Driving into Trinity College daily, advise welcome

LaughOrDie

TheBandicoot wrote: »

err, what? 20 minutes from Prussia St from TCD? Even Google Maps says that is is 34 minutes to College Green, and for the average person dealing with busy pedestrian crossings I'd think it's closer to 45 minutes.

Only speaking from experience, not yer darn flanged googley mapsy wapsy, it takes me 4 minutes to walk from Prussia Street to Manor Street. And it takes me 9/10 minutes to walk from my house on Manor Street to outside the Ilac centre.

So about another 10 to get to Trinity. Max. I don't walk slow enough that it would take me anywhere near 45 minutes, but I'm not the fastest walker either.

DBS on Aungier Street to Manor Street takes me about 15 minutes to walk.

Jonnykitedude

HowItsMade wrote: »

Parking on campus forbidden for students!

Hmm ok....so the simple maths you can't get your head around?!?!?!


Best of luck on the commute so!

FaoiSin

LaughOrDie wrote: »

Only speaking from experience, not yer darn flanged googley mapsy wapsy, it takes me 4 minutes to walk from Prussia Street to Manor Street. And it takes me 9/10 minutes to walk from my house on Manor Street to outside the Ilac centre.

So about another 10 to get to Trinity. Max. I don't walk slow enough that it would take me anywhere near 45 minutes, but I'm not the fastest walker either.

DBS on Aungier Street to Manor Street takes me about 15 minutes to walk.

Depending what part of Trinity I'd say 10 minutes is quite optimistic from Ilac.

ericsinjun

You need to take into account the luas works starting next week or two for 2 years!. All around tcd. Gonna be absolute mayhem if you're thinking of driving into college, or anywhere city centre.

shy-tall-knight

Depends on your timetable. I was lucky enough to have four days a week last term, with no 9 o clocks and the latest i was done was by four o clock. So I ended up driving nearly the whole time as I was avoiding peak traffic. Plenty of car park companies such as Q Park and Park Rite do prepaid offers, usually 10 for the day as long as your out by 6 so keep an eye on the relevant websites.
If only in for a few hours I'd go for Fleet Street which is 2 euro an hour for students or Tara Street Car park in behind the car wash which is also 2 euro an hour, recently gone up from 1.50 unfortunately.
Been a pretty mild winter up to the past week so public transport wouldn't have been too bad, but woudln't fancy waiting for a bus these last few days.

Scortho

I occasionally drive into college from Kildare.
It is doable, but it's expensive. One way to bring down the cost though is befriend someone in dit and then it's 6 quid a day parking in the Stephens green car park.
You could also car pool.
To he honest I love driving in, it beats the bus hands down.
However at 14 mpg sitting in traffic it's only done as a rare treat to myself, because to be honest, I can think of much better ways to enjoy that 14 mpg.

HowItsMade

Scortho wrote: »

I occasionally drive into college from Kildare.
It is doable, but it's expensive. One way to bring down the cost though is befriend someone in dit and then it's 6 quid a day parking in the Stephens green car park.
You could also car pool.
To he honest I love driving in, it beats the bus hands down.
However at 14 mpg sitting in traffic it's only done as a rare treat to myself, because to be honest, I can think of much better ways to enjoy that 14 mpg.

What are you driving that turns out 14mpg? As well what's the traffic like.

Abby19

Scortho wrote: »

I occasionally drive into college from Kildare.
It is doable, but it's expensive. One way to bring down the cost though is befriend someone in dit and then it's 6 quid a day parking in the Stephens green car park.

€7 and they accept Trinity student cards.

HowItsMade wrote: »

What are you driving that turns out 14mpg? As well what's the traffic like.

Have you ever driven into or around town during rush hour?

Scortho

HowItsMade wrote: »

What are you driving that turns out 14mpg? As well what's the traffic like.

Alfa 156 2.5 v6!
She hates been drove in traffic, so drinks petrol on me, gets all hormonal etc etc. Loves nothing more than being driven above 4000 and to be honest I like nothing more than doing it either. The joys of italian car ownership. Everyone should own a busso once in their lifetime.
Long runs I average 24-28 mpg but life's to short to drive a polo. Been there, done that, never again. It's no fun.
Traffic is fine as I head in through the liberties as opposed to the quays if I'm parking on the south side or through stoneybatter on the north side. But it's the lights, stop starting etc. That destroys consumption. And as mentioned previously the car gets grumpy.

HowItsMade

Abby19 wrote: »

€7 and they accept Trinity student cards.



Have you ever driven into or around town during rush hour?

http://www.ditsu.ie/union/news-publications/news/discounted-parking-from-q-park-for-dit-students/

So that offer applies to tcd students?

And yes I have and it hasn't been too bad the four or five times I've done it.

ninebeanrows

Rowley Birkin QC wrote: »

I drove in and out of college for a while and as someone has already said the cost of parking is one thing but the restrictions on your freedom to go with the flow are another entirely.

Lovely Girl: After lecture pint?
HowItsMade: Can't, I have the car.

Also, I know you're saying that money isn't an issue but in this case you're wantonly wasting it to make your life worse. €120 extra per month in college goes a long way.

Finally, if you're driving in, you're losing the valuable time on the bus to review lecture/exam notes before going in to the class/exam.

What world are you living in mate!? :P:pac:

HowItsMade

Scortho wrote: »

Alfa 156 2.5 v6!
She hates been drove in traffic, so drinks petrol on me, gets all hormonal etc etc. Loves nothing more than being driven above 4000 and to be honest I like nothing more than doing it either. The joys of italian car ownership. Everyone should own a busso once in their lifetime.
Long runs I average 24-28 mpg but life's to short to drive a polo. Been there, done that, never again. It's no fun.
Traffic is fine as I head in through the liberties as opposed to the quays if I'm parking on the south side or through stoneybatter on the north side. But it's the lights, stop starting etc. That destroys consumption. And as mentioned previously the car gets grumpy.

Jesus who pays the insurance on that. Slightly embarrassed to say that I'm driving a polo now. So you drive in and pay €7 when you do? Beats the bus I reckon

maguic24

Scortho wrote: »

Alfa 156 2.5 v6!
She hates been drove in traffic, so drinks petrol on me, gets all hormonal etc etc. Loves nothing more than being driven above 4000 and to be honest I like nothing more than doing it either. The joys of italian car ownership. Everyone should own a busso once in their lifetime.
Long runs I average 24-28 mpg but life's to short to drive a polo. Been there, done that, never again. It's no fun.
Traffic is fine as I head in through the liberties as opposed to the quays if I'm parking on the south side or through stoneybatter on the north side. But it's the lights, stop starting etc. That destroys consumption. And as mentioned previously the car gets grumpy.

How the fudge can you afford to drive a car like that living as a student. I could barely afford to feed myself when I was in college......

I've been working full time the past year and I still have my first car, a battered ol rust bucket of a micra.....

Scortho

HowItsMade wrote: »

Jesus who pays the insurance on that. Slightly embarrassed to say that I'm driving a polo now. So you drive in and pay €7 when you do? Beats the bus I reckon

I do, 200 quid more to insure at the age of 21 to ensure a car with nearly 4 times the power. Tax is up at the end of the month and my finals are in may, so I'll take her off the road to avoid distracting me from studying. I also have an alfa gtv that's haemorrhaging money as I try to put it on the road for the summer so that needs the funds.

Sure we all had to start somewhere, 2 years ago I didn't have any interest in cars or driving, then got my licence, realised I loved driving and now I've started loving cars.

I find it to be worth it as I hate the bus, but I couldn't afford it everyday. Dit students pay 6 euro and if you know someone in dit they may be able to explain how. I think it's 20 quid for the week as well.

Another option that you could consider is renting a car parking space on an apartment complex in the likes of Christchurch. It'd only be an extra 5 mins or so walk but may work out cheaper for the month.
When I used to take the polo into town, I'd get 30ish mpg, that was on a 1.2 9n though so depending on what model and engine size, you may get a good bit more or a little less.

Someone was on earlier saying how crap having a car with you in town is after college. No you won't be able to have a couple of pints after college, however you'll be able to have a lot more fun that doesn't keep you in a pub. Nowhere is limited.

Also Instead of getting with a girl and going back to hers you can spend the night with her up at viewpoint etc. :pac:

lebowskilite

From hittheroad.ie:

bike/walk/drive/hop to Tyrellstown, get the 40d bus into town (45 mins). ~€3 both ways, flexibility, etc. Apparently its 64% fewer emissions to use the bus, which I know is a priority for us all

HowItsMade

lebowskilite wrote: »

From hittheroad.ie:

bike/walk/drive/hop to Tyrellstown, get the 40d bus into town (45 mins). ~€3 both ways, flexibility, etc. Apparently its 64% fewer emissions to use the bus, which I know is a priority for us all

The route could be extended to Hollystown by 2015, that's the option if I don't drive in.
Cheers

HowItsMade

Scortho wrote: »

I do, 200 quid more to insure at the age of 21 to ensure a car with nearly 4 times the power. Tax is up at the end of the month and my finals are in may, so I'll take her off the road to avoid distracting me from studying. I also have an alfa gtv that's haemorrhaging money as I try to put it on the road for the summer so that needs the funds.

Sure we all had to start somewhere, 2 years ago I didn't have any interest in cars or driving, then got my licence, realised I loved driving and now I've started loving cars.

I find it to be worth it as I hate the bus, but I couldn't afford it everyday. Dit students pay 6 euro and if you know someone in dit they may be able to explain how. I think it's 20 quid for the week as well.

Another option that you could consider is renting a car parking space on an apartment complex in the likes of Christchurch. It'd only be an extra 5 mins or so walk but may work out cheaper for the month.
When I used to take the polo into town, I'd get 30ish mpg, that was on a 1.2 9n though so depending on what model and engine size, you may get a good bit more or a little less.

Someone was on earlier saying how crap having a car with you in town is after college. No you won't be able to have a couple of pints after college, however you'll be able to have a lot more fun that doesn't keep you in a pub. Nowhere is limited.

Also Instead of getting with a girl and going back to hers you can spend the night with her up at viewpoint etc. :pac:

Yeah I'm going to have a serious look in, not to mention get the head down for the leaving

Ah I've a 6n2 myself probably get less then 30mpg then

Scortho

maguic24 wrote: »

How the fudge can you afford to drive a car like that living as a student. I could barely afford to feed myself when I was in college......

I've been working full time the past year and I still have my first car, a battered ol rust bucket of a micra.....

2x12 hour shifts for 52 weeks of the year for three years gave me a nice bit of a nest egg. Car cost me 1800 but my brother bought my polo of me for 1200. Then I went and bought another one for spares, sold some parts so I've free spares and a friend who does the maintenance for a good price.
I also made a nice return on boi shares.

And I do feck all miles a year anyway so petrol isn't majorly expensive.

maguic24

Scortho wrote: »

2x12 hour shifts for 52 weeks of the year for three years gave me a nice bit of a nest egg. Car cost me 1800 but my brother bought my polo of me for 1200. Then I went and bought another one for spares, sold some parts so I've free spares and a friend who does the maintenance for a good price.
I also made a nice return on boi shares.

And I do feck all miles a year anyway so petrol isn't majorly expensive.

My car is a fecking liability at the moment but I depend on it to get to and from work. I'm doing a masters part-time so I had to pay my tuition fees which were fecking crazy money!! I'm hoping to change my car by the end of the month but we'll see how it goes. I have a one litre micra and I was looking at 1.9 Audi A3 but it's a big jump in tax. Surprisingly enough the insurance is not that much more expensive....

Sorry OP, didn't mean to derail the thread!! OP,you mentioned you were thinking of going to DCU? Parking is free for students, I did my undergrad there. It is also M50 the whole way there and if you are living in Blanch, you'll miss the M50 toll. I would drive to DCU and stay living at home. It would make the most sense. If you are set on Trinity, I still think driving in and paying for parking in town is mad. Bus all the way.

HowItsMade

maguic24 wrote: »

My car is a fecking liability at the moment but I depend on it to get to and from work. I'm doing a masters part-time so I had to pay my tuition fees which were fecking crazy money!! I'm hoping to change my car by the end of the month but we'll see how it goes. I have a one litre micra and I was looking at 1.9 Audi A3 but it's a big jump in tax. Surprisingly enough the insurance is not that much more expensive....

Sorry OP, didn't mean to derail the thread!! OP,you mentioned you were thinking of going to DCU? Parking is free for students, I did my undergrad there. It is also M50 the whole way there and if you are living in Blanch, you'll miss the M50 toll. I would drive to DCU and stay living at home. It would make the most sense. If you are set on Trinity, I still think driving in and paying for parking in town is mad. Bus all the way.

I'm in the same boat as you driving a 1L I'll upgrade in a few years when I've the money, you have to start off somewhere.

Yeah dcu seems a lot more practical and I'm just past blanch so I'd through finglas I've done the drive in 20 minutes it's so easy.

The one thing I'm worried about is the actually outcome of the course and being beaten to jobs by trinity graduates, the course in there has a higher employment rate and is also general for two years rather than only one year in dcu

234

HowItsMade wrote: »

I'm in the same boat as you driving a 1L I'll upgrade in a few years when I've the money, you have to start off somewhere.

Yeah dcu seems a lot more practical and I'm just past blanch so I'd through finglas I've done the drive in 20 minutes it's so easy.

The one thing I'm worried about is the actually outcome of the course and being beaten to jobs by trinity graduates, the course in there has a higher employment rate and is also general for two years rather than only one year in dcu

Without favouring either institution, I would advise taking the long view. In years to come the way you got into college will be a distant memory. Your college experience will be remembered occasionally. And career progression as a result of your college education will be constantly present.

In many ways college is a series of huge sacrifices in lifestyle in exchange for a later pay-off. Don't get hung up on the minutia.

maguic24

HowItsMade wrote: »

I'm in the same boat as you driving a 1L I'll upgrade in a few years when I've the money, you have to start off somewhere.

Yeah dcu seems a lot more practical and I'm just past blanch so I'd through finglas I've done the drive in 20 minutes it's so easy.

The one thing I'm worried about is the actually outcome of the course and being beaten to jobs by trinity graduates, the course in there has a higher employment rate and is also general for two years rather than only one year in dcu

Taking driving out of the equation, my advice is go where your course is. If Trinity offer a better course more suited to you with better employment opportunities then go there.

Arciphel

HowItsMade wrote: »

I'm in the same boat as you driving a 1L I'll upgrade in a few years when I've the money, you have to start off somewhere.

Yeah dcu seems a lot more practical and I'm just past blanch so I'd through finglas I've done the drive in 20 minutes it's so easy.

The one thing I'm worried about is the actually outcome of the course and being beaten to jobs by trinity graduates, the course in there has a higher employment rate and is also general for two years rather than only one year in dcu

I would not think that a qualification from DCU would be seen as inferior to Trinity. Also remember that DCU graduated have some co-op work experience in their field under their belt when they go looking for their first graduate job, that is seen as a big plus in the area of graduate recruitment.

BlondieTed

qPark the car park for stephens green shopping centre do €5 a day parking with your TCD student card. Did it every day for third and fourth year myself as it worked out cheaper than the luas AND bus I'd need to get in each day!
Only thing is you have to collect your car by six, after which its like 1/2e extra per hour.
Hope this helps!

Abby19

BlondieTed wrote: »

qPark the car park for stephens green shopping centre do €5 a day parking with your TCD student card. Did it every day for third and fourth year myself as it worked out cheaper than the luas AND bus I'd need to get in each day!
Only thing is you have to collect your car by six, after which its like 1/2e extra per hour.
Hope this helps!

Apparently this is going/gone up to €7 this year.

chopper6

Have a parking permit myself after a 5 year wait.

I wouldnt reccomend driving into college at all during the week...you spend up to 20 minutes (from the quays) sitting in the most annoying sort of traffic and it's even worse if you're driving home between 5pm and 7PM.

Parking spaces themselves are nearly all gone by 9 am and then you spend another ten mins prowling around looking for somewhere illegal to park til after midday when the cleaners leave.

I only park when i'm workin weekends or not starting til 3pm...otherwise iit's just not worth the hassle.

aaabbbb

DylanII wrote: »

I think the luas park and ride at the Red Cow is free. If you drove to there and then took the luas in to the City?

It would also mean that if you wanted to stay the night you wouldnt be worrying about getting your car home or out of expensive parking?

I drive to college myself... I go to Maynooth though, so there is plenty of parking, but driving does take away a lot of your student experience. You cant just decide to go for a few drinks and then home or lots of other things, you always have to think about getting home/back to college the next day/your car.

You must be joking , trying to get a space on campus after 10am is like trying to warm yourself up in a freezer. Fecking impossible !!