Planning Your Trip to Ireland
Ireland is an easy country to travel in. The infrastructure is good, English is spoken everywhere, and the people are genuinely welcoming. A few practical things are worth knowing before you arrive.
Getting to Ireland
By Air
Dublin Airport is Ireland's main international gateway with direct flights from dozens of US, Canadian, European, and Middle Eastern cities. Cork Airport and Shannon Airport also handle transatlantic and European routes. Shannon Airport is particularly useful if you are starting your trip in the west or planning the Shannon to Galway to Cliffs of Moher route.
US Preclearance
Dublin and Shannon airports both have US Customs and Border Protection preclearance facilities. You clear US immigration in Ireland before boarding, arriving into the US as a domestic passenger, which saves significant time on arrival.
By Ferry
Brittany Ferries and Irish Ferries run from Holyhead, Fishguard, Pembroke, and Liverpool to Dublin, Rosslare, and Belfast. The Holyhead to Dublin crossing takes 2 to 3.5 hours. A good option if you want to bring your own car.
Getting Around Ireland
Renting a Car
A rental car is by far the best way to explore Ireland, especially for the west coast, the Ring of Kerry, Connemara, or anywhere off the main bus routes. Book in advance, especially in summer. Ireland drives on the left. If you are not used to this, give yourself an hour or two to adjust. Most rental cars in Ireland are manual (stick shift). Book specifically for an automatic if you need one.
Narrow Roads
Irish country roads can be very narrow, sometimes with passing places. Hedgerows often come right to the tarmac edge. Take it slowly, pull in when you see another car coming, and do not assume the other driver knows the road either.
Bus, Coach and Train
Bus Eireann runs intercity coach services between all major towns. GoBus and Citylink also run popular routes on the Dublin to Galway corridor. Irish Rail connects Dublin with Cork, Galway, Limerick, and Killarney. For rural areas, services become infrequent. Dublin's Leap Card works across all public transport and is significantly cheaper than cash fares.
Money & Costs
Currency
The Republic of Ireland uses the Euro. Northern Ireland uses the British Pound Sterling. You cannot use euros in most Northern Ireland shops and vice versa. ATMs are widely available and most accept international cards. Card payments are accepted almost everywhere, including small cafes and market stalls.
Budget
Ireland is not a cheap destination, particularly Dublin. Budget travellers staying in hostels can get by on around 60 to 80 euros per day. Mid-range travellers in guesthouses eating out once a day should budget 120 to 180 euros per day. Outside Dublin, costs drop noticeably. Tipping is appreciated but not mandatory: 10 to 15 percent in restaurants for good service, round up in taxis, not expected in pubs for drinks.
Best Time to Visit Ireland
Summer (June to August)
Peak season. Long days (sunset around 10pm in late June), the festival calendar packed, and countryside at its greenest. Also the most expensive time. Book accommodation and popular tours 6 to 8 weeks ahead at minimum.
Shoulder Season (April, May, September, October)
Arguably the best time to visit. Thinner crowds, lower prices, and better light. May and September in particular often have more settled weather than July or August. The Wild Atlantic Way in October with autumn colour is a special experience.
Winter (November to March)
Mild but wet and grey. Short daylight. Many seasonal attractions operate on reduced hours. Dublin in winter has real buzz with Christmas markets and festivals. Prices are at their lowest. St. Patrick's Day (March 17th) is a major festival requiring months-ahead booking for Dublin accommodation.
Driving in Ireland
Speed Limits
Speed limits in the Republic are in kilometres per hour: 100km/h on open roads, 120km/h on motorways, 50km/h in towns. In Northern Ireland, limits are in miles per hour: 60mph on open roads, 70mph on motorways.
Fuel and Tolls
Petrol and diesel are widely available. Fill up before heading into remote areas of the west or northwest. The M50 Dublin ring road uses a cashless toll system (eFlow) that charges automatically. Check your rental agreement for toll handling. The drink driving limit is lower than in many countries. The safest rule is not to drink at all if driving.
Practical Information
Visas & Electricity
Citizens of the EU, EEA, UK, USA, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand do not need a visa for stays up to 90 days. Ireland uses Type G plugs (same as the UK), 230V/50Hz. US devices need a plug adapter and possibly a voltage converter.
Mobile Phones & Emergency Services
Ireland has good mobile coverage across most of the country, though patchy in remote western areas. EU roaming works in the Republic but not in Northern Ireland (UK networks). Prepaid SIMs from Three, Vodafone, or Eir are available at the airport. The emergency number in Ireland is 112 or 999.
What to Pack
Layers and Waterproofs
Irish weather is famously changeable. Sunshine, cloud, wind, and rain can happen in any order within an hour. The key is layers rather than one heavy coat. A waterproof outer layer is essential year-round. Merino wool base layers stay warm even when damp. Waterproof footwear is essential for any walking, especially coastal paths and national park routes which can be muddy year-round.
Culture & Useful Phrases
The Pub and Rounds
The Irish pub is a social institution. The rounds system means if you accept a drink from someone, you are implicitly agreeing to buy the next round. Embrace it or decline politely. Irish people are very easy to talk to. Complaining about the weather is a safe opening topic.
A Few Words of Irish
Common slang: "grand" means fine, "deadly" means excellent, "gas" means funny, "bold" means naughty.