Advice on Dublin Bus to Airport

mickger

Am travelling to Dublin on the train Wednesday and should arrive in Heuston at around 10am. I'm meeting my girlfriend at the airport. I need to get to the airport and back to heuston for the next train home at 11.30. I'm not familar with transport in Dublin so i was wondering whats my best chance of getting back to heuston for the 11.30 train. I know there is an express bus to and from the airport but would a taxi be quicker. Any advice would be helpful. tia

Victor

Taxi is probably your best bet. While the busses are express or semi-express, you don't know what things are going to be like Christmas week. I imagine Heuston - Phibsborough - Ballymun - Airport.

The 748 service goes from Heuston - Busáras - Airport.

Can you not get an earlier / later train ?

http://www.freeflow.ie/airport.htm

Litcagral

I doubt very much that you will make it to the airport and back to Heuston in 90 mins. There also could be a delay with flight, baggage etc. adding stress to the situation.

MarkoP11

Waterford right afraid you are stuck with the 11:30 or the 15:05, there is no earlier train currently to Heuston. If you live in Athy or nearer there is 7:45 arrival

Taxi is best option as the 748 bus is only every 30 minutes and it takes close to 45 to get there, when you arrive Heuston when you hit the concourse go through the left exit to find the taxi rank

Verdict take her to lunch and spare the rush. The airport is totally nuts at the best of times let alone on one of the busiest weeks of the year

mickger

Litcagral wrote:

I doubt very much that you will make it to the airport and back to Heuston in 90 mins. There also could be a delay with flight, baggage etc. adding stress to the situation.

The flights in at 8.50am so thats not an issue. The next train is at 3pm just would have been handy to get the earlier one if possible. How much would the taxi be from Heuston to the Airport on average???

Litcagral

I'm not sure but I don't think you'll have much change out of €30. It will be more expensive on the return as there is an additional aiport charge and extras for baggage. People regularly have to queue at Heuston and the airport for taxis. Sorry for appearing to be negative but as a bus driver I think you'll have your work cut out for you.

mickger

Litcagral wrote:

I'm not sure but I don't think you'll have much change out of €30. It will be more expensive on the return as there is an additional aiport charge and extras for baggage. People regularly have to queue at Heuston and the airport for taxis. Sorry for appearing to be negative but as a bus driver I think you'll have your work cut out for you.

So if time is not an issue is the bus the best option??????

Calina

mickger wrote:

So if time is not an issue is the bus the best option??????

Realistically, the bus is timetabled to take 45 minutes. The last two times I've taken it it has taken one hour - I really don't understand why both the 748 and the 747 have to serve Busaras when the 747 runs ever 10 minutes to Busaras. The 748 is every 30 minutes which is a nuisance.

If your girlfriend's plane is in at 8.50, why not get her to take the 748 to Heuston and meet you there instead.

Litcagral

[QUOTE=

If your girlfriend's plane is in at 8.50, why not get her to take the 748 to Heuston and meet you there instead.[/QUOTE]

Exactly. Tell her to turn left when she leaves the main arrivals door and go to bus stop no. 1 where she can get the 748. The timetable is posted on the shelter.

Victor

MarkoP11 wrote:

Taxi is best option as the 748 bus is only every 30 minutes and it takes close to 45 to get there, when you arrive Heuston when you hit the concourse go through the left exit to find the taxi rank

Left?

The taxi rank is on St. John's Road (opposite side the river), so wouldn't that mean turn right at the top of the platform?

Victor

Litcagral wrote:

Exactly. Tell her to turn left when she leaves the main arrivals door and go to bus stop no. 1 where she can get the 748. The timetable is posted on the shelter.

Layout of arrivals area and bus stops. There is ususally an inspector / controller available and there is also a CIÉ information desk.

http://www.dub.aero/AR_Dublin/live/Lv_pres_GenTemplate.asp?strPage_Name=DN_ArrivalsMap

John R

mickger wrote:

The flights in at 8.50am so thats not an issue. The next train is at 3pm just would have been handy to get the earlier one if possible. How much would the taxi be from Heuston to the Airport on average???

If you are coming from Waterford then you could get the first bus up at 05.45, it arrives in Dublin at 08.45 so you could be at the airport by 09.30. Buses return then from Dublin at 10.30, 11.30, 12.30, 13.30, 14.30.

enterprise

To be honest don't bother going to the airport. If your gf is arriving at 08.50 she will make the 09.35 748 departure to Heuston station. At that time of the morning it should take an hour or just above so the ETA in Heuston would be around 10.35 - 10.45. Plenty of time for the 11.30 Heuston / Waterford service.

TBH honest this is the best way. You have no hope of getting to the airport and back in 90 mins, by bus or taxi.

I won't even hazard a guess on the taxi fare but I would reckon the taxi driver will be rubbing his hands in glee.

mickger

enterprise wrote:

To be honest don't bother going to the airport. If your gf is arriving at 08.50 she will make the 09.35 748 departure to Heuston station. At that time of the morning it should take an hour or just above so the ETA in Heuston would be around 10.35 - 10.45. Plenty of time for the 11.30 Heuston / Waterford service.

TBH honest this is the best way. You have no hope of getting to the airport and back in 90 mins, by bus or taxi.

I won't even hazard a guess on the taxi fare but I would reckon the taxi driver will be rubbing his hands in glee.

Thats what i'm going to do. Thank everyone for the advice.