Coach hire for day tours

How far one day can go

Daily driving is capped at 9 hours, extendable to 10 hours twice a week. After 4.5 hours of driving a break of at least 45 minutes is due, and it can be split as 15 minutes then 30. For a group, that break works best as lunch. The Ring of Kerry loop from Killarney, about 180 km, is a full day with stops. The Giant's Causeway in Northern Ireland is about 3.5 hours from Dublin each way, which leaves little time on the stones.

What the rules require

• A break of at least 45 min is required after 4.5 h driving, splittable 15 + 30 min
• Passengers aged 3 or over must wear seat belts on buses where they are fitted

Sites that run on arrival slots

At the Cliffs of Moher, coach arrivals must book ahead, and coaches use a dedicated coach park entrance. Brú na Bóinne is visited only by shuttle bus from its visitor centre, so the coach waits there. At Glenveagh, coaches stop at the visitor centre car park and the park shuttle runs visitors up to the castle. Fix those times first and fit the drive around them.

Getting out of Dublin

Tours heading west on the M50 cross the barrier-free toll between junctions 6 and 7. Coaches pay it and there is no cash booth, so payment is by account, tag or online. In the city centre, the quays bus gates run from 07:00 to 19:00, so pick a morning pickup that avoids them. Glendalough is about an hour away, Powerscourt about 35 to 45 minutes.

Shorter days from regional bases

From Galway, Kylemore Abbey and the Cliffs of Moher are each about 1.5 hours. From Cork, Blarney is about 20 minutes and Kinsale about 30. From Limerick, the Rock of Cashel is about an hour. Shorter drives leave more time on foot and fewer headcounts on the road.

Questions

Must passengers wear belts on a tour coach?

Anyone aged 3 or over wears a seat belt where one is fitted. Remind the group as it reboards at each stop.

Can we see the Cliffs of Moher and Kylemore Abbey in one day from Galway?

Each is about 1.5 hours from Galway, in different directions. Doing both leaves little time at either; one per day gives each site its due.

Who pays the M50 toll?

Coaches are liable for it. Ask the operator to confirm the toll is covered in the quote.

Cities

• Dublin
• Galway
• Killarney
• Cork
• Limerick
• Letterkenny

Vehicles

• Full-size coach — 49-81 seats
• Midi coach — 29-35 seats
• Minibus — 16-19 seats
• Executive van (Mercedes V-Class and similar) — 6-7 seats
• Executive car (E-Class saloon class) — 1-3 seats
• Wheelchair-accessible minibus — 10-16 plus wheelchair spaces

Plan a day tour

Send the pickup point, the stops you want and the group size. A licensed partner operator quotes a coach with a driver, and you decide.

Request a quote or call 35312659152