Tips on weekly Dublin-Cork commute.

traveller2

Hi folks,

Will be doing the Dublin Cork City commute as of September (UCC), and am trying to get my head around the possible, options.
Does anyone do this regularly? What is recommended.

Bus
Aircoach looks the best, 7am-7pm both ways, every 2 hours.
Just under four hours each way.
Price, 22 euro return.
Seem to be reliable.

Flight
Evening Flight Dublin-Cork
Morning Flight Cork-Dublin
Price, 55 euro returnish.
Under an hour each way, plus getting to airports etc.

Train
Not cheap, but comfortable. Even with a student card comes to best part of 46 euro return.

Anyways, looking at the list above am I right I’m thinking Aircoach is the way to go? WiFi/reliable and on time/good price too, or so it seems. And possibly use the flight option in a hurry? Does anyone know any direct buses from UCC to Dublin? I have a car, but thinking about getting rid of it because with road tax/petrol etc/coupled with tolls, the Bus option seems best.
Any takers?

Lapin

My first tip would be to drop the bold print.
It makes for annoying reading.

I used to do a similar commute from Galway - Dublin.
I'd fly to Dublin on the outward leg. The early morning flight left Galway before the earliest train and check in times at Galway airport were more lax than elsewhere.
In Galway I could leave my house and be in the air within half an hour.

For the return leg I'd get the train.
It wasn't worth the hassle of going back out to Dublin Airport through the traffic and face possible queues at security there.
The train got me home with less hassle and I could work on board.

Given the longer train journey from Dublin to Cork in your case this mightn't be as much of a time saving option. But its worth considering.

LXFlyer

traveller2 wrote: »

Tips on weekly Dublin-Cork commute.
Hi folks,
Will be doing the Dublin Cork City commute as of September (UCC), and am trying to get my head around the possible, options.
Does anyone do this regularly? What is recommended.
Bus
Aircoach looks the best, 7am-7pm both ways, every 2 hours.
Just under four hours each way.
Price, 22 euro return.
Seem to be reliable.
Flight
Evening Flight Dublin-Cork
Morning Flight Cork-Dublin
Price, 55 euro returnish.
Under an hour each way, plus getting to airports etc.
Train
Not cheap, but comfortable. Even with a student card comes to best part of 46 euro return.
Anyways, looking at the list above am I right I’m thinking Aircoach is the way to go?
WiFi/reliable and on time/good price too, or so it seems.
And possibly use the flight option in a hurry?
Does anyone know any direct buses from UCC to Dublin?
I have a car, but thinking about getting rid of it because with road tax/petrol etc/coupled with tolls, the Bus option seems best.
Any takers?

If you plan far enough ahead (up to 4 weeks) the train may cost as little as €10 each way plus booking fee.

highlydebased

Indeed- if you book your tickets now for September for the train you'll get them for cheap i.e 10e each way. Far quicker than the bus.

traveller2

Just need to bump the above thread up.
Just how reliable is the Cork/Dublin service?
Looking at getting 7am train to Cork for early morning.
It says a journey time of 2hours, 50 minutes.
Sounds a bit excessive..does it ever get in 10/15 mins earlier or how often is it it late?
Thanks

highlydebased

traveller2 wrote: »

Just need to bump the above thread up.
Just how reliable is the Cork/Dublin service?
Looking at getting 7am train to Cork for early morning.
It says a journey time of 2hours, 50 minutes.
Sounds a bit excessive..does it ever get in 10/15 mins earlier or how often is it it late?
Thanks

2hrs 50 is indeed correct. Given it's the first train delays are unlikely- only potential delay is if the Limerick train is late at Limk Junction

Bannasidhe

Ryanair has announced it is dropping Cork-Dublin route from September so flying not really an option. There is a bus from Kent train station in Cork direct to UCC - it's mainly designed to link up with the commuter trains from Cobh and Midleton but should work for you. Details here: http://www.ucc.ie/en/build/commuting/PublicTransport/trains/

foggy_lad

highlydebased wrote: »

2hrs 50 is indeed correct. Given it's the first train delays are unlikely- only potential delay is if the Limerick train is late at Limk Junction

Trains can and regularly do have technical problems which delay them, also leaves on the line will delay all trains, another issue is rain causing problems with signalling and points. Delays are frequent enough across the Irish rail network.

schemingbohemia

foggy_lad wrote: »

Trains can and regularly do have technical problems which delay them, also leaves on the line will delay all trains, another issue is rain causing problems with signalling and points. Delays are frequent enough across the Irish rail network.

Do you ever get the 7am Dublin-Cork train? Have you specific experience of this particular train?

Planes are late, Cars sometimes break down, Buses can be late. You may get knocked down crossing the road.

Given it's C&T civility month, I'll say no more.