Destination not listed - Bus Éireann

Green Diesel

Can you buy direct return tickets from a location not listed on the Bus Éireann Buy Online & Save form?

I'm trying to get a student return from Dublin to Newport, Co Mayo. But it wont let me select Newport as a destination (although it does let me pick Achill which uses route 440 which stops in Newport (and costs €30rtn))

Alternatively I could get the bus to Westport for €22.80 return, and then catch the bus to Newport from there. How can I calculate the Westport-Newport fare?

Victor

It is possible that either route 440 is not computerised or simply not included in the database. An e-mail or phone call to Bus Éireann should let you know what the fare is. I imagine you can get such a through ticket from Busáras.

Geog1234

A Dublin - Newport through ticket is available for station/onboard purchase but not online.

The student return fare Dublin - Newport is €31. This should be able to be purchased at the ticket office at Busáras.

It may also be available from the ticket vending machines at Busáras.

The ticket office only accepts cash. The ticket vending machines take both cash and card.

The online Fare Finder doesn't show a student return for Westport-Newport (it may or may not be available). It does say however that an adult monthly return Westport - Newport is €6.90 and a single is €4.10. These fares aren't available online - just buy from the driver when travelling.

So even if a Westport-Newport student ticket isn't available the cheapest option seems to be to buy the Dublin-Westport student return online (€22.80) and buy the Westport-Newport ticket on the Achill bus. Total €29.70 - perhaps a bit less if there's a Westport-Newport student return available.

The fare finder is here: http://www.buseireann.ie/inner.php?id=235
and select route 441.

Hope this might be of some help.

Green Diesel

That's excellent, thanks for the helpful replies.

I think it's working out slightly cheaper because I'm getting a 5% discount for buying online (the Dublin - Westport section).

Anyway, price isn't bad, pity there appears to be only one bus a day from Westport to Newport though, will be a long walk if I miss the connection!

Geog1234

Yep, unfortunately just one BÉ bus a day each way Westport - Newport. There used to be two (an earlier one at 3pm ex Westport) until about two years ago.

I understand McNulty Coaches have a Belmullet-Newport-Castlebar route with one journey a day in each direction but think the evening bus would have departed Castlebar a short time before your bus gets in.

The Achill route should have a second journey each way at least for the summer.

Assume you're getting the 13.00hrs route 22 Ballina Express from Dublin to Swinford and changing there.

Generally local bus drivers are aware of main connection opportunities but it's ok to mention to the driver on boarding about your onward journey. A further idea may be to save the number for Bus Éireann in Ballina in case of any difficulty.

Victor

Corduff travel seem to have a Killawalla - Dublin service, but check with them, as it isn't on their website: http://www.cordufftravel.ie/timetables.html

Green Diesel

Cheers. Is there a website with the McNulty timetables etc for future reference?

Was looking at the 1pm departure alright, the 14mins layover at Swinford is a little tight but worth the risk I guess.

The Corduff website is something else! Where is Killawalla?

Victor

Green Diesel wrote: »

The Corduff website is something else! Where is Killawalla?

Possibly AKA Killavally. Possibly near Dooagh on Achill or alternatively south of Castlebar! Do talk to them first as I think what I saw is suspect.

Oddly they do list a service from Achill on Sundays: http://www.cordufftravel.ie/achill_-_westport_-_castlebar_-_sligo_-_sundays.html but no bus back.