With the short trip to Dublin nearing completion, it’s time to head back to the airport to go back to the UK for my main holiday. The Airlink Express 747 serves the City Centre well, but it does quite a bit of a zig-zag on the return trip to the airport. To speed my journey up a little, I opted to take the Luas Red Line to Busáras where I could change to both the parallel Airlink Express 747 or 757, just as it heads east to the Dublin port Tunnel to Dublin Airport.
Heading into Busáras Central Bus Station from the Busáras Luas stop.
The many bus bays of Busáras Central Bus Station for long-distance buses.
The Airlink Express stop is at Gate 15 on the external road.
Just as I was heading to the gate, an Airlink Express was ready to depart.
Watching the Airlink Express departing in front of my eyes. Oh well.
Actually, since the bus stop was outside, there was no need to walk through the bus terminal, but it did make for a more comfortable walk.
The dedicated Airlink Express stop at Busáras Central Bus Station.
The route information and timetable of Airlink Express 747 from Heuston Railway Station.
The route information and timetable of Airlink Express 757 from Camden Street.
Luas trams passing by the bus stop.
As this is a full-fledged bus terminal, there are useful facilities such as toilets or convenience stores to use while waiting for the bus.
About 10 minutes after watching the previous bus depart, the Airlink Express 757 pulled in.
Here’s another tip: If you are planning to get a single ticket for the Airlink Express instead of the Leap Visitor Card, you can find people to share a taxi from Busaras to Dublin Airport instead, which would make an individual fare of €5 (€20/4 passengers) as compared to the Airlink Express single fare of €7.
Boarding the Airlink Express 757 to Dublin Airport at Busáras. Goodbye Dublin.
The Leap card reader on the Airlink Express.
Touching in on the Airlink Express, the last journey on my 24 hour Leap Visitor Card, with 10 minutes to spare till expiry. Perfect.
The view of the lower deck of the Airlink Express bus.
The view from my seat on the upper deck.
The typical legroom on the Airlink Express bus.
Heading out of Busáras.
Passing by EPIC The Irish Emigration Museum.
The route map of Airlink Express 747 and 757 found in the bus.
Making a stop at Point Village and The 3Arena, the last bus stop in the city before taking the Dublin Port Tunnel to the airport directly.
Passing by The 3Arena.
Turning left to the Dublin Port Tunnel.
Looking back at The Point Luas stop.
Passing by the Dublin Port railway yard.
Crossing over the tracks linking to Dublin Port.
Heading to Dublin Port Tunnel.
The Dublin Port Tunnel is toll free for trucks and buses.
At peak hours, it’s really expensive for cars.
Heading in the bus lane at the toll booth.
Just 9km to the airport from here.
Heading into the Dublin Port Tunnel.
If the hopper windows are open, the ride gets loud in the tunnel.
Glad that I’m on the Airlink Express instead of the regular Service 16 on local roads where this jam is headed for.
Taking the exit to Dublin Airport.
The Airlink Express heads to Terminal 2 first.
The Airlink Express drops passengers at the Terminal 2 departure driveway, pretty convenient.
Heading on to Terminal 1.
The older facade of Terminal 1.
Pulling into the Airlink Express bus bay at Terminal 1.
The journey from Busáras Central Bus Station to Dublin Airport took around 30 minutes.
Looking back at the Airlink Express 757 bus. The driver takes a break here before commencing the next trip.
Heading on to the passenger terminal building.
A competitor of the Airlink Express, the Aircoach also takes passengers to and from Dublin City Centre in a north-south route, but is not covered by the Leap Visitor Card. Ryanair sells coupons for the Aircoach on board, but it’s still overall cheaper to get the Leap Visitor Card anyway.
Here, I headed up the departure hall to get ready for my Ryanair flight back to Birmingham.
Overall, my €10 24 hour Leap Visitor Card offered excellent value for my trip with a return trip of the Airlink Express valued at €12, an Adult TFI Leap Card for €5, a Luas Daily Cap valued at €7 for the first day and a Bus / Luas / Dart Commuter Rail Daily Cap valued at €10 for the first day, making my total actual expenditure €34. This means I saved €24 by buying the Leap Visitor Card. What a great travel ticket in Dublin, perfect for my kind of trips.