Ireland is small enough to cross by train in an afternoon, and many of the places visitors come for are within reach of a station or a coach stop. The gaps are in the far west and on the peninsulas, where buses run less often and a tour or a bike fills in.
The rail network
Iarnród Éireann (Irish Rail) runs intercity trains from Dublin to Cork, Galway, Limerick, Westport, Killarney, Tralee, Waterford and Sligo. Most routes to the west and south leave from Heuston station; trains to Sligo, Belfast and the southeast coast leave from Connolly.
The Enterprise, run jointly with NI Railways, links Dublin Connolly and Belfast.
Buses and coaches
Bus Éireann's Expressway coaches reach towns the railway does not, including Donegal, Clifden and much of West Cork. Private operators run competing services on busy routes, such as Dublin to Galway.
Rural local buses run less often, some only on certain days, and TFI Local Link fills some of the gaps. Check the timetable before planning a day around one.
In the cities
Dublin has buses, the Luas tram and the DART coastal railway, which runs from Howth and Malahide in the north to Bray and Greystones in the south. A Leap Card works on all three.
The centres of Cork, Galway and Limerick are compact enough to walk.
Ferries to the islands
Passenger ferries sail to the Aran Islands from Rossaveal all year, and from Doolin in season. Cape Clear is reached by ferry from Baltimore, and Tory from Magheroarty. Achill needs no ferry: a road bridge crosses to the island.
Crossings depend on the weather. Check with the operator on the day.
Greenways
Greenways are traffic-free routes for cycling and walking, many on old railway lines. The Great Western Greenway runs from Westport towards Achill, and the Waterford Greenway from Waterford city to Dungarvan. Bike hire is available at the main trailheads.
Day tours
Coach tours leave Dublin and Galway for the Cliffs of Moher, Connemara, Glendalough and the Giant's Causeway. They save the driving, at the cost of fixed timings.
Northern Ireland
Translink runs buses and trains in Northern Ireland, including the coastal line from Belfast to Derry. Its tickets and timetables are separate from those in the Republic.
