Getting there ex Dublin - bus or train?

Rho b

My youngest is going into first year on the 9th of Sept.
I will drive him to campus for orientation on Sat 7th and Sun 8th. He will be staying in digs from Sunday 8th night. He will be coming home to Dublin on Fridays and returning to Galway on Sundays.
However I would appreciate any information regarding commuting to Galway/Dublin/Galway. We live near Dublin Airport and I understand from a friend that there is a regular bus service to Galway from Dublin Airport.
I have looked up CIE and Citylink but none of them say if the bus stops or collects in NUIG or how much a return ticket costs.
Thanks in advance.

smallerthanyou

Try go bus as well. Citylink and gobus are twenty quid return from city centre, bit more from airport. They go from Dublin airport and Aston quay direct to Galway coach station. There are no other stops in Galway city centre so he'll have to make his way from the station. Galway is not a big city. He'll manage.

Rho b

Thanks for the reply smaller than you.
Maybe a small wheelie suitcase needs to be purchased :-))

Tsipras

Gobus is 15euro one way from Dublin Airport I think

smallerthanyou

I think students get a one Euro discount too. Every euro counts. Nuig is about a ten min walk from the station.

Nailz

Keep an eye on Irish Rail's student offers as well, they had a nice Heuston to Galway student return for €20 offer on a few times over the last couple of years, and it generally goes on for months, it's very handy. And the fact they abolished that whole student travel card nonsense a while ago makes it even handier...

saltyjack silverblade

Rho b wrote: »

Thanks for the reply smaller than you.
Maybe a small wheelie suitcase needs to be purchased :-))

I wouldn't say small. By the time he brings his clothes, bedsheets and other washing stuff home it will count up. Also he will need room after he raids the fridge and cupboards at home. A large sports bag I say.
I recommend washing and ironing all clothes so when you put the stuff back in the bag it goes flatter. Enjoy the washing :):):):):):):)

Rho b

Salty jack silver blade- my eldest son went to boarding school (several years ago when I was on the pigs back) so I have a bit of experience regarding packing bedsheets etc. Having said all that there was marked increase in my ESB bill - never enjoyed the washing and drying bit.
Anyway, thank you for your contribution. This is first time UNI for me so every bit of advice helps.

saltyjack silverblade

Rho b wrote: »

Salty jack silver blade- my eldest son went to boarding school (several years ago when I was on the pigs back) so I have a bit of experience regarding packing bedsheets etc. Having said all that there was marked increase in my ESB bill - never enjoyed the washing and drying bit.
Anyway, thank you for your contribution. This is first time UNI for me so every bit of advice helps.

If it is his first time you should let him know that his family supports him and let the others see he comes from a supporting family. This is best achieved by shouting "Mummy/Daddy loves you! I'll be waiting right here when you are done.". Best of luck

LoonyLovegood

I do the Dublin-Galway commute a bit. I usually go by bus, it's €19 return to the city centre, and takes 2 and a half hours. Grand and handy. I'd avoid bus eireann, they're cheaper but take a lot longer. The train deals can be good when they're on, the current one is €22 return.

dastardly00

Another +1 for GoBus.

Comfortable, clean modern buses, free Wi-Fi, onboard toilet, nonstop, and cheap!

I've never had an issue with them.

amen

Maybe a small wheelie suitcase needs to be purchased

a rucksack or sports bag. Racksack would be better.

With carefull packing you can put a lot in.

Rho b

Thank you for your helpful replies and advice.
We took a spin to the campus today to have a look about and get an idea of how far away his dig were etc.
Were do you go to on Saturday for orientation.

reap-a-rat

For anyone who reads all the stuff on here and has read the Corrib Village thread, can I just say that Rho B, you're so much cooler than Mary64

Rho b

Ha ha, when we arrived there today I parked beside the Ryan Institute building. We walked around the corner and found the bar, needless to say we ventured in for some refreshments. One needs to know the location of the pub!

Mrs OBumble

Details of all the bus services between Galway and Dublin are here: http://www.galwaytransport.info/2012/11/buses-coaches-east-from-galway-dublin-athlone-ballinasloe-loughrea-athenry-ballygar.html

I'm pretty sure that Bus Éireann do a special service from NUIG to the bus station on Fridays .. but their bus-services to Dublin aren't great so he'd be as well off walking or catching the regular 404 bus.


(Hint: If your lad is bright enough to be going to college, you should set him some challenges re googling bus options. I understand you're trying to help but he's gotta learn sometime. And if he cannot find it on google, he should be asking here himself ...)

Rho b

Thanks Mrs O'B - however I prefer to be at least two steps ahead of my son especially when it is me who has to collect him from Dublin airport. We do not live in an area that has a bus service and I would prefer not to receive phone calls at 1am or 2am wanting a lift home - the information provided is as beneficial to me as him. I now know the departure times of the bus ex Galway and can plan accordingly.