping there is not only illegal, but also an invitation to trouble.

No other areas were mentioned, only this section. I do think it might behoove me to not stay at the YHA after all. Pity, it's certainly a lot cheaper than the few I was interested in the Temple Bar area.

Thursday 19 September 2013

7. Buses from Dublin Airport

My initial plan was to stay in Dublin the first night then go to Galway the next day with Dublin Bus Company incorporating a trip to the Cliffs of Moher and the Burren on the same day. It would mean being at the bus stop by 6.45am. I then had the bright idea of why not head straight to Galway from the airport. Instead of getting off the plane, getting transport to Dublin city, what could be easier than heading to the bus pickup point and travelling to Galway? Makes sense as it cuts down on time making things smoother.

There are a number of companies that do the Dublin airport to Galway run and it is a matter of finding which is the cheapest and what times they run. There are four I have found:
Citylink, Gobus, Bus Éireann and the new kid on the block - Eireagle

Fares

Eireagle - €16.50 online or €18 bought on board

Departure time from Dublin Airport is as follows:
6.15, 7.15, 9.15, 11.15, 12.15, 13.45, 14.15, 15.15, 16.15, 17.15, 18.15, 19.15, 20.15, 21.15, 22.15, 23.15, 00.30.

The buses travel on the Citylink Express and take 3 hours to reach Galway with the exception of the 11.15, 14.15, 16.15, 18.15 and 00.30 buses which travel eireagle Galway direct and take 2 and a half hours.

You get the bus at Zone 11, Bus stops 5 & 6


Above: Get the Eireagle bus at Zone 11


 
Above: Galway New Coach Station



Gobus - €15.00
This is the fare price online, it didn't say whether it cost more to buy onboard. Buses depart at 6.45, 8.45am then on an hourly basis until 19.45, then 21.45 and 23.45. Journey takes 3 hours.

Above: Where to catch the bus Dublin Airport to Galway: Zone 13

Above: Arrives Galway: At new coach station



Citylink - €16.50, Dublin Airport Express (via Dublin City)

 

It should perhaps be noted that Citylink operate Eireagle.



Bus Éireann - €13.78

Does not have as many buses from the airport to Galway, with only 6 per day at 8.20, 10.20, 12.20, 14.20, 16.20 and 20.20. Buses arrive at Galway Bus Station in 2 hours 50 minutes.

Buses depart Dublin Airport (Atrium Road). Airport bus is Bus 20. There were no maps on their website showing the location of Atrium Road.

Wednesday 18 September 2013

6. Directions to Dublin YHA

There's nothing worse than arriving at your destination, you've just got off the train or bus and you're completely lost. You did write down the hostel/hotel address and where's that piece of paper gone with the instructions on how to get there? You look around like a beleaguered beast in the wilderness, everything in front of you a blur while you struggle with your luggage and try to get your bearings. Of course if you've arrived by plane, it's a tad easier - just make your way to the pick-up point for the shuttle bus which you had the foresight to pre-book.

So...with this in mind I thought it might be a good idea to write down how to get to where you're going. The first in this "series" is instructions to the YHA in Dublin which is where I'll be stayin. If you're staying at any other hostel you're plum out of luck. These posts will be labelled under 'Transport' and 'Directions' - transport covers a myriad of other information whereas Directions is just getting to accommodation.


ADDRESS
Dublin International (YHA)

61 Mountjoy Street
Dublin, Ireland


From Dublin Airport > Hostel: (BY BUS)
Public Buses 16 or 41 - (E2.65pp - Exact Change needed)
Travel time approximately 20 to 30 minutes to Upper Dorset Street � (Bus Stop No. 52)
Look for a pub on the left side called 'Temple Pub' and push the bell to alight at the upcoming stop.

Alight from public bus near the Corner of Nth Frederick St and Upper Dorset St � (Bus Stop No. 52)
Cross to the right hand side of Upper Dorset St to the �Punto Oro Shop� and take the one way street to the left of the shop called �Blessington St� walk to the end of this street and take a left at the orange an black shop 'Deli Suz' on to Mountjoy St.
The Dublin International Hostel is 100metres on the right hand side of the street, number 61 Mountjoy Street, with the green door and hanging baskets.
Push the buzzer to the side of the door and come on in.

Aircoach - Costs E7.00 and runs 24 hours alight at the Gresham Hotel on O�Connell Street
Airlink - Costs E7.00 alight at Bus Aras (Bus Station)
Taxi � Costs between - E15 to E25 per taxi

From O'Connell Street > Hostel (ON FOOT)
Walk north up O'Connell St towards Parnell St and the Ambassador Theater
Continue north past Parnell Square Garden of Remembrance and Mayes Pub (Nth.Frederick St). Cross over Upper Dorset St to the Punto Oro Shop and continue up Blessington St (The Street between Punto Oro and Gala )
At the end of Blessington Street, turn left at Deli Suz onto Mountjoy St.
The Dublin International Hostel is 100metres on the right hand side of the street, number 61 Mountjoy Street, with the green door and hanging baskets.
Push the buzzer to the side of the door and come on in.

From O'Connell Street by bus:
Catch the bus number 46a towards Phoenix Park Bus stop 274 outside the �Subway� nearest to the Dublin Spire (E0.75c City Centre fare) (Alight at Bus Stop 192 � 2nd bus stop)
The bus will take a sharp right past the Black Church onto Mountjoy Street. Push the buzzer and the bus will stop next door to the hostel outside the Mountjoy Street Centra.

From Bus Aras (bus station) by foot:
Go out the main doors of the bus station, either follow the Luas tram lines to the left or follow the signage to O'Connell Street. Follow directions from O'Connell Street above.

From Connolly Train Station on foot:
Go out and down the stairs to the main street. Cross at the cross walk and continue in the same direction down Talbot Street. This will take you all the way to the Spire on O'Connell Street. Follow directions from O'Connell Street above.

From Heuston Train Station by tram:
Go out of the station and to the LUAS tram station, a ticket will cost E2.00 Take tram to O'Connell St (Connelly Station direction). On O'Connell street follow directions from O'Connell Street above.

From Heuston Train Station by bus:
Go out of the station and cross over the tram bridge to your left. At the lights, cross over and head left up towards Phoenix Park. Continue 300 metres up this road until you get to an intersection or road called Infirmary Road on your right. Walk up Infirmary Road until you see the Bus number 46A bus stop 200metres. From here catch the bus to Blessington Street � (Bus stop 819) (E1.85pp)

From Dublin Ferry Port by bus #53:
This goes straight to the city centre main bus station (Busaras). Walk to O'Connell St and either follow the walking directions from O'Connell St.
OR
Take the Dublin bus 46A (€0.50) from outside the McDonald's to the right of the GPO. Push buzzer after you turn right at a large church in the middle of the road (The Black Church) the bus stops outside Mountjoy St Centra, the hostel is next door to the left. walk North up the length of O'Connell St, continue up Parnell Square East, Nth.Frederick St., Blessington St. and turn left at Deli Suz into Mountjoy St, we are number 61.

From Dublin Ferry Port by car:
Head west on Alexandra Rd towards 1st Branch Rd N. Take the 1st right onto 1st Branch Rd N. Take the 1st left onto Tolka Quary Rd. Slight right at East Wall Rd/R131. Turn left at Lower Drumcondra Rd/N1. Continue south towards the city centre along Drumcondra Road through until you get onto Dorset St Lower then Upper Dorset St. At the intersection of Upper Dorset St and Blessington St you need to go straight through this junction as you cannot turn right on to Blessington St. Take the very next right onto Wellington St (at the Meeting Point pub). The Dublin International Hostel is at the top of this street. The hostel is at the end of the street on the corner of Mountjoy St and Wellington St.

The car park for the hostel is located off Wellington St behind the hostel, within the hostel grounds. (The key for the gate to get inside the car park, must be collected from the reception desk for a refundable deposit of €20)

From Dublin Airport by car:
Head East towards Swords Rd. At Airport roundabout, take the 2nd exit onto M1 heading to heading to áth Cliath/Dublin/Dublin/M50. At the roundabout take the 2nd exit onto M1 ramp to the M50. Merge onto the M1. At Junction 1, exit on N1. Continue south towards the city centre along Drumcondra Road through until you get onto Dorset St Lower then Upper Dorset St. At the intersection of Upper Dorset St and Blessington St you need to go straight through this junction as you cannot turn right on to Blessington St. Take the very next right onto Wellington St (at the Meeting Point pub). The Dublin International Hostel is at the top of this street. The hostel is at the end of the street on the Corner of Mountjoy St and Wellington St.

The car park for the hostel is located off Wellington St behind the hostel, within the hostel grounds. (The key for the gate to get inside the car park, must be collected from the reception desk for a refundable deposit of E20)

Tuesday 17 September 2013

5. Buses

Galway to Killarney
9.00am - Bus X51 from Eyre Square East Stop 6
10.20am - arrive Limerick
10.35am - Bus 14
12.35pm - arrive Killarney

Killarney to Cork
8.25am - Bus 40, (Rock Road Service Station)
8.30am - from Bus Station
10.05am - arrive Cork, (Bus Station - Parnell Place)
Take take Bus 8 to University. Hostel opposite uni.
or
9.25am - Bus 40
10.20 - from Bus Station
11.05am - arrive Cork, (Bus Station - Parnell Place)
Take Bus 8 to University.

Cork to Kilkenny
11.00am - Bus 7, (Bus Station - Parnell Place)
14:10pm - arrive Kilkenny (Railway Station)


Killarney to Kilkenny
8.25am - Bus 40, (Rock Road Service Station)
10.05am - arrive Cork Bus Station - Parnell Place)
Change buses
11.00am - Bus 7
14.10pm - arrive Kilkenny (Railway station)

Kilkenny to Dublin
11.15am - Bus 7 from Kilkenny railway station
13.30pm - arrive Dublin (Busáras)

From Busaras, get to 61 Mountjoy Street. Distance of 1.8kms. Need to check if there's a bus along that way, if not, will have to call a taxi. Too far to lug a suitcase behind.

Monday 16 September 2013

4. Ireland Rail Network

Train Routes in Ireland

 


Dublin area

 

3. Itinerary - First draft.

This is the first draft, so looks rather bare at this stage. The problem I am having with the Ireland part is the section after Killarney. Do I stop overnight at Cork and Kilkenny, or just KIlkenny or just bus it straight to Dublin? Ah, the joys of planning eh? Half the fun is planning your trip, working out now will I go there and will I stay here, how many nights, is two enough or do I need three?

Then of course comes the computing - a good word that, "computing" innit? (it's really only a fancy word for saying working out) buses and timetables for you can be sure of one thing - the buses don't always go directly from A to B - there's sometimes a change of bus needed.

Saturday 28 June: Depart Melbourne

Sunday 29 June: Arrive London
Monday 30:

Tuesday 1 July:
Wednesday 2
Thursday 3
Friday 4
Saturday 5
Sunday 6
Monday 7
Tuesday 8
Wednesday 9

Thursday 10: London to Paris
Friday 11
Saturday 12
Sunday 13
Monday 14
Tuesday 15
Wednesday 16

Thursday 17: Paris to Dublin

Friday 18: Dublin to Galway
Saturday 19:
Sunday 20:

Monday 21: Galway to Killarney
Tuesday 22: Ring of Kerry tour?

Wednesday 23: Killarney to Cork

Thursday 24: Cork to Dublin
Friday 25:
Saturday 26:

Sunday 27:
Monday 28
Tuesday 29
Wednesday 30
Thursday 31

Friday 1 August
Saturday 2
Sunday 3
Monday 4
Tuesday 5
Wednesday 6
Thursday 7
Friday 8
Saturday 9
Sunday 10



2. Package tours from An Óige (Irish YHA)

Although these tours are for 2013 and I will be travelling next year (2014), I'm putting them here as a guideline and have contacted the company to see if they will be doing these tours in 2014. The itinerary information leaves a lot to be desired and it would be disappointing to book one of these packages only to find sights and attractions were missing. Optional extras are understandable, but there is nothing to state this.

12 NIGHT TOUR - EXPLORE IRELAND

3 nights total in Dublin International Hostel with continental breakfast
(two nights at start and one night at end of trip)


Welcome Pack on arrival Hop-on Hop-off tour for 48 hours travel around Dublin (usual cost €16 pp)
Includes free walking tour.
Guinness Storehouse visit with pint of Guinness (usual cost €13pp)

1 night in Cashel Holiday Hostel
2 nights in Cork International Hostel


Hop-on Hop-off tour for 24 hours travel around Cork (usual cost €14 pp)
Pass to Cork City Gaol (Jail) (usual cost €8pp)

2 nights in Killarney International Hostel
2 nights in Jamaica Inn in Sixmilebridge
2 nights in Sleepzone Galway City


Connemara Day tour (usual cost €20pp)

Option 1 - with transport
May - September Normally € 478.00 NOW - € 405.00

Option 2 - without transport
May - September € 324.00 Now € 275.00

10 NIGHT TOUR - DISCOVER IRELAND

3 nights total in Dublin International Hostel with continental breakfast included
(two nights at start and one night at end of trip)


Welcome Pack on arrival
Hop-on Hop-off tour for 48 hours travel around Dublin (usual cost €18pp) Includes free walking tour.
Guinness Storehouse visit with pint of Guinness (usual cost €16pp)

1 night in Cork International Hostel

Hop-on Hop-off tour for 24 hours travel around Cork (usual cost €14 pp)
Pass to Cork City Gaol (Jail) (usual cost €8pp)

2 nights in Killarney International Hostel
2 nights in Jamaica Inn in Sixmilebridge
2 nights in Sleepzone Galway City


Connemara Day tour (usual cost €20pp)

Option 1 - with transport
May to September, Was € 408.00 Now - € 347.00

Option 2 - without transport
May to September, Was € 291.00 Now € 247.00

Sunday 15 September 2013

1. Paris Day Trips

Beyond Paris seems like a really good site for day trips. Can be done using public transport - chateaux, gardens, towns, churches.