Cork to Dublin Airport Flexible Return

mickyboy

Hi boards,

Have to travel to Dublin Airport from Cork next Thursday, returning either Friday evening or Saturday evening. Just wondering if it is possible to book an open return on a bus or rail service. Looked at Aircoach, GoBe and Irish Rail websites and all seem to require a fixed return date when booking online. My first preference would be a non-stop coach service as it would be door to door. Don't want the hassle of having to use luas/dublin bus with the rail service.

Thanks in advance,

Mickyboy

Carawaystick

Are the bus returns that much cheaper than 2 single tickets?

bk

Aircoach will typically allow you on a later bus (if not already full) at the airport if your flight was delayed and you missed the bus you booked.

mickyboy

Thanks for the advice. Totally forgot about booking two singles. I'll be reclaiming the expense so not sure if they'd question why I got two singles instead of a return (saying that if I drive up I can reclaim the mileage which would work out much more). Working the Thursday and Friday and might be staying in Dublin on the Friday night to meet a few friends (not sure yet). Any preference between Aircoach/GoBe? Any idea which one would be more comfortable for a 6ft+ person plus I will be hoping to look over a couple of reports for work on the way up.

bk

Personally I think Aircoach is better. Remember Aircoach is every hour, GoBE is every 2 hours and no overnights. So if you miss the GoBE bus, you will be waiting longer for the next one. Also Aircoach stops right outside the arrivals terminal, while GoBE is a further walk away in the coach park.

Legroom wise, they are much the same, but on the Aircoach there are a few rows that have far more legroom then normal.

The first two rows at the front of the bus have more legroom (wheelchair seat), as does the second last row (emergency exit day). The back row is also slightly wider.

Get any of these seats and you will have plenty of space.

Lucyn

Aircoach is what you're looking for. If you buy a return ticket on board, you can use the return part anytime within 12 months I was told. The only problem with this is if your journey to the airport is at a peak time as online bookings get priority, then return tickets then cash customers.

But to be honest, I've always got a seat from Cork to Dublin. The only time I've ever had to wait for the next bus was on a friday afternoon heading from Dublin to Cork and that only happened once.

Alternatively, as you will be able to claim expenses, if you buy a train ticket from the vending machine in kent station, you can use the return journey anytime within a month. Less choice re times but it's another option for you and more comfortable for tall people as you can walk around.

Personally I'm an aircoach fan. Use the service all the time. It's flexible, comfortable and good value.

Lucyn

Aircoach is what you're looking for. If you buy a return ticket on board, you can use the return part anytime within 12 months I was told. The only problem with this is if your journey to the airport is at a peak time as online bookings get priority, then return tickets then cash customers.

But to be honest, I've always got a seat from Cork to Dublin. The only time I've ever had to wait for the next bus was on a friday afternoon heading from Dublin to Cork and that only happened once.

Alternatively, as you will be able to claim expenses, if you buy a train ticket from the vending machine in kent station, you can use the return journey anytime within a month. Less choice re times but it's another option for you and more comfortable for tall people as you can walk around.

Personally I'm an aircoach fan. Use the service all the time. It's flexible, comfortable and good value.

devnull

The ticket is valid for 6 months now, it was changed in the last few months.

Whilst Lucyn is correct in saying there is a small chance of a bus being full at peak time if boarding in Dublin City Centre, normally there is a second bus for the busy departures on a Friday evening.

Also as you are getting on at the airport, there will be plenty of seats since that is where the route starts and more people get on in the city centre than the airport, especially at peak times.