Contiki FAQ Ireland including dublin

Q: I have just finished the Great Britian and Ireland or just Ireland tour, the tour finishes in Dublin but i want to travel further, can i get a lift with the coach?

A: After the tour finishes in Dublin, the coach heads back to London. Most people either stay in Dublin or head back to London. You can ask your driver if you can get dropped off at the port, as that is the way the coach will go as well, but it also depends on the tour manager.

Q: How long should i stay in Dublin before starting a tour?

A: Dublin has lots to do and see as well as pub crawls at night. Allow 1 day to see museums and 1 day to see the sights of the city, you can easily add on another day to do a tour outside the city. However with Contiki, you arrive in the afternoon of 1 day and pend the night before moving on the next day, when you return back to dublin, you have that afternoon and then leave the next day. Either stay in Dublin afterwards in come in before hand.

Q: What is Dublin's temple bar area like?

A: The temple bar area is full or bars, pubs and restaurants. It is the main tourist zone of the city. It is a fun place to be. The temple bar itself is hard to miss as it is red. There are also lots of tourist around it and inside it. It is a very crowded place. It is worth it to try and get inside and have a look around if you can get in. There might also be some live music inside.

Q: Is Northern Ireland safe?

A: Of course it is. It was dangerous many years ago, but now it is safe. You can go visit the spots where the troubles happened. Go visit and explore.

Q: In Ireland, how much time do you get to see the giant's causeway?

A: This is a large area and there is lots to see. It is also down a hill, so to get there you walk down the hill after being dropped off by the coach, you walk through the visitors centre, pick up the audio guide and walk down the hill. At the bottom is the rock formations known as the giants causeway. You take some pictures around the area and then walk back up. You may get from 1hr – 90 minutes to see it and that is all you need. Just remember that you need to climb back up the hill. There is a shuttle bus that goes down, but this costs 1 pound.

Q: If im doing the Ireland tour, what happens when the tour gets back to Dublin?

A: The tour gets back to Dublin early, but you don't go to the hotel. There is a drop off at the Guinness storehouse for those doing the optional and then a meeting time is arranged at the hotel to collect bags and check in. So there is a bit of free time. So when you get back to the hotel you have a few more hours, then you meet up again and go to the final optional – merry ploughboys pub, eat and drink here, then it is back to the city to hit the bars there. The tour then ends the next day.

Q: What happens in Belfast when you are on a contiki tour?

A: Belfast is not an overnight stop. You get on the coach in Dublin heading for Derry with a few stops. Belfast is one of the stops. You arrive, stop for a rest stop and wait for the local guide. Once the local guide gets on, the coach will drive around the significant areas of the city, the guide will point out the local history, you will see the various murals and go through the city. A stop will be made at the wall where people have left peace messages, take a few minutes to have a look around here. From here you go over to the titanic museum, you won't have time to look at the whole museum, just enough for a quick look around. From here the coach heads back into the main city centre and you may have 45 mins to 1hr to explore and grab lunch before meeting the coach again and leaving the city.

Q: In Galway, how does contiki get to the Aran islands?

A: This is part of the tour and thus is included. You catch the coach from the hotel to the ferry terminal. This takes about 1hr and then it is a 45 minute trip by ferry onto the island. A very easy trip just take a book or something.

Q: On the Aran islands, what can you do there?

A: Most people will hire a bike and ride around the island, seeing the beach, the fort, the pubs. If you don't like riding, there is also walking and there is a bus that goes around the island. Most people go and get lunch from one of the shops near the port and then head to the fort, taking time to explore the island.

Q: In Galway, how much free time do you have on arrival day?

A: The coach gets into the city about 11.30am and would pick you up about 3pm. In that time you have enough time to see the main sights of the city, have lunch and maybe do some shopping. There is a good ice cream place in one of the malls.

Q: What do you see on an organized walking tour of dublin?

A: There are a number of walking tours of this city. You will see the town hall, the castle, the walls. Learn about the history of the city and the vikings. You will also walk around the temple bar area and head to the st Patrick church or the christchurch cathedral. All the walks are good and you do learn stuff about the city.

Q: In Cork in Ireland, how much free time do you get?

A: When you arrive in cork, you have several hours before the included dinner. This is enough time to walk around the city, have a look at some of the churches, see the market or go shopping. It is only a small city anyway. The hotel is in a good location for a walk around.

Q: In cobh, Ireland at the Titanic museum, how much time do you have to explore?

A: Cobh is home to the Titanic museum. There is a bit to see here. Generally you are given about 1hr – 90 minutes to explore. This is enough time to see the exhibitions and displays, see the shop and maybe have a coffee.

Q: There are two Jameson distillery tours in Ireland, which one is best?

A: There is a Jameson distillery in Dublin, you can do the tour here, it is included on the Dublin pass, it is a good tour and very interesting. There is another on in Middleton. This one is either included on a contiki or an optional. This one also has more to see then the one in Dublin, but just as good. Do both if you want.

Q: What are some things to do in Dublin at night?

A: The Irish are famous for the drinking and singing, so head to a bar that has live music, have a few pints and listen to some great live music. That is all you need to do. There are also pub crawls of all types and just wandering around temple bar is an experience.

Q: In cork, Ireland, what are some of the things that contiki does at night?

A: There are plenty of bars in this city, hang out and enjoy them, or for something different head to a bowling alley, play a few games, hang out and enjoy yourself. Or just wander around the city at night.

Q: How can you get from Dublin to London with out flying?

A: You can head to the ferry terminal, catch the ferry to wales and then train to London, or bus to London, either way you have to catch a ferry.

Q: What is the weather like in Dublin?

A: Generally it is sunny but it can change to rainy very fast. It is a more sunnier version of london.

Q: In Dublin, where can i pick up the Dublin pass?

A: You can pick up one at the airport or at the tourist information center in the city.

Q: How long is it from Dublin to Belfast?

A: It takes about 3hrs by coach depending on traffic.

Q: In Derry, Ireland, what does contiki do for dinner?

A: After the walking tour of the city, you are free to find your own. Your tour manager makes recommendations, usually some of the pubs.

Q: In Galway, how much free time does contiki give you on arrival into the city?

A: You have a number of hours free time – about 3hrs. This enough to explore the city centre, have lunch, go shopping and see the sites.

Q: In Galway, how long does it take to walk from the city centre to the contiki hotel?

A: It is about a 20 – 30 minute walk, along a main road, but it is an easy walk.

Q: In Cork, how far from the city centre is the contiki hotel?

A: The hotel is located on the edge of the main part of the city, beside the river. That being said it is only a 5 minute walk to get into the center of town.

Q: In Cork, what is there to see?

A: There is the English market, various parks and gardens, churches and there is a museum or two. It is also fun to walk the streets and explore.

Q: In Ireland, are there different beers and ciders throughout the country.

A: Ireland has a number of different beers and ciders that you can try from guinness, killkenny to bulmers cider. Try many, have fun while doing it.

Q: On a contiki Ireland tour, how much free time do you have on the return to Dublin?

A: You have from about 11am free, however you still need to check into the hotel and there are optionals at dinner time. So getting back to the hotel by 4pm is a good idea.