How to Get Around Ireland as a Solo Traveler

Last updated on August 19th, 2026 at 08:52 am

One of the most common questions I get asked about planning a trip to Ireland is the best way to get around the island. After 11 solo trips to Ireland where I’ve had the opportunity to explore major cities as well as smaller towns, I’ve learned a thing or two about how to get around Ireland, especially as a solo traveler. 

The biggest thing I learned? You don’t actually need to rent a car.

I didn’t rent a car until I’d been to Ireland nine times! The prospect of driving on the opposite side of the road and navigating narrow roads alone terrified me. I thought it would be better with someone in the passenger seat to help me navigate and keep me calm. Turns out, Google Maps works well in Ireland and doesn’t do too much backseat driving!

Before that, I used buses, trains, and joined the back half of guided tours to get where I wanted to go! So I’ve had plenty of opportunities to figure out what actually works and what doesn’t.

How you decide to travel around Ireland will directly impact your itinerary, so it’s important to make the decision early in the planning process. And I’m here to help you decide if a rental car is worth it, where trains and buses make more sense, and when joining a tour can save you both money and stress.

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The Best Ways to Get Around Ireland at a Glance

Rental car: Best for flexibility, rural areas, and road trips. More expensive and a bit stressful for solo drivers.

Bus: Best for budget-conscious solo travelers visiting cities and towns along major routes. Slower, but you can relax while someone else drives.

Train: Best for traveling between major cities. Comfortable and easy, but the network doesn’t reach everywhere.

Guided tour: Best when public transportation doesn’t make sense, or you want to see several sights in one day without planning the logistics yourself.

Combination: My favorite option. Mix buses, trains, tours, and rental cars depending on where you’re going.

For a first-time solo traveler to Ireland, I wouldn’t automatically recommend renting a car. Decide on your itinerary first, then choose your transportation.

Getting Around Ireland by Car

Renting a car is the most popular way to get around Ireland. It allows travelers more freedom to visit small towns and get a bit off the beaten track. 

After my first time renting a car to road trip around County Donegal, I realized how much freedom I’d been missing on my last nine trips to Ireland. It really felt like the opportunities to see every corner of Ireland were right in front of me. 

I’ve since rented a car again to visit Wicklow, Connemara, and Achill Island. I am also planning my next Ring of Kerry road trip.

That being said, I still see the value in not renting a car. They are an expensive addition to your Ireland travel budget. The first day of driving is very stressful, and when you’re driving solo, you have no one to trade off with if you get tired. It’s a bit hard to enjoy the scenery when trying not to scrape the side of the car on a narrow road!

If your dream is to drive the Wild Atlantic Way or you’re visiting places like County Donegal where bus service is limited, then yes, rent a car. 

If you’re mostly visiting cities like Dublin, Galway, and Cork, I recommend using them as bases and taking day trips from there. One of my favorite day trips from Galway is to the Aran Islands, and that requires a ferry, so you don’t even need a car!

I do not recommend renting a car while you’re in Dublin. The traffic is insane, and it could be dangerous if you’re not used to driving on the opposite side of the road. I found it easier to get used to on highways and narrow roads than in the city. 

If you’ve decided that a rental car is the best option for your itinerary, then when you’re finished exploring Dublin, head back to the airport. The Dublin Airport (and the Shannon Airport if you’ve flown in there) offers several rental companies that will get you set up with your own vehicle.

I use NewWay for my car rentals. You can also compare prices on DiscoverCars.

Be sure to read my entire post about renting a car in Ireland, so you know what to expect!

Getting Around Ireland by Bus

How have I gotten around Ireland without a car for nine trips? I make excellent use of Ireland’s bus network. Through long-distance bus routes, local buses, and even hopping on the back end of a tour bus, I’ve been able to travel not just to major towns like Dublin, Galway, and Cork, but I’ve also gotten to Sligo, Clifden, Killarney, and other small towns in between.

Bus travel in Ireland sometimes gets a bad reputation for running late, but I’ve never had a problem. I find that the buses are clean, safe, and comfortable. They also usually have WiFi and power on board so you can stay connected. 

One of the biggest perks about bus travel is that you can rest while someone else handles the driving!

One of the main bus companies in Ireland is Bus Éireann, and it’s a great place to start when planning your travel itinerary. With Bus Éireann, you can use their long-distance routes from Dublin to Galway, Cork, Limerick, and Sligo, among other destinations. 

Bus Éireann also has local routes that will take you from Galway to the Cliffs of Moher and Doolin or Ennis, for example.  

Another great bus company I’ve used is CityLink. I’ve used it to get to and from Galway from Dublin. I’ve also used it to get from Galway to smaller towns like Clifden and Westport. 

If you want to get from Dublin to Belfast, you’ll use the Aircoach and in a few short hours, you’ll be in Northern Ireland. 

As ticket prices are reasonable and pretty similar across companies, I decide which company to use based on departure times.

You can purchase your ticket online to save a few euros, or with the bus driver if you’re catching it en route. Main bus stations have ticket machines.

Many popular routes fill up, so if you need to be somewhere (like the airport) at a certain time, plan. 

The main drawbacks to bus travel are that it can take quite a bit longer and may require changing buses at stations. 

I’ve spent a few hours in the Limerick bus station waiting for my next connection. It wasn’t glamorous, but it wasn’t a disaster either. I grabbed something to eat, used the toilets, read my book, and waited for the next bus.

If you’re flexible and patient, I think it’s a great option for getting around Ireland.

If you ever get confused about where you’re going or aren’t sure where to get off, feel free to ask the bus driver. They’re generally very helpful and will make sure you get where you need to go.

Using Buses in Dublin

Dublin has an extensive bus network and is super easy to use! You can get wherever you need within the city using Dublin Bus. I just follow the advice on Google Maps when I want to use it.

There is also a very budget-friendly bus between Dublin Airport and the city center for easy access to your hotel. It’s also useful if you’re heading back to the airport to rent a car for the rest of your itinerary!

Getting Around Ireland by Train

I’ve taken the train twice in Ireland. Once from Westport to Dublin and more recently from Dublin to Galway. 

I really enjoyed it! The seats are more spacious than the buses, there is (usually) a toilet available, and the ticket prices are very reasonable. However, they do vary based on the time of day and level of service you want. 

I prefer the train when I’m traveling between major cities and the schedule works for my itinerary. It’s more comfortable than the bus, but I wouldn’t plan an entire Ireland trip around it. 

If it works for the itinerary, great; if not, I’ll take the bus!

When you purchase a ticket online from Irish Rail (Iarnród Éireann), you’re assigned a seat on the train. I love this because it decreases my anxiety of having to find a seat like on buses. It actually says your name on the small overhead display screen. So if you have a preference for where you like to sit, you can choose it when you book your ticket online. 

Similar to buses, popular train routes can fill up, so it’s best to book your ticket in advance, especially during peak tourist season.

Using Trains in Dublin

In Dublin, there is a local train system called DART, which not only takes you around the city, but it also connects you to beautiful coastal towns like Howth, Bray, and Greystones.

If you’re in the city, I highly recommend using it for a day trip from Dublin!

There is also the LUAS, a tram system with two lines through the city. It’s really useful when you’re tired of walking and want to get to the other side of the River Liffey quickly!

When to Use a Guided Tour

I used so many guided tours on my first trip to Ireland. I booked them to see the Cliffs of Moher, Kylemore Abbey, and the Giant’s Causeway. 

As I’ve gotten more comfortable navigating Ireland, I don’t use them as much, but they are incredibly valuable if you want to see a lot in a short amount of time. They’re also super informative, so not only are you seeing the sights, you’re learning about their history and why they’re important.

They can be expensive, but I do think it’s worth it when you’re short on time, or the logistics are annoying. I especially like them when you’re seeing multiple places in one day and just have to show up to the bus on time!

When I do book guided tours, I use GetYourGuide. Double-check what is included in the guided tour price, like entry tickets or lunch.

How to Combine These Transportation Options into One Itinerary

You don’t have to choose one transportation method for your entire trip. You can get creative and use these different options to make your itinerary doable!

For example, I have taken a bus to Doolin, then decided I wanted to go to Kinsale. But using public transportation, it would’ve taken me 8 hours! Instead, I called a group tour company that would leave the Cliffs of Moher and go back to Cork. I joined them after their time at the Cliffs ended, and I got to stop in the Burren and at Bunratty Castle with them on the way to Cork. Once in Cork, I hopped on a train to Kinsale!

For my upcoming trip, after I’m done driving the Ring of Kerry and Dingle Peninsula, I will drop my rental car off at Shannon Airport, then hop on a bus to Galway where I’ll spend the weekend before hopping on another bus to Dublin Airport to fly home.

My recommendation is to choose the mode of transport that best fits your itinerary and budget. Once you know where you want to go, choosing how to get there becomes much easier.

Still nervous about planning Ireland without a car?

I get it. I spent my first nine trips figuring out how to make public transportation work, and I know it can feel overwhelming when you’re staring at a map trying to figure out how all the pieces fit together.

That’s why I put together my 7-day Ireland itinerary without a car. It takes the transportation methods I’ve used and turns them into a week-long trip, so you don’t have to figure out every bus and train connection yourself.

Read More About Ireland Travel Planning

• How to Plan a Trip to Ireland: A Step-by-Step Guide
• Is Ireland Safe to Travel Alone as a Solo Female Traveler
• The Only Ireland Packing List You Need for Any Season
• What Not To Do In Ireland: Avoid These Tourist Mistakes in Ireland
• 20 of the Best Places to Visit in Ireland
• How to Spend 7 Days in Ireland without a Rental Car
• How to Spend Four Days in Ireland: The Ultimate Itinerary
• How to Get Around Ireland as a Solo Traveler
• How Much Does a Trip to Ireland Cost? A Realistic Budget
  
  
  

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