All South Dubliners!

Keano!

Who commutes to DCU every day? Ie. Bus into the city and another out and the repeat process for getting home?

Its my first choice and I want to know how painful and draining is the travelling? Should I look for on site accommodation or elsewhere in the surrounding areas?


All help appreciated

Dinner

Yeah I did it. I found it fine to be honest, but neither bus was too busy or took too long. About 25 mins or so to the city, got off at O'Connell Street and got on 1 of about 5 or 6 buses that go to DCU which took about 15 mins and about the same back. But then I don't really mind buses when they're not packed.

If you are able to afford to live on campus you would probably enjoy it more though since you can get involved in more things and sleep in longer in the mornings which is always a plus.

slasher_65

Living out in Dun Laoghaire was painful for my three 9AM lectures. I had to get up at 6:30 or so to be SURE of making it in on time, thanks to the ****tyness of the Irish transport system. Usually made it in 20 minutes early, but maybe once a week or so would be a few minutes late.

It sucked. I moved into Gateway. (Don't move into gateway. It sucks even more then the commute. Try to find a house after a few weeks of getting to know people)

Royale with Cheese

Did it for a year from Shankill, well more like 6 months before this guy started giving me lifts.

Pain in the ass, used to take 90 minutes each way. I'd spend the guts of 3 hours a day sitting on a bus. Getting up in the morning was the worst bit, once you were on the bus you could just kind of zone out. Going home sucked though, sitting in traffic in the dark when you should really be at home. I spent 4 years in UCD and it was kind of depressing going past it on the bus in the morning knowing that I'd the guts of an hour to go until I get to DCU, whereas before hand my commute would have been over.

It was just about manageable for a year, if you're doing a proper 3/4 year degree then you'll need to move out there. Although I was about as far on the southside as you can get, I guess if you were coming from somewhere closer to town like Donnybrook or Ranelagh it'd be ok.

thusspakeblixa

Commuted for 3 years from Crumlin, but the 19a goes direct to DCU so it was grand. It was only a pain when the snow came and it took 3 hours to get home really. 9am starts just meant getting before 7.

Urizen

You'll want a bus pass.

I commuted from Templeogue for 4 years now, the only time it gets particularly troublesome is around late night events. Last legit bus you can get from DCU is about 2245, if you're getting a second one in town. Annoying when it comes to balls, but that's what friend's floors are for!

Keano!

Thanks for the tips guys (mostly). Still up in the air about it all really. I love the facilities and what DCU has to offer.

Have my name in for accommodation on campus anyway so if I get it then I'll have to consider this even more.

Attol

I have been commuting from Blackrock since first year(heading into final year now). It is doable if you're on the 4 route. Just make sure to go before or after rush hour. I get my most efficient study done on the bus these days.

redout

A solution would be to buy a moped.

Cheap to insure, cheap to run and waltz thru morning and evening traffic.

Would save yourself all the hassle and hours wasted making the long journey by public transport.

I suppose it depends on the person - I couldnt handle 2 buses there and another 2 back.

Depending on where you live exactly and taking time spent waiting for bus, journey on bus etc you could easily spend 2/3 hrs per day commuting.

trellheim

A mate and me did it for 5 years. He was from Templeogue, I was Knocklyon.

He had a motorbike, I had a bus pass.

it's as has been said 3 hours a day on buses. Get used to sleeping on mates floors in Shanowen or on campus.