How to Get to The Martinstown House
Dublin to Kildare (Step 1)
Bus
From Dublin Airport:
There is a direct bus from the Dublin Airport to Kildare. You will want to take the 726 bus (Portlaoise) that stops in Kildare Town. This bus is run by Dublin Coach and here is their website: Dublin Coach (Big Green Bus.) You can see the timetable and also book a ticket directly on this website. This route runs 24 x 7 and leaves on the half hour.
The journey will take 1:30 and will cost €12 ($13.50) per adult. See the instructions below to find out how to get from Kildare to The Martinstown House.
* You can also take the bus from The Dublin Airport to Newbridge. Newbridge and Kildare are 15-minutes away from each other.
Train
From Dublin Airport:
Take the Dublin Express 782 to Dublin Heuston Rail Station. You can buy this ticket online using their website or you can pay at the stand outside of the airport. This trip takes 24-30 minutes and costs €8 ($9).
Dublin Heuston to Kildare Town:
Take the train (Portlaoise/Limerick Service) from Dublin Heuston to Kildare Train Station. You can book this ticket online through The Irish Rail website. Their website will not let you book more than 90 days in advance. The trip costs €9.75 ($11) and it is 30-40 minute journey to Kildare.
Dublin Heuston to Newbridge:
You can also catch the train from Dublin Heuston to Newbridge. Newbridge is the stop before Kildare. Kildare and Newbridge are 15-minutes away from each other.
Rental Car
There are many benefits to having a rental car in Ireland. While the public transportation system is good, it does limit the locations you will be able visit. Getting a rental car is one of our favorite modes of transportation to traverse the country.
If you plan on staying in Dublin for a few nights, I’d recommend renting your car in the City Center (downtown Dublin.)
If you plan on driving directly from the Dublin airport to The Martinstown House, rent your car at the Dublin Airport.
I have rented from the Dublin airport and the city center and both branches are good. We recommend going with Sixt. We have rented in many different countries and Sixt is constantly good. They have new cars and good customer service. We do recommend getting $0 excess coverage. That is the best coverage they offer and always gives us peace of mind when renting a car.
Some credit cards allow you to get cheaper insurance through their credit card as an alternative to buying the rental car company’s insurance. Check the fine print because sometimes Ireland can be excluded from the covered countries.
Notes:
- In Ireland you drive on the left side of the road and the steering wheel is on the right side of the car. It takes a little time for your brain to adjust, but becomes very normal after a few hours. I recommend the other transportation options if you are not comfortable driving on the left side of the road.
- It is still common to get manual transmission cars in Ireland. If you prefer automatic, make sure to select an automatic car when reserving your vehicle online.
Personal Transport
If you would like us to recommend some companies that offer private transport and tours in Ireland, please email us at [email protected].
Kildare To The Martinstown House (Step 2)
* Only necessary if you plan on taking a train or bus from Dublin
Taxi
From Kildare:
Once you make it to Kildare via bus or train, take a taxi to the Martinstown House. See the recommended companies below:
Wedding Day Transportation
Shuttle
We will provide a shuttle the night of the wedding to take you from The Martinstown House to your accommodation. If the shuttle does not fit your schedule, you can always get a taxi back to your accommodation. We will provide more information closer to the wedding.
Note: The taxi companies can get strained if the demand is high on Saturday night. It is recommended to call ahead before you want to leave so that you do not have to wait so long for the taxi to arrive.