How do you get from point A to point B when you do not have a car? I knew navigating my way around Dublin was going to be a new experience because my main means of transportation has always been driving my car. The first thing I had to do was layout my options for how to get around the city, the obvious choices are: by foot, taxi, or bus. I quickly learned from the locals that taxis, while they may get you somewhere faster, cost far too much for a student budget. That left me with two options to get around: either walking or hopping on a bus, and so the adventure of transportation began….
I learned from my CEA contacts in Dublin the main buses that would get me to and from school are bus 4, 9, and 13. This became the most valuable piece information to me. Now if you want to ride the bus, you have two ways you can pay for your bus fare: with coins or a Leap card. Nearly anywhere you go in Dublin the bus fare is €2.70. Passengers can pay the fair with the coins in their pockets, or they can swipe their handy Leap card. A Leap card is the bus pass in Dublin, and with one you can actually save money while riding the bus. Dublin implemented a system that no bus rider can be taxed more than €7 a day in bus fare; however this only benefits Leap card holders because this is how they track spending.
My first solo bus ride encounter was when I was on my way to the National Concert Hall to see the “Children of Lir” performance. I was rather nervous to be navigating the Dublin bus system on my own, so I turned to the place I always do in a time of doubt, Google. And Google came to the rescue in a matter of seconds showing me which bus to take, when the bus would arrive, and how long it would take to walk to my bus stop. I immediately regained confidence when I had the answers I needed at my fingertips. After navigating my way to and from the National Concert Hall that evening on my own, I knew I could find my way anywhere.
 |
| Leap card for the bus. |
 |
| Coins for the bus. |
I learned from my CEA contacts in Dublin the main buses that would get me to and from school are bus 4, 9, and 13. This became the most valuable piece information to me. Now if you want to ride the bus, you have two ways you can pay for your bus fare: with coins or a Leap card. Nearly anywhere you go in Dublin the bus fare is €2.70. Passengers can pay the fair with the coins in their pockets, or they can swipe their handy Leap card. A Leap card is the bus pass in Dublin, and with one you can actually save money while riding the bus. Dublin implemented a system that no bus rider can be taxed more than €7 a day in bus fare; however this only benefits Leap card holders because this is how they track spending.
My first solo bus ride encounter was when I was on my way to the National Concert Hall to see the “Children of Lir” performance. I was rather nervous to be navigating the Dublin bus system on my own, so I turned to the place I always do in a time of doubt, Google. And Google came to the rescue in a matter of seconds showing me which bus to take, when the bus would arrive, and how long it would take to walk to my bus stop. I immediately regained confidence when I had the answers I needed at my fingertips. After navigating my way to and from the National Concert Hall that evening on my own, I knew I could find my way anywhere.
 |
| President Michael D. Higgins of Ireland, the man with white hair standing next a to General. |
 |
| The National Concert Hall. |
 |
| The stage inside the National Concert Hall. |
To my friends and all travelers, I recommend downloading the Google Maps app to help you navigate any city you intend to explore. It gives you updates on buses in the area, by the minute. Whether you want to take the bus or a taxi, it is a good idea to have a knowledge of the area you are in and an accurate map is helpful. I have also come to learn I must kick my stubborn habit of not carrying physical cash with me because nearly every taxi only takes cash. Learn from me and don’t repeat my mistakes, it will help you!
Victoria K. is the Fall 2016 CEA MOJO Blogger in Dublin, Ireland. She is currently a sophmore studying Marketing and Accounting at the University of Southern Indiana.