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Getting Around
Public Transport
Dublin’s public transport system is a bus and rail network, although a new network of 40 trams is due to be introduced (with passenger services due for commencement in 2003) by Luas Light Rail Lines (tel: (01) 646 3400; website: www.luas.ie).
Iarnród Éireann (Irish Rail) runs the clean and speedy electrical DART (Dublin Area Rapid Transport; tel: (01) 836 6222) rail services Monday to Saturday 0630-2400 and Sunday 0930-2300. Rail fares vary according to routes.
Bus Átha Cliath (Dublin Bus) (tel: (01) 873 4222; website: www.dublinbus.ie) runs the city bus services, which operate 0600-2330, with a night bus service (Nitelink) running daily 2330-0430.
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: one to three stops cost €1, four to seven stops cost €1.50, eight to 13 stops cost €1.70, 14 stops and over cost €1.70-2 (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.
Various passes for bus or rail (or combined) are available. There are one-, three-, five- and seven-day Rambler Tickets (at €4.50, €8.80, €13.90 and €16.50 respectively), which offer unlimited travel for consecutive days on all Dublin Bus scheduled services, excluding the night buses. A weekly pass for the DART costs €18.40 and a monthly pass costs €66. There is also an Adult Short Hop pass (€7.20), valid for unlimited travel for one day on all Dublin Bus, DART and suburban rail services, or a Family Short Hop pass (€10.70).
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) is a reputable company. There is often a considerable waiting period for a taxi at peak times, especially Friday and Saturday nights. Taxis cost €2.75 for journeys under three minutes 20 seconds and an extra €0.10 for each additional 40 seconds (or each additional ninth of a mile). There is a €0.40 surcharge for each additional passenger or item of luggage and during unsociable hours. It is customary to tip the driver 10-15% of the fare.
Limousines
The Limousine Company (tel: (01) 843 9055; website: www.limousine.ie) specialises in corporate hire and offers the latest, conference-seated limousines from €65 per hour (for a minimum four-hour hire period).
Driving in the City
The volume of traffic in Dublin is increasing and parking is expensive and limited, although some hotels and guesthouses provide private parking for guests. Visitors should avoid driving during morning and late afternoon rush hours if possible. Drivers should keep out of bus lanes at all times, whether driving or parking. There are also numerous one-way systems in the centre, including the quays alongside the River Liffey (the south bank flows east to west and the north bank, west to east).
Street parking is limited in the city centre and official car parks are usually the best bet. 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. For street parking, kerbside pay-and-display meters are standard; the maximum time for parking is usually three hours.
Clamping zones operate within the city centre and the recovery of a clamped vehicle will cost around €80. Recovery of clamped or towed-away vehicles is from The Parking Shop (tel: (01) 602 2500).
Car Hire
A full national driving licence and deposit are necessary to hire a car in Ireland; most firms require the driver to be over 23 and under 70 years old and to have held a full driving licence for a minimum of two years without endorsements.
Avis, 1 East Hanover Street (tel: (01) 605 7500; website: www.avis.com); Budget, 151 Lower Drumcondra Road (tel: (01) 837 9611; website: www.budget.com), and the local Access Car Rental, Dublin Airport (tel: (01) 844 4848; website: www.accesscarrentals.com), are among the main providers.
Rates vary on a seasonal basis and start from around €280 per week upwards for the hire of a small car. Pre-booking is strongly recommended in summer and payment is usually only accepted by credit card.
Bicycle Hire
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; fax: (01) 872 9462; e-mail: cycleway@indigo.ie; website: www.cycleways.com), and McDonald Cycles Ltd, 38-39 Wexford Street (tel: (01) 475 2586), both offer a hire service.
Bicycles may be hired for around €12 per day or €50 per week. Deposits of at least €60 are usually required.
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