Letterkenny or Derry to Dublin - quickest public transport

Pink11

Just wondering what is the fastest way of getting from Letterkenny or Derry to Dublin with public transport?

According to this map from irishrail.ie it looks like you can get a train:
http://www.irishrail.ie/images/maps/intercity.jpg

But it won't let me buy a ticket for that journey online?

The bus takes over 4 hours I don't think I can handle it :eek:

http://www.buseireann.ie/pdf/1360752941-032.pdf

the_syco

Pretty sure you need to buy it from the NI site, as that's were you're originating from.

I don't think you can book it via the online system, but you should be able to book on at a station.

Oh, and the train is also about 4 hours, although not sure if that includes the stop at Belfast or not.

NIMAN

There are direct buses that do it in about 3.5hrs.

But be careful as there are also ones that stop about 8 times on the way down, and these can take 4.5hrs or longer.

munchkin_utd

if you want to go by train from Derry you'll need to get that ticket from NIR rather than irish rail.
Also, buying a standard Derry-Belfast and an advance offer for Belfast-Dublin (or possibly Newry as your interchange) separately would be far cheaper than a standard single or return cross border ticket.

LXFlyer

Derry to Dublin:
Fastest option is the bus.

Options are:
Bus Eireann route 33/Ulsterbus 274
http://www.buseireann.ie/pdf/1360760073-033.pdf

Ulsterbus route X4:
http://journeyplanner.translink.co.uk/cc/TTB/EFA02__00004564_TP.pdf

John McGinley coaches:
http://www.johnmcginley.com/timetable.html#

Letterkenny-Dublin
Bus Eireann route 32:
http://www.buseireann.ie/pdf/1360752941-032.pdf

John McGinley coaches:
http://www.johnmcginley.com/timetable.html#

Tickets for cross-border services cannot be bought online.

To get all options use www.a-b.ie (the NTA journey planner).

LXFlyer

Just to note that the 32, 33 and 274 all have a short break at Monaghan.

LXFlyer

Train times are on www.translink.co.uk - follow the links to timetables.

Be warned, journey time will be between 4 and 5 hours, often with a long wait at Belfast Central.

Hungerford

munchkin_utd wrote: »

if you want to go by train from Derry you'll need to get that ticket from NIR rather than irish rail.
Also, buying a standard Derry-Belfast and an advance offer for Belfast-Dublin (or possibly Newry as your interchange) separately would be far cheaper than a standard single or return cross border ticket.

Nope. A monthly cross-border return from Derry to Dublin would be cheaper because of the odd way the fares are calculated*.

* Basically, Derry to Belfast is charged as a small addition to an Enterprise fare, meaning that you get charged £4 for journeys which would otherwise cost £22.

munchkin_utd

Hungerford wrote: »

Nope. A monthly cross-border return from Derry to Dublin would be cheaper because of the odd way the fares are calculated*.

* Basically, Derry to Belfast is charged as a small addition to an Enterprise fare, meaning that you get charged £4 for journeys which would otherwise cost £22.

you sure?

According to the enterprise link below, a single is 39.50, return 47 pounds stg for Derry to Dublin as one ticket and theres no advance purchase deal for the route
http://www.translink.co.uk/Services/Enterprise/

If you split it, you can buy a single from Belfast to Dublin on a special advance internet booking deal for 8.99 or return for 20.
For Derry to Belfast its £11.50 each way so 23return according to the NIR website http://www.translink.co.uk/Services/NI-Railways/.
So for a single journey you will be paying a combined total of 20.50one way with 2 tickets compared to 39.50 on one ticket.
Return is 43euro buying separately compared to 47pounds.

Pink11

Thank you all very much. Advice much appreciated.

I rang this company: http://www.johnmcginley.com/timetable.html#

They do pretty regular busses Letterkenny to Dublin city with just one short stop and journey is only 3.5 hours.

Was quoted 26euro return. I doubt I'd get any cheaper. Pretty happy with that.

Only reason I wondered about the train is that it's not as mind numbing as a bus but I'm not interested in waiting around for a connection train in Belfast.

crisco10

Pink11 wrote: »

Thank you all very much. Advice much appreciated.

I rang this company: http://www.johnmcginley.com/timetable.html#

They do pretty regular busses Letterkenny to Dublin city with just one short stop and journey is only 3.5 hours.

Was quoted 26euro return. I doubt I'd get any cheaper. Pretty happy with that.

Only reason I wondered about the train is that it's not as mind numbing as a bus but I'm not interested in waiting around for a connection train in Belfast.

McGinlay coaches are great. hardly stop, don't really go into any town along the way. And I THINK some of the coaches have WIFI.

Used to do Letterkenny to Dublin a fair bit, would always have gotten McGinley's instead of the Bus Eireann where I could.

Pink11

crisco10 wrote: »

McGinlay coaches are great. hardly stop, don't really go into any town along the way. And I THINK some of the coaches have WIFI.

Used to do Letterkenny to Dublin a fair bit, would always have gotten McGinley's instead of the Bus Eireann where I could.

Yeah, even when I rang they were super friendly and helpful. Impressed that there is only one stop and the times are pretty regular in fairness!

Were they always on time?

Oh and just in case anyone else is interested: you can't buy tickets online - he said you just pay on the bus and no need to book ahead

crisco10

Pink11 wrote: »

Yeah, even when I rang they were super friendly and helpful. Impressed that there is only one stop and the times are pretty regular in fairness!

Were they always on time?

Oh and just in case anyone else is interested: you can't buy tickets online - he said you just pay on the bus and no need to book ahead

My memory was they were always alright timewise. obviously, the odd thing happened out of their control (road closed etc) but generally they were good with promptness.

Banjoxed

A bus is still a bus and Monaghan Bus Station is still the least pleasant way to break a journey from North Donegal to Dublin.

I live close to Derry and use the train when I can to go to Dublin. Price wise it is £47.50. Quickest journey is 4 hours 23 mins and all involve a change at Belfast Central. Yes it is slower and dearer than the bus but it isn't cramped, the scenery is magnificent especially between Derry and Castlerock and I can read without getting elbows or having someone sitting on top of me.

I only use the bus if I have to go to Dublin Airport and that is on as few occasions as necessary. If money is your only factor then by all means take the bus. For me, life is too short for that.