The Morning Commute

Y.O.L.O

Hi, I'm going into 3rd year in UCD and was considering driving over now because my hours are increasing and I'm fairly sick of relying on public transport.

I commute from Swords, and would aim to be in UCD for around 8:30.

I was wondering if anyone does this commute, or something similar, can they recommend routes and/or departure times.

I'd be willing to pay the east link but the tunnel isn't an option. I am a student after all ha

Thanks

Mycroft H

Y.O.L.O wrote: »

Hi, I'm going into 3rd year in UCD and was considering driving over now because my hours are increasing and I'm fairly sick of relying on public transport.

I commute from Swords, and would aim to be in UCD for around 8:30.

I was wondering if anyone does this commute, or something similar, can they recommend routes and/or departure times.

I'd be willing to pay the east link but the tunnel isn't an option. I am a student after all ha

Thanks

DART from Malahide to Sydney Parade is guaranteed to be the quickest way at rush hour in the morning.

Other option is the M50 Southbound and nip off at dundrum. Traffic can be really heavy at that time of morning though through dundrum.

Losty Dublin

Driving from Swords, it's pretty much the M1 in and either the East Link and Sandymount or the Samuel Beckett Bridge towards Merrion or Donnybrook across town. Off peak, this is going to be at least 30 minutes so you can safely double it early in the morning to be safe, maybe a more on wet days and towards Christmas. Two in my office in work are coming into town on bus from Swords and are finding it's no more than 40 minutes daily; time wise how are you managing?

What's the story with parking in UCD; is that paid or free and is it reliably going to be free for you all the time? It may well end up being impractical to drive over if you can't be assured a space or if you can't afford it so it needs to be borne in mind.

Mycroft H

Losty Dublin wrote: »

Driving from Swords, it's pretty much the M1 in and either the East Link and Sandymount or the Samuel Beckett Bridge towards Merrion or Donnybrook across town. Off peak, this is going to be at least 30 minutes so you can safely double it early in the morning to be safe, maybe a more on wet days and towards Christmas. Two in my office in work are coming into town on bus from Swords and are finding it's no more than 40 minutes daily; time wise how are you managing?

What's the story with parking in UCD; is that paid or free and is it reliably going to be free for you all the time? It may well end up being impractical to drive over if you can't be assured a space or if you can't afford it so it needs to be borne in mind.

Most areas in UCD are free and their is spots on the west side of campus until about 9.30 am. Trouble is they close off barriers around 8ish to stop cross campus traffic forcing you to go round by Fosters Av and Roebuck to get parking on other side of campus. The car parks on the N11 side fill up much earlier.

I cannot see the journey been done in less then an hour at peak times in the morning in a car.

Y.O.L.O

Well if I'm heading in for 9 o'clock I need to get a bus at 7:30. Granted I would probably need to give myself the same amount of time driving if I plan on parking N11 side of UCD. But to be honest, public transport is becoming a pain in the ass what with increasing prices, and lack of comfort.

Plus heading home in the evening would be after rush hour and much more desirable as opposed to the usual 1:30-2:00 commute.

Also, getting the DART from Malahide is a bit impractical as the commute, price of parking in malahide, price of fare, and then either a walk to UCD from Sydney Parade (~25 mins) or bus (more money and an unreliable no. 3 bus) -just doesn't work.

As time goes on, car is probably going to be the best option because the practicality of staying late in the evening to do work (lab or study) is easier to do if I know I haven't got 2 miserable bus rides in any weather condition.

Joko

Y.O.L.O wrote: »

Also, getting the DART from Malahide is a bit impractical as the commute, price of parking in malahide, price of fare, and then either a walk to UCD from Sydney Parade (~25 mins) or bus (more money and an unreliable no. 3 bus) -just doesn't work.

Here is the cheapest and easiest option:
Drive to Malahide station, then take the DART to Sydney Parade, then cycle on a cheap mountain bike to UCD.

The other option is to drive the whole way, which would be very costly (petrol, tolls, wear and tear) and stressful.

**Timbuk2**

Would you consider a motorbike/scooter? Would be cheaper in fuel costs, and (at the moment) do not have to pay the M50 toll - should also be faster than a car, and easier to park at UCD (parking a car in UCD is only really possible if you are there before 9.30am, after that you will have to pay 50c an hour to park, and even the pay carparks fill up quickly).

But if it was me, a DART from Malahide would be a better option. It's about a 20 minute walk from Sydney Parade to UCD. Of course, sometimes the DART shuts down and you are forced to travel by bus (like when I tried to get the DART home on Friday ), but most of the time, it's fairly reliable and the cheapest option.

Mycroft H

Y.O.L.O wrote: »

Also, getting the DART from Malahide is a bit impractical as the commute, price of parking in malahide, price of fare, and then either a walk to UCD from Sydney Parade (~25 mins) or bus (more money and an unreliable no. 3 bus) -just doesn't work. .

A Rail Short Hop Student ticket is 76 euro pm. Thats a week and a half to two weeks petrol there. The walk at the other end is 15 minutes top, I done it near everyday for four years. The DART is as reliable as transport gets. Tax/Insurance/Maintenance all add up too.

Within the confines of the city centre it is very very hard to justify a car. It is not faster or cheaper then the DART. The only thing going for it is a bit of comfort. To some people thats worth it. I couldn't bear the cost so I only drove the car in once or twice a month.

KD345

Does the 41X not suit?

http://www.dublinbus.ie/en/Your-Journey1/Timetables/All-Timetables/41x1/

It uses the Port Tunnel and College Green bus gate, there are two departures from Swords at 7.25 and 7.45, I'm sure the first departure would have you in UCD for about 8.30. Using a prepaid student ticket, it's probably the cheapest option.

Carawaystick

The 41x doesn't use the port tunnel, as the link you posted clearly mentions Drumcondra Rail Station.
Parking at Malahide might be an issue, but there's lots of space in Portmarnock station

LXFlyer

Carawaystick wrote: »

The 41x doesn't use the port tunnel, as the link you posted clearly mentions Drumcondra Rail Station.
Parking at Malahide might be an issue, but there's lots of space in Portmarnock station

The 41x does use the Port Tunnel inbound. Check the timetable again.

Uriel.

Carawaystick wrote: »

The 41x doesn't use the port tunnel, as the link you posted clearly mentions Drumcondra Rail Station.
Parking at Malahide might be an issue, but there's lots of space in Portmarnock station

41x does use the Port tunnel towards the City. Doesn't use it on the return journey though.

By far the best and cheapest option for the OP IMO

bridgepeople

I know this is not answering the question you asked, but if I were you I would compare the costs of a car (including purchase cost, maintenance, insurance, tax and petrol) against the costs of a student digs within walking/cycling distance of Belfield.

You'd potentially be saving yourself two hours of commuting time each day which I would put a huge value on personally and could have a really fun year at college going to a lot of events on campus in the evening.

Maybe that suggestion is not possible or desirable for you but just thought I'd throw it out there.

KD345

Carawaystick wrote: »

The 41x doesn't use the port tunnel, as the link you posted clearly mentions Drumcondra Rail Station.
Parking at Malahide might be an issue, but there's lots of space in Portmarnock station

You're viewing the outbound routing, the 6 inbound buses use the port tunnel each morning.

misslt

I'm heading into 4th year in UCD in Sept and commute from Swords.

I use the 41X everyday and find it great. The 7.25 departure gets you into UCD for 8.30 most days.

I use the DB student rambler, works out at €2.86 per day if you go monthly, and €3.44 if you go weekly. The cash fare on the 41X is €3 each way, so you're saving a fortune.

I personally love the hour in the morning to read, listen to music and chill out without having to talk to people and just get ready for the day ahead, especially if it's going to be very busy.

Granted, it's better in the morning than evening, but still. Plus with a rambler you can get a 39a/46a/145/whatever and a 41/b/c/33 depending where you are in Swords.

Much less of a headache than driving I would think!