24. Train Ieper to Cologne

Pre-booking international trains online

When pre-booking international trains online, I found the transfer time was 5 minutes. Now 5 minutes isn't enough time to get your luggage, get off the train, race down the platform, find the platform you need for your connecting train and get on that platform in time for your next train.
So - what to do? Well...at first I thought i'd have to make two separate bookings (this bumped the price up), then I found the little "Adjust the transfer time". I put in 25 minutes and the timetable page refreshes itself. I now would have just over an hour between trains (65 minutes actually). Below is an example of the journey. Trains can be booked up to around 92 days before date of travel.


Ieper to Coclogne
I put in the date Tuesday 25 February as I will be making this trip on a Tuesday.
Depart Ieper 07:38 from Platform 1 Train IC 2307, Intercity
Arrive Bruxelles-Nord 09:28 Platform 1
Transfer time 1:05 h
Depart Bruxelles-Nord 10:33 Platform Train 3 ICE 15, Intercity-Express
Arrive Köln Hbf 12:15 Platform 5 (Bordbistro?)

Fare: 19,00 EUR (Savings fare) Standard fare 57,30 EUR

23. Paris to Florence

The itinerary has changed yet again. Forget Milan, forget Venice, forget Rome - Florence or Firenze as it is called in Italian is the place I'll be going to if I do the train journeys thing. Having spoken with some Italian friends, one said "Roma!", one said, "Venice" and another said, "Florence!. Forget Milan, forget Venice, Rome? go to Florence". Having done a bit of research, Florence seems like my kind of place. And I've seen Venice anyway - well sort of. When I was in Macao last year, I went to Cotai primarily to go to the Hard Rock Hotel and get a pin (I collect the pins, you can see where I wrote about them in this blog) and saw this wonderful hotel the Venetian and the surrounding areas with canals and gondolas and I thought gee it looks like Venice. When I got back after my trip, I set about finding out and yes there's St. Mark's Campanile, the Rialto Bridge, Doge's Palace, St. Mark's Square complete with gondolas and all. You can see what it looks like HERE. Even the street lamps are the same! (Well almost)

With this in mind, I've written down the different ways of doing this, including fare costs, always bearing in min that the fares are "from" prices! Gotta do some serious thinking about this, weigh up cost and justification.


Option 1: Eurostar & TGV daytime train...
Day 1: London to Turin
Depart London 09:17 arrive Paris Gare du Nord 12:47 Eurostar £39 ($70.10)
Depart Paris Gare de Lyon 14:41 arrive Turin Porta Susa 20:18 (high-speed TGV train) £25 ($45)
Overnight in Turin.

Day 2: Turin to Florence €29 ($44)
Depart Turin Porta Susa at 08:14 arrive Florence SMN at 10:55 (Frecciarossa high-speed train)
Day 3: Florence
Fare cost: $159.10

Option 2 Thello sleeper
Day 1: London to Paris. £39 ($70.10)
Depart Paris 19:59 to Milan (Thello sleeper) €35 ($53)

Day 2: Milan to Florence
Milan Centrale arrive 6:00
Depart Milan Centrale 07:15 (Frecciarossa) €19.00 ($29)
Arrive Florence SMN 08:55

Day 3: Florence
Fare cost: $153.10

Option 3 via the Swiss Alps...
Day 1: London to Zurich.
Depart London 13:31 arrive Paris 16:47 £39 ($70.10)
Paris to Zurich. Depart Paris 18:23 arrive Zurich Hauptbahnhof 22:26 TGV-Lyria From £21 ($38)

OR
Day 1: Depart London St Pancras 07:55, arrive Paris Nord 11:17
Paris Gare de Lyon depart 12:22, arrive Zurich Hauptbahnhof 16:26

Day 2: Zurich to Florence
Depart Zurich 07:09 arrive Milan Centrale 10:50. CHF 40.00 ($49)
Depart Milan Centrale 12:15 arrive Florence SMN 13:55 (Frecciarossa) €19.00 ($29)

Day 3: Florence
Day 4: Florence to Paris
Fare cost: $186.10


Option 4 via Munich
Day 1: London to Paris to Munich
Depart London St Pancras 15:31 arrive Paris Gare du Nord 18:47 £39 ($70.10)
Depart Paris Gare de l'Est 20:05 (City Night Line sleeper train) 4 berth couchette 69.00 EUR ($103) 6 berth €59.00

Day 2: Munich to Florence
Arrive Munich 07:10.
Depart Munich 09:38 arrive Bologna Centrale at 16:20. (Austrian EuroCity train) 39.00 EUR ($59)
Depart Bologna Centrale 17:20 arrive Florence 17:55 €15.00 ($23)

Day 3: Florence
Fare cost: $255.10


Option 5, the super-scenic Bernina Express

Step 1, London & Paris to Zurich
• Day 1: London to Paris by Eurostar, depart London at 13:31 (14:01 on Saturdays) arriving Paris at 16:47 (17:17 on Saturdays). Cross Paris by metro to the Gare de Lyon.

• Day 1, travel from Paris to Zurich by TGV-Lyria train, leaving Paris Gare de Lyon at 18:23 and arriving Zurich at 22:26. (double-deck TGV-Duplex, book upper deck)

• Or catch an earlier service from London to Zurich to arrive in Zurich in time for dinner.
Depart London 07:55 ( 08:01 or 09:22 Saturdays, 09:22 Sundays) arrive Paris 11:17 (12:47 Sunday)
Depart Paris 12:22 arrive Zurich 16:26 (Depart Paris 14:23 and arrive 18:35 Sundays)

• Overnight in Zurich

Step 2, Zurich to Milan via the Bernina Express
• Day 2, travel from Zurich to Chur by Swiss InterCity train. In summer when the Bernina Express leaves Chur at 08:32, you'll need to leave Zurich by InterCity train at 06:37, arriving Chur at 07:52. This is a scenic trip in itself, along the Zürichsee & Walensee lakes and into the mountains. In Chur, you'll find the Bernina Express waiting for you on the other side of the platform, a quick and easy interchange.

• Day 2: travel from Chur to Tirano on the famous Bernina Express.
In summer from 10 May to 26 Oct 2014, the Bernina Express consists exclusively of panoramic sightseeing cars, seat reservation is obligatory, departing Chur every day at 08:32 and arriving at Tirano in northern Italy at 12:36.
You should check times at the official Rhätische Bahn website Rhätische Bahn as it varies on certain dates. A refreshment trolley comes down the train selling hot and cold drinks, snacks and souvenirs.

Tip 1: Going South, the best views are on the right hand side of the train, including the best views of the Landwasser Viaduct the Ospizio Bernina area and Brusio spiral, although unfortunately you cannot reserve a seat on a specific side.

Tip 2: The Bernina Express panoramic carriages have a small luggage vestibule at the opposite end to the entrance door, this has a small opening window, ideal for taking photographs without reflections.

• Day 2, travel from Tirano to Milan by regional train. In summer when the Bernina arrives at 12:38, you can leave Tirano at 13:10 and arrive in Milan Centrale at 15:40. In Tirano, the Trenitalia and Rhätische Bahn stations are right next door to each other, and there are plenty of bars and restaurants near the stations. You may have time for a beer at Margy's bar across the road, or you could catch a later train to Milan and have lunch. You can use Trenord to find schedules, but pick a date within the next 7 days to see prices. Bring your own food and drink if you want any, as there is no catering on board the train. No reservation necessary or even possible for Tirano-Milan trains, just buy a ticket at the station and hop on, remembering to validate your ticket in the little yellow machine at the platform entrance. This is a pretty run, through more mountains and along the shores of Lake Como via Lecco.

• Day 2, change in Milan for inter-city trains to Florence, Rome, Verona & Venice - use Trenitalia to find trains departing Milan any time after 16:20 (summer) or 18:20 (winter), to allow time for any delay to the train from Tirano.

How much does it cost?
• London to Paris by Eurostar starts at £39 one-way ($70.10)
• Paris to Zurich by TGV-Lyria starts at £23 (€25) each way if booked in advance. Book early for the cheapest fare ($43)
• Zurich to Chur costs CHF 38 (about £28) each way in 2nd class. Fixed price, no reservation necessary, can be bought at the station. ($46.10)
• Chur to Tirano by Bernina Express costs CHF 58 (£43) ($70.25) in 2nd class for the basic ticket, plus a reservation fee for the Bernina Express of CHF 12 (£9) ($14.55) in summer. Reservation is required for the Bernina Express itself, although other trains on the same route do not require reservations. ($70.25) plus ($14.55)
• Tirano to Milan by Trenord regional train costs €10.75 (£9) in 2nd class or €16.15 (£14) in 1st class. Fixed price, no reservation necessary, can easily be bought at the station. Check times at ($16.10) (First class $24.10)
• Milan to Florence €19.00 ($29)

Fare cost: $289.10

Information from The Man in Seat Sixty One

22. London to Italy via Munich through the scenic Brenner Pass.

The other way of getting from London to Italy is via Munich and the Brenner Pass.

There are two ways to do this route:
(1) Depart London by Eurostar in mid-afternoon and use German-run City Night Line sleeper train to Munich then a day train next morning through the scenic Brenner Pass to Verona.

(2) Depart London by mid-morning Eurostar and afternoon TGV to Munich, stay overnight in Munich, then take a morning train to Italy through the scenic Brenner Pass next day.

Option 1: Using the Paris-Munich City Night Line sleeper train...

1. London St Pancras depart 15:31 arrive Paris Gare du Nord at 18:47.
2. Walk from Gare du Nord to the Gare de l'Est - 10 minutes. (Instructions given below.)

3. Travel from Paris to Munich overnight by the City Night Line sleeper train Cassiopeia.
Departs Paris Gare de l'Est 20:05 and arriving in Munich at 07:10 next morning.

4. Travel from Munich to Verona or Bologna on air-conditioned Austrian EuroCity train.
Departing Munich at 09:38 and arriving in Verona at 14:58 or Bologna at 16:20. For the best views find an unreserved seat on the right hand side of the train

5. Change in Verona for Venice, change in Bologna for Florence or Rome. Use Trenitalia to find am onward connection. Allow at least 45 minutes for connections in Verona or Bologna.


Option 2: Using daytime trains with overnight hotel in Munich.

Day 1: Travel from London to Munich by Eurostar to Paris and TGV to Munich, leaving London St Pancras at 10:25 (11:01 on Saturdays), changing trains and stations in Paris and arriving Munich at 21:36.
Depart London St Pancras at 10:25 (11:01 on Saturdays) arrive Paris Gare du Nord 13:47
Walk to Gare de l'Est.
Depart Gare de l'Est 15:25 arrive Munich 21:36.

Day 2: Depart Munich 09:38 arrive Verona at 14:58 and Bologna at 16:20.
Change in Verona for Venice, change in Bologna for Florence or Rome

Alternatively, have a look round Munich, then take a direct EuroCity train from Munich at 11:38 to Venice arriving 18:10, also travelling via the scenic Brenner Pass - this direct train may be cheaper, too, as one ticket gets you all the way from Munich to Venice from as little as €39. This train also features a full-service restaurant car


NOTE: Travel from Verona to Milan either on a fast train or a regional train. (Takes about 1 hr 25 mins and costs from 19 euro)


Gare du Nord ▶ Gare de l'Est
a) Walk out of the Gare du Nord onto the street in front of the station.
b) Turn left along the front of the station, and keep going straight ahead of you up the Rue de Dunkerque until the tracks leading into the Gare de l'Est stop you going any further.
c) Turn right into the Rue d'Alsace along the tracks, descending the long flight of pedestrian steps to the side entrance of the Gare de l'Est.

Note: This is the quickest and shortest route, but to avoid the long flight of steps, walk out of the Gare du Nord and across the road into the Boulevard de Denain straight ahead of you, turn left into the Boulevard de Magenta, then left again into the Rue du 8 Mai 1945. This route is a bit longer, but gives level access from one station to the other.

21. London to Italy via the Gotthard Pass through the Swiss Alps...

I am thinking of doing this trip instead of the seven nights in Paris. There is a map further down showing the different routes and also in the "Maps" tab. There's also the Brenner Pass which I'm considering. At the moment, I'm running through them seeing how it could work, how many day's I'd need. I've already determined for the Gotthard Pass, I'd have to get the early train from London so as to reach Zurich at a reasonable time which will give me a few hours to stroll around and see something of the place.

1. Travel from London to Paris by Eurostar

2. Travel from Paris to Zurich by 198mph Lyria TGV, departing Paris Gare de Lyon and arriving in Zurich Hauptbahnhof.

3. Spend the night in Zurich.

4. Travel from Zurich Hauptbahnhof to Como and Milan by air-conditioned EuroCity train,



London St Pancras depart 13:31, arrive Paris Gare du Nord 16:47

How to Cross Paris by metro from Gare du Nord to the Gare de Lyon,
a) At Paris Nord, walk to the end of platform
b) Turn left. Look for the steps down to RER (Express Metro and Metro)
c) Follow the signs to RER Line 'D'
d) Buy a metro ticket from the machines
e) They have a touch screen and English button...Cash and cards are accepted
f) Enter the ticket gates to RER D
g) Head for Platform 44 (Trains run every 3 to 6 minutes) All southbound RER D stop at Gare de Lyon but always check screens. It's two stops, only six minutes.
h) Follow the sign to 'SNCF - Grandes Lignes'...
i) Exit the RER and head upstairs to the SNCF main line concourse.
j) The Gare de Lyon has two concourses - Hall 1 (Platfomrs A to N) and Hall 2 (platforms 5 to 23)

Travel from Paris to Zurich by 198mph Lyria TGV,
Depart Paris Gare de Lyon 18:23 arrive Zurich Hauptbahnhof 22:26. (Book an upper deck seat for the best views.) (catch an earlier service from London to Zurich if you want to reach Zurich earlier in the evening)

Day 1: London St Pancras depart 07:55, arrive Paris Nord 11:17
Cross Paris by metro to the Gare de Lyon for the TGV-Lyria train to Switzerland..
Paris Gare de Lyon depart 12:22, arrive Zurich 16:26

Day 2: Depart Zurich 11:09 arrive Milan (MILANO CENTRALE) 14:50

What does it cost?
London to Paris by Eurostar: (From) £39 approx $69
Paris to Zurich by TGV-Lyria: train: From £21 (Book-ahead fare) approx $37
Zurich to Milan by EuroCity: From €32 approx $47
All up around $153. Not including Eurostar, $84.

Eurostar and Europe train map

 

Reservations for Paris-Switzerland trains open 90 days before departure. Eurostar reservations open 120 days ahead. The Man in Seat 61 "strongly recommend waiting so you can book all your trains together and double-check the Paris arrival/departure times before booking a non-refundable non-changeable Eurostar ticket."

How to buy tickets in Australia
If you live in Australia or NZ, Asia or Africa, you can buy tickets for Eurostar, the Paris-Zurich TGV Lyria and the Zurich-Milan train online at RAIL EUROPE. They sell print-at-home tickets in many cases or they will send tickets to any country worldwide except the USA for a small fee.

Finally, the absolute cheapest way to book is direct with the relevant train operators, though this means splitting the journey and booking in two stages. First use capitainetrain to book from Paris to Switzerland or the Swiss Railways site SBB to book from anywhere in Switzerland to Paris. Then use Eurostar to book a London-Paris Eurostar connection, allowing at least 60 minutes southbound or 90 minutes northbound to change trains & stations in Paris. (Information from The Man in Seat Sixty-One.

14. Flights Are Booked

Well the return flight Australia to London has been booked. The flights were a present so I suppose I shouldn't complain about the choice of airline - but China Southern?! Having flown with them last year Hanoi to Xi'an I did not want to fly with them again. They cancelled the flight, put me on an early morning flight, then had me waiting eight hours in Guangzhou for the connecting flight, and asked was that alright. Well no, it wasn't alright - put me on the earlier flight so I only have to hang around the airport for three and a half hours please. Then they changed it again - this time they had me flying out of Hanoi on the 7th June, then getting the connecting flight on the 6th June. It's like What! Are you serious? After yet more emails, finally, finally they fixed it, but not after a lot of messing around. And - you can't select your seat - you have to have one they pick. That's a real pain. I always like to arrive at the airport early, and it was lucky I do because when I checked my bag in, the person at the counter gave me a ticket with a seat number that I hadn't chosen, and didn't like so I asked very nicely and very politely would they be able to give me an seat and one that was closer to the front. NO aisle seats, they were gone. Fortunately there was one a little closer to the front of the plane. On short flight durations of two hours or so, it may not be so important if you can't get a good seat, but if you're on a long haul flight sitting in the same ruddy seat for 12 hours it will not be a happy experience if you have a rotten seat. Me? I always choose an aisle seat, I feel claustrophobic otherwise. And I loathe being down the back, I feel closed in.

China Southern has the worst website I have ever encountered. Their website really is the pits. Under "Online Services" they have Seat Reservation and says after booking go to Seat Reservation and choose your seat.

Yeah right. You try doing this - put in your flight details, name and mobile only to have a message in red say "Wrong mobile number" Eh? Excuse me, how can that be the wrong mobile? It's not! It's the correct mobile.

After contacting the China Southern office in Melbourne, I am told you can only make a seat reservation if you are in China - you need a Chinese mobile number. You can only do online checkin if you are in China and have a Chinese mobile. Being in a seat not of your choosing on a short flight is one thing but being stuck in it for 12 hours or 8 hours would be terrible.

How dumb is that? I don't know of any other airline that is so ridiculous in it's stupidity - we have people world wide booking international flights and they can't even select a bloody seat? That is just so pathetic. The airline need to get with it and move themselves into the 21st century - stop discriminating against anyone who is not a Chinese national, treat all passenger the same. If they want to attract overseas customers, you need to treat them with respect and not like a bunch of second class citizens.

11. Getting to Gare du Nord

If staying at Jules Ferry hostel -

Walk to République
About 7 mins (500 m)
1. Head north-west on Bd Jules Ferry toward Rue du Faub. du Temple/Rue du Faubourg-du-Temple 200 m

2. Turn left onto Rue du Faub. du Temple/Rue du Faubourg-du-Temple 220 m

3. Slight right to stay on Rue du Faub. du Temple/Rue du Faubourg-du-Temple 19 m
Destination will be on the right
4. Take entrance 4. Faubourg du Temple 74 m

République M5
Subway towards Bobigny - Pablo Picasso
5:43am - 5:47am (4 mins, 3 stops)
Get off at Gare de l'Est station

Gare du Nord
Walk to Gare du Nord - About 3 mins (200 m)
Use caution when walking from Gare de l'Est to Gare de Nord.

RER Train from Paris to Roissy-Charles de Gaulle (CDG) Airport
Line => RER B (Blue)

Trains to CDG
Note that not all trains stop at Charles de Gaulle airport, do not board on trains bound for Mitry-Claye (wrong way)!
Always check the overhead panel on platform.

Journey time is about 35 minutes to/from Paris-Gare du Nord,
you shouldn't have to wait longer than 15 minutes for a train

Charles de Gaulle airport has two train stations
• "Aéroport Charles de Gaulle 1" for terminal 1 and terminal 3.
• "Aéroport Charles de Gaulle 2-TGV" for terminal 2 (A, B, C, D, E, F, G).

Trains to/from Paris
 From CDG all trains call at central Paris.
Stations with metro + RER B connections  are Gare du Nord, Châtelet-les Halles, Saint Michel-Notre Dame and Denfert-Rochereau.

Cost => 9,50€ (as of January 2013, Zone 1 -> Zone 5)
Passes Accepted => Pass Navigo (5+ Zone), Paris Visite (5 Zone)

Transport cost

Gare du Nord to Airport 9.50€
Republique to Gare de l'Est 1.70 euro
Total: 11.20 euro - $16.26.

(A single ticket is 1.70 Euro. 2013 price)

7. Buses from Dublin Airport

My initial plan was to stay in Dublin the first night then go to Galway the next day with Dublin Bus Company incorporating a trip to the Cliffs of Moher and the Burren on the same day. It would mean being at the bus stop by 6.45am. I then had the bright idea of why not head straight to Galway from the airport. Instead of getting off the plane, getting transport to Dublin city, what could be easier than heading to the bus pickup point and travelling to Galway? Makes sense as it cuts down on time making things smoother.

There are a number of companies that do the Dublin airport to Galway run and it is a matter of finding which is the cheapest and what times they run. There are four I have found:
Citylink, Gobus, Bus Éireann and the new kid on the block - Eireagle

Fares

Eireagle - €16.50 online or €18 bought on board

Departure time from Dublin Airport is as follows:
6.15, 7.15, 9.15, 11.15, 12.15, 13.45, 14.15, 15.15, 16.15, 17.15, 18.15, 19.15, 20.15, 21.15, 22.15, 23.15, 00.30.

The buses travel on the Citylink Express and take 3 hours to reach Galway with the exception of the 11.15, 14.15, 16.15, 18.15 and 00.30 buses which travel eireagle Galway direct and take 2 and a half hours.

You get the bus at Zone 11, Bus stops 5 & 6

Above: Get the Eireagle bus at Zone 11

 

Above: Galway New Coach Station



Gobus - €15.00
This is the fare price online, it didn't say whether it cost more to buy onboard. Buses depart at 6.45, 8.45am then on an hourly basis until 19.45, then 21.45 and 23.45. Journey takes 3 hours.

Above: Where to catch the bus Dublin Airport to Galway: Zone 13

Above: Arrives Galway: At new coach station



Citylink - €16.50, Dublin Airport Express (via Dublin City)

 

It should perhaps be noted that Citylink operate Eireagle.



Bus Éireann - €13.78

Does not have as many buses from the airport to Galway, with only 6 per day at 8.20, 10.20, 12.20, 14.20, 16.20 and 20.20. Buses arrive at Galway Bus Station in 2 hours 50 minutes.

Buses depart Dublin Airport (Atrium Road). Airport bus is Bus 20. There were no maps on their website showing the location of Atrium Road.

6. Directions to Dublin YHA

There's nothing worse than arriving at your destination, you've just got off the train or bus and you're completely lost. You did write down the hostel/hotel address and where's that piece of paper gone with the instructions on how to get there? You look around like a beleaguered beast in the wilderness, everything in front of you a blur while you struggle with your luggage and try to get your bearings. Of course if you've arrived by plane, it's a tad easier - just make your way to the pick-up point for the shuttle bus which you had the foresight to pre-book.

So...with this in mind I thought it might be a good idea to write down how to get to where you're going. The first in this "series" is instructions to the YHA in Dublin which is where I'll be stayin. If you're staying at any other hostel you're plum out of luck. These posts will be labelled under 'Transport' and 'Directions' - transport covers a myriad of other information whereas Directions is just getting to accommodation.


ADDRESS
Dublin International (YHA)
61 Mountjoy Street
Dublin, Ireland


From Dublin Airport > Hostel: (BY BUS)
Public Buses 16 or 41 - (E2.65pp - Exact Change needed)
Travel time approximately 20 to 30 minutes to Upper Dorset Street � (Bus Stop No. 52)
Look for a pub on the left side called 'Temple Pub' and push the bell to alight at the upcoming stop.

Alight from public bus near the Corner of Nth Frederick St and Upper Dorset St � (Bus Stop No. 52)
Cross to the right hand side of Upper Dorset St to the �Punto Oro Shop� and take the one way street to the left of the shop called �Blessington St� walk to the end of this street and take a left at the orange an black shop 'Deli Suz' on to Mountjoy St.
The Dublin International Hostel is 100metres on the right hand side of the street, number 61 Mountjoy Street, with the green door and hanging baskets.
Push the buzzer to the side of the door and come on in.

Aircoach - Costs E7.00 and runs 24 hours alight at the Gresham Hotel on O�Connell Street
Airlink - Costs E7.00 alight at Bus Aras (Bus Station)
Taxi � Costs between - E15 to E25 per taxi

From O'Connell Street > Hostel (ON FOOT)
Walk north up O'Connell St towards Parnell St and the Ambassador Theater
Continue north past Parnell Square Garden of Remembrance and Mayes Pub (Nth.Frederick St). Cross over Upper Dorset St to the Punto Oro Shop and continue up Blessington St (The Street between Punto Oro and Gala )
At the end of Blessington Street, turn left at Deli Suz onto Mountjoy St.
The Dublin International Hostel is 100metres on the right hand side of the street, number 61 Mountjoy Street, with the green door and hanging baskets.
Push the buzzer to the side of the door and come on in.

From O'Connell Street by bus:
Catch the bus number 46a towards Phoenix Park Bus stop 274 outside the �Subway� nearest to the Dublin Spire (E0.75c City Centre fare) (Alight at Bus Stop 192 � 2nd bus stop)
The bus will take a sharp right past the Black Church onto Mountjoy Street. Push the buzzer and the bus will stop next door to the hostel outside the Mountjoy Street Centra.

From Bus Aras (bus station) by foot:
Go out the main doors of the bus station, either follow the Luas tram lines to the left or follow the signage to O'Connell Street. Follow directions from O'Connell Street above.

From Connolly Train Station on foot:
Go out and down the stairs to the main street. Cross at the cross walk and continue in the same direction down Talbot Street. This will take you all the way to the Spire on O'Connell Street. Follow directions from O'Connell Street above.

From Heuston Train Station by tram:
Go out of the station and to the LUAS tram station, a ticket will cost E2.00 Take tram to O'Connell St (Connelly Station direction). On O'Connell street follow directions from O'Connell Street above.

From Heuston Train Station by bus:
Go out of the station and cross over the tram bridge to your left. At the lights, cross over and head left up towards Phoenix Park. Continue 300 metres up this road until you get to an intersection or road called Infirmary Road on your right. Walk up Infirmary Road until you see the Bus number 46A bus stop 200metres. From here catch the bus to Blessington Street � (Bus stop 819) (E1.85pp)

From Dublin Ferry Port by bus #53:
This goes straight to the city centre main bus station (Busaras). Walk to O'Connell St and either follow the walking directions from O'Connell St.
OR
Take the Dublin bus 46A (€0.50) from outside the McDonald's to the right of the GPO. Push buzzer after you turn right at a large church in the middle of the road (The Black Church) the bus stops outside Mountjoy St Centra, the hostel is next door to the left. walk North up the length of O'Connell St, continue up Parnell Square East, Nth.Frederick St., Blessington St. and turn left at Deli Suz into Mountjoy St, we are number 61.

From Dublin Ferry Port by car:
Head west on Alexandra Rd towards 1st Branch Rd N. Take the 1st right onto 1st Branch Rd N. Take the 1st left onto Tolka Quary Rd. Slight right at East Wall Rd/R131. Turn left at Lower Drumcondra Rd/N1. Continue south towards the city centre along Drumcondra Road through until you get onto Dorset St Lower then Upper Dorset St. At the intersection of Upper Dorset St and Blessington St you need to go straight through this junction as you cannot turn right on to Blessington St. Take the very next right onto Wellington St (at the Meeting Point pub). The Dublin International Hostel is at the top of this street. The hostel is at the end of the street on the corner of Mountjoy St and Wellington St.

The car park for the hostel is located off Wellington St behind the hostel, within the hostel grounds. (The key for the gate to get inside the car park, must be collected from the reception desk for a refundable deposit of €20)

From Dublin Airport by car:
Head East towards Swords Rd. At Airport roundabout, take the 2nd exit onto M1 heading to heading to áth Cliath/Dublin/Dublin/M50. At the roundabout take the 2nd exit onto M1 ramp to the M50. Merge onto the M1. At Junction 1, exit on N1. Continue south towards the city centre along Drumcondra Road through until you get onto Dorset St Lower then Upper Dorset St. At the intersection of Upper Dorset St and Blessington St you need to go straight through this junction as you cannot turn right on to Blessington St. Take the very next right onto Wellington St (at the Meeting Point pub). The Dublin International Hostel is at the top of this street. The hostel is at the end of the street on the Corner of Mountjoy St and Wellington St.

The car park for the hostel is located off Wellington St behind the hostel, within the hostel grounds. (The key for the gate to get inside the car park, must be collected from the reception desk for a refundable deposit of E20)

5. Buses

Galway to Killarney
9.00am - Bus X51 from Eyre Square East Stop 6
10.20am - arrive Limerick
10.35am - Bus 14
12.35pm - arrive Killarney

Killarney to Cork
8.25am - Bus 40, (Rock Road Service Station)
8.30am - from Bus Station
10.05am - arrive Cork, (Bus Station - Parnell Place)
Take take Bus 8 to University. Hostel opposite uni.
or
9.25am - Bus 40
10.20 - from Bus Station
11.05am - arrive Cork, (Bus Station - Parnell Place)
Take Bus 8 to University.

Cork to Kilkenny
11.00am - Bus 7, (Bus Station - Parnell Place)
14:10pm - arrive Kilkenny (Railway Station)


Killarney to Kilkenny
8.25am - Bus 40, (Rock Road Service Station)
10.05am - arrive Cork Bus Station - Parnell Place)
Change buses
11.00am - Bus 7
14.10pm - arrive Kilkenny (Railway station)

Kilkenny to Dublin
11.15am - Bus 7 from Kilkenny railway station
13.30pm - arrive Dublin (Busáras)

From Busaras, get to 61 Mountjoy Street. Distance of 1.8kms. Need to check if there's a bus along that way, if not, will have to call a taxi. Too far to lug a suitcase behind.

4. Ireland Rail Network

Train Routes in Ireland

 

Dublin area