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Getting Around Public Transport Dublin's public transport system is a bus and rail network, although plans for the new Luas light rail system - underground in the centre - are underway. Iarnród Éireann (Irish Rail) runs the clean and speedy electrical DART (Dublin Area Rapid Transport) rail services (tel: (01) 836 6222). Bus Átha Cliath (Dublin Bus) runs the city bus services, which operate between 0600 and 2330, with a limited night bus service (Nitelinks) Thursday to Saturday (tel: (01) 873 4222; website: www.dublinbus.ie). Information on fares and timetables are provided at the Dublin Bus Information Office and Irish Rail, O'Connell Street and Dublin Tourism Centre. Bus fares vary according to the number of stops: 1-3 stops costs Ir£0.60, 4-7 stops costs Ir£0.85, 8-13 stops costs Ir£1.05, 14 stops and over costs Ir£1.15-1.30 (concessions available). Drivers prefer exact change. Pre-paid tickets may also be purchased at the CIE Information desk at Dublin Airport, Dublin Bus Head Office or at bus ticket agencies. Rail fares vary according to routes. Daily, weekly and monthly passes for bus or rail - or combined bus and rail passes - are also available. Taxis Taxis (standard saloon cars) can be hailed in the street, hired at taxi ranks (O'Connell Street, Dame Street and St Stephen's Green) or booked by telephone. Radio Link (tel: (01) 850 0111) are a reputable company. Taxis cost Ir£1.90 for journeys under 3 minutes 20 seconds and an extra Ir£0.10 for each additional 40 seconds. There is a Ir£0.40 surcharge for each additional passenger or item of luggage and during unsociable hours. Limousines The Limousine Company (tel: (01) 843 9169) specialises in corporate hire and offers the latest, conference-seated silver limousines for Ir£40 per hour (minimum four-hour hire). Driving in the City Roads are busy and parking spaces are few and far between. It is best to use public transport or walk. Pay-and-display meters are standard; the maximum time for parking is usually three hours. The city's main car parks are Arnotts, Middle Abbey Street, on the Northside and Brown Thomas, Clarendon Street 2, on the Southside, both are located in the middle of shopping districts. Clamping zones operate within the city centre and the recovery of a clamped vehicle will cost around Ir£65. Recovery of clamped or towed-away vehicles is from The Parking Shop (tel: (01) 602 2500). Car Hire Avis (tel: (01) 605 7500), 151 Drumcondra Street Lower, Budget (tel: (01) 814 4084), 1 Hanover Street, and the local Access Car Rental (tel: (01) 844 4848), 61 Mountjoy Street, are among the main providers. A full national driving licence and deposit are necessary; most firms require the driver to be over 23 and under 70 years old and to have held a full driving license for a minimum of two years without endorsements. Rates vary on a seasonal basis and range from Ir£150 upwards for the weekly hire of a small car. Pre-booking is strongly recommended in summer and payment is usually only accepted by credit card. Bicycle Hire Bicycles may be hired for around Ir£10 per day or Ir£40 a week. Deposits of at least Ir£50 are usually required. The best tracks are along Dublin Bay and across the Wicklow Mountains, as central Dublin is sadly lacking in cycle paths. Cycle Ways, 185-186 Parnell Street (tel: (01) 873 4748 or 872 4636; fax: (01) 872 9462; e-mail: cycleway@indigo.ie; website: www.indigo.ie/~cycleway), Dublin Bike Tours (tel: (01) 679 0899; fax: (01) 679 6504; e-mail: dublinbiketours@connet.ie; Website: www.dublinbiketours.com) and McDonald Cycles Ltd, 38-39 Wexford Street (tel: (01) 475 2586 or 878 8473; fax: (01) 497 9636), all offer a hire service. |
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