Ireland Without A Car | How to Spend 10 Days In Ireland Without Renting A Car

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If you are planning a trip to Ireland, you might see many people say that renting a car is essential. While it can certainly help, it’s not required if you want to see multiple cities. There are many ways to see the country, whether it be by train, bus, or even by ferry!

The most common mode of public transportation in Ireland is the bus. Buses are available in all major cities, and trains are a great option if you are hoping to travel between cities. You also have several options for taxis or rideshare services. Uber and Hailo are two ridesharing apps that are common in America and in England, respectively, and they are both available in Ireland.

The easiest way to travel through Ireland without renting a car is by sticking to the major cities and booking guided tours and excursions if you want to head out of the city. There are also plenty of Ireland Bus Tours that you might enjoy if you prefer to get around Ireland by bus.

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Here are three of the best Ireland itinerary ideas allowing you to travel to some amazing destinations in Ireland without the need of renting a car!

Ireland without a Car Itinerary One: The 10-Day Ireland Trip to Dublin, Dundalk, and Donegal

This itinerary starts in perhaps the most famous Irish city, and one you’ll definitely want to visit: Dublin. Dublin has its own airport so you will be able to arrive there with ease before exploring what the city has to offer. You can step back in time by visiting the historic Dublin Castle, or visit the Guinness Storehouse Factory and take a tour to learn about the beer that is produced there. After spending a few days exploring Dublin, it’s time to head to Dundalk, which isn’t too difficult or time-consuming. You can catch a train from the Drumcondra Rail Station to Dundalk, and the journey takes about an hour and a half.

When in Dundalk, you can explore historic castles and beautiful parks, and outdoor attractions. You can also visit some incredible museums, such as the County Museum Dundalk. You can learn more about local history and culture when visiting. Once you have explored Dundalk to your heart’s content, you can head onwards to Donegal. This city is located in the northwestern portion of Ireland and is only slightly more challenging to get to. You can catch the 166 Bus from Dundalk to the Cavan Bus Station, and then catch Bus 30 to Donegal from there.

Donegal is known for its natural beauty and historic sites. When you’re in town, head to the Slieve League Cliffs, which are the highest seaside cliffs in all of Europe. The tower 1972 feet above the waters of the Atlantic Ocean, and are a truly impressive sight to see.

Once you are finished exploring Donegal, you can navigate the bus system back to Dublin, but the easier option is to catch a flight from the Donegal Airport. You can head back to Dublin from here, or you can head onwards to your next destination or back home with ease.

Ireland Itinerary Two: The 10-Day Ireland Trip to Cork, Galway, Kildare, and Dublin

Start this itinerary by flying into Cork. Cork is one of the largest cities in Ireland and is often noted as being the food capital of Ireland. You can sample different breads and fish dishes, or if you’re feeling adventurous, you can try Tripe & Drisheen!

From Cork, you can head to Galway. There are several travel itineraries with a combination of bus and train travel, but the easiest way to make the journey is to catch the bus from St. Patricks Quay in Cork which takes you directly to Galway.

Galway is a city known for its strong cultural and creative heritage. You can experience the traditional Irish music and dance at various events and festivals that take place in Galway throughout the year. It’s also a very tourist-friendly destination as many people flock here every year to experience everything the city has to offer.

After exploring Galway, head east to Kildare. You can do this most efficiently by taking the Irish Rail train from Galway to Portarlington. From there, you can catch another train towards Kildare.

Kildare is a fantastic destination for experiencing the countryside. You can take boat tours or visit historic houses and gardens. Kildare is also notable for being the equine capital of Ireland, so if you are interested in horse racing, you’ll find plenty to do here.

From Kildare, you can head to Dublin to end your journey. Of course, Dublin is a thriving Irish city that has plenty to offer so you can choose to stay here for a few days, or simply head to the Dublin Airport to head home after your exciting Irish adventure.

Ireland Itinerary Three: The 10-Day Ireland Trip to Kerry, Killarney, Tralee, Dingle, and the Blasket Islands

For an adventure through the southwest part of Ireland, fly into Kerry Airport which is where you will start and end your trip. It may be a smaller airport, but it is still an international one so you should be able to find a flight or a connecting flight here with relative ease. From here, you can catch a bus directly to the city of Killarney which takes about 45 minutes. You can also rent a taxi, which is far more expensive but only takes 15 minutes.

Once in Killarney, you have plenty to do but the best activities to focus on are exploring the outdoors. To the west of the downtown area, you’ll be able to find many outdoor parks such as the Killarney House and Gardens. There are many incredible hotels you can choose to stay at in Killarney, but the Great Southern Killarney is one of the best – plus, it’s located across the street from the train station. You could easily spend the majority of your trip just in Killarney because of the incredible natural beauty that surrounds the city. For example, Killarney National Park is a beautiful destination that is accessible by bus or taxi.

Once you’ve had your fill of exploring Killarney, you can take a bus or a train to Tralee. Tralee is located to the north of Kerry, and it’s the largest town in the region. There are many things you can do in Tralee, and if you happen to be visiting during August you may be able to stop by the Rose of Tralee International Festival, a celebration of Irish culture and heritage. Additionally, Tralee is known for its sports culture and historic sites.

After Tralee, you can take a bus to Dingle, the only town on the Dingle Peninsula. It’s a small coastal town with a permanent population of just over 2,000 residents. You can spend time exploring the businesses in Dingle, before catching a ferry to the Blasket Islands. These islands were once home to a population who later settled in Massachusetts in the United States. Today the islands contain interesting historic ruins and, according to local legend, a collection of ghosts.

From Dingle, you will have to take a bus back to Tralee, and then catch a connecting bus back to the Kerry Airport before heading back home.

While Ireland is a fantastic country to drive through, you can still have an incredible experience visiting without renting a car!

Travel Guide & Resources for Traveling Ireland Without a Car:

Want to spend 10 days in Ireland? You can find the best flightstrain tickets, or buses for your trip to Ireland. Also, find the list of the best hotels in any town in Ireland to stay in. Need more ideas to add to your 10 days Ireland without a car itinerary? Find top attractions & things to do in each destination of your trip in addition to what already mentioned here.

Video Guide: Ireland Without a Car | The Best of Ireland 10-Day Itinerary Ideas Without A Car

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Travel Resources for Planning a Trip to Ireland

To make planning a trip to Ireland easier (with or without renting a car), we included some of our recommended travel resources below. You can search and find the best flights, transportation options, hotels to stay in, tours/activities, and things you can do in each destination during your trip to Tuscany.

Flights: 

Agoda: Search thousands of destinations around the world & quickly compare prices to find amazing deals on the best flights.

CheapOAir: You can find airline tickets, hotel rooms, rental cars, and vacation packages all on one site!

Kiwi.com: What we like about Kiwi is the fact that they are able to create combinations of flight, train, and bus tickets and offer them in a single itinerary. Also, Kiwi has what they called “Nomad” which helps you find the best way of visiting multiple destinations, saving you time and money.

JetRadar: You can search and compare airfares from 726 airlines and dozens of travel agencies and systems.

Hotels

Agoda: Agoda is one of the world’s largest online travel accommodation platforms with a network of over 2,000,000 vacation rentals and hotels worldwide.

Hotellook: They have more than 250,000 hotels in 205 countries, working with data from more than 10 online booking systems, such as Booking.com, Agoda.com, Hotels.com, Expedia, and others.

Transportations: 

Airport TransfersKiwiTaxiViator

TrainEuRailTrainline or RailEurope 

BusFlixbus: Very affordable (as low as $6) and convenient way to transfer between cities in Europe.

Car RentalsAutoEuropeEconomyBookings, or  GetTransfer (transfers & car rentals with a personal driver)

Bike RentalBikesBooking (Bikes & scooter rentals) 

Transportation ComparisonOmio (search, compare, and book tickets for buses, trains, and flights all in one site)

Tours & Activities:

TakeWalks (WalkofItaly): This is our favorite site for walking tours & day trips.

Tiqets: Great site for entrance tickets. It offers directly bookable, instantly available, and completely mobile tickets for museums, shows, and attractions all over the world.

Musement: They have good activities and tours in Italy and Spain, also many great day trips you can choose from.

GetYourGuide: A large number of tours, excursions, and other travel activities

Viator: The largest one. It has everything from tours, attractions, shore excursions, and private guides in over 2,700 destinations worldwide. It also has many transportations and transfers options and some unique experiences we didn’t find anywhere else.

Need help planning a trip to Ireland?

Want to plan a trip to Ireland but don’t know where to begin? If you find this type of trip planning to be too complicated to plan on your own, we’re here to help!

At MultiCityTrips, multi-destination travel and complicated itineraries such as a multi-city trip to Ireland (with or without a car) are our specialties. Contact us today to learn more about how one of our experienced travel experts/destination specialists can personalize your multi-city vacations at the best price.

Don’t want to start from scratch and need some trip inspiration? Check out our marketplace for customizable pre-designed packages available right now for many amazing destinations.

To learn more about how our process of trip planning works in detail, please see our “How It Works” page or check out our video on “How to Plan a Multi-City Trip to Europe in  5 Easy Steps”  here.

Have questions for us? Schedule a FREE Call with us here or contact one of the travel experts/destination specialists at [email protected], call/text us at (888)223-2316 today.

Private Travel Coaching & Consulting Call

Want to plan and book your upcoming trip yourself? If this is your first time traveling to any of the European destinations or you are new to multi-city, multi-country travel but prefer to manage every part of your trip on your own, this option is for you! 

For just $150 per hour, our destination expert can answer any questions you might have as you plan and book your dream trip. From assisting with route planning, and destination selection, recommending the best areas or places to stay, the best transportation options, things to do and see, saving tips and so much more! 

Ready to plan your trip with our help? Book your private coaching session with our destination expert now and we’ll confirm your appointment within 24 hours!

Travel Resources for Planning Your Own Trip

To make planning your European trip on your own easier, in addition to what already mentioned in our travel guide, we included some of our recommended travel resources below. You can search and find the best flights, transportation options, hotels to stay in, tours/activities, and things you can do in any destination using these travel resources:

European River Cruises:

Uniworld River Cruises: The world’s best and most awarded luxury river cruise line—offers itineraries in spectacular destinations throughout Europe, Russia, Egypt, Asia, and Peru. The company’s European fleet features luxurious ships with an average capacity of 120 guests, the highest staff-to-guest ratio in the river cruise industry, enticing shore excursions, world-class gourmet cuisine, impeccable hospitality, and numerous other all-inclusive benefits.

Pre- and Post-cruise/Tour Extensions: Uniworld curated pre-and post-cruise/tour extensions make it easy to add a few days to the front or back end of your trip while leaving the planning to them

The packages include a variety of hotel options, transfers, and a dedicated destination expert to escort you along the way.

Flights: 

Agoda: Search thousands of destinations around the world & quickly compare prices to find amazing deals on the best flights.

CheapOAir: You can find airline tickets, hotel rooms, rental cars, and vacation packages all on one site!

Kiwi.com: What we like about Kiwi is the fact that they are able to create combinations of flight, train, and bus tickets and offer them in a single itinerary. Also, Kiwi has what they called “Nomad” which helps you find the best way of visiting multiple destinations, saving you time and money.

JetRadar: You can search and compare airfares from 726 airlines and dozens of travel agencies and systems.

Hotels

Agoda: Agoda is one of the world’s largest online travel accommodation platforms with a network of over 2,000,000 vacation rentals and hotels worldwide.

Hotellook: They have more than 250,000 hotels in 205 countries, working with data from more than 10 online booking systems, such as Booking.com, Agoda.com, Hotels.com, Expedia, and others.

Airport Transfers & Transportations: 

Airport Transfers: GetTransfer offers both airport transfers & car rentals with a personal driver. Other airport transfer options are KiwiTaxi and Viator.

TrainEuroRailTrainline, or RailEurope are all great sites for train tickets as well as Rail Passes if you would like to add more flexibility to your trip. They are good for most trains throughout Europe. For trains in Italy, we like and recommend ItaliaRail. As for Portugal, you will need to go to the official website for Comboios de Portugal (the Portuguese train company) to book your train tickets when traveling in Portugal.

BusFlixbus: Very affordable (as low as $6) and convenient way to transfer between cities in Europe.

CarRentalsAutoEuropeEconomyBookings, or  GetTransfer (transfers & car rentals with a personal driver)

Bike RentalBikesBooking is a great site for bikes & scooter rentals

Transportation ComparisonOmio (search, compare, and book tickets for buses, trains, and flights all in one site)

Tours & Activities:

TakeWalks (WalkofItaly): This is our favorite site for walking tours & day trips.

Tiqets: Great site for entrance tickets. It offers directly bookable, instantly available, and completely mobile tickets for museums, shows, and attractions all over the world.

Musement: They have good activities and tours in Italy and Spain, also many great day trips you can choose from.

GetYourGuide: A large number of tours, excursions, and other travel activities

Viator: The largest one. It has everything from tours, attractions, shore excursions, and private guides in over 2,700 destinations worldwide. It also has many transportations and transfers options and some unique experiences we didn’t find anywhere else.

Travel Insurance:

Travel Guard:  Their comprehensive travel insurance programs, starting at $30, include per-trip & annual plans, coverage for trip cancellation, trip interruption, trip delay, medical expenses, baggage loss & more! Travel Guard provides 24/7-customer service with a personal touch through its World Service Center.

DISCLAIMER: Links included in this description might be affiliate links. If you purchase a product or service with the links, MultiCityTrips may receive a small commission at no additional charge to you.

Trip by Travel Experts

Need help planning a trip and find the best vacation package for your multi-city trip to Europe? If you find this type of trip planning to be too complicated to plan on your own, we’re here to help!

At MultiCityTrips, multi-city, multi-country European vacations, and complicated itineraries are our specialties. Contact us today to learn more about how one of our experienced travel experts/destination specialists can personalize an amazing multi-city trip to your dream destinations in Europe.

Ready for a trip? Check out our planning options and get in touch with us today!

Featured Pre-Designed Packages

These air-inclusive, pre-designed multi-city European vacation packages can be personalized to suit your needs!

Private Travel Coaching & Consulting Call

Want to plan and book your upcoming trip yourself? If this is your first time traveling to any of the European destinations or you are new to multi-city, multi-country travel but prefer to manage every part of your trip on your own, this option is for you! 

For just $150 per hour, our destination expert can answer any questions you might have as you plan and book your dream trip. From assisting with route planning, and destination selection, recommending the best areas or places to stay, the best transportation options, things to do and see, saving tips and so much more! 

Ready to plan your trip with our help? Book your private coaching session with our destination expert now and we’ll confirm your appointment within 24 hours!

Schedule a FREE Consultation

Not sure or can’t decide which planning option is right for you? Schedule a free 30-minute call with one of our travel experts to discuss your travel needs today!