Co. Louth

Zil2011

Anyone gone to WIT from this area? Just wondering whats the best bus to get, approx cost of travel, etc. Hoping to attend there in September - depending on CAO offers on Monday!

JenniFurr

I did some travelling on the same line. If you want cheap travel get a student travel pass and go Bus Eireann all the way. I think it was under €30ish for a return last time I used it (from Dundalk to waterford) but it's cheaper to get a Dundalk to Dublin return and then a Dublin to Waterford return so watch out!

My favourite route was to get the Matthews bus (€12 return) to Dublin (get there early if you can as the bus fills up quick, also they have free wifi), as it's a fair bit faster than Bus Eireann, and walk 10-15 minutes to Busaras to get Dublin to Waterford (€14.25 return). If you take this route, from the Waterford bus station you can walk down the quay for less than 5 minutes and get the 3C bus on the either side of the quay to the two of the college campuses (not sure which side of the quay would be best but it'll get you there and it doesn't take too long either way)

Now if you got the cash go train all the way but for me that was a treat as a Dublin-Waterford ticket is $35ish return plus you have to get the Luas from Connolly station to Hueston to transfer which can be horrible carrying luggage with no place to sit! If you decide to take the train beware that the Waterford train station is a bit of trek if you have luggage and will probably need a taxi to your accommodation.

Sorry if I didn't make anything clear. If you need any more info just let me know Also Sorry if you live elsewhere but it's pretty much the same for Drogheda (just quicker obviously) if you live there but I couldn't give you loads for the smaller towns like Duleek.

Oh and FYI travel time can be 5-6 hours in total including waiting transfers

Zil2011

Thank you so much Jennifur! I checked them out, based in between Dundalk and Drogheda so that's great info!

I'll apply for the student travel pass and use that so! A friend of mine was saying the student card from college might do either. I was checking it out and can get Matthews bus to Dublin and then either Bus Eireann or JJ Kavanaghs bus (which seems to be express) for €14 return.

The only thing is the 3C bus that you mention, doesn't seem to run on Sundays, which is the day I will probably have to return on in order to make Mondays classes - well it depends on the timetable of (hoping to stay in College Fields on campus). I guess there would be taxis around though.

Like you, the train would be a treat for me! It's expensive enough as it is! Was contemplating buying a car - and getting my licence - but I reckon it would work out more expensive by the time I pay for fuel and parking, much less tax and insurance!

Thanks again for the advice. Did you attend WIT? What you think of the college itself?

JenniFurr

Zil2011 wrote: »

Thank you so much Jennifur! I checked them out, based in between Dundalk and Drogheda so that's great info!

I'll apply for the student travel pass and use that so! A friend of mine was saying the student card from college might do either. I was checking it out and can get Matthews bus to Dublin and then either Bus Eireann or JJ Kavanaghs bus (which seems to be express) for €14 return.

The only thing is the 3C bus that you mention, doesn't seem to run on Sundays, which is the day I will probably have to return on in order to make Mondays classes - well it depends on the timetable of (hoping to stay in College Fields on campus). I guess there would be taxis around though.

Like you, the train would be a treat for me! It's expensive enough as it is! Was contemplating buying a car - and getting my licence - but I reckon it would work out more expensive by the time I pay for fuel and parking, much less tax and insurance!

Thanks again for the advice. Did you attend WIT? What you think of the college itself?

No problem! If you plan to get the JJ Kavanagh bus you probably would be better getting the Bus Eireann bus from Louth. The Bus Eireann stops at the quay near Busaras and to get JJ Kavanaghs is walk across the bridge (I think, never got JJ Kavanaghs but their buses were always parked there)

You should also check out buses from Dublin Airport. The Bus Eireann from Louth stops at the Airport and the Waterford Bus now collects from there before going to Busaras. It might be worth a look.

Sorry about the 3C. I often forget that Waterford bus services do not operate on Sundays. It always catches me out. There is a small taxi rank (it only fits two taxis) outside the bus station but it's a busy area for taxis, plus you can always call ahead.

I did attend WIT for a year and I'll be back there next year. I transfered from WIT to DkIT after first year for my degree so I was travelling in the opposite direction you will be.

WIT is a very good college for their services. Compared to DkIT it has a much better library, the main campus is a little bigger and there is a bigger variety of eating areas. In general though they are both good colleges (better than what I've seen of some Dublin colleges). The only thing that annoyed me about WIT is that their student cards are used like a debit card. The idea is fine but it's used for buying food as well so you can't buy anything in certain areas if you don't have enough on your card so you constantly have to make sure you do. When I'm going back I'm going to but €100 or more on my card on the first day so I'm not sticking a fiver here and there on it.

Zil2011

Yes, according to the website, JJ Kavanaghs leave from Ulster bank, Georges Quay.

Will check out the Airport stops too, might be a handy alternative.

I've also found a crowd called Collins Coaches, they leave from Carrick to Ardee and on to Dublin. They have a special offer of 59 euro for 10 journeys, so I might get with them from Ardee to Dublin (they stop on lower Abbey St - so not too far to get JJ Kavanaghs). If I got that special price and Kavanaghs for 14, I'd be able to bring the price down to 20 euro for return trip, which wouldn't be too bad, I guess!

I'll be able to get the number for the taxis when I get there and as you say, I can call ahead and book one if I find I'm arriving at a busy time.

Thanks for the all the advice and help, hard to know where to start looking for some of the info! Will definitely heed that advice about putting a good bit of money on the student card at the beginning and keep it topped up then, I guess it'll just take a bit of getting used to!

JenniFurr

Zil2011 wrote: »

Yes, according to the website, JJ Kavanaghs leave from Ulster bank, Georges Quay.

Will check out the Airport stops too, might be a handy alternative.

I've also found a crowd called Collins Coaches, they leave from Carrick to Ardee and on to Dublin. They have a special offer of 59 euro for 10 journeys, so I might get with them from Ardee to Dublin (they stop on lower Abbey St - so not too far to get JJ Kavanaghs). If I got that special price and Kavanaghs for 14, I'd be able to bring the price down to 20 euro for return trip, which wouldn't be too bad, I guess!

I'll be able to get the number for the taxis when I get there and as you say, I can call ahead and book one if I find I'm arriving at a busy time.

Thanks for the all the advice and help, hard to know where to start looking for some of the info! Will definitely heed that advice about putting a good bit of money on the student card at the beginning and keep it topped up then, I guess it'll just take a bit of getting used to!

I've travelled from Carrick to Dublin on the Collins bus. Very good crowd and the trips I took with them had excellently comfy seats. The also have wifi. €20 is a decent price for the journey. Good luck on coming to Waterford. It's a nice enough place and if you can take some time outside of college to take a look around it's worth it.

Majaakay

Congrats on picking a great college to go to !!!! I'm also from Louth. I've just finished my degree from Waterford and had the best years of my life !!!
I'l be honest getting there is a treck....no buses or trains from Dublin to Waterford are direct!! they both take three hours...the bus so much is cheaper....!! getting to Dublin as you know isnt a problem.... the buseireann bus to Waterford stops in Carlow and Naas etc. and then you will prob have to get a taxi to your apartment which is approx €7.
I drove myself for most of time in Waterford as it is motorway the whole way to Waterford. Its exactly three hours drive !!

Zil2011

Thanks Majaakay! Sounds like you had a blast there! Is it €7 for the taxi from Waterford city to the college? Sounds a lot considering can get from Ardee to Dublin for less! I seen something on JJ Kavanaghs timetable that suggests they go direct to the college at certain times, so I must give them a call about that. See, I'd love to drive there, but I'm just 17 so I imagine insurance costs on my own car would be a lot, plus have only my provisional licence at the moment!

Majaakay

yeah unfortunately I used to get into waterford on the buseireann bus from dublin around half 8 on Sun and jump in taxi and it cost me €7....
which would go along way on a wednesday night out!!! ha
yeah if jj kavanagh bus goes onto the college your better getting it as the college is a wee spin out of town !!!
where you living???
awwwwwwwwe i miss waterford !!!!
LOVED IT !!!!!
as for the driving it is no doubt the best way of getting there ....straight road and no changing over in Dub etc....but i didnt mind busing it in first year ....just bring your ipod...

Zil2011

Hope it does, could do with that extra 7 euro lol! I'm gonna be staying in College Fields - do you know what it's like? Hoping to go on Monday to get key and move stuff in. Should get a letter in post today with registration date, think either Wed or Thurs and then Fri is induction day. Yep, will have ipod loaded up with music for the journey. Hopefully finish in college early on Fridays for the weekends I'm coming home that I'm not sitting in traffic the whole time.

Majaakay

em theres not many apartments at College Fields but it is in the hub of everything...behind the Dome(student bar)... you will absolutely love it!! and if your based on main campus depending on which course your doing.... you will be literally 2mins walk to class !!!
yeah most courses have Fridays off either before or after Christmas..... so you could have all day to travel if your lucky
I might know someone driving up and down again this year from Dundalk so if you could get a lift that might suit you either
make the most of this year....
people at wit say its normally the best !!!

Zil2011

Thanks Majaakay, still settling in the minute. Have only one class on a Friday so might give it a miss the odd week and get home on the Thursday occassionally!