Planning Your Trip to Ireland: 2022/2023 Essential Checklist (2023)

FAQs

What do I need when traveling to Ireland? ›

Ten days is just enough time to visit the highlights of Ireland, including Dublin, the Rock of Cashel, Galway, the Cliffs of Moher, the Dingle Peninsula, and Northern Ireland. It's an amazing trip, but expect to have busy, action packed days. Places to visit with 10 days in Ireland.

Five days in Ireland is just enough time to visit a few key destinations.

Can I Use US Money iIn Ireland? Simple answer = No. Only euro (€) is accepted in Ireland. Only British pound sterling (£) is accepted in Northern Ireland.

😋 Do I Tip in Irish Restaurants? It's normal to leave between 10-15% of your bill as a tip after dining in Irish restaurants, bistros, cafés or pubs. Leaving a tip higher than 15% of your bill after dining in Ireland is really only given for outstanding service.

When is the best time to visit Ireland? The best time to visit Ireland is between March and May, and September to November, when it's not as crowded as it is in summer, or as cold as it is in winter. That said, Ireland has a mild, temperate climate and although it's rainy at times, you can visit all year round.

Book at least 3 weeks before departure in order to get a below-average price. High season is considered to be June, July and August. The cheapest month to fly to Ireland is February.

Many people consider Ireland to be expensive. It's an island country and has a relatively small population. This means that they import a lot of their products which can raise prices. The country also has reasonably high taxes.

Is driving in Ireland difficult? ›

Driving in Ireland is not difficult , but you may want to rent an automatic car rather than one with a stick shift. Yes, it is more expensive, but the convenience is worth it if you're not used to driving on the left.

How long would it take to drive all around Ireland? It'll take about 13 hours to drive around Ireland. Starting from Dublin in the east, drive along the southeast coast to Kilkenny and then to Waterford. Drive south to Cork, then southwest to Killarney.

Jam-packed with buzzing pubs, fantastic galleries, thought-provoking museums and arguably the best restaurant scene in Ireland, Cork is the perfect city break destination.

Galway is one of Ireland's most picturesque cities, and if you love music, culture, and the arts, it is the perfect city for you. Brightly coloured pubs heave with live music and buskers line the streets playing instruments ranging from fiddles, tin whistles and bodhráns.

All US issued Visa Debit cards and Mastercard Debit cards should work in ATMs in Ireland. All US issued Visa Debit cards and Mastercard Debit cards can be used to spend in stores in Ireland.

Ireland's main currency is the Euro. Because most places you visit will be able to take your credit or debit cards, you don't need to take much cash. In fact, there is really no reason to get Euros before you leave the US.

Is tap water safe to drink. Your water is safe to drink unless you see one of these notices from Irish Water. Know what to do if you receive one.

Carrying cash - If you enter or leave the European Union (EU) at an Irish airport or port carrying cash of €10,000 or more, you must make a declaration to customs. Sending cash - If you send or receive cash of €10,000 or more by post, freight or courier you may have to make a cash disclosure declaration.

If you want to tip you must tell the cashier when you give her the card and how much, Cash is best though as some ruthless owners skim them if its by card. Simply tell the server you want to add a gratuity before they tap in the amount and they'll change the amount to the new total that includes your tip.

What is the wettest month in Ireland? October is often the wettest month in Ireland. In Dublin, there is approximately 80 mm (3”) of rain during the month of October. The months of November, December and January usually also receive high amounts of rainfall each year.

What is Ireland's most famous for? ›

As the creators of world-class beer and whiskey, Ireland has made a name for itself around the globe, giving people a taste of the Irish culture. Think Guinness, Jameson, Bushmills, and Kilkenny for instance.

January and February are the coldest months of the year, and mean daily air temperatures fall between 4 and 7 °C (39.2 and 44.6 °F) during these months.

Ireland is a very safe country to visit. Compared to other European countries, crime is relatively low and the crime that does happen is mostly fueled by alcohol, so you should avoid roaming along Ireland's streets late at night.

The Galway Races, Galway

Although this is promoted to be the pinnacle of Irish sports, this is, in fact, an overrated tourist trap.

Three days in Dublin is the perfect length of time to enjoy the sights, soak up the culture, the cathedrals and the castles. You'll also have plenty of time to explore the pubs and bars the city is so famous for and enjoy the craic.

In recognition of our consistent quality and excellent guest experience, Skytrax World Airline Awards has rated Aer Lingus 4-stars, making us the first and only Irish airline to receive such a prestigious rating.

Entry, Exit and Visa Requirements

You must have a valid passport to enter Ireland. U.S. citizens can enter visa-free for tourism or business stays of up to 90 days. There is no minimum passport validity requirement for U.S. citizens entering Ireland.

While meal prices in Ireland can vary, the average cost of food in Ireland is €32 per day. Based on the spending habits of previous travelers, when dining out an average meal in Ireland should cost around €13 per person. Breakfast prices are usually a little cheaper than lunch or dinner.

Lack of natural resources. We have a major lack of natural resources in Ireland meaning a huge amount of what we eat, wear and use has to be imported from abroad. And as outlined above, our relatively isolated, island location means transporting things into the country is more expensive than other countries.

Can I use my US driver's license in Ireland? ›

Your full US, Canadian or EU driving licence allows you to drive in Ireland both North and South.

In the United Kingdom and Northern Ireland, drivers sit on the right side of the car and drive on the left side of the road. Unlike in the U.S., where motorists can turn right at most red lights, you can never turn left on red in Ireland.

Despite being a compact country that you can literally drive all the way across in half a day, there's so much to see that travellers should budget at least one week in Ireland to properly explore.

At only 32,599 square miles (for reference, the state of Indiana is 35,910 square miles), Ireland's compact size makes it entirely possible to explore the highlights of the Emerald Isle in just one week, as long as you are up for a jam-packed week of activities and a lot of driving.

The top stops along the way from Dublin to Killarney (with short detours) are Kilkenny Castle, Bunratty Castle & Folk Park, and Rock of Cashel. Other popular stops include Trim Castle, Irish National Stud & Gardens, and King John's Castle.

Cork and Galway are both tour-worthy destinations. While Galway offers street entertainment, Cork stages the best music concerts. For a fantastic food experience, Cork edges Galway. However, if you want to enjoy the city with minimal movement, go to Galway.

Dublin has always shown mastery in football winning the All Ireland title a total of twenty-seven times to Cork's seven. However, these statistics are reversed when it comes to hurling, in which Cork has won a staggering thirty times compared to Dublin's six.

The train journey time between Dublin and Cork is around 2h 37m and covers a distance of around 265 km. Operated by Irish Rail, the Dublin to Cork train service departs from Heuston and arrives in Cork Kent.

Three days in Galway allow you to explore the culture-filled city, as well as the wind-whipped surrounding countryside—home to some of Ireland's most spectacular natural beauty spots, including the Cliffs of Moher and Connemara's hills, bogs, and rocky peaks.

Is there a train between Dublin and Galway? ›

How Long Is the Train Ride? The train journey takes between 2 hours and 21 minutes to 2 hours and 45 minutes, and prices usually range between 18-22 euros each way. Trains run between Dublin and Galway every day and are operated by Irish Rail. Trains depart Heuston Station in Dublin bound for Galway every two hours.

Galway is famous for being the festival capital of Ireland, hosting on average 122 festivals and events per year. Although Galway is often cited as being the fastest growing conurbation in Europe, it was relatively slow to develop.

Urlingford is known for being 'Halfway Between Dublin and Cork' and Hayes Bar has served teh passing traveller and locals since 1851 and remains in the same family hands.

How long is the drive from Dublin to Cork? The direct drive from Dublin to Cork is 160 mi (258 km), and should have a drive time of 2 hrs 32 mins in normal traffic.

Yes, the driving distance between Dublin to Galway is 209 km. It takes approximately 2h 8m to drive from Dublin to Galway.

You do not need to complete a UK passenger locator form before you travel, take any COVID-19 tests or quarantine when you arrive in England.

The travel test booking service is unavailable

You no longer need to take any coronavirus (COVID-19) tests when you arrive in the UK from abroad.

No, if you are a citizen of the UK, you do not need a passport to travel to Ireland. That's because Ireland and the UK along with the Isle of Man and the Channel Islands are part of the Common Travel Area. According to the laws of the agreement, there is minimal control on the internal borders of these countries.

Yes you can download and print the form.

Do I need travel insurance to go to Ireland? ›

Though it is not a requirement for travel to Ireland, many tourists opt for coverage. One reason is that for many families, Ireland is an ideal first international trip for their family, and travelers would like to add an extra layer of protection when traveling with children.

Key times to get tested: If you have symptoms, test immediately. If you were exposed to COVID-19 and do not have symptoms, wait at least 5 full days after your exposure before testing. If you test too early, you may be more likely to get an inaccurate result.

The Standard test is £99. LFTs are £17.50 each.

You do not need to take any COVID-19 tests or fill in a passenger locator form when travelling to the UK from abroad. These changes apply whether you are fully vaccinated or not.

Being fully vaccinated means that you have finished your vaccine, whether that's one dose or two, and two weeks have passed. You do need two weeks for your immune system to mount its full response. You are then considered fully immunized.

Please note that there is no set amount of funds that will result in the approval or refusal of an application. The Visa Officer will decide whether your have enough funds based on your individual circumstances. Your 3 most recent payslips.

Ireland is not part of the Schengen Area, which means that if you travel to the Schengen Area from Ireland, you pass through an immigration checkpoint and have to show your passport or national identity card. The following European Union countries are not part of the Schengen Area: Bulgaria. Croatia.

The Ireland visa processing time is about eight weeks.

However, depending on the specific case, it could take longer or even shorter, so be sure to apply well before your planned trip.

British nationals travelling from the UK don't need a passport to visit Ireland. However, Irish immigration officers will check the ID of all passengers arriving by air from the UK and may ask for proof of nationality, particularly if you were born outside the UK.

Licence, insurance and Brexit

Remember, in the Republic of Ireland, you must carry your driver's licence or permit at all times. From 2nd August 2021 UK registered vehicles (with valid insurance) will not need a Green Card to drive in Ireland or from Northern Ireland to the Republic of Ireland.

Do you need a visa to go to Ireland? ›

Entry, Exit and Visa Requirements

You must have a valid passport to enter Ireland. U.S. citizens can enter visa-free for tourism or business stays of up to 90 days. There is no minimum passport validity requirement for U.S. citizens entering Ireland.