Best Dublin Bus routes for scenery / favourite routes

mikedublin · 20-08-2013 1:36pm #1

Hi.

I've got a Dublin bus day rambler ticket to use, and am wondering would anyone recommend the best routes for scenery / interesting places to visit along the route. Or if anyone would suggest their favourite routes ?

So far I've been thinking of the 46a to Dun Laoghaire , and the 44 to enniskerry. And the 31 that goes over the hill at Howth.

Would be interested in hearing anyone elses favourite bus routes - I plan on using the day rambler ticket some sunny day in September and spend a day going all over Dublin with it :pac:

stop · 20-08-2013 1:58pm

44B to Glencullen, maybe get off at the blue light on the way back for a pint and then stroll down to stepaside/sandyford to get a different bus back if no other 44B is coming.

65 to Blessington, or Ballyknockan if you're an early riser.

185 to shop river

Losty Dublin · 20-08-2013 3:39pm

stop wrote: »

44B to Glencullen, maybe get off at the blue light on the way back for a pint and then stroll down to stepaside/sandyford to get a different bus back if no other 44B is coming.

65 to Blessington, or Ballyknockan if you're an early riser.

185 to shop river

You'd do well to walk back to Sandyford from the Blue Light, especially if you are full of scoops

There is a 65 to Ballyknockan at 17:30 as well; get on at Hawkins Street and you will be sure of a seat. If things go well and if you have the RTPI app on your phone you might catch the 18:30 to Ballymore Eustace as well.

Another trip worth making is the 33 beyond Swords to Balbriggan. The run from Rush towards Skerries through Ardgillan's special, especially on a wild weather day.

shanered · 20-08-2013 3:41pm

32 out to portmarnock/malahide, fairly the same as howth but get the beach view from portmarnock and the coast to.malahide.

stop · 20-08-2013 4:16pm

Losty Dublin wrote: »

You'd do well to walk back to Sandyford from the Blue Light, especially if you are full of scoops

2km downhill with scoops, easy!

68 has a nice rural stretch from Bawnogue to Newcastle

Also the 161 if you're allowed to stay on board to the point the bus turns around at Kilmashogue Lane.

dfx- · 20-08-2013 4:28pm

Is there a different route the 44B can take? The route it last took when I was on it was a climbing challenge for the WV I was on..and any cars coming the opposite way..:pac:

65 to Ballyknockan is very long and it is very full right to Blessington so get on early in town on the 1730 service, but after that, it is great scenery.

The coast road from Portmarnock to Malahide (32) is one my favourite parts of Dublin.

Victor · 20-08-2013 9:15pm

31/a from city centre over Howth Summit (stop there and go up the top), and down to Howth village, then to Sutton Cross and walk to the DART station and get the 102 to Swords via Malahide. From Swords Main Street, take the 33 to Balbriggan and then back to the city centre. Then the 44 to Enniskerry and the 185 to Bray, check out the promenade, then 45a to Dún Laoghaire, the 59 to Killiney, walk over the hill to Dalkey and the 8 all the way into town or the 59 to Dún Laoghaire and the 7/46a into town.

If you want, add the DART into the mix for Howth-Sutton, Blackrock and Killiney Bay. Note that you can get the whole way from Bablriggan to Greystones/ Kilcoole for about €4.50.

Best views:
Killiney Bay from the DART at Dalkey Tunnel southbound or Killiney Hill.
Killiney Hill from the 46a at Foxrock southbound.
Ireland's Eye / Lambay Island from Howth Summit northbound.
Ireland's Eye / Lambay Island from Portmarknock.
Dublin Bay from Howth Summit / Killiney Hill / Booterstown.

Edit: I'd actually do it in reverse, something like: https://maps.google.ie/maps?saddr=Unknown+road&daddr=53.327098,-6.2083312+to:53.3144413,-6.2214293+to:53.2805865,-6.18226+to:53.2949471,-6.1352689+to:53.265217,-6.1151299+to:53.273933,-6.0931174+to:53.2762011,-6.1034343+to:53.2698367,-6.0986974+to:53.1440127,-6.0613876+to:53.2055485,-6.0999151+to:53.1924501,-6.1792256+to:53.3322314,-6.2627788+to:53.3422437,-6.2495318+to:53.4071816,-6.2378326+to:53.530515,-6.0914866+to:53.574323,-6.1162831+to:53.5262886,-6.0911554+to:53.4440478,-6.1262989+to:53.3752382,-6.0900096+to:53.3713671,-6.054906+to:53.3833255,-6.0620146+to:Abbey+Street+Lower&hl=en&ll=53.332513,-6.15509&spn=0.621617,1.955566&sll=53.34594,-6.257057&sspn=0.041504,0.122223&geocode=Fav_LQMd5YOg_w%3BFfq0LQMdtUSh_ykrtdMO2A5nSDHztw4h6yIIkg%3BFYmDLQMdixGh_ynPDPm1MglnSDGXJibGFXaWAw%3BFUr_LAMdjKqh_ynT3Kuj8AhnSDGm9JQnHV3cag%3BFWM3LQMdHGKi_ynRxjSyIwZnSDGvzfVS5I68BQ%3BFUHDLAMdx7Ci_ylbpIo_xgdnSDFths_dp6ecbg%3BFU3lLAMdwwaj_yltjegmrAdnSDEEvJWBpfiJSw%3BFSnuLAMddt6i_ykdMikUswdnSDGUKOAoEGsTRA%3BFUzVLAMd9_Ci_ymFhWrNsQdnSDEFusS-GrzkTA%3BFczpKgMdtYKj_ykJ1YhSKa9nSDH3lba7WeDGaA%3BFSzaKwMdNeyi_ynvsJpaaKhnSDFJvIDjqQnvlQ%3BFQKnKwMdZ7ah_yn9o5CxAKdnSDHaIqLzEIAQOA%3BFQfJLQMdBnCg_ynLWmxXoA5nSDFjrYsSts-S0w%3BFSPwLQMdxaOg_ynl3GgfkQ5nSDEC6NKoGdptmg%3BFc3tLgMdeNGg_ynnROfI0BFnSDFSAYbyXBfMfw%3BFZPPMAMdIg2j_ymZiHbZLRlnSDGU5I8rmUYYtw%3BFbN6MQMdRayi_ymJK4P0oxhnSDHMkl5OR9cLNQ%3BFRC_MAMdbQ6j_ymbLaoCMhlnSDH9tTZThnjIKQ%3BFc99LwMdJoWi_ylhYD8h_BpnSDFgKx5JC0wnZA%3BFQZxLgMd5xKj_ylfRP1Q8ARnSDFuQJEbse8Pxg%3BFedhLgMdBpyj_ykhKC9BgQRnSDHIfixL-Bwu-g%3BFZ2QLgMdQoCj_ykna6ZwmQRnSDG7JkuRnUN_4A%3BFaMKLgMd14qg_w&dirflg=w&mra=dvme&mrsp=13&sz=13&via=1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9,10,11,12,13,14,15,16,17,18,19,20,21&t=m&z=9
These are weekday timings, weekend will be different.

09:00 Fleet Street, the 47 to UCD flyover,
09:37 46a to Dún Laoghaire,
10:06 59 to Killiney Village,
10:26 walk (40 minutes) to Dalkey station via Coliemore Road, https://maps.google.ie/maps?saddr=Killiney&daddr=53.2710987,-6.093721+to:53.275339,-6.094363+to:Dalkey+Dart+Station,+Sorrento+Drive,+Dalkey&hl=en&ll=53.27204,-6.105652&spn=0.020788,0.061111&sll=53.276634,-6.101232&sspn=0.010393,0.030556&geocode=FXPCLAMdfLGi_ynxd7TaxQdnSDEhMbkZqMcAJg%3BFTraLAMdZwSj_ykxkHlbrgdnSDFWLzED1yTHPg%3BFcvqLAMd5QGj_ylBqgBUrAdnSDExpUCc8t-MvQ%3BFWTsLAMdV92i_yldrIUNswdnSDHCk1XqnzVVcg&dirflg=w&mra=ltm&via=1,2&t=m&z=14
11:26 DART to Greystones station,
12:01 184 to Bray
12:45 185 to Enniskerry,
13:00 Lunch at Enniskerry
13:30 44 to Pearse Station,
14:44 train to Skerries station,
15:33 walk (a few minutes) to Selsker Road, Skerries
15:42 33 to Swords Main Street,
16:31 102 to Sutton station,
17:25 walk (a few minutes) to Sutton Cross
17:55 31b to Howth Summit,
18:50 31 to city centre.

Bring food, drink, camera, rain gear, sun lotion.

shanered · 21-08-2013 1:56pm

I commend that fine itinerary above.
Now that sounds like the perfect route if you where going to try get as much of busery and scenery that you could do comfortably in one day.

LuckyLloyd · 21-08-2013 8:15pm

victor, that post is magnificent

Victor · 21-08-2013 8:25pm

LuckyLloyd wrote: »

victor, that post is magnificent

And to think it actually gets bright about 0530.

LXFlyer · 22-08-2013 11:07am

Victor wrote: »

31/a from city centre over Howth Summit (stop there and go up the top), and down to Howth village, then to Sutton Cross and walk to the DART station and get the 102 to Swords via Malahide. From Swords Main Street, take the 33 to Balbriggan and then back to the city centre. Then the 44 to Enniskerry and the 185 to Bray, check out the promenade, then 45a to Dún Laoghaire, the 59 to Killiney, walk over the hill to Dalkey and the 8 all the way into town or the 59 to Dún Laoghaire and the 7/46a into town.

If you want, add the DART into the mix for Howth-Sutton, Blackrock and Killiney Bay. Note that you can get the whole way from Bablriggan to Greystones/ Kilcoole for about €4.50.

Best views:
Killiney Bay from the DART at Dalkey Tunnel southbound or Killiney Hill.
Killiney Hill from the 46a at Foxrock southbound.
Ireland's Eye / Lambay Island from Howth Summit northbound.
Ireland's Eye / Lambay Island from Portmarknock.
Dublin Bay from Howth Summit / Killiney Hill / Booterstown.

Edit: I'd actually do it in reverse, something like: https://maps.google.ie/maps?saddr=Unknown+road&daddr=53.327098,-6.2083312+to:53.3144413,-6.2214293+to:53.2805865,-6.18226+to:53.2949471,-6.1352689+to:53.265217,-6.1151299+to:53.273933,-6.0931174+to:53.2762011,-6.1034343+to:53.2698367,-6.0986974+to:53.1440127,-6.0613876+to:53.2055485,-6.0999151+to:53.1924501,-6.1792256+to:53.3322314,-6.2627788+to:53.3422437,-6.2495318+to:53.4071816,-6.2378326+to:53.530515,-6.0914866+to:53.574323,-6.1162831+to:53.5262886,-6.0911554+to:53.4440478,-6.1262989+to:53.3752382,-6.0900096+to:53.3713671,-6.054906+to:53.3833255,-6.0620146+to:Abbey+Street+Lower&hl=en&ll=53.332513,-6.15509&spn=0.621617,1.955566&sll=53.34594,-6.257057&sspn=0.041504,0.122223&geocode=Fav_LQMd5YOg_w%3BFfq0LQMdtUSh_ykrtdMO2A5nSDHztw4h6yIIkg%3BFYmDLQMdixGh_ynPDPm1MglnSDGXJibGFXaWAw%3BFUr_LAMdjKqh_ynT3Kuj8AhnSDGm9JQnHV3cag%3BFWM3LQMdHGKi_ynRxjSyIwZnSDGvzfVS5I68BQ%3BFUHDLAMdx7Ci_ylbpIo_xgdnSDFths_dp6ecbg%3BFU3lLAMdwwaj_yltjegmrAdnSDEEvJWBpfiJSw%3BFSnuLAMddt6i_ykdMikUswdnSDGUKOAoEGsTRA%3BFUzVLAMd9_Ci_ymFhWrNsQdnSDEFusS-GrzkTA%3BFczpKgMdtYKj_ykJ1YhSKa9nSDH3lba7WeDGaA%3BFSzaKwMdNeyi_ynvsJpaaKhnSDFJvIDjqQnvlQ%3BFQKnKwMdZ7ah_yn9o5CxAKdnSDHaIqLzEIAQOA%3BFQfJLQMdBnCg_ynLWmxXoA5nSDFjrYsSts-S0w%3BFSPwLQMdxaOg_ynl3GgfkQ5nSDEC6NKoGdptmg%3BFc3tLgMdeNGg_ynnROfI0BFnSDFSAYbyXBfMfw%3BFZPPMAMdIg2j_ymZiHbZLRlnSDGU5I8rmUYYtw%3BFbN6MQMdRayi_ymJK4P0oxhnSDHMkl5OR9cLNQ%3BFRC_MAMdbQ6j_ymbLaoCMhlnSDH9tTZThnjIKQ%3BFc99LwMdJoWi_ylhYD8h_BpnSDFgKx5JC0wnZA%3BFQZxLgMd5xKj_ylfRP1Q8ARnSDFuQJEbse8Pxg%3BFedhLgMdBpyj_ykhKC9BgQRnSDHIfixL-Bwu-g%3BFZ2QLgMdQoCj_ykna6ZwmQRnSDG7JkuRnUN_4A%3BFaMKLgMd14qg_w&dirflg=w&mra=dvme&mrsp=13&sz=13&via=1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9,10,11,12,13,14,15,16,17,18,19,20,21&t=m&z=9
These are weekday timings, weekend will be different.

09:00 Fleet Street, the 47 to UCD flyover,
09:37 46a to Dún Laoghaire,
10:06 59 to Killiney Village,
10:26 walk (40 minutes) to Dalkey station via Coliemore Road, https://maps.google.ie/maps?saddr=Killiney&daddr=53.2710987,-6.093721+to:53.275339,-6.094363+to:Dalkey+Dart+Station,+Sorrento+Drive,+Dalkey&hl=en&ll=53.27204,-6.105652&spn=0.020788,0.061111&sll=53.276634,-6.101232&sspn=0.010393,0.030556&geocode=FXPCLAMdfLGi_ynxd7TaxQdnSDEhMbkZqMcAJg%3BFTraLAMdZwSj_ykxkHlbrgdnSDFWLzED1yTHPg%3BFcvqLAMd5QGj_ylBqgBUrAdnSDExpUCc8t-MvQ%3BFWTsLAMdV92i_yldrIUNswdnSDHCk1XqnzVVcg&dirflg=w&mra=ltm&via=1,2&t=m&z=14
11:26 DART to Greystones station,
12:01 184 to Bray
12:45 185 to Enniskerry,
13:00 Lunch at Enniskerry
13:30 44 to Pearse Station,
14:44 train to Skerries station,
15:33 walk (a few minutes) to Selsker Road, Skerries
15:42 33 to Swords Main Street,
16:31 102 to Sutton station,
17:25 walk (a few minutes) to Sutton Cross
17:55 31b to Howth Summit,
18:50 31 to city centre.

Bring food, drink, camera, rain gear, sun lotion.

Good itinerary Victor!

As a very seasoned day tripper on buses here and elsewhere, there are three basic rules that I follow (based on experience!):

1) Have a schedule that has recovery built into it - things do and will go wrong - you need to allow for for buses being delayed.

2) Be prepared to change the schedule - have alternatives don't go with a schedule that is cast in stone.

3) Allow an hour for lunch and always factor in dinner as well somewhere

Therefore, I'd change your schedule slightly:

It's fine as far as Enniskerry - the 185 should be up there for about 13.10 or so.

I'd go for a walk around Enniskerry, having had a nice bite to eat in Poppies, and change it to:

14:30 44 to Pearse Station
15:43 Train from Pearse to Skerries (arrive 16:23).

Then you need to catch the 33 that leaves Balbriggan at 16:30 - RTPI times are too generous - the bus will always be at the stop nearest the station in less than 10 minutes - so be at stop 3567 at Town Parks for about 16:35 - there's a direct path - turn left from the main station exit.

So then 16:30 route 33 ex-Balbriggan to Swords, where you ought to be in time for the 17:10 route 102 departure from the airport, but be prepared to get the next one!

Both should get you to Sutton in time for the 18:15 route 31b which will take you up to the Summit via Strand Road (a nice little variation!).

Then take a stroll up to the top, and when you return get a 31 to Howth and take a pitstop for dinner!

Finish off with another 31 into town.

LXFlyer · 22-08-2013 11:13am

Two trips that I would recommend to anyone are:

1) A trip on the afternoon 44b from Dundrum to Glencullen - it leaves Dundrum at 15:30, 16:30 and 17:30 (Monday/Friday only).

Take the first or second bus up to the terminus (worth it for the views), and ask the driver to drop you off at the Blue Light pub at Barnacullia on the return trip.

Then have a pint (or two) and enjoy the wonderful view, and be ready for the 18:00 departure from Glencullen (it takes about 7 minutes to get from there to the Blue Light) to Dundrum - note this is the last bus!!!

2) Take the 17:30 route 65 to Ballyknockan - marvellous views over the Blessington lakes and you will be amazed at the narrow lanes that the bus travels along.

Stay on the bus back to Blessington and stop off for some food and a drink there and get a later 65 back to Dublin.

Both trips need to be done during summer obviously as it will be bright!

Csalem · 21-09-2013 1:42pm

Bit late to the thread, but three routes who have views I enjoyed are the 47 and 61/161.

The 47 is quite nice all the way out to Belarmine, but in the off-peak it does the diversion through Mount Merrion which has this view:

AX 468 Mount Merrion 03/09/13 by Rail Scene Ireland, on Flickr

The 61/161 has some lovely views when it gets out to Rockbrook, such as this one at the Merry Ploughboy:

AV 86 Rockbrook 16/08/13 by Rail Scene Ireland, on Flickr

If anyone interested, I have a website I update every few weeks which is trying to cover the bus routes in Dublin, and show what can be seen along the routes: http://offthebeatentrack.webs.com/routes-2

MGWR · 21-09-2013 6:17pm

I would have thought of the 40B north of Finglas and 41B northwest of Swords.

Should the 65 services south of Blessington be taken over by Bus Eireann or a private concern nowadays?

LXFlyer · 21-09-2013 6:53pm

MGWR wrote: »

I would have thought of the 40B north of Finglas and 41B northwest of Swords.

Should the 65 services south of Blessington be taken over by Bus Eireann or a private concern nowadays?

Nothing of any note to see on either of those routes.

Why shouldn't the 65 stay as it is? What difference does it make?

dfx- · 22-09-2013 12:44am

Now it springs to mind, is there anywhere else like the 41B, with a crossroads where there is no stop..but everyone waits and the bus does stop at the crossroads..

I also like the 43 and 42 through Kinsealy.

Victor · 23-09-2013 6:08am

MGWR wrote: »

Should the 65 services south of Blessington be taken over by Bus Eireann or a private concern nowadays?

If people want to discuss this, please start a new thread.

Moderator

Best Dublin Bus routes for scenery / favourite routes

Comments