Dublin - Kinsale Weekday PM Public Transport options

Rashers72

Hi all,
Looking for some advice, and have searched a bit on boards, so have some thoughts already, but am a little confused.
Need to get from Dublin city centre Thurs around 1.15 to Kinsale for 7pm.
Firstly thought Aircoach. Price was EUR15 book online (2pm departure, due 5pm), plus EUR8 for the 6pm Cork Kinsale BE journey. Having read around, the disadvantages seem to be around the Westmoreland St loading, the older quality of the buses, and then transferring in Cork.
So then looked at BE direct. The news buses looked nice inside, and it went from the same arrival station in Cork. Price was better, and the whole trip incl. Kinsale was EUR21 via internet. However, I read in detail on another site about most services now on this route no longer running to schedule, as the new schedule was too ambitious, and due to the stops etc. it can be up to 1 hour late (I only have a 30 min connection time available). Due to the timings I could potentially miss my connection.
Finally have Irish Rail. Basic webfare of EUR20, plus I assume EUR2 CC fee, plus EUR8 for the Kinsale, plus EUR2 for LUAS=EUR32. Still would need to transfer in Cork but a 2pm Dub departure, 5pm arrival in Cork should be enough. But all this is 50% more expensive then Bus Eireann.
So looking for thoughts, especially from someone who uses it more frequently...if it was you, what would you do? Thanks in advance....:)

bk

I'm a Corkonian living in Dublin. So have good experience of the Dublin to Cork leg, no experience of heading to Kinsale.

I'd definitely use Aircoach over BE (and IR). While the Aircoach buses might be older, they are actually significantly more comfortable then the new BE buses. With full leather reclining seats and far more leg room. You really couldn't tell the age of the Aircoach buses from inside, they are very well maintained and built on a very good chasis. I'd take the Aircoach coaches over the new BE coaches any day.

You won't have any issues at Westmoreland st, not at 2pm, it won't be that busy. Yes Westmoreland St is something that needs to be sorted, but it wouldn't stop me from taking this bus. If you are concerned about safety here, simply wait on the footpath by the shop side rather then the road side and wait for the bus to pull in fully before approaching the bus. To be honest it isn't that big of an issue.

At the Cork end the Aircoach bus stops just 2 minutes walk away from the BE station.

The Aircoach will take max 3hours 10 minutes.

From reports the BE service could take up to as much as 4hours 20 mins!! For the sake of €2 I wouldn't risk it on a much slower, less comfortable bus.

Irish rail, well note it is only that cheaper price if you book more then 3 days in advance. Is it worth the extra? Well that depends on your own opinion. I'd say no, I use to use the train for the past ten years, now I have very happily switched to Aircoach. But then others might think the extra cost is worth it. It depends on your needs and opinion.

Rashers72

Thanks- Aircoach it is. And you are correct, Irish Rail fare is now basic EUR32 + EUR2 + EUR1, before reservation.
And when I asked about the ticket office price last Monday, incl. fare to Cohn, it would be EUR56 one way.....