Travel tips

Please note the information and prices was correct as at 23 Sept 2013.. We will do regular checks and updates closer to the reunion.. this is just to give you an idea to help you plan etc...
Heathrow Airport
Heathrow Express
Heathrow Underground
Oyster card
London Underground (Tube)
easyBus
Gatwick
Train and boat - London to Ireland
Gatwick
Bus Dublin Airport to Kilkenny
Hire a car

- Heathrow - www.heathrowairport.com

More than likely most of us will fly into Heathrow if not flying direct to Ireland..

Heathrow has a number of ways of getting into London.. (for you lucky ones planning on staying in London as well). Below are the easiest ways of getting into London and the stations are in the actual airport.

1. Heathrow Express - www.heathrowexpress.com
With a journey time of 15 minutes between the airport and London Paddington, and departures every 15 minutes, Heathrow Express offers the fastest journey time. From Paddington you will need to sort out other transport if needed in getting to your accommodation.
It is expensive compared to the underground. If you buy your ticket Online/Ticket Machines/Ticket Offices today it's £20 Adult £10 Child

2. London Underground to Heathrow - www.heathrowairport.com/transport-and-directions/underground
London Underground's Piccadilly Line provides the most cost-effective rail route between Heathrow Airport and the capital. Journey time is under an hour and you shouldn't have to wait longer than ten minutes for a train, even off-peak.
A single fare to central London costs approximately £5. Tickets are available at all London Underground stations, from ticket offices or machines. Pre-paid Oyster cards (see below for more info) can also be used on the London Underground.


- Oyster cards - www.tfl.gov.uk

Oyster is a plastic smartcard you can use instead of paper tickets. You can put pay as you go credit on it.

Oyster is the cheapest way to pay for single journeys on bus, Tube, tram, DLR, London Overground and most National Rail services in London. They are available at all underground stations. From memory the actual card is £5 (one off fee) then you can top it up £10, £20 or whatever you think you'll need.


- London Underground (Tube) - www.tfl.gov.uk

A great site with all the information you'll need for this awesome service... The underground is a must do.. especially some of the old Victorian stations that still have the beautiful tiles of that period..

Download the tube map before you leave home. There is even an interactive map





- easyBus - www.easybus.co.uk

We have found this a really convenient way to get to other airports. For example you have stayed a few nights in London and now it is time to fly to Ireland. This service is apparently the leading low cost London airport transfers bus and coach service - probably the cheapest and most convenient way of getting to and from central London to Gatwick Airport, Stansted Airport & Luton Airport. NB: It does not go to Heathrow.

easyBus is for all airline passengers, not only easyJet. You don't even have to be flying to use their service. Book early save more - whoever you fly with. The earlier you book the cheaper it is. We have paid as little as £2 for a trip. The only down side is that they can't transport alot of luggage.

- Gatwick express - www.gatwickexpress.com

Gatwick Express is a fast train between London Gatwick Airport and central London. Running non-stop between London Victoria station and Gatwick Airport, our airport train is renowned for its speed and frequency. With a timetable departure of every 15 minutes, and with a journey time of just 30 minutes, Gatwick Express is the favourite way to get to and from London Gatwick Airport.

Save money and time by buying your train tickets online at www.gatwickexpress.com.

- Train and boat - London to Ireland - www.seat61.com

This is a great way to see some of the beautiful countryside as you travel especially Wales which boasts some amazing scenery.
It is a 4 step journey
Step 1. Take a 125mph high-speed train from London Paddington station to Cardiff. There's a buffet-bar on board. You'll pass the Uffington White Horse and travel through Isambard Kingdom Brunel's Severn Railway Tunnel into South Wales.
Step 2. Transfer to a local train for the last leg to Fishguard Harbour. A refreshment trolley is available. It's a funny wee train.
Step 3. At Fishguard, the little 2-car train arrives right alongside the Stena Line ferry Stena Europe for Rosslare. It couldn't be simpler. The ferry has bars, restaurants, lounges & family areas, also private cabins.
Step 4. Once you arrive in Rosslare you will have to make your way to Kilkenny. Check out getthere.ie for the bus timetable. Alternatively you could hire a car.

In total it is a great scenic trip but it's a long trip.. London to Kilkenny via this mode of transport is about 12 hours.

For more details regarding costs, and timetables check out this informative site www.seat61.com. It's an awesome site full of information and tips regarding trains throughout the world.


- Bus Dublin Airport to Kilkenny - www.jjkavanagh.ie
General we use the bus company JJ Kavanagh to get from Dublin Airport to Kilkenny. The cost is reasonable and the journey time is 2.5 hours. It's easy to find the bus stop. Exit Dublin airport through the main doors, cross the road on the crossing and then keep going straight ahead.. eventually you'll see the buses. It's only about a 4 min walk. The coaches are modern, some with free WiFi and toilet.
You can view a timetable here.


- Hire a car

There are a few car hire companies to pick from.. Below is a list of couple or you could book one through your travel agent..
NB:Some of us have used Enterprise and they were good to deal with.
BIG BIG NOTE: Most of the cars are manual (stick shift) so if you are only keen on automatics you may have a problem finding one.
Enterprise Car Hire
Economy Car Rentals