Portlaoise to Dublin Commute

Sweetpea90

Does anybody do this? What's the best form of transport? 9-5 job in Ballsbridge. Is it doable?

connundrum

If driving, to be in for 9, you'd want to be leaving Portlaoise no later than 7. If finishing at 5, expect to be home at approx 6:45pm.

If taking the train/bus, you're looking at an hour on both modes of transport too, so probably similar start/finishing times for parking.

If there was any chance of working flexi time i.e. 8-4, you'd shave 30 mins off your travel time either way, saving you 5 hours a week.

This information is based on current driving experience, and the train/bus times are projected based on a few years ago.

Zipppy

Two colleagues of mine have done it for many years now...city centre based..

Train to Heuston and then walk / Luas downtown..obviously you have the added journey to Ballsbridge.
They just got used to it and had train times to a tee...seemingly a very efficient train service too.

TBh I dont know how they do it...dont think I could...

Best of luck

Sweetpea90

Don't know if I could do flexi-time..suppose its worth asking! I'd definitely be going down the public transport route for the time being anyway.

jmcgrath

I commuted by Train from Portlaoise and got the 145 for a job up by Stephen's Green for about 1.5 years.

Trains take between 50 mins (a Cork train) and 1:30 mins if you get stuck on those that stop at every station along the way. I was taking the 6:54 train which gets in about 8 am. I found this better given how tricky traffic could be, and how quickly those buses filled up outside (no point in standing for 40 mins in traffic).

You do have to plan for the train though, but Portlaoise is better served than say Tullamore, so if you miss it you are not too badly caught out. Plus, check your timetable vs Cork line. I used to see so many dummies (forgive me fellow commuters) getting on the labelled 'Portlaoise' train instead of the Cork train. Sure it might have departed 5 minutes before Cork, but there can be a 40 minute arrival time difference at the other end! (Also Cork line trains are mostly those one with the more expansive chairs, unfortunately, the cabins only have power sockets at the very end behind the chairs).

The 145 from Hueston could take 40-50 mins to get to the green depending on traffic, and that can be bad now given the Luas Cross City works, especially up by Nassau Street.

I used to cycle to the train station in Portlaoise as well, so that was an another 20 mins per day. Think I rounded it off as a solid month of commuting per year. You get to know just how uncomfortable those seats are very quickly.

Ballsbridge might be a bit far, you might even have to change bus at Nassau street or take a walk depending on where exactly in Ballsbridge you are.

Despite the taxsaver annual ticket (an absolute must by the way) I found it just wasn't worth my time, especially if you can't get to Hueston in time for the 5:25/6:10 or 6:25 (I used to end up getting the 19:00 Cork, leaving me hitting the door around 7:55 each night). Although the train is a great way to travel, my honest opinion would be to evaluate staying in Dublin or driving if it's within your means.

Best of luck.

*just a note on the taxsaver. I'd get it sorted asap, as you can always cancel (if you have used less than 10 months and your employer refunded). Saved me like 100 Euro a month on standard fare!

Eoin

The 145 goes through Donnybrook and it's not a long walk from there to Ballsbridge; though if you're on the Sandymount side, it'll be a bit longer. At least then it's only one bus from Heuston - but if it's 40 or 50 mins to the green, you could be looking at well over an hour just for that leg.

bulmersgal

Eoin wrote: »

The 145 goes through Donnybrook and it's not a long walk from there to Ballsbridge; though if you're on the Sandymount side, it'll be a bit longer. At least then it's only one bus from Heuston - but if it's 40 or 50 mins to the green, you could be looking at well over an hour just for that leg.

You'd be best cycling. I cycle Heuston to leeson street and that takes me 20 minutes as I'm slow. I see a lot of ppl lock up cheap bikes at train station instead of bringing on to train.i use dublin bikes 20 for the year if you keep journey under 30 minutes

Mr. Loverman

You'll be spending at least 1/4 of your wake time commuting. This isn't a life. You need to try to fix this.

Sweetpea90

Mr. Loverman wrote: »

You'll be spending at least 1/4 of your wake time commuting. This isn't a life. You need to try to fix this.

My other half works in tipp..that's the only reason why I'm not moving to dublin