trip to ireland planning

Planning a Trip to Ireland in 2024: 8 Essential Details

By Author Keith O'Hara

Posted on Last updated: February 16, 2024

STOP – let’s get this out of the way from the start – why should you trust my planning a trip to Ireland guide?

• Reason one : I’ve lived in Ireland for 35 years
• Reason two : I’ve spent the last 10 helping thousands of people plan a trip to Ireland
• Reason three : We recently published the world’s largest Ireland itinerary library
• Reason four : We use a tried and tested 8-step approach so you plan your visit in a logical manner

I am  very  confident that, if you follow the steps laid out in the Ireland trip planner below, you’ll remove the bulk of the stress involved in planning your visit! Cheers!

Table of Contents

The steps for planning a trip to Ireland in 2024

Click to enlarge

The graphic above will give you an overview of how to plan a trip to Ireland – these are the steps we’ll take you through below.

We’ve refined this over the years and it’s now our go-to process . Take a few minutes to look through it – it’ll save you  time, hassle and money in the long run.

Step 1: Identifying your Ireland road trip uncontrollables

The first step in planning a trip to Ireland is to build a solid foundation.

This means understanding the things that you have no control over  from the beginning . For most people, the ‘uncontrollables’ are:

• Visa requirements
• Entry points to the country (e.g. ferry terminals or airports in Ireland )
• How long they can visit for
• Their budget (see our guide to the cost of a trip to Ireland )

Getting a sense of these elements from the very beginning will set you up for success . This tends to be the boring part when planning an Ireland vacation, but it pays dividends in the long run (I promise).

Step 2: Understand the lay of the land

The second step of how to plan a trip to Ireland is to get a good lay-of-the-land . This will help you understand what is and isn’t possible when it comes to your Ireland itinerary .

Now, if you’ve been to Ireland before and you know the layout of the country, you can ignore this. However, this is a very useful step for first-timers.

We have three goals for this step:

• Goal 1 : To help you understand where the attractions in Ireland that  you want to see are located
• Goal 2 : To identify clusters of attractions (these will help you map our your route)
• Goal 3 : To rule places in or out (the clusters will help you do this)

Here’s what to do:

• Step 1 : Open a Google ‘My Map’ and create a new map
• Step 2 : Plot everywhere you want to see on the map
• Step 3 : Look for clusters of attractions (i.e. areas where you have a build up of attractions)

Step 3: Understand your options for getting around Ireland

The next step in how to plan a trip to Ireland will have a massive effect on both your experience and the cost of your trip.

Deciding how to get around Ireland can be a sticking point for many people when planning a trip to Ireland.

If you’re sticking to main towns and cities ( check your map from step 2 !) there’ll be good public transport options, and you likely won’t need a car .

If you want to step off-the-beaten-path and like flexibility, a car is your best bet. Here are the pros and cons to both:

Option 1: Getting around by car

Renting a car in Ireland is a good choice if you want to step off-the-beaten-path and like flexibility.

• The advantages: You’ll have more freedom to explore and you can travel at your own pace
• The disadvantages: It can be very  expensive and, for some, driving in Ireland can be stressful.

Option 2: Getting around by public transport

Getting around Ireland without a car is possible. Yes, using public transport in Ireland is less flexible than using a car but it has its advantages.

• The advantages: It’s relatively affordable, it’ll be less stressful for some and it’s easy to combine it with day trips
• The disadvantages: You won’t be able to get to many rural attractions, some places have poor public transport and you have to stick to predetermined schedules

Step 4: Deciding when to visit Ireland

The next stage of our how to plan a trip to Ireland process involves picking the best time of year to visit Ireland .

Deciding when you’re going to visit at this stage puts you in a good position for the itinerary planning step (e.g. in the summer you’ll have  many  more hours of daylight to explore in).

Some factors worth thinking about at this point are:

• Your budget : Off peak ( Autum and Winter ) will be cheaper than peak ( Summer and Spring )
• The weather : Daylight hours and  likely  weather conditions (see the weather in Ireland by month )
• What’s on : Some people like to plan around the different festivals in Ireland
• Your availability : In an ideal world, you’d visit whenever you like, but you may have to plan around work, school etc

Step 5: Mapping out an itinerary

The next step in planning an Ireland vacation is to map out a rough Ireland itinerary .

Now, if you don’t want the hassle of this, we have  hundreds  of ready-made itineraries in our Road Trip Hub where you can pick a route based on:

• How you’re getting around (we have public transport and car itineraries)
• Your start point (e.g. Shannon, Dublin etc.)
• The speed you like to travel (fast or slow)
• Your fitness level (good or limited)

However, you can of course map our your own itinerary. Here are some things to consider if you’re planning a trip to Ireland yourself:

1. Be realistic

The biggest causer of stress amongst people planning a trip to Ireland is that they try and fit everything into one trip .

You need to be realistic about what you can and can’t do during your visit. Yes, this’ll mean not visiting some places but it’ll ensure that you enjoy the time that you’re here for.

2. Prioritise attractions

Go back to the map you made during step 2 . It’s time to priortise. If, for example the Ring of Kerry and the Cliffs of Moher are absolute musts for you, leave them in.

If there’s somewhere you’re only half interested in, remove it. Whittling down to your ‘must-sees’ will help massively.

3. Look at your clusters

The next step is to look at the clusters on the map near your starting point. If you find a group of places that you want to see while touring Ireland, take note of the county in your spreadsheet.

This will help you build up a list of places that will form your various different bases. When you’ve run through the whole map, it’s time to bring it all together .

This stage in planning a trip to Ireland can be the most time consuming. Take your starting point and find the nearest cluster to it. That’ll be your first base.

Decide how long to stay there for and then move onto your second cluster, AKA base two. Keep following this process for planning your trip and you’ll eventually have an itinerary to follow.

Step 6: Picking your start point and booking your flight/ferry

The next step in our how to plan a trip to Ireland process is where things get real. At this point, you know where you’ll visit, when you’ll visit and you have a rough  overview of your itinerary.

It’s now time to lock in your start point and book your flights . Sometimes, your start point is decided for you based on where you’re travelling in from. If you have the flex to choose, you need to choose wisely!

Take a look at the map that you’ve used to plot down all of your ‘must-sees’ and plot the various different airports/ferry terminals that you have the option to fly into.

If all of your ‘must see’ places to visit in Ireland are in Galway, Clare, Limerick and Kerry, it makes sense to use Shannon as the starting point for your trip to Ireland. Then get those flights booked!

Step 7: Locking in the final route and booking accommodation

Photos via The Sandhouse on FB

We’re nearing the last step of planning an Ireland vacation. Now that the flights/ferry have been booked, it’s time to finalise your itinerary .

At this point, you should have a fair idea of the route you’re going to take. Now, it’s all about tightening it up and mapping it out .

Decide on a final itinerary and commit to it. Once you have your plans set, it’s time to get your accommodation booked .

If you’d like some suggestions on unique places to stay, drop into our hub on where to stay in Ireland .

It’s also at this point, if you’re renting a car in Ireland , that you should look at making a booking .

Step 8: Understanding etiquette and time/money savers

And finally we’re onto the last step of how to plan a trip to Ireland – things to know before you visit.

Below, I’ve popped in some handy Ireland travel tips that’ll hopefully save you time and money. It’s worth reading our guide on what not to do in Ireland at this point, too!

There’s plenty of different laws in Ireland that tourists need to be aware of.

Two that people tend to get caught with are the drinking age in Ireland and the fact that it’s illegal to smoke in doors.

2. Tipping in Ireland

Tipping in Ireland , for the most part, is optional – don’t be fooled into believing that you need to tip for everything.

It’s fairly standard to leave between 10 and 15% in places where you’ve had a meal.

3. Northern Ireland vs the Republic of Ireland

Some people are surprised to discover that there are differences between the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland .

Yes, they’re separate countries on one island. There are 32 counties in Ireland.

The Republic of Ireland is made up 26 counties and Northern Ireland is made up of the remaining 6. The currency in Ireland is Euro and in NI it’s Pound Sterling.

4. Money savers

There’s plenty of ways to save money but you need to be aware of them while planning a trip to Ireland and not after. Some handy options are:

• The VAT refund : If you’re travelling to Ireland from outside the EU, you’re entitled to a refund on some purchases
• The Heritage Card : This is a handy way to save on admission to state-managed Heritage Sites like Kilmainham Gaol
• The Dublin Pass : This can give you solid savings when visiting the main attractions in Dublin

Wrapping up our planning an Ireland vacation guide

Photos via Dan and Molly’s on FB

The steps above will make planning an Ireland vacation very straightforward once you take the time to work through each of them in order.

One of the biggest mistakes we see people make is that they rush straight to what they want to see and then become overwhelmed when they realise that the attractions are dotted all around the island.

At The Irish Road Trip, we approach the topic of how to plan a trip to Ireland afresh every year and  constantly  refine our process.

The steps above to planning a trip to Ireland is the most up-to-date process that we use and it has helped us map our hundreds of trips.

Ireland trip planning FAQs

We’ve had a lot of questions over the years asking about everything from ‘How do you go about planning a trip to Ireland for a large group?’ to ‘What Ireland trip planning tips are the most useful?’.

In the section below, we’ve popped in the most FAQs that we’ve received. If you have a question that we haven’t tackled, ask away in the comments section below.

How far in advance should I plan a trip to Ireland?

Start planning a trip to Ireland as early as you can. You don’t need to book anything, but it’s worth working out the route you’ll take as far in advance as possible as it’ll make everything else more straightforward.

How many days should you spend in Ireland?

The longer the better. If possible, try to allow at least a week in Ireland. Although this will only scratch the surface, it’ll give you a good period of time to explore a section of the island.

How do you go about planning an Ireland vacation?

In this guide, we take you through 8 steps that follow a logical manner. If you work through them, you’ll remove the stress that many encounter when planning a trip to Ireland.

Keith O’Hara has lived in Ireland for 35 years and has spent most of the last 10 creating what is now The Irish Road Trip guide. Over the years, the website has published thousands of meticulously researched Ireland travel guides, welcoming 30 million+ visitors along the way. In 2022, the Irish Road Trip team published the world’s largest collection of Irish Road Trip itineraries . Keith lives in Dublin with his dog Toby and finds writing in the 3rd person minus craic altogether.

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Saturday 16th of July 2022

Thank you so much Keith for all the time and effort you put into this site! It's amazing!!

I hope you are still answering questions here. The latest post I saw was 2019 but I really need some help!. My husband and I Had an opportunity handed to us free of charge to go to Ireland over Christmas (23rd - 30th). Are airfare and lodging aren't costing us anything which is great and I am very appreciative but the cottage is in Tulla which I gather is remote. We will be staying there all 7 nights so we would need day trips returning each night to Tulla. We are also there over Christmas. I am having a hard time finding anything open on the 24th and 25th. I was hoping to book some bus tours but I can't find one open the entire time we are going to be there. It's probably just that I don't know where to look. I would really appreciate it if you could steer me in the right direction. Thanks!!!

Keith O'Hara

Hey Trish - You won't find any (to my knowledge) fee-paying attractions open on Christmas Eve, Christmas Day or, possible, Stephen's Day (26th). To be honest, I'd be surprised if any organised tours are operating during that times, as Ireland to an extent shuts down during the Christmas to New Years period. Are you renting a car?

Wednesday 29th of June 2022

Can you park your car at Glenmacnass‌ ‌Waterfall‌ ‌In‌ ‌Wicklow‌ Parking overnight? We are planning to go wild camping around there.

Thursday 30th of June 2022

Hi Alex - We camped at Lough Ouler a few years back and debated parking there or on the other side at Turlough Hill. We ended up bottling it as we'd heard reports about break-ins along the Sally Gap. Parking in the village nearby and got a taxi up. Not ideal, but was good for peace of mind!

Tuesday 22nd of March 2022

Thanks so much for getting us started with these basic facts. Looking forward to spending our 40th anniversary in your country.

Friday 11th of February 2022

Hi We are planning a trip based on your 11-Day Wild Atlantic Way Itinerary starting last week of May. Do you recommend on making hotel reservations in advance ?

Hey - yes, definitely book in advance! Otherwise you could end up either paying very high prices for a place to stay and/or having to stay outside the town/village/city that you want to stay in. Have a lovely trip and safe driving!

Monday 7th of February 2022

Brilliant suggestions. Thanks. Just starting to plan a trip…. I was born in cork and am looking forward to going back. I live in Wales. So it should be straightforward 👍👍 Having said that. After reading your suggestions…I am going to do a bit at a time … just so I don’t miss anything Thanks again

Thanks Kay. Have a lovely trip!

The Best Time to Visit Ireland

Weather & Climate

Airports in Ireland

Driving in Ireland

Best Castle Hotels

How to Spend Two Weeks in Ireland

Top Places to See

Things to Do in Ireland

Free Things to Do

National Museums of Ireland

Best Walks to Take

Castles to Visit

Cliffs of Moher

Blarney Stone

What to Do Along the Wild Atlantic Way

Places to Golf in Ireland

Foods to Try

Best Irish Drinks

Your Trip to Ireland: The Complete Guide

Known for its dramatic seaside scenery and idyllic country landscapes, Ireland can offer the ultimate escape from the hustle and bustle of modern life. Stop for a live music session in a village pub or head for the big cities of Dublin and Belfast for cutting edge cuisine and cultural activities. While old traditions are alive and well on the Emerald Isle, Ireland has a non-stop social scene as well. Whether you want to hike the sea cliffs or soak up history, here is the ultimate guide to planning your trip to Ireland.

Planning Your Trip

Best Time to Visit :  Ireland’s reputation for rainy weather is well deserved and there is a good chance that you will encounter some wet days at any time of year. The weather tends to be mild but cool in April and May, and heading to the country in spring is a good way to beat the tourist crowds that arrive in June, July, and August. September is also a good time to visit Ireland before the winter weather arrives. Keep in mind that the weather tends to be rainy in the west of Ireland at any time of year.

Language:  The Republic of Ireland has two official languages: English and Irish  . It is rare to hear Irish spoken outside of areas known as Gaeltacht, which are found around the west coast of Ireland. However, you will see signs in both English and Irish as you travel. English is spoken in Northern Ireland, as well.

Currency:  The Republic of Ireland uses the Euro, while in Northern Ireland the currency is the Pound sterling  . Credit cards are widely accepted but some smaller businesses will still only accept cash so it is a good idea to carry some cash at all times.

Getting Around:  If you plan to stick to the capital cities of Dublin and Belfast, there is little need for a car. Both cities are compact enough to explore on foot and Dublin has a good public transportation system. Major towns are well connected by private coach bus, but it is a good idea to hire a car if you want to see rural Ireland or crave a bit of flexibility in your schedule. Keep in mind that Ireland drives on the left and automatic cars are fairly rare, so book your rental car ahead of time if you plan to road trip around the Emerald Isle.

Travel Tip:  While traveling in the offseason is a good way to beat the crowds, some accommodations close up for the winter season (between mid-October and April 1 st ). Hotels and B&Bs can be in huge demand in summer, and around holidays and festivals, so it is best to reserve these as far in advance as possible once your trip dates are finalized.

Things to Do

Ireland is the perfect vacation destination for music lovers, outdoor enthusiasts and slow travelers who like to experience local lifestyles by exploring small towns and villages.

• Take a walk: Ireland has six national parks   as well as incredible hills and landscapes. Walking is a popular pastime and does not require you to be an experienced hiker to enjoy the great outdoors.
• Go to the pub: No trip to Ireland is complete without a few nights in the pub. This is where you will find live traditional music, homestyle food, local beer and plenty of comradery.
• Plan a Road trip : To see as much as possible, plan to experience at least one of Ireland’s best drives. Perhaps you want to experience the Beara Peninsula or explore the Causeway coast – the small towns and unexpected scenery you will discover along the way is what makes Ireland a truly special place to visit.

Explore more attractions with our full-length articles on the best things to do in Dublin , the 20 places to see in Ireland , and the ultimate guide to the Wild Atlantic Way.

What to Eat and Drink

The most traditional Irish food comes from the produce and livestock that have been a part of the rolling landscape for centuries. Many pubs and restaurants will serve a version of classic dishes such as beef and Guinness stew, roasted lamb, Irish steak, and of course, potatoes. Be sure to start the day with a fry – also known as a full Irish breakfast. The hearty morning meal comes with eggs, sausage, rashers (bacon), black pudding, beans, roasted tomato, and toast. Ireland is also famed for its dairy, so be sure to try real Irish butter on homemade brown bread.

To wash it all down you can order a Guinness, Ireland’s most famous stout which is still brewed to this day in Dublin. Other popular beers include Kilkenny and Harp, though imported beer, like Corona and Coors Light, is also becoming more common. Ireland is also famous for its whiskey, which you can find served with water at most bars. For something non-alcoholic, tea is particularly popular and the most common brands are Barry’s and Lyons. It can be found at all times of day, served with milk on the side.

Hungry? Read more in our article about  the best restaurants in Dublin,  the  best places to eat in Limerick , and the best pubs in Dublin .

Where to Stay

Most flights in and out of Ireland transit through Dublin and the Irish capital city is a wonderful place to spend a few days. Stay in the city center to take advantage of seeing most of the city on foot. After a couple of nights in the big city, you may be ready to experience the rest of Ireland. Many people choose to head south to Cork or Limerick and use these cities as a base to explore the small towns and villages. Belfast in Northern Ireland is also a lively city and the gateway to the stunning Antrim coast. Alternatively, head west out of Dublin for Galway and spend your days hopping between the towns along the Wild Atlantic Way.

For more information on where to stay, explore the   different Dublin neighborhoods to stay in, and our recommendations on the best hotels.

Getting There

The most common way to arrive in Ireland is by plane. However, there are also ferries that travel to the Emerald Isle. Once in Ireland, renting a car is the best way to explore most of the country. It’s not necessary (or recommended) to get a car if you plan to stay in Dublin, but having an independent set of wheels is almost necessary if you want to explore the rest of the country. Buses and trains are available, but the limited schedules will seriously constrain any travel plans.

The main airport in the Republic of Ireland is Dublin Airport . Other airports in Ireland and Northern Ireland include:

• Shannon Airport, a smaller international airport located in County Clare in the south of the Republic. This was once the busiest stop for transatlantic flights but now serves mainly UK destinations, with limited (i.e. once a week) flights to European cities.
• Belfast International Airport (BFS) is the larger airport near the Northern Ireland capital (it is located about 20 miles outside the city). Flights to Belfast can be more expensive than flights to Dublin, so many people choose to fly into the Republic and catch a convenient coach bus to the north.
• George Best Belfast City Airport (BHD) is quite small but very close to Belfast, located just over a mile from the city center. It serves mainly UK airports.

For a complete guide, read more about all of the airports in Ireland .

Culture and Customs 

The Irish love to banter and it can feel like teasing, but it is all meant in good fun. You are welcome and expected to join in trading a few verbal jabs and sharing jokes to keep the "craic" going. Irish wit and humor move at lightning speed.

Pubs are the most common place to socialize in Ireland. This is where friends meet up and strangers become friends.

Music is a huge part of Irish culture and traditional live music sessions are commonplace. Some are planned and others come together naturally when enough musicians gather at the same pub. If you hear the crowd singing along, join in.

Tipping is not expected and certainly not needed at a pub. Some restaurants add a service charge for groups of eight or more, but this should be clearly noted on the menu and indicated on the bill.

If someone offers to buy you a drink at a pub, it is fine to accept. Keep in mind that drinking in Ireland works in “rounds” so if someone offers to get the next round of drinks, it is implied that you will return the favor when the glasses get low again.

Money-Saving Tips

• If possible, avoid traveling to Ireland in July and August when the number of visitors rivals the number of residents. This is when accommodation prices are most inflated and will seriously cut into your budget.
• Rural Airbnbs are becoming more common in Ireland. Renting a little cottage can be both romantic and budget-friendly. If you prefer a more personal touch, regular B&Bs are also easy to come by and tend to have lower prices than traditional hotels.
• Beers are relatively cheap if you are planning a night out, but restaurant prices can be steep in comparison. Eat in or try some of the most beloved Irish fast food joints to save some cash.
• If you plan to spend a few days in Dublin, it is worth buying a Leap Card to save money on public transportation. You can also download the FreeNow taxi app, which sometimes offers discount codes and promotions on cab rides.

Learn more about the cheapest ways to have fun by exploring the best free things to do in Dublin . 

Tourism Ireland . "Languages of Ireland."

Tourism Ireland . "Money in Ireland."

National Parks & Wildlife Service . "National Parks in Ireland."

Dublin Guide: Planning Your Trip

Ireland's 20 Largest Towns and Cities

How to Spend 5 Days in Ireland

Belfast Guide: Planning Your Trip

20 Best Things to Do in Dublin

How to Visit Dublin on a Budget

The Top 22 Things to Do in Ireland

Driving in Ireland: What You Need to Know

10 Questions to Ask Yourself Before You Plan Your UK Trip

How to Travel From Dublin to Galway by Train, Bus, and Car.

Touring Northern Ireland in a Week

A Guide to Airports in Ireland

Winter in Ireland: Weather and Event Guide

The Best Time to Visit Belfast

The Best Small Towns in Ireland

48 Hours in Belfast

Planning a Trip to Ireland: Your Easy 12-Step Checklist

Home » Travel Guides » Planning a Trip to Ireland: Your Easy 12-Step Checklist

Planning a trip to Ireland? You’re in luck – we have a step by step guide on how to do that!

While planning a trip to Ireland, many of our readers have sent us a message asking about the next steps or what they should do.

That’s why we thought we could better organize all of this information into an article that answers all of your questions.

So we came up with this travel checklist to Ireland covering all essential aspects and what you need to keep in mind when vacationing to the Emerald Isle.

Besides the things you should do while planning your trip, we also have a few tips on what to avoid doing – very important!

Planning a Trip to Ireland

We have been to the Emerald Isle many times at this point, and we have made several mistakes along the way.

*Unfortunately*, this has given us first-hand knowledge on how to plan a trip to Ireland and what you should avoid doing.

Whether you’re traveling to the laid-back Galway to the rugged north of Donegal or to the buzzing Dublin, these tips apply to everyone planning a trip to Ireland!

Vacationing to Ireland

Here are 12 steps to plan the perfect trip to Ireland!

Step 1: Before planning your trip to Ireland, check if you need a visa

Well, you can’t travel to Ireland without a visa, can you?

Obviously, many people don’t need a visa for the Emerald Isle. Still, it’s better to be on the safe side. Therefore, before planning your trip to Ireland, do check if you need a visa.

Note that Ireland is not a member of the Schengen area. That means there is no free movement between other European countries and Ireland. The customs officers will check your documents, so be sure to have them right.

We’ll list below the countries that  do not need a visa  to enter Ireland. Mind you, this list might change without prior notice.

Although we continually update this Ireland blog, do check an  official website  before planning your own trip to Ireland.

Andorra, Antigua & Barbuda, Argentina, Australia, Saint Kitts & Nevis, Austria, Bahamas, Barbados, Belgium, Belize, Bolivia, Botswana, Brazil, Brunei, Bulgaria, Canada, Chile, Costa Rica, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic.

Denmark, Dominica, El Salvador, Estonia, Fiji, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Grenada, Guatemala, Guyana, Honduras, Hong Kong (Special Admin. Region), Hungary, Iceland, Israel, Italy, Japan, Kiribati.

Latvia, Lesotho, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Macau (Special Admin. Region), Malaysia, Maldives, Malta, Mexico, Monaco, Nauru, Netherlands, New Zealand, Nicaragua, Norway, Panama, Paraguay, Poland, Portugal.

Romania, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent & the Grenadines, Samoa, San Marino, Seychelles, Singapore, Slovak Republic, Slovenia, Solomon Islands, South Africa, South Korea, Spain, Swaziland, Sweden, Switzerland.

Taiwan, Tonga, Trinidad & Tobago, Tuvalu, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom & Colonies, United States of America, Uruguay, Vanuatu, and Vatican City.

Step 2: Plan your Ireland itinerary

Planning your Ireland itinerary in advance is better than traveling without a set route for several reasons.

First, because you will have a better idea of how many days to spend in each city and town.

For instance, many tourists spend one day in Dublin or even two days in the Irish capital before going on a road trip through the country.

We went on a 7-day Ireland road trip passing by Doolin and Galway, and we loved every minute!

Second, because you can save some money by booking accommodation and tours in advance, but more on that later.

Finally, because you can also save your precious time in the country. Instead of searching for all activities and things to do in Ireland, you can do most of the research at home.

Still, that doesn’t mean you should plan your trip to the minute. Let some free time for sightseeing and doing things as you go.

Step 3: Book your flight tickets

You’ve planned your itinerary. Now, it’s time to book your tickets!

Unless you’re already traveling around Northern Ireland, chances are you will fly to Ireland.

While many people find it overwhelming to search for flights online, it doesn’t have to be difficult.

We always follow some easy steps to ensure we snag the best deals possible, and we want to share them with you.

First, we search for flights on  Google Flights  using different filters, such as one-way or return tickets.

Sometimes it’s well worth it to buy each leg of the trip separately, or even buy the return ticket departing from another airport, which is less touristy. That’s also cheaper.

Then, once we find the tickets for our trip, we buy them directly on the airline website.

Step 4: Plan tours and activities before going to Ireland

You’ve planned your itinerary and booked your tickets. Now, let’s look into some tours to get to know Ireland better!

Booking your tours ahead of time will save time and money. That’s a fact!

For the most popular tours, such as the Cliffs of Moher , tickets might be sold out, especially if you’re planning a trip to Ireland in the high season.

The very first time Bruna went to Ireland was in the winter. Still, her bus to the Cliffs of Moher was completely full! Can you imagine how it would be in the summer?

What we are trying to say is you’re better off not relying on luck.

When booking tours, we prefer to look for good deals on GetYourGuide and Viator because they are both reliable companies. We trust them!

Oh, and if you would like to broaden your options further than the Cliffs of Moher, you might want to read our guide on the best day tours from Dublin .

These are some of the best tours in Ireland:

• Cliffs of Moher from Dublin
• The Aran Islands & Cliffs Cruise
• Cliffs of Moher Cruise from Doolin

Step 5: Budget your trip to Ireland

After you’ve booked your tickets and tours, it’s time to budget your trip to Ireland.

It’s not a secret that Ireland is an expensive country. Still, you can considerably cut back on your expenses if you spend fewer days in popular cities, such as Dublin.

We are currently working on a guide explaining how much a trip to Ireland costs for different budgets. Once it’s done, we will link to it from here.

In the meantime, we will give you a rough budget idea below.

If you want to backpack Ireland, go for shared dorms and be prepared to cook for yourself. You can expect to spend around $60-80/day.

You can have considerably more comfort while traveling in Ireland by spending a little more.

If you want to eat out, enjoy some typical Irish dishes, sip traditional Ir i sh drinks , go on a couple of tours or day trips , and stay in a private room, you’ll spend somewhere between $100-120/day.

Now, if you have a little more budget to fully enjoy Ireland’s high-end restaurants, go on multi-day guided tours, visit some towns, and stay in nicer hotels, know that you’ll need at least $200/day.

The sky’s the limit here. Your vacation in Ireland can be as expensive as your banking account allows.

Step 6: Book your accommodations

Once you’ve sorted out what you want to spend per night on accommodation, it’s time to book your stay!

For starters, we always browse Booking.com for the best deals. We really enjoy using this platform because it is reliable, and it has a straightforward canceling policy.

Here at the blog, we have a few accommodation guides for Irish cities.

These guides have not only information about the central neighborhoods in each city, but also the average budget and activities in the accommodation’s surroundings.

For instance, we have a guide on where to stay in Dublin , Galway , Cork , and Killarney .

Still, if you want to splurge a little and receive royal treatment, you will want to stay in one of these magical castle hotels in Ireland – some are pretty affordable!

We hope you find these guides useful!

Step 7: Book your rental car

It’s essential to rent a car for vacationing in Ireland.

After all, the countryside covered in undulating lush landscapes is something you can’t afford to miss!

However, if you’re starting your Ireland trip in Dublin, book your rental car only for the day you’re leaving the city. There is no need to drive in Dublin!

Still, having a car will give you much more flexibility when traveling in Ireland, especially if you’re planning a family trip to Ireland.

We always browse Discover Cars to find companies with competitive prices. For our first Ireland road trip, for example, we found out Europcar had the best fares at the time through Discover Cars.

Moreover, we recommend Discover Cars because it is a reliable and easy-to-use platform.

Here are some tips for renting a car/driving in Ireland:

• Irish roads are notoriously narrow, so you will want to rent a small car.
• Do read the fine print of your rental contract carefully. You will also want to check if you need an IDP, or International Driving Permit, (some companies require it) and whether there are any license restrictions you need to be aware of.
• The speed signs, as well as the speedometer, are all in KPH.
• The Irish drive on the left side of the road.

Step 8: Purchase travel insurance

No matter where you’re traveling to, you always need travel insurance .

There is nothing more important than this insurance. Seriously!

Many things that are out of our hands can go wrong before, during, and when returning from your vacation.

Besides, most activities in Ireland are either in touristy cities or outdoors, meaning you can fall victim to theft or have an accident.

With travel insurance, you can recover any expenses resulting from these situations and finish your vacation hassle-free.

We use and are very satisfied with Safety Wing . This has been our insurance for years in a row, and we’ve never had any problems when making claims. We’re happy to recommend them to our friends and family. Click here to get a quote.

Step 9: Pack some essentials for your Ireland vacation

The Emerald Isle is an incredible place to visit. Still, there is one aspect of this fascinating land that might need some extra attention – the weather.

The weather in Ireland is unpredictable.

For that reason, you will want to add a few essential items to your Ireland packing list . Click to see our complete packing list for all seasons!

For instance, a waterproof /windbreaker jacket ( for him ) is a must to keep you dry. Some people prefer a travel umbrella , but that’s personal.

Anyway, it rains a lot in Ireland!

That’s especially true if you’re planning to visit the coast, which also happens to be very windy.

And because of that, you might want to pack a wool sweater ( for him ) to keep your body temperature from dropping.

Oh, and waterproof shoes ( for him )! These are a no-brainer. If you don’t want to get wet, you certainly will need it. Oh, that horrible feeling of having wet socks…

In the same line, you will also want to pack a waterproof phone case . This universal pocket is perfect for traveling to Ireland, the beach, and beyond!

All without worrying whether you’ll ruin your phone or not. We can’t recommend it enough!

Another item we were glad we purchased for our Ireland trip was a reusable water bottle .

It was convenient not only in the city but also while hiking in the countryside.

That saved us some money and avoided us from producing so much waste with plastic bottles. Win-win.

Step 10: Learn a few essential words and phrases in Irish

Although people in Ireland also speak English, Irish is their official language.

Therefore, you will find many signs in Irish throughout the island, and it might be handy to learn some sentences while planning a trip to Ireland.

We always study a little of the language of where we are going so that we can communicate with locals.

Often, people are more open and willing to help when you show them you at least tried to learn a little more about their culture.

Besides, it is a fun thing to do!

Basic phrases in Irish:

• Hello – Dia duit
• Please – Le do thoil
• Thank you – Go raibh maith agat
• Excuse me – Gabh mo leithscéal
• I’m sorry – Tá brón orm
• Cheers – Sláinte
• Open – Oscailte
• Closed – Dúnta
• Yes/no – tá/níl

Step 11: Prepare your arrival

You’re almost done with planning your trip to Ireland!

We know you’re excited to travel, but two last steps demand your attention.

First, transportation from the airport to your hotel.

Most tourists find it overwhelming to look for transportation abroad because the local websites are hardly ever user-friendly.

We totally get that!

Also, taxis are either untrustworthy in many countries ( taxi scams , anyone?), or are far too expensive. Other times private shuttles will charge excessive amounts. These are just a few examples.

Anyway, considering you’re arriving in Dublin, where Ireland’s biggest airport is, we recommend you take the Airlink Aircoach to the city center.

While you can always get a taxi from the airport, this shuttle bus is very affordable and rides in front or near most hotels in town.

For a thorough explanation, check out the detailed guide we wrote on how to get from the airport to Dublin city . We also talk about other options in this guide.

Second and finally, keep a list of addresses and phone numbers of your accommodations in Ireland.

Step 12: Enjoy your vacation in Ireland!

Last but definitely not least! Enjoy your trip to the Emerald Isle!

Not that you need us to tell you this, but still…

You have done an excellent job of planning your trip to Ireland. Still, don’t stress out too much if things don’t go as planned.

Just be sure to have travel insurance to protect you from unexpected situations.

Also, do buy some souvenirs to take back home, learn some Irish facts and tales over a pint of Guinness, and try to enjoy the country.

We are absolutely crazy about Ireland. We’ve had such incredible moments in the country, and every time we go, we find more reasons to fall in love with it.

We hope you do too!

Some tips while planning an Ireland trip

• Give your bank a notice about your upcoming trip so that you can withdraw money at ATMs if necessary.
• Take copies of your documents, including your passport.
• Save the travel insurance number and policy number on your phone and on a piece of paper.
• Save the local emergency number on your phone: 112 and 999.

What to avoid when planning a trip to Ireland

• Avoid doing too much in one day or trying to visit many places in Ireland on a trip.
• While Dublin is a fantastic city, avoid spending too much time in it. Instead, go visit other cities and towns in Ireland.
• Most tourists never leave the city center, especially in Dublin. By doing that, they miss out on a lot of the fun and local vibes. Wander through the city!
• Although we said the Irish roads are notoriously narrow, don’t be afraid to drive in Ireland. It is perfectly safe. You just need to be a little more attentive.
• Avoid only traveling to Ireland in the summer. Many tourists wait till summer to travel to Europe. Still, if you travel to Ireland in the off-season, you save money and avoid jam-packed attractions.

Did you like this article about planning a trip to Ireland? Then save it to Pinterest or share it with a friend who might like it too!

Don’t Forget About Travel Insurance!

Before you leave for Ireland, make sure you have a valid travel insurance policy because accidents happen on the road. We have been paying for Safety Wing travel insurance for a little over a year now, and we happily recommend them to our family and friends.

If you get sick, injured, or have your stuff stolen, you'll be happy to have the ability to pay for your medical bills or replace what was stolen.

Because, for just a couple of dollars a day (depending on how long your policy is for), you're going to get lots of things covered. Be smart and get travel insurance .

Saturday 30th of December 2023

Hi, Your blog and 7 day itinerary has been very helpful but we will have planned a trip from May 31 (we arrive at 11:25) until June 14 ( we fly out at 1:35pm. We have booked a stay at Waterford Castle for June 11-13 at the end of our trip. We decided to start in Dublin, two nights (June 1 being my son and DIL 5th anniversary) leaving on June 2 to drive up to Belfast, take the ferry to Scotland then return to Ireland and drive west,south,west, making a circle. Ending at Waterford for our 2 night castle stay (guys golf) then drive to Dublin for one before flying home. With all of that said, we finding it difficult to schedule Belfast, ferry to Scotland and back to Ireland to begin our journey. I would appreciate any suggestions because we are about to lose our minds trying to schedule.

Blessings, Cynthia McKee

Planning a Trip to Ireland: Your Easy 9-Step Checklist

So, you’ve decided it’s time to visit the Emerald Isle–which means, if you’re anything like us, you probably can’t wait to start officially planning your trip to Ireland!

Ireland is an incredibly beautiful and interesting country, and no matter where you go, you’re bound to find something incredible.

This Ireland travel checklist is designed to make sure your trip is as smooth as possible, so that you spend zero time stressing and instead get to concentrate 100% of your time on those impossibly green landscapes.

Here are the nine steps you need to complete when planning a trip to Ireland!

Some links in this post may be affiliate links. If you make a purchase through one of these links, we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. Please see our disclosure policy for more detail.

Table of Contents

Step 1: Check visa requirements.

Step 2: take the biggest step in planning a trip to ireland: book tickets, step 3: outline your ireland itinerary., step 4: book your rental car (and read the fine print). , step 5: finalize your ireland travel budget., step 6: book your accommodation., step 7: make a packing list (and shop). , step 8: purchase travel insurance., step 9: make your arrival plan..

Based on the geographic readership of this blog, odds are that the vast majority of you will not need a visa to visit Ireland for up to 90 days for tourism purposes. This includes citizens of the USA, Canada, the UK, Australia, and of course, anyone from an EU member state.

You will want to make sure that your passport has at least six months validity left, a common entrance requirement when traveling.

Please note that while Ireland is an EU member state, it is not part of the Schengen Zone.

Of course, while I strongly doubt that this policy will change in the near future, you should always confirm visa requirements through official sources before traveling!

Once you buy your plane tickets, your trip to Ireland is official!

While Dublin is most likely to be the best airport to fly into, don’t forget to search prices at other airports as well. The airports in Cork, Shannon, and Belfast are all worth checking given how little time it takes to run a Google search.

If your dates are somewhat flexible, we also suggest checking prices a few days before and a few days after your intended arrival and departure dates–you never know what deals you may happen across!

Ireland can be a difficult place to narrow down an itinerary for–in large part because nearly every place in Ireland is a delight to visit!

If you’re taking an Ireland road trip, which is easily among the most popular ways to explore the island, we recommend making a loop around the island beginning and ending at a single starting point (which is probably Dublin).

From there, you can add and subtract destinations based on the time you have available.

Popular destinations that end up on most Ireland itineraries include the Ring of Kerry, Killarney National Park, and the Cliffs of Moher.

Less crowded places that we adore include the Dingle Peninsula, County Wexford, County Mayo, and Slieve League Cliffs.

If you’re planning a trip to Ireland, most likely, you’re planning to rent a car.

Now is the right time to pick out your rental car–we use and recommend Discover Cars  to find which company has the most competitive prices. For our most recent Ireland trip, that ended up being Sixt.

Be sure to read the fine print of your rental contract carefully, including checking to see if you need an International Driving Permit (some companies require it) and whether there are any license restrictions you need to be aware of.

Also, if you’re planning to travel into Northern Ireland, be sure to let your rental company know–there may be an additional fee for this (and a large fine if you take the car into another country without asking, open border or no).

Check rental car prices for your trip to Ireland with Discover Cars today!

Now that you know how much it’s going to cost to get to and from Ireland and how much your rental car costs will be, it’s time for the next step in planning a trip to Ireland: calculating your travel budget.

We recommend dividing the amount of money you have set aside for your Ireland vacation after paying for the above fixed costs and a travel insurance policy (more on that below) into the number of days you’ll be visiting Ireland.

That will give you a good baseline of how much you can spend each day–remember, this money will need to cover lodging, food, tours and activities, gas for your rental car, and any other travel odds and ends.

Once you’ve outlined your Ireland itinerary and decided on a rough nightly budget for your lodging, it’s time to choose all the delightful hotels, bed and breakfasts, and inns you’ll get to stay at during your trip to Ireland.

If you’ll be traveling with a car, keep in mind that staying at country properties a bit outside of major cities can have several benefits: not only will prices be lower, but parking will likely be easier to come by. Plus, staying at small, family-run country bed and breakfasts is an iconic Ireland experience!

This is especially true in Dublin, where prices for lodging are staggeringly high as compared to most places in Ireland. We recommend limiting the nights you spend there to the bare minimum to free up more of your budget for other adventures in Ireland.

If you’d like to stay in a castle for at least one night of your trip, you may be surprised at how inexpensive they can be. We adored our stay at Belleek Castle , for example, and rates there start under $200 USD/night!

Here are a few of our absolute favorite properties we’ve stayed at in Ireland–it’s likely not all of them will be compatible with your Ireland itinerary, but we’d recommend any of them (and in case you’re curious, we personally paid for our stays in all of them).

Hotels in Ireland We Love

Belleek Castle (Ballina) — We knew we wanted to book at least one night in a castle hotel while in Ireland–and we’re so glad we chose Belleek!

The castle itself was stunning, the rooms beautiful, the afternoon tea a complete delight, and the tour of the castle a complete surprise–we definitely didn’t expect to personally handle several-centuries-old weapons on the tour, that’s for sure!

Check rates & book your stay at Belleek Castle today!

Inishross House (New Ross) — If I had to sum up Inishross House in a word, it would be  hospitable . This is exactly the kind of B&B you come to Ireland for: everything from the colorful breakfast room to the comfortable room to the helpful and attentive couple who ran the B&B was an absolute delight.

The included breakfast was phenomenal and kept us full for most of the day!

County Wexford, where Inishross House is located, is a bit under the radar as compared to some of the more popular places to add to an itinerary when planning a trip to Ireland–but it ended up being one of our favorite parts of the trip and we would love to go back to explore it again.

Check rates & book your stay at Inishross House!

Find Us Farmhouse (Macroom) — Located in the countryside and nestled between a few farms, the Find Us Farmhouse is the most peaceful place we stayed in Ireland. 

In addition to the comfortable rooms and wonderful hospitality, the breakfast–and the beautiful breakfast room–were enormous highlights.

We loved staring out our bedroom window and watching the cows graze just a few feet from us, and it was definitely an experience worth having at least once on a trip to Ireland!

Check rates & book your stay at Find Us Farmhouse!

Danloes Thatched Cottage (Kenmare) — This small cottage is hundreds of years old–but you’d never know it from the bedrooms! The property has been beautifully redone, though you do get hints of its history when you admire the gorgeous fireplace in the kitchen.

Located just a short drive from Kenmare and within easy reach of both the Ring of Kerry and the Ring of Beara, we loved our stay at Danloes Thatched Cottage.

Check rates & book your stay at Danloes Thatched Cottage!

By this point of planning a trip to Ireland, you’re almost ready to go! Next up: packing.

Packing for Ireland can be a bit trickier than throwing a standard packing list for travel in Europe together: the climate is both cool and wet, and traveling in Ireland normally leans more toward enjoying beautiful nature with a side of adorable small towns than it does hitting up major cities.

You can read our full suggested Ireland packing list here , including links to our personal favorite gear.

In the meantime, here are a few things to be sure to pack for Ireland:

Waterproof Boots — In my opinion, waterproof boots are an absolute must-have item on your Ireland packing list year-round. They’ll keep your feet warm and dry regardless of the circumstances, they’re comfortable to wear, and they can be fashionable, too!

This is my pair , and I adore them. Even when my jeans got completely  drenched (like just-climbed-out-of-a-pool levels of drenched) during a rainstorm in Dingle, they still kept my feet completely dry. Jeremy wore these and loved them.

Travel Adaptors for Ireland  — Ireland uses the same plugs that the UK does–and note that these are different from the bulk of mainland Europe. Double-check you add the right ones to your Ireland packing list!  We use these  and have never had any issues.

Rain Jacket —  Having a rain jacket is a huge asset when visiting Ireland, and if you don’t already have one, we absolutely recommend picking one up when planning a trip to Ireland.

This is mine , and I love and recommend it. It folds up incredibly well to fit into your suitcase, it’s comfortable and flattering for photos, and–most importantly–it’s completely effective at keeping you dry.

Jeremy opted not to bring one and definitely had plenty of regrets whenever the rain started pouring! This one is a great choice for men.

Comfortable Day Bag  — We currently use  Pacsafe’s sleek anti-theft backpack  and love it, but if you don’t want to shell out the cash for this trip, that’s totally understandable. Just aim for something comfortable to wear, not flashy, and medium-sized–we used a  Northface Jester backpack  for years and loved it as well.

Binoculars  — Coastal regions in Ireland are home to all sorts of delightful creatures, including a wide variety of birds (like puffins!) and beautiful dolphins. Binoculars are an inexpensive & easy-to-pack item for your Ireland packing list, and they’ll greatly enhance your trip to the coast!

Definitely plan ahead and pack these as precautions! I’m always so glad to have it along, including on our recent ferry to Inisheer in Ireland.

Don’t forget to buy travel insurance when planning a trip to Ireland!

While Ireland is an incredibly safe country to travel in, traveling in general opens you up to vulnerabilities you simply don’t have at home: if you lose your luggage, have a fender bender in your rental car, get pickpocketed, or–heaven forbid–get injured, you’ll be glad you have the insurance.

This goes double for those of us used to driving on the right side of the road: while learning to drive on the left in Ireland is definitely doable, those tiny roads don’t leave a lot of room for error!

Given how inexpensive travel insurance is when purchased in advance (especially as compared to the cost of flying to and then renting a car in Ireland), it’s well worth the investment.

We use and recommend Safety Wing for trips to Ireland.

Check travel insurance policy inclusions and prices for your trip to Ireland here .

Once you finally finish planning your trip to Ireland and board your plane bound for the Emerald Isle, you’ll still have one final logistical hurdle to overcome before kicking off your adventures: getting from the airport to wherever you’re going next.

Depending where you fly into and whether you’re renting a car immediately (if you’re staying around Dublin for a couple of days, we recommend waiting until you’re ready to leave) or not, you may be driving yourself, grabbing a taxi or Uber, or, assuming you land in Dublin, taking the Airlink bus into town (if you do choose the bus option, be sure to price out a transportation pass as well).

All of these options have their pros and cons, but the time to decide isn’t when you’re jetlagged, exhausted, and desperate to be done traveling.

A little advance planning can go a long way, and ensure you step off the plane confident that you’ve planned the perfect Ireland trip.

About Kate Storm

In May 2016, I left my suburban life in the USA and became a full-time traveler. Since then, I have visited 50+ countries on 5 continents and lived in Portugal, developing a special love of traveling in Europe (especially Italy) along the way. Today, along with my husband Jeremy and dog Ranger, I’m working toward my eventual goal of splitting my life between Europe and the USA.

14 thoughts on “Planning a Trip to Ireland: Your Easy 9-Step Checklist”

This is wonderfully put together. My husband and I have Ireland on our bucket list…next. I am bookmarking this for now, but will look at it closer when get serious about planning this adventure. We’d much rather do it this way than a guided tour. Thank you for putting this together! Annie

Thank you so much, Annie. So glad it was helpful, and hope you guys get a chance to visit Ireland soon!

I am really glad I came across this blog, good information for first timers like me, I plan to start in Ireland and visit a few other places, traveling in a budget can be challenging but I believe it is possible. How do you keep connect with your home base is one of my important concerns.

Thanks, Elizabeth! We stay in touch with loved ones back home primarily through Whatsapp and Facebook Messenger.

thanks for this awesome blog–planning a trip with my 22 year old daughter to Ireland and then she is continuing alone to Scotland–all your information is quite useful….

So happy to hear that, Margie! Hope you guys have a wonderful trip. 🙂

I can’t bear to rent a car knowing we’ll be driving the opposite way that we’re used to. Is it as easy to get around Ireland by train as it is in France or Italy?

Sadly, it’s definitely not as easy! There are trains in Ireland, and paired with buses you can certainly plan a non-driving itinerary.

But, much of Ireland’s charm lies in its nature and small towns, and it will be harder (though not impossible) to access those without a car.

Your best bet, if you want to visit Ireland independently without driving, would be carefully planning your itinerary around certain train and bus routes (be sure to check the timetables!), and combine that with organized day trips to attractions you don’t want to miss.

I love your blog, so much great info and advice. I’m leaving for Ireland in 2 weeks. Being a Navy Vet in the 90s in Japan, I once had an international DL which I’m sure is no longer valid. I’ve booked a hotel Wed-Sat in Dublin then I have 3 days to explore. Do I need to get an international driver’s license again to be able to drive legally? I’d really like to do a B&B Saturday night then the Belleek Castle Sunday night and it seems like driving will be the best, esp since I’m an avid photographer. I’ll fly out Tuesday morning…

Thanks, Larry!

Luckily, international driving permits aren’t required for Ireland, you can drive there on your US license for vacation (but for any future trips–international driving permits have be renewed each year, so it’s good you’re thinking about it!).

One snag with rental cars we’ve run into in Ireland, though (and nowhere else, oddly enough), is the age of your license. Depending on the state in the US, the “date issued” will be the date you last renewed your license, which we of course do once every several years. In Ireland, though, some companies use that as proof of how long you’ve been entitled to drive at all–and you need a license of a certain age to rent a car.

Once we ran into that issue the first time (which we solved by changing car rental companies in the Dublin airport–it was a stressful half hour or so!), we started checking the contracts of each rental company and reaching out in advance to make sure we had the paperwork we need.

Just something to keep in mind, but long story short, you shouldn’t have any issue driving in Ireland. Enjoy the open road!

Thank you so much for taking the time, and sharing, this comprehensive account on travel to Ireland. It has been many many years since we travelled abroad. It is exciting and intimidating!! It has been a pleasure reading this.

So happy to hear that, Gail! Hope you guys have a fantastic time visiting Ireland. 🙂

We just decided to go to Ireland in 2 short months! This was a great read full of tips!!

When we travel we normally like being spontaneous and booking our stays each morning. Is that easy and feasible in Ireland?

Did yall do any train or boat trips?

Thanks so much for the awesome tips and suggestions!! 😆

How exciting! You guys are going to have a great time. 🙂

In general, Ireland is a place we like to book lodging ahead for–the more rural a place is, the earlier we like to plan, and countryside bed and breakfasts with limited rooms in Ireland definitely qualify. 🙂 However, since it sounds like you’re going in March (so well outside of the summer high season), you’ll likely have more flexibility than most visitors.

I’d recommend at least glancing at the options available in advance, to see how many places are open and available (some close for the winter), and see if there’s enough variety for your personal comfort level.

Of course, the more flexible you are on both location and price for your lodging, the less important it is to plan in advance.

If you’re going to be in Dublin over St. Patrick’s Day, I’d recommend booking ahead there, as it’s a popular time for international tourists to visit the city.

As far as trains, we’ve never used them in Ireland–they exist, but not nearly at the density of some places in Europe, and for getting to tiny villages and nature spots, a car is much easier. Ireland is an amazing road trip destination! However, if you want to add in a few trains, you sure can.

Ferries and boats are definitely an option as well, especially for visiting small outlying islands. We’ve taken the ferry from Doolin to Inisheer a couple of times and loved it: https://www.ourescapeclause.com/6-favorite-moments-on-inisheer/

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Planning a Trip to Ireland: 21 Hot Tips + Mistakes to Avoid

Home » Blog » Europe » Ireland » Planning a Trip to Ireland: 21 Hot Tips + Mistakes to Avoid

Ireland is a stunningly beautiful country with so much to see and do that it’s easy to get overwhelmed. This guide is full of tips and advice for planning a trip to Ireland so you can have the perfect vacation.

Are you planning a trip to Ireland and want to make sure everything goes smoothly?

Well, you’re in the right place because we’re sharing all sorts of practical tips and advice from our own personal experience to help make your time perfect! 

Learn from our mistakes (and our happy discoveries – there are lots!) so that you can plan your dream trip to Ireland with no regrets!

Let’s dive right in!

Want to save time and energy on planning?

In June 2023, we spent 2 weeks traveling around Ireland and living in a campervan. We were lucky enough to explore a lot of what this country has to offer!

We took our 2-week travels and are in the process of  creating the perfect Ireland road trip itinerary .  We’ll send you our complete 2-week itinerary, filled with tips and advice, once it’s finalized! Just click below to get on the waitlist for our  2-week Ireland road trip itinerary !

1. Rent a car (if you feel comfortable!)

Renting a car in Ireland will give you absolute freedom to explore the country at your own pace while stopping at hidden gems and cozy pubs that the tour buses miss.

The country isn’t well-connected with public transportation, so in order to see more than Dublin (which you absolutely should, by the way!), you will need to take a tour bus. 

Don’t get me wrong, you can still have a great trip on a bus tour. However, we think you’ll have an even better time self-driving (as long as you feel comfortable). 

We’re saying this from experience: We’ve done both the bus tour and the rental car route, and we much prefer the latter. So here’s our (honest) opinion on the topic.

Read more: We put together a guide with everything you need to know about  renting a car in Ireland .

Bus tour in Ireland

During our first trip to Ireland, we booked a shuttle from Dublin to Galway, and from there were able to do a bus tour of the Cliffs of Moher and the surrounding countryside. We had a great trip, and if you’re feeling really uneasy about driving, then go for it. 

Here’s a really highly-rated tour that hits many top sights.

Rental car in Ireland

On our most recent trip to Ireland, we rented a car (and a campervan , but that’s a whole different topic!), and were able to see so much more of the country than when we didn’t drive ourselves. 

We’d highly recommend going this route if you’re debating. 

Here’s why:

• Driving ourselves meant we could get off the beaten path . We were able to explore places where it was just us. No other people. There are actually some areas that tour buses simply can’t go due to size limitations, so driving yourself really opens up your itinerary to finding the hidden gems.
• We could go at our own pace. When we got hungry, we could stop at a cozy restaurant that didn’t need to accommodate a bus load of people. We could pull off to the side of the road when we saw epic views (and go to the bathroom when the need arose!). We were able to spend more time in places we loved, and get back on the road if we were bored. 
• Plus, we saved quite a bit of money doing things ourselves compared to joining a tour group.

This is the company we personally use to find the best deals on car rentals.

Watch our YouTube video about where we went in our Ireland rental car:

2. Prepare yourself for driving

If you’ve decided to rent a car (or campervan!), first of all – yay! We really think you’ll love it.

If you’re feeling at all nervous about driving in another country (specifically one where you’ll be on the left side of the road), let me take a minute to calm your fears a bit.

We have an entire guide to driving in Ireland that walks you through all sorts of tips that will be super helpful. Trust me when I say you’ll want to read it before your trip. Here are a couple of tips to get you started:

• Choose the smallest possible rental car that will work for what you need. The roads in Ireland are narrow, so larger vehicles can be much harder to drive. We speak from experience!
• If you know how to drive stick shift then you’ll save some money on your rental car, as the majority of cars in Ireland are manual. If you don’t know how, be sure you choose a car with an automatic transmission (likely more money). 
• Keep reading the rest of our tips here!

3. Consider making it a campervan trip

We’re obsessed with campervan travel. Maybe it’s not your thing. That’s cool, skip down to the next tip!

But if you’re intrigued, keep reading…

We’ve rented campervans in 4 countries around the world and have built 3 of our own campervans from scratch. Like I said, we’re obsessed.

We think Ireland makes a great campervan destination because there are campgrounds throughout the country and it gives you the opportunity to explore a bit off the beaten path. You also have a kitchen and bed on wheels, so you’ll likely save quite a bit of money.

Plus, it’s just a great adventure!

If you want to know more about renting a campervan in Ireland, we’ve got all the info you need!

4. Look for unique stays over hotels

From cozy treehouses to converted Victorian stables and actual real-life castles, there are tons of dreamy Ireland Airbnbs to choose from for a truly memorable experience.

Some people complain about Airbnb but honestly, I think it’s mostly because people don’t know how to sort through the crap and find the truly excellent stays.

These days, we almost exclusively stay in Airbnbs because we’ve found they’re much easier when choosing accommodation with kids, since you can get multiple rooms and a kitchen. 

And with a few tricks up our sleeves, we almost always have amazing stays. 

• When possible, we book stays with a rating of 4.9 or above . I’m kind of a snob when it comes to reviews, and I’ve found this to be the magic number for finding a really great stay. Hosts that have high ratings want to keep it that way. Depending on the location and your budget, this isn’t always possible, but this is what we always aim for.
• Read reviews thoroughly. I think a lot of people skip this step, but I always scour reviews to see what people say about a place in addition to the numeric rating. Is it dirty? Cold? Too hot? Not suitable for children? Far from the city center? Pay attention to the things that matter and ignore the aspects that wouldn’t bother you.
• Look at all the photos. I always find it suspicious when there are very few photos of a property, or when hosts provide lots of stock images from town. When booking a property. I don’t need to see the city, I want to see the Airbnb! I typically book places that show all corners of a space because I know what I’m getting.
• Book with superhosts when possible. They are the best of the best hosts.

Psst! Want to experience a super fun and unique stay in Ireland? Check out our Ireland glamping guide !

5. Limit your time in Dublin

Want my completely honest opinion? 

I hope you said yes because I’m going to give it to you anyway…

I think Dublin is just okay. There, I said it.

It’s not that I dislike it (there are actually some really cool things to do in Dublin ), but the rest of the country is so much… better.

Once you’re outside the city, you’ll swap the (sometimes) dirty streets for rolling hills, and the crowded, touristy pubs for local joints with charm. In the countryside, you’ll also find much cheaper accommodation and seriously stunning landscapes.

You’ll likely be flying in or out of Ireland’s capital, so spend a night or two here. But don’t only stay in Dublin. 

In my opinion, 2 full days in Dublin is plenty . You could even do just one day in the city if you’re pressed for time and want to prioritize exploring the countryside.

6. Prioritize your top sights

What are 3 things you definitely want to do or see in Ireland? If you’re traveling with a partner, ask them the same question.

Need help deciding? Check out our list of the best things to do in Ireland for inspiration!

Now you should have a list of 3-6 “must do” sights/activities. The things that you’d be really upset to skip. 

Maybe these are the most popular attractions in Ireland (like the Cliffs of Moher or the Guinness Storehouse tour). They’re popular for a reason! 

Or perhaps you aren’t into the super touristy sights and you‘d rather prioritize the hidden gems. 

These are the things that you are going to plan your route around. You’ll certainly be able to do and see more things, but these are your nonnegotiables. The things that you want to allot plenty of time for. 

Fill out your Ireland Bucket List

Plot your 3-6 “must do” things on a map. This should give you an idea of where in Ireland you will be traveling. 

Now, start to add in some “second-tier” activities or sights that you’d love to see but wouldn’t be devastated if you missed.

By this point, you should have a really great list of places you want to visit and things you want to do. This should help you shape a great route!

7. Add Northern Ireland (if you have time)

I’ve read a lot of Ireland guides that say something along the lines of, “You have to include Northern Ireland on your itinerary.” 

I can agree with this statement to a point. 

It’s true, a lot of people forget about Northern Ireland and skip it completely . Not only are there some really cool hidden gems in the north, but there’s a lot of important history there. And if you have the time, include it on your route.

However, if you are working with limited time, it’s not possible to see everything (more on that in the next tip!). If that’s the case, save it for your next trip because it definitely is worth visiting. (And more than just Belfast!) 

Planning to visit Northern Ireland? Be sure to read #19 on this list!

8. Know that you can’t see everything in one trip

This kind of piggybacks off of the previous tip, but it is a point that I needed to hear when planning my own trip to Ireland.

Even though it’s a relatively small country (one tenth the size of Texas!), there are so many things to do in Ireland that you could easily spend a month exploring and still not see it all.

Try your best to take our advice and don’t pack your itinerary too full . I know, I know, it’s hard. FOMO is real!

One of the reasons I’d caution you away from squeezing everything in is that many of the country roads are narrow and much slower-going than you’d expect. This means getting from place to place can take longer than Google Maps tells you. 

Use our advice in tip #5 to help prioritize your time. 

And just know that you might want to return for Ireland Trip 2.0. Okay, scratch that – you’ll definitely want to come back! (We’re already dreaming about our third trip!)

Repeat after me: I can’t see it all. I’ll just have to come back again! 

9. Choose the time of year wisely

Take a moment to think about what you want your trip to Ireland to look like. 

What things do you want to do? What are your top priorities? 

If you want to prioritize avoiding crowds and saving money , you’ll want to travel at a less-popular time of year. Think late fall, winter, and early spring.

If you visit in summer but hate crowds and paying top dollar (or euro…), you might be disappointed, as this is the busiest and most expensive season.

Alternatively, if you want to do a lot of hiking, camping , and outdoor activities , late spring, summer, and early fall will be best.

If you plan your trip to Ireland in February with dreams of sunny hikes and camping experiences, you might be bummed to find yourself in a cold and drizzly climate.

The best time of year for you might be different from our favorite time (late spring or early fall). It all comes down to your priorities and expectations.

Still unsure? We have a guide that goes over the best time of year to visit Ireland that should help you decide.

10. Know about bank holidays

If you’re traveling to Ireland from a different country (like the USA), it is a good idea to Google “Ireland holidays” before booking your flight. 

There are several bank holidays in the spring and summer , and if your trip falls over these times, you’ll want to know.

This doesn’t mean you shouldn’t travel over bank holiday weekends, but it’s good to know when they fall. Many Irish people are off work on bank holidays , making them popular times for travel. This means you will likely need to book accommodation for the bank holiday as well as the adjacent weekend well in advance. 

Our experience: We found that even campgrounds required reservations much earlier than at other times. The campground where we wanted to stay required a 5-night minimum during the holiday weekend, so you might also find requirements for booking. 

11. Give yourself strategic buffer time 

It should come as no surprise that Ireland sees a lot of rain throughout the year. 

Weirdly enough, we only had one rainy day on our 2-week road trip, so we got very lucky. We’ll cross all our fingers and toes that you get lucky, too, and don’t have too much rain. But it’s a good idea to be prepared nonetheless. 

This means not only packing waterproof gear, but also planning a little bit of wiggle room into your itinerary where possible. 

We’d recommend adding just a little bit of flexibility around your “must do” activities or driving routes (like the Ring of Kerry or the Dingle Peninsula ) and sights that are weather-dependent. 

I mean, how disappointing would it be to arrive at the place you really want to see to be met with terrible weather? If your itinerary has no flexibility and you need to move on, you may have to skip over that bucket list place completely. 

It won’t be possible to add buffer time on every single day, but try to make your timing a little “looser” on the days with your top priority places. 

You may even want to come up with a back-up plan if you encounter terrible weather, or have a few “extras” in mind if things go perfectly and you have ample time to explore (yay!). 

12. Come up with a solid budget

Before booking all the things , come up with a travel budget for your trip to Ireland. 

If you’re traveling with a partner , this is a really important topic to discuss to make sure you’re on the same page.

Once you have a set amount of money in mind, there are some non-negotiable costs (a.k.a. things that you can’t find cheaper versions of) you’ll want to address.

Steps to making your travel budget

• Flights: Do a little research to see how much flights from your home to Ireland cost. Subtract that amount from your total budget. 
• Travel insurance: It should take just a few minutes to get a quote for a policy. Subtract this from your total.
• Alternatively, if you’re planning to rent a campervan (transport and accommodation in one!), do a bit of comparison on Motorhome Republic to find an estimated cost.
• Bucket list experiences : Subtract the costs of your “must do” experiences (#5 on this list) from your total. We want to be sure you do the things you really want to do, so factor in this cost right away!

Now that you have all the non-negotiable costs addressed, take the total amount of money left and divide it by the number of days you plan to travel. 

What you’re left with is your daily allowance to spend on accommodation, food, and other activities . 

Knowing this number can help you determine whether you should be looking at budget accommodations or whether you have some wiggle room to splurge a bit.

Important: If you don’t think you have enough money for accommodation or food (which are both essentials!), you will need to rethink your total budget.

Other budget tips we swear by

• We’d recommend giving yourself a 10% “padding” on your budget for incidentals, souvenirs, or last-minute splurges. 
• We’d also recommend keeping track of your spending on your trip so you stay on budget. It’s really easy to overspend if you’re not watching it!

Working on a tight budget? We’ve got some money-saving travel tips to help !

13. Pre-book everything in Dublin

Tours. Restaurants. Entry tickets.

Book it all.

It doesn’t have to be months out, but be sure you don’t forget because just about everything requires advanced booking. And they do sell out. We learned the hard way with a few of these.

Here are some of the popular things to do in Dublin that you should book ahead of time:

• this is a combo tour that includes the Book of Kells and Dublin Castle
• Guinness Storehouse
• alternative: Teeling Distillery
• alternative: Roe & Co Distillery
• alternative: Pearse Lyons Whiskey Distillery
• Kilmainham Gaol prison (check for cancellations, we snagged tickets this way!)
• alternative: Dublin Free Walking Tour  

14. Make reservations at key restaurants

If there are any restaurants where you really want to dine in Ireland, go to their website and see if they take reservations. 

You can also look at their location on Google Maps and click on “reviews”. Use the search tool to find any reviews that mention “reservations”. This bit of research will tell you whether reservations are recommended.

We’d advise you to make your bookings at least 2 weeks before your travel dates so you’re not disappointed (set an alarm in your calendar so you don’t forget).

Here are some restaurants we loved that we had to make reservations for:

• Morans Oyster Cottage , County Galway
• Ard Bia at Nimmos , Galway
• we’d recommend booking a snug for £10 here for a fun experience
• food here is average in our opinions, but the historic venue and atmosphere are great!
• Gallaghers Boxty House , Dublin
• Bar 1661 (cocktails), Dublin

Want more Ireland restaurant recommendations? Check out this Reel!

View this post on Instagram A post shared by Katie & Ben | Travel Family (@twowanderingsoles)

Psst! In our Ireland itinerary we share the BEST restaurants in Ireland (along with which require reservations) so all the research is done for you.

Insider Tip: If you didn’t get dinner reservations to a restaurant you really want to try, head there for lunch instead. Many restaurants will have much more availability earlier in the day and sometimes the same (or similar) menu.

15. Get an eSIM

Gone are the days of needing to go into a phone store upon landing in a new country. eSIMs make it so easy to get local cell service around the world.

Essentially, you will download a SIM card onto your phone (kind of like how you’d download an app). 

Confused about how it works? We have an entire guide to the eSIM company we use, Airalo .

We used an eSIM in Ireland and found it essential to getting directions on Google Maps, making reservations at restaurants (though you can only call on WhatsApp), and uploading stories on Instagram. ( Check out our Ireland highlights here! )

16. Pack for all weather 

Ireland has a notoriously rainy climate, and you’ll definitely want to be prepared with rain gear.

Pack with layering and waterproofing in mind. 

Here are some things to make sure you pack:

• small travel umbrella
• boots or shoes that will do well in the rain
• dry bag or waterproof backpack (if you plan to spend time outdoors and want to keep valuables dry)
• wool socks are best for hiking and do well in damp conditions
• rain cover for stroller (if you’re traveling with a baby or toddler)
• toddler rain suit (we like this one!)

Good to know: Waterproof is better than “water resistant”. When choosing rain jackets or other gear, we always recommend looking for material that is actually waterproof.

17. Instead of Uber, use these apps

One thing that surprised us in Ireland was that when we ordered an Uber, a taxi showed up. After this happened a few times, we realized that in Ireland, Ubers are not private drivers like we’re used to in the US . 

It essentially just connects you to a taxi.

However, here’s the issue… We found ourselves waiting. And waiting. This happened a lot when we ordered Ubers. And we weren’t quite sure why…

Then we learned from a local that there are far less drivers on the Uber app than are on these other apps:

• Bolt  

Both are only available in select cities in Ireland. So if you’re in a place where the apps don’t work, simply hail a taxi since it is the same price as the apps anyway.

18. Travel insurance

It should come as no surprise that we always get travel insurance . For every single trip . No exceptions.

For our trip to Ireland, we got a reasonable policy through Safety Wing that covered the two of us, plus our 1.5-year-old daughter. 

For a 3-week trip through Ireland and England for the 3 of us, it cost $150 . If you break that down, it’s just $7 per day. Or less than $2.40 per person, per day.

It’s a no-brainer.

We always hope we don’t need to use our policy (because that means things have gone wrong), but we did in fact need to make a claim on this trip.

A spontaneous lightning storm meant our flight was grounded and we had to get on a new flight the next day. Our travel insurance reimbursed us for the additional transport to and from the airport, as well as a night at the Airbnb we had to forfeit.

So in the end, our policy more than paid for itself.

Not sure where to start? We’ve got an article that walks you through everything you need to know about choosing the best travel insurance policy for you.

19. Read up on the history of the Troubles

While Ireland has a rich history that spans thousands of years (which you’ll surely learn about on your trip), we’d recommend brushing up your knowledge on the more recent Irish history… a.k.a. “the Troubles”.

In Northern Ireland, tensions between Catholics and Protestants led to a 30-year period of deadly violence which began in the late 1960s and continued through the 90s. 

Even though this was happening during my childhood, I’m a little embarrassed to say I didn’t learn much about the Troubles in school. 

If you plan to visit the north of Ireland, do a bit of reading on the topic. This article on History.com goes through a timeline of events that lead up to the Troubles, and it’s pretty informative.

And definitely take a Black Taxi Tour in Belfast to hear a firsthand account of this time period from someone who actually lived it.

Good to know: While we’ve referred to it as Northern Ireland in this article for ease of explanation, we were told by a couple of Irish people that some people who live in the north don’t like the negative connotations that “Northern Ireland” has and they prefer it being called “the North of Ireland”.

20. Don’t plan to “just wing it”

Don’t get me wrong – I love this type of travel in many situations. But in Ireland, I think it’s important to come with a plan. 

If you don’t, you’ll be disappointed to find the major things are already totally booked, or you’ll totally pass by hidden gems because you just didn’t know they were there.

Before your trip to Ireland, be sure to come up with a solid plan for how you want to spend your time. 

Or, you can cheat and leave the heavy lifting to us… (keep reading for more!)…

21. Let us do the hard work for you

I spent an embarrassing amount of time planning our trip to Ireland. Planning trips is kind of my passion (being that I’m a travel blogger and all!), so I didn’t mind. 

But if you don’t want to spend the wee hours of the night behind a laptop screen (don’t blame ya!) and you don’t want to copy a super basic route that only hits the “must see” places, I’ve got a solution for you…

Grab our Ireland itinerary !

We did the hard work so all you need to do is pack your bags! (Oh, and book that flight!)

Here’s why you need our Ireland itinerary:

• We actually went to these places, so we have real, personal experience ! (It’s not just an AI robot gathering all the top spots in one place.)
• We included the must-sees, but we leaned heavily into hidden gems . If you’re like us, getting off the beaten path is always the highlight of your travels, so that’s what we focus on. In this itinerary, you’ll find all sorts of unique experiences that you won’t find in any other Ireland travel guides.
• We’re huge foodies and do A LOT of research when it comes to choosing restaurants. Trust me, I spent hours scouring reviews, and then actually ate the food ourselves to make sure it’s good advice. 
• We have a thing for unique, yet budget-friendly accommodation , so we’ve recommended places along this route that aren’t just your average hotel room. They are destinations in and of themselves! 
• We did half of our trip in a campervan and half staying in Airbnbs. We’ve created this itinerary to work for you whether you’re camping or staying in hotels.
• Everything is organized for you in a beautifully-designed itinerary that walks you through each day, including driving times, and a curated interactive map just for you .
• It is incredibly affordable! Itineraries of a similar caliber are upwards of $100. We’re selling ours for just $17. This is truly the cheapest (yet most epic!) Ireland itinerary out there. For just $17, you have the best Ireland trip planned just for you!

Are you planning a trip to Ireland?

We’re creating lots of resources for travel in Ireland and destinations throughout the country. Check out our  Ireland Travel Homepage  for everything you need to know, or read some of our favorite articles below.

• Renting a Car in Ireland: Essential Tips & Warnings
• Best Time to Visit Ireland: When to Go & When to Avoid!
• Places to Visit in Ireland You Can’t Miss!
• Unforgettable Things to do in Ireland: Ultimate Bucket List

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A Complete Guide to Planning an Ireland Trip

There are few places around the world that are more approachable than Ireland. The locals are friendly — they’ll make you a hot toddy if you arrive feeling under the weather — and the landscapes are divine.

Planning an Ireland trip is also easier than most other holidays.

Whether you’re taking a city escape in Dublin or planning a trip itinerary that includes some of that magical countryside, you need little more to navigate Ireland than a sense of adventure…and a car, obviously, if you’re on a road trip.

Use this guide for your Ireland vacation planning and get yourself that Irish holiday you deserve.

Disclosure: Please note that some of the links below may be affiliate links, including links through the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program . As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases . At no additional cost to you, I earn a commission if you make a purchase. I won’t recommend something I have not used/would not use myself, and any income earned supports the upkeep of this site.

Planning an Ireland Trip: Things to Know

When planning an Ireland trip, there’s an assumption that you’re not contending with global pandemics, with borders open to tourists thirsty for all of that Guinness.

As with any international travel, do check and then double-check any entry requirements before you book tickets to the Emerald Isle. If it’s not the right time, Ireland will always be there when it is. Keep in mind that travel insurance doesn’t cover known entities, either.

How long should you plan a trip to Ireland? The length of your Ireland trip depends on what your itinerary looks like. Our first trip to Ireland was less than a week, including travel time. We focused on a Dublin trip planner with a day trip or two thrown in for good measure.

If you’re planning an Ireland road trip, you’ll need more time so you’re not spending all of your time in the car. In brief, Ireland deserves as much time as you’ll give it!

How much does it cost to plan a trip to Ireland? Prices in Ireland vary greatly depending on where you’re going, when you’re going, and what you’re doing while you’re there. Staying in the city will cost you more in accommodations than staying in the country, but less in transportation if you’re using public transportation.

There are often good deals to get out to Ireland in the off-season, as well. We visited after Christmas over the New Year’s holiday, and the weather behaved enough that we had a fantastic time. There were loads of accommodation and airfare deals at that time, too, making the winter a great time for a budget trip to Ireland.

10 Fun Facts About Ireland

Ireland is a weird and wonderful place. Check out 10 of my favorite fun facts about Ireland. If anything, they make for great talking points after you’ve had a few pints of Guinness.

1. There are a lot of jokes out there about how much beer the Irish drink but the country is actually only in sixth place in terms of worldwide beer consumption. My Motherland , Poland, is just above in fifth. Booyah!

2. Guinness is synonymous with Irish pub life, but people in the United Kingdom and Nigeria both drink more Guinness than the Irish.

3. Saint Patrick is the patron saint of Ireland, but he was actually born in Britain. He was put into slavery in Ireland, though, so there’s that, apart from all of the business with the snakes.

4. If you enjoy playing a similar drinking game of “Drink whenever you see a scantily-clad Disney princess,” you have Ireland to thank. The Celtic festival of Samhain was a precursor to Halloween times.

5. There is a hamlet in County Galway named Muckanaghederdauhaulia. That is all.

6. You probably imagine the stereotypical Irish lad or lass as a redhead, but only about 10 percent of the country’s population has red hair.

7. Yes, the Irish enjoy their beer. But they also love their tea. Ireland boasts the highest per capita tea consumption of any European country.

8. Here’s another notch for my people: the second most popular language in Ireland is Polish!

9. The official symbol of Ireland isn’t the shamrock. It’s the harp. Don’t be basic.

10. The oldest bar in the world is central Ireland’s Sean’s Bar. It is more than 1,000 years old!

Top Places to Visit in Ireland

Where should I go in Ireland for the first time? Dublin is perfect for first-time visitors to Ireland, and it’s the easiest city to get to from many countries around the world.

That said, Ireland has so much more to offer outside of its capital city. Let’s get into places around Ireland that I’d highly recommend on your next trip!

Guinness Storehouse

You’re still in Dublin for this one, but there’s just no way you should visit Ireland without sampling where Guinness is born: the Guinness Storehouse .

We visited well before the pandemic, so can admit to prowling around bus tours that didn’t look like they were going to drink their Guinness to then, you guessed it, drink their samples.

They also teach you how to pour the perfect pint. You may think I learned nothing based on how I pour beer these days, but actually, it’s just because I’m not in Dublin.

Take me back already, ok?

Yes, the Guinness Storehouse is in Dublin. Some of you may not be into sipping on strangers’ beers, so I have to include the city of Dublin itself on this list of must-sees.

Embrace your tourist nature and ride on one of the city’s hop-on, hop-off buses as part of your Dublin travel planner. They’re perfect for a short visit, as they’ll take you exactly where you need to go anyway, including Kilmainham Gaol . The historical prison-turned-museum should be on any essential tour of Dublin.

Fun fact: A number of Irish revolutionaries were imprisoned at Kilmainham Gaol following the rebellions of 1798, 1803, 1848,1867, and 1916. The prison was finally closed in 1924.

One of our favorite experiences was catching a comedy show at a pub in town. We understood about half of the jokes — that may even be generous — but the jovial atmosphere was the good kind of contagious.

Dublin is easy to navigate on your own, but there are all kinds of guided experiences out there if that’s what you’re after. Check out these well-reviewed options:

County Wicklow

County Wicklow is one of the easier day trips from Dublin to scenic mountain views and impressive estates. Visit the Powerscourt Estate, known for not only its large “country house” but the landscaping outside.

Cruise through Wicklow Mountains National Park if the weather’s cooperating for a view of Sally Gap, a mountain pass popularized by the film P.S. I Love You .

We took a guided tour out to the mountains, as it just seemed like the right thing to do with the limited time we had. Most of the tours now include any filming locations along with their tours as they know what tourists like myself want.

Interested in the same as you’re planning a vacation to Ireland and the Wicklow Mountains? Check out these well-reviewed options below:

The Dingle Peninsula

A perfect Ireland itinerary includes time exploring the country’s rugged coastlines. You’ve likely heard all about the Ring of Kerry, but so has everyone else. The Dingle Peninsula in County Kerry offers views just as impressive and the perfect taste of Irish culture to boot .

If you’re driving the peninsula as a loop, you have to do so in a clockwise direction. It’s only about 30 miles long, but you’ll be making quite a few stops along the way.

Head off onto Slea Head Drive for twists and turns that will drop you at the Fahan Beehive, home to medieval stone houses that were once home to local monks. You may also recognize the area as Luke Skywalker’s hideaway in Star Wars: The Last Jedi .

Visit Coumeenoole beach to see the power of the Atlantic’s waves. Just don’t turn your back on them. Sneaker waves are a thing. For more amenities, head into the town of Dingle, big on charm and cozy pubs.

Interested in a guided tour of the region? Check out the options below:

Killarney National Park

Killarney National Park in County Kerry is popular for its natural beauty, but it’s also historic as the first national park in Ireland.

For a taste of that history while you’re there, start at the 15th century Muckross Abbey. The ruins include graves of important Irish poets and Gaelic chieftains who made this region home. The nearby Muckross House is a lovely estate you can tour at your leisure.

As you’re in a national park, you may have hiking on the brain. Torc Waterfall is accessible via a short walk from the car park or the longer Torc Loops. The Yellow Trail is under a mile, crossing under the Owengarriff River. The Blue Trail is about 1.5 miles. Both are rated moderate.

Exploring the park on your own on an Ireland road trip will give you the freedom to do so at your leisure, but there are guided experiences that will allow you that ease of planning. Check out these options:

Ireland Entry Requirements

If you’re an American citizen or citizen of the European Economic Area, you do not need a visa to enter Ireland for up to 90 days. For additional information for those traveling to Ireland from outside of those countries, consult Ireland’s Citizens Information website.

Best Times to Go to Ireland

What is the best month to go to Ireland? Late spring and early summer are typically the best times to visit Ireland. Crowds aren’t as intense, and with the country’s unpredictable weather, you’re likely to get some rain no matter when you go.

It’s always best to pack for inclement weather, even if your weather app is all sunshine while you’re packing. Check out more information by season below.

Fall (September-November)

You should be able to find some good deals on flights and accommodation during this time, as it’s a shoulder season. The weather in September and October should still be pleasant. Expect more wet, chilly weather as winter approaches come November.

Winter (December-February)

I’ve only been to Ireland in the winter, during the winter holidays. I was lucky enough to catch some mild weather for the season.

Note: I was also living in Chicago at the time, so it was actually nicer in Ireland than it was back home.

If you’re planning a city break, you’ll have plenty to do in Ireland even in the winter months. If you’re thinking of venturing out into the country to see some of Ireland’s natural vistas, your plans may be affected by gloomy, chilly weather, and visibility out there may not be great.

Spring (March-May)

March and spring holidays, including during St. Patrick’s Day festivals, are a peak time for travel across Ireland. After Easter, you should have some pockets of good deals through the rest of spring and spells of bright days. There isn’t really a dry season in Ireland, so don’t be deterred by the idea of spring showers.

Summer (June-August)

Ireland doesn’t really get too hot, apart from those rare 80 degree days thanks to our changing climate. Otherwise, your days during summer will likely be lovely, and in the 70-degree range.

This is the peak season for travel to Ireland, though, as tourists take advantage of the longer days. Book ahead if you’re looking for any chance at decent deals on flights and accommodation during this time.

How to Get to Ireland

There are frequent deals from the United States and throughout Europe to Dublin Airport, Ireland’s main transportation hub. If you’re flexible, it’s a good idea to watch flights to Ireland using a tool like Skyscanner , or follow airlines on social media that fly there, like the major American carriers or Ireland’s Aer Lingus .

High season for flights to Ireland is during the summer and holidays, so if you’re traveling during those times, book your flights well in advance.

Ireland is compact enough that you can explore other regions and counties using available land transportation or renting a car, without getting on any connecting flights once you’re there. If you’re short on time and need to get to Kerry or Donegal, though, you can catch regional flights on Aer Lingus .

What to Pack to Ireland

As Ireland never gets too warm and there’s always a chance of rain while you’re there, you should make sure your Ireland packing list includes enough to keep you warm and dry when you’re taking in those beautiful vistas.

Need some ideas for that Ireland packing list? These should cover some of the more popular Ireland trip itineraries. Read on for your Ireland essentials!

Fleece-Lined Tights

It doesn’t get as cold as what a Midwesterner may be used to in Ireland, but if you’re into outdoor adventures and heading to Ireland in the winter, fleece-lined tights are a no-brainer.

Find a few pairs that are thin enough to wear underneath a pair of pants, but thick enough that they’ll withstand a decent Irish breeze.

If you’re going to Ireland in the chillier months, a pair of gloves will go a long way toward making things much more comfortable for you. Some are even touch screen compatible. That means you’ll still be able to take all of those adorable selfies of your wind-whipped face on those cliffs.

It rains a lot in Ireland. That’s why it’s so lovely and green. Pack a pair of rain booties no matter what season, even if you don’t see the potential for rain in the forecast…because it’ll probably rain while you’re there anyway.

Rain Jacket

No matter when you visit Ireland, you may encounter some wind and rain on your vacay. We actually had some mild temperatures for winter when we were there, but were ready for any kind of inclement weather.

Find a rain jacket that won’t take up too much space in your luggage, too, even during the summertime. It never gets too warm there!

A nice warm blanket scarf will make things quite cozy for you when you’re sipping on some hot toddies in a bar in Dublin. Pack a lighter warm in the warmer months. That wind on the Wild Atlantic Way isn’t some Irish myth.

With average temperatures in the 50s throughout the year, you’ll need to pack a few warmer sweaters for your trip to Ireland unless you’re hitting peak summertime. That doesn’t mean they have to frumpy. Find some fun oversized options that you’ll be able to wear again and layer on your Irish vacay.

If you’re heading out to Ireland in the winter, you’ve got to make sure your noggin’s warm. Whether you like things slouchy or a bit more traditional, don’t get caught in an Irish breeze without the right head protection in a warm winter hat .

I’ve said a lot about how brisk it can get in Ireland, so I’m hoping you’ll be prepared by this point, from your head to your toes. That means wool socks , which are both moisture-wicking and nice and warm.

Need more ideas? Visit my Favorite Things page!

Local Currency in Ireland

Ireland’s national currency is the euro. Credit cards are widely accepted, but it’s never a bad idea to carry some small bills on you if you’re traveling outside of the major city centers.

How to Get Around Ireland

Ireland is compact enough that you can explore other regions and counties using available land transportation or renting a car, without getting on any connecting flights once you’re there.

If you’re short on time and need to get to Kerry or Donegal, though, you can catch regional flights on Aer Lingus .

If you’re comfortable driving on the left side of the road (with your steering wheel on the right side of the car), self-drive tours are the best option and offer the most flexibility if you’re hitting the country while you’re there.

As with all of your bookings, if you’re traveling during the high season (summer and holidays), book any rental cars well in advance to make sure you can make that road trip itinerary happen.

Note: You don’t want to be left with the scraps when you get there, especially if you need an automatic. Manual transmission cars are more common in Ireland.

I’m not loyal to any one company, so use aggregators like Hotwire or Priceline to find the best deals on rental cars.

If your itinerary includes mainly city escapes, you’ll be able to get from city to city and most major towns throughout Ireland using their train system, the Irish Rail . You’ll have more options if you’re departing from Dublin, Ireland’s main transportation hub.

Translink is an additional option if your travel includes a visit to Northern Ireland. Planning matters for train travel, too. You’ll get the best available deals if you book in advance.

If you’re not in any hurry, Ireland also has a network of buses, the Bus Éireann that will take you nearly anywhere you want to go throughout the country. They’re a comfortable ride, but they’re slow…because they’re buses.

Where to Stay in Ireland

We mainly use Booking.com for trips to Europe. The rates are cheapest and the site boasts all kinds of options, from city centers to the middle of nowhere, and from hotels to bed and breakfasts.

Fun fact: The more stays you book with them, the more you’ll get back, too, as you can achieve their “Genius” status for 15% off future bookings.

I’d suggest cross-checking with  Hotels.com  before you book your hotel and accommodations as you’re plotting out things to see in Ireland, just in case you’re able to get a cheaper stay on that site. Vrbo  has become our go-to Airbnb alternative these days.  

Check out these highly-rated properties for great Ireland vacations from my preferred booking sites.

Where to Stay in Cork from Booking.com :

• The Blarney Stone Guesthouse
• Garnish House
• The Kingsley Hotel

Where to Stay in Cork from Vrbo :

• 1-Bedroom on the Marina (Kinsale)
• Gabriel House Guesthouse
• Thatched 4-Person Cottage

Where to Stay on the Dingle Peninsula from Booking.com :

• An Capall Dubh B&B Dingle
• O’Connors Guesthouse
• The Waterfront

Where to Stay on the Dingle Peninsula from Vrbo :

• The Boatyard House
• Quiet Country Home Away from Home
• Uninterrupted Sea Views

Where to Stay in Dublin from Booking.com :

• Ashling Hotel Dublin
• Clayton Hotel Ballsbridge
• Pembroke Hall

Where to Stay in Dublin from Vrbo :

• Aberdeen Lodge
• Albany House
• Nautical Elegance in the Heart of the City

Where to Stay in Galway from Booking.com :

• Balcony House
• Menlo Park Hotel
• Rusheen Bay House

Where to Stay in Galway from Vrbo :

• Elegant Townhome + Parking
• Family Vacation on Wild Atlantic Way
• Studio Perfect for Couples

Where to Stay in Killarney from Booking.com :

• Brook Lodge Boutique Hotel
• Killaran House
• Killarney Dromhall Hotel

Where to Stay in Killarney from Vrbo :

• Charming 1-Bedroom at The Priory Killarney
• Luxurious House Close to Town Centre
• Spectacular Coachhouse on the Doorstep of Killarney National Park

Where to Stay in Limerick from Booking.com :

• Absolute Hotel Limerick
• The Bedford Townhouse & Café
• George Limerick Hotel

Where to Stay in County Limerick from Vrbo :

• Charming Old-World Country Cottage (Pallaskenry)
• Cozy Cottage in Irish Countryside (Limerick)
• Thatched Cottage in Tranquil Landscape (Adare)

Want even more options? Try Hostelworld . It’s the largest source of hostel accommodations out there, with numerous reviews for each listing.

Irish Slang Terms

Ireland’s national language is Irish Gaelic, but you’ll more likely encounter English. This doesn’t mean that if you speak English, you’ll understand everything everyone is saying to you. Just nod your head and cheers.

If you’d like to impress the locals, though, here are a few Irish Gaelic phrases.

Conas atá tú?

How are you?

Hello, but also more literally, may God be with you.

Slán go fóill.

See you later.

Gabh mo leithscéal.

An bhfuil gaeilge agat.

Do you speak Irish?

Go raibh maith agat.

Tá brón orm..

I’m sorry.

Saol fada chugat!

A long life to you!

Irish Foods to Try/Be Aware Of

Irish folks aren’t known for their cuisine, but they are known for their hospitality. Yes, eat some corned beef and cabbage. Make sure you take advantage of some of the lesser-known local offerings, too. Check those out below:

This is an Irish fruit cake, served all year. The traditional preparation is soaking the loaf in tea and whiskey overnight, which sounds like you’re going to have a delightful morning.

Black and White Pudding

Black pudding is a sausage made with pork meat, fat, and blood. White pudding is the same, sans the blood. Together, they’re part of a typical Irish breakfast.

Good thing that the potato famine is a distant memory. A boxty is a potato pancake with a twist: it’s made with more grated raw potatoes and mashed potatoes.

This is a mashed potato dish, not to be confused with the other mashed potato dishes, that’s a delicious blend of taters, scallions, butter, and milk.

Not to be confused with an Irish stew, a coddle is a one-pot stew that has been coddled or left to simmer. It’s typically a way to get rid of the week’s leftovers.

No, they’re not done with the taters. These are creamy mashed potatoes, with the addition of cabbage. You may see it served with boiled ham or bacon.

The Irish love their one-pot wonders. A protein, traditionally lamb, is cooked slowly with all kinds of veggies to make this dish.

The Irish love their seafood. If you make it to County Galway, try their oysters. They even celebrate them at an annual festival.

Shepherd’s Pie

Shepherd’s pie, a minced meat pie with a crust or topping of mashed potato is a savory, comfort-food classic throughout Ireland.

A must in Irish households, soda bread is a quick and easy bread made with baking soda. Most Irish families will have a recipe or two that includes various twists on the classic.

Special Dates & Events in Ireland

If you’re planning a trip to Ireland during a specific time of year, consider whether there are any festivals or holidays occurring. You may want to attend special events, or avoid them, as holidays often mean business closures.

Holiday dates below are consistent from year to year. Check online for specific festival dates.

Irish Festivals

St. patrick’s festival (march).

The largest festival related to this famous saint’s feast day is Dublin’s St. Patrick’s Festival . The festival runs five nights and includes both traditional cultural elements and more modern offerings, including a lineup of live music.

Dublin Horse Show (August)

The annual Dublin Horse Show is a big deal in Ireland. You have the usual stuff you’d expect from a horse show, like dressage and horse jumping, but there’s also a Ladies’ Day where all the fancy ladies gather in, I’m assuming, their fanciest of hats.

Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann (August)

Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann is the world’s largest annual celebration of Irish music, language, song, and dance. The host cities change, so do consult their website if this is up your alley.

Galway International Oyster and Seafood Festival (September)

Galway’s annual oyster festival is a celebration of all things shellfish and reigns as the oldest oyster festival in the world. It’s Ireland’s biggest festival after any St. Patrick’s Day activities.

Lisdoonvarna Matchmaking Festival (September)

The Lisdoonvarna Matchmaking Festival was created as a way for singles to meet other singles, but country music fans may be interested regardless of their relationship status. There’s also an actual matchmaker on hand at the festival if you really need extra help.

Irish Holidays

St. patrick’s day (march 17).

It may not include quite as much debauchery as you may be used to in the United States, but the Irish do celebrate St. Patrick’s Day. It really depends on what you’re after as far as what you’ll experience as a tourist.

Beer companies have popularized the drinking opportunities, but it’s also typical to see public parades and more family-friendly festivals. Yes, people are wearing green. St. Patrick’s Day is a public holiday, so businesses may be closed on this day.

May Bank Holiday (first Monday in May)

May Bank Holiday in Ireland is related to the International Worker’s Day celebrated around the world each year in May. This is a public holiday, so businesses may be closed on this day.

June Bank Holiday (first Monday in June)

This banking holiday has been around since 1871, when Ireland was still part of the United Kingdom, as part of the Bank Holidays Act. This is a public holiday, so businesses may be closed on this day.

August Bank Holiday (first Monday in August)

Apparently the Irish hate Mondays. I get it. This one also dates back to the Bank Holidays Act of 1871. This is a public holiday, so businesses may be closed on this day.

St. Stephen’s Day (December 26)

This is the feast day of St. Stephen, the first Christian martyr, celebrated on the day after Christmas every year. This is a public holiday, so businesses may be closed on this day.

Have you been to Ireland? What were your favorite spots and tips to experience this fantastic place? I’d love to return to the island and visit Northern Ireland and Belfast in particular one day. Both of us are history buffs, particularly when it comes to complex histories!

Share your experiences with me in the comments!

Photo credits: Leonid Andronov (1), Rumi006 (5), RafalStachura (6), Janine Lamontagne (7), robynmac (8)

Ready to Visit Ireland?

Your Flight:  I use a variety of tools to find cheap airfare, but if you’re looking to book during a particular period of time, you should search on  Skyscanner .

Scroll on up for more tips on the best way to plan a trip to Ireland in my complete Ireland travel planner.

Your Accommodations:  Scroll up for my top picks for accommodations while in Ireland.  Booking.com  and  Hotels.com  are my usuals, and Vrbo  has become my go-to Airbnb alternative. Seeking even more wallet-friendly accommodations? Try Hostelworld . Their picks are heavily vetted and reviewed to offer you a safe experience for Ireland budget travel.

Etc.:  For general travel goodies, visit my  Favorite Things  page. For more information on planning your travel and travel tips, visit my  Travel Tools  page.

Did you like this Ireland trip planner? Pin it for later!

Elsewhere in Europe!

• All the Best Things to Do in Brussels
• A Day Trip to Bruges from Brussels
• Iceland’s Most Beautiful Waterfalls
• A Guide to Antibes, France
• A Guide for Nice to Monaco Trips

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Planning a trip to ireland.

So you’re planning a trip to Ireland! Congratulations! The planning stages are always so exciting, but can also be overwhelming. We created this Ireland trip planner to help you get started and stay organized. If it’s your first trip to Ireland, this guide will be a huge help to get you started.

We’ve done Ireland trip planning for hundreds of clients and for ourselves over the last ten years, after spending time living in the southeast of Ireland. In recent years we couldn’t keep up with the demand that clients had, so we created this guide to help those who we couldn’t personally help. This will walk you through planning your own trip to Ireland and help you stay on track, making sure you’re not missing anything important.

Enjoy planning a trip to Ireland with ease and fun!

Use an Ireland Travel Planner

If you need a good way to stay organized while planning your trip to Ireland, you can download our free Ireland Travel Planner.

Decide When to Visit Ireland

The first step is deciding when to visit Ireland. This will depend on your own personal schedule and budget, but there are a lot of things to take into consideration.

When is the best time to visit Ireland?

Winter – Winter is a very affordable time to take an Ireland trip. Flights and accommodations will both cost less. You will also be battling fewer crowds during your time there. If you’re planning a trip to Ireland in winter, the weather can be unpredictable, so keep that in mind. But the weather can also be unpredictable year-round. So I don’t necessarily think it’s a bad time to go to Ireland.

Spring – Spring is a great time to plan your trip to Ireland. Prices are still cheaper than in the summer and the weather is usually warmer, however, can still be unpredictable with the rainy season.

Summer – Summer is definitely peak season and the most popular month to plan a trip to Ireland. You’ll find the warmest weather and the most crowds during this time. It’s also the most expensive time to visit. If you’re looking for a budget trip to Ireland, you may want to avoid the summer season .

Fall – Fall is another great time to plan your trip to Ireland. Like the spring you’ll see fewer crowds, but also less rain. As many tourists are back at school and work during the beginning of the fall, it’s generally a good weather time to go and avoid crowds.

Think About What Kind of Trip to Ireland You Want & Do Some Inspiration Browsing

Before you really start getting into the nitty-gritty of planning a trip to Ireland, consider whey kind of trip you really want to take.

Why are you taking this trip? Is it a vacation where you want to prioritize relaxation? Is it a once-in-a-lifetime trip to Ireland where you want to prioritize seeing as much as possible, famous attractions and iconic sites? Do you want to stay in the city center and do a day trip in each location? Do you want to focus on a small group tour or private tours? Is it a romantic trip with your significant other? Is it to connect with your Irish heritage?

Really think about these questions and what the answers are. Spend some time browsing Facebook Groups , Pinterest, and Instagram and exploring ideas and places.

Figure Out Your Budget

After you’ve done the fun part of planning your Ireland trip, it’s time to get down to brass tacks and really figure out what kind of trip you can afford. So many people ask us how much a trip to Ireland will cost.

This is such a subjective question that it is nearly impossible to answer. When you plan a vacation to Ireland, determining factors for the cost of your trip are how flexible your schedule is, what kind of accommodations you prefer, how often you like to eat out, where you want to visit, what kind of transportation you prefer, etc. As you can see, it’s a very personal decision.

Check Logistics for Entering Ireland

In your next step in planning a trip to Ireland, be sure to check that you can legally enter Ireland and that there are no extra steps that need to be taken. Most people living in the USA, Canada, the UK, Australia, and of course, the EU won’t need a visa to visit Ireland for up to 90 days. Ireland is not part of the Schengen Zone, and has its own 90 day rules separate from the Schengen.

Ireland has essentially dropped all other requirements regarding the word which shall not be named, so you’re good in that regard.

Decide Where to Go in Ireland

What to visit in Ireland is tough to figure out. At this point in your trip planning process, it’s time to decide where you want to go in Ireland. This can be one of the most difficult decisions to make while planning.

Ireland is not really that big, but it packs in a whole lot into two relatively small countries. Where you go will depend on your preference, budget, time of year, and length of your trip. Besides the most popular cities in Ireland, consider visiting some lesser-known places as well. You may want to go all over the country or stick to one or two regions.

Learn more about the best places to visit in Ireland

Figure out Your Itinerary

Once you’ve figured out where you want to visit in Ireland, it’s time to nail down your specific itinerary. Make sure you’re not overscheduling yourself. Leave plenty of time to wander and relax, even if you’re packing in the destinations. If you’re struggling to pick an Ireland itinerary, try looking at this Ireland Itinerary we’ve created.

Book Your Flights

Once you’ve figured out your itinerary and know where you want to begin and end your trip, it’s time to start looking at flights. We recommend setting a travel alert on your favorite flight search engines like Hopper, Google Flights, Kayak, or Skyscanner. Read more of our tips for finding cheap flights.

You’ll most likely want to fly into one of the major airports in Ireland. The most affordable International airport to fly into is usually Dublin. If you’re flying into Ireland from Europe, you may want to check smaller airports, since budget airlines tend to fly into those more often and at a lower price. Smaller airports are in Shannon, Belfast, Kerry, Waterford, Cork, Donegal, Sligo, Galway, and more.

Purchase Travel Insurance

In these uncertain times, it’s never been more crucial to have travel insurance. You just never know. We highly recommend getting it as soon as you book your flights.

Book Your Accommodations

Once your flights are booked and your itinerary is pinned down, it’s time to start booking your accommodations for your trip to Ireland. We recommend only booking hotels on official booking sites that offer full refunds, which is almost every hotel these days. But always remember to read the fine print.

I find the best way to search for hotels, houses and apartments in Ireland is to use Expedia . It allows you to search not only hotels, but also home rentals, similar to Airbnb, but better because of the great cancellation policies and customer support that booking offers. Other sites we like to use are and Hotels.com or Booking.com .

For home rentals, we always use VRBO (Vacation Rental By Owner) . We used to use Airbnb, but their fees have just gotten crazy and their customer service is just bad!

You can also check out my accommodation guides on Where to Stay in Ireland.

Book Tours and Activities

Once your accommodations are booked, you’ll want to start looking at activities, tours, and cooking classes. We love booking local tours that really elevate your time in Ireland and make it more meaningful. Some of our favorite tour companies to book through are Get Your Guide , Viator Ireland Tours , and With Locals.

If you’re looking for great food tours we also like the 10 Tastings Tours from With Locals. With Locals also offers great history tours, family tours, and welcome-to-the-city tours. Booking tours far in advance is a great way to save money.

Package Tours in Ireland

If you’re feeling overwhelmed by the tours and options in Ireland, you can always book package tours in Ireland. These can be a great way to explore areas without stress. If you’re organizing a large group or a family reunion in Ireland, these can also be great options if you’re not up for planning a trip to Ireland all on your own.

These companies take care of most of the logistics. Just be sure to read recent reviews and have all your questions answered before booking. Always check refund or rescheduling policies.

Book Your Transportation

Now that your tours, activities, and classes are booked, you can move on to booking your transportation within Ireland. Depending on where you’re going, you’ll need to decide whether you’re going to travel by train, bus, rent a car, or hire a driver. If you’re traveling between major cities in Ireland, the rail system will be the best choice. If you’re venturing out of the city centers and heading to the countryside, smaller towns, or the coast, you may want to consider renting a car.

Make a Food Bucket List and Make Dinner Reservations Where Necessary

Ireland may not be known for their food, but it might just surprise you. The country has really gone through a food revolution in the past decade, and you’ll find a huge amount of great local Irish restaurants and pubs, but also a really good variety in handcrafted farm-to-table options, as well as international food all over the island.

Planning a trip to Ireland would not be complete without planning some time and money for food. If you’re a real foodie, take as many food tours and cooking classes as you’re able to fit in and afford. It will make your trip to Ireland so much more meaningful and fun!

If you’re eating at any restaurants in the popular cities of Ireland, we recommend making as many dinner reservations as possible. You don’t want to schedule every night. Allow room for exploration and spontaneity, but it will alleviate some stress if you can book places ahead.

Make a Packing List & Shop for Supplies

Once you’re done with the bulk of your Ireland trip planning, it’s time to make a packing list and shop for any items you may need before your trip. What you need will depend largely on the tie of year you take your Ireland trip and what season you visit. This Ireland packing list will help you find all the things you need.

Make Last Minute Preparations

Planning a trip to Ireland should be done one year to six months in advance, but there are a few things that need to wait until just before you leave.

Internet Access

If you’re planning to use international data during your trip to Ireland, you’ll need to contact your cellular phone provider, plan on purchasing an international SIM card on arrival, or use a portable WiFi Device. We use this one .

Portable WiFi Device

Contact Credit Card Companies

Before you visit Ireland, be sure to contact your bank and your credit card company to let them know that you’re traveling abroad. If you’re looking for a great international credit card, we love our Amex Platinum card . It offers so many benefits, including airport lounge access, Global Entry, TSA Pre Check, Airline Credit, Clear, rental car insurance, and more!

Apply for Amex Platinum Card

Sign up for STEP

Before your Ireland trip, sign up for STEP (Smart Traveler Enrollment Program). This is run by the State Department and is a free service that allows US Citizens and nationals traveling abroad to enroll their trip with the nearest embassy. This is important if there is a national emergency or if something should happen to you during your trip. You can receive alerts from the nearest embassy, input emergency contact information, and be accessible during an emergency. We have many friends who work at embassies and they agree that this is the most important step (see what we did there?) when planning a trip to Ireland.

Plan for Spontaneity

Learning how to plan a trip to Ireland is great, but be sure to leave room in your Ireland itinerary for fun and spontaneity. Leave time to get lost, make new friends, have fun, and explore Ireland like a local. Plan on something going wrong at least once during your trip! We always say “it’s either a good time or a good story.” Hopefully, your Ireland trip is both ! Happy planning!

I hope this Ireland travel planner has been a helpful tool to you and that you’re able to stay organized and plan a trip to Ireland efficiently.

Wanderlust Crew

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Ireland Trip Planner

Top destinations in ireland.

Top attractions in Ireland

Other notable attractions

Explore nearby places

• Rathfarnham
• Palmerstown
• Castleknock
• Blanchardstown
• Leopardstown
• Dun Laoghaire
• Carrickmines
• Portmarnock

All related maps of Ireland

• Map of Ireland
• Map of Dublin
• Map of Sandymount
• Map of Dundrum
• Map of Rathfarnham
• Map of Palmerstown
• Map of Stillorgan
• Map of Castleknock
• Map of Clondalkin
• Map of Tallaght
• Map of Sandyford
• Map of Blackrock
• Map of Santry
• Map of Blanchardstown
• Map of Leopardstown
• Map of Monkstown
• Map of Stepaside
• Map of Dun Laoghaire
• Map of Cabinteely
• Map of Lucan
• Map of Carrickmines
• Map of Saggart
• Map of Sandycove
• Map of Dalkey
• Map of Killiney
• Map of Sutton
• Map of Rathcoole
• Map of Leixlip
• Map of Portmarnock
• Map of Swords
• Map of Shankill

Ireland throughout the year

• Ireland in January
• Ireland in February
• Ireland in March
• Ireland in April
• Ireland in May
• Ireland in June
• Ireland in July
• Ireland in August
• Ireland in September
• Ireland in October
• Ireland in November
• Ireland in December

Q&A about Ireland

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How To Plan a Trip to Ireland: Step-by-Step Guide

Posted on Last updated: March 12, 2024

Home » Destinations » Europe » Ireland » How To Plan a Trip to Ireland: Step-by-Step Guide

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Dreaming of your first Ireland trip? Let me show you exactly how to plan a trip to Ireland like a pro!

This post about how to plan a trip to ireland for the first time was written by family travel expert marcie cheung and contains affiliate links which means if you purchase something from one of my affiliate links, i may earn a small commission that goes back into maintaining this blog..

Have you dreamed of visiting the Emerald Isle since watching Leap Year and want to know how to plan a trip to Ireland?

No one would question you! With six national parks, more than 7,000 pubs, and the 15th happiest country, Ireland is a great place for an epic road trip or short city break.

But if you’ve never visited before, planning a trip to Ireland can be a difficult task!

This easy-to-follow Ireland trip planner will take you through absolutely all the steps and questions to ask yourself so the planning process isn’t stressful. 

You can tick everything off so you know for certain you haven’t forgotten anything. Once you’re on the plane, you’ll be able to relax knowing you’re about to have a fun, Irish adventure!

14-Step Guide on How To Plan a Trip to Ireland

Step 1: check your passport and visa requirements for ireland.

Ireland is often used as a catch-all name for two countries on the same island: The Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland. While the Republic of Ireland is part of the European Union (EU), Northern Ireland is part of the UK which is no longer in the EU. Neither country is part of the Schengen Area.

However, that all sounds way more confusing than the reality! There is an open border and free movement between the two countries.

As long as you have a valid passport for the duration of your stay, most North American tourists won’t need a visa to visit the Republic of Ireland or Northern Ireland (for up to 90 days). 

Check your specific circumstances with the US Department of Statement website if you’re unsure. But otherwise, you’re good to go!

Step 2: Figure out the Length of Your Trip to Ireland

The next step of how to plan a trip to Ireland is to figure out the length of your trip. 

With limited paid time off, school breaks, and other responsibilities and restrictions, you might have a good idea of how long you can spend in Ireland!

Planning a trip to Dublin? Allow at least four days to enjoy a city break in the Irish capital. 

Planning a road trip around the country? Seven days is the shortest amount of time you need to explore the Republic of Ireland. 10 days is better if you also want to visit Northern Ireland, and two weeks is just enough time to see all the main highlights.

If you’re planning a trip to Ireland and Scotland , you’ll need two weeks minimum (ideally three or more!) to explore both countries.

Step 3: Research the Best Time to Travel to Ireland

When planning an Ireland trip, weather, and annual events are huge considerations. They impact the size of crowds and the expense.

Transport is also a factor. Ferries to the Aran and Skellig Islands shut down over winter.

St. Patrick’s Day is celebrated annually on March 17th and is a huge celebration all over the country. If you want to celebrate Ireland’s patron saint during your travels, great! Just be prepared for lots of people, to spend $$$, and to book months in advance.

Ireland has a mild climate with temperatures in winter averaging 45°F/7°C and in summer , 65°F/18°C. You can expect rain on any day, year round!

If you’re not restricted by school breaks, the best time to plan a trip to Ireland is the shoulder season months of April – June and September – October. You’ll avoid the busiest and most expensive seasons but all of the seasonal attractions will be open. But most families visit Ireland during summer .

Step 4: Choose Your Destinations and Plan Your Itinerary

The best way to plan a trip to Ireland is to divide the country into sections. You can then decide which destinations you want (and have time) to visit.

Here are all of the key destinations in each part of Ireland:

• Northern Ireland – Belfast, the Giant’s Causeway, Derry
• East – Galway, Connemara National Park, Aran Islands, Cliffs of Moher
• Southeast – Ring of Kerry, Killarney National Park, Skellig Islands
• South – Cork, Kinsale, Cobh, Blarney Castle
• East – Dublin, Wicklow Mountains National Park

If you’re planning an Ireland trip that is two weeks or more, you’ll have time to visit all of these places! If you have less, cross off the destinations you are less interested in visiting.

Step 5: Create a Budget for Your Trip to Ireland

No Ireland trip planner can give you a specific figure for how much your Ireland vacation will cost. Some of the variables include the time of year, the size of your family/group, the length of your trip, and your style of travel.

However, Trip.com estimates that the cost of a four-night, three-day trip to Ireland for two people will cost an average of $1,600 per person. 

This includes flights, accommodation, travel insurance, souvenirs, food, attractions, and excursions.

Traveling to Ireland on a budget is doable if you swap expensive cities like Dublin and Galway for smaller towns or cities like Doolin and Belfast. Hiking in national parks like Killarney and seeing natural wonders like the Cliffs of Moher are free!

Step 6: Book Your Flights to Ireland

Travelers flying from North America are in luck. There are 24 airports with direct flights to Dublin Airport from San Francisco to New York City. I was able to fly direct from Seattle!

Boston, Chicago, and two New York City airports also offer direct flights to Shannon Airport, a smaller airport on Ireland’s west coast. 

Dublin might only have two terminals, but it’s still a major travel hub. Especially for flights from North America to Europe! You should have no problems finding affordable flights to Dublin year-round if you book a few months in advance.

Step 7: Book Accommodation in Ireland

The next step is to book your accommodation. The good news is that, unlike other European countries such as Italy and Spain, there is no tourist tax in the Republic of Ireland or Northern Ireland.

Hotels are ideal in larger cities like Dublin , Galway, and Belfast. 

Guesthouses/bed and breakfasts when traveling through the countryside (in towns like Doolin and Killarney, for example) are a quintessential Irish experience. The owners are usually a lovely older couple and will serve a humongous Irish breakfast in the morning if you’re lucky!

Check out Airbnb for fun glamping options. There are treehouses, beach view pods, and even hobbit houses.

Step 8: Book a Rental Car

You won’t need a rental car if you’re staying in Dublin. It’s mostly a walkable city and using public transport (buses and trams) is much easier and cheaper than renting a car.

But if you’re venturing into the countryside then you’ll need a car! The smaller the better to squeeze down Ireland’s narrow country lanes.

You’ll need an international driving license to rent a car in Ireland. If you’re from North America and are used to an automatic transmission, note that manual is much more common in Ireland. 

It’s often worth paying extra for an automatic car if you’re not used to manual! Especially because you’ll also be driving on the left in Ireland.

Check your credit card benefits to see if it includes complimentary rental car insurance.

Step 9: Purchase Attraction and Ferry Tickets

Most attractions in the Irish countryside, such as Blarney Castle, don’t need to be booked in advance. Some attractions, like the Cliffs of Moher and the Giant’s Causeway, are 100% free!

But in Dublin, it’s much better to be organized. Kilmainham Gaol always sells out so make that a priority. Book tickets to the Guinness Storehouse to avoid waiting in line too.

Ferries to the Aran Islands and Skellig Islands always book up during the peak season.

Step 10: Get Travel Insurance for Your Trip to Ireland

Ideally, you should buy travel insurance as soon as you book your flights. This will ensure you have coverage for every dime you spend on your trip to Ireland.

However, something more important than money is your health! As long as you take out a policy before you fly, you’ll be covered in the event of a medical emergency, 

Check your credit card benefits as they might offer travel insurance as a perk.

Step 11: Figure Out Phone, Credit Card, and Currency

The Republic of Ireland’s currency is the Euro and Northern Ireland uses the Great British Pound. Bring a small amount of cash in both currencies and a travel credit card.

If American Express is your preferred credit card, bring a Mastercard or Visa as a backup. AMEX cards are not widely accepted in either the Republic of Ireland or Northern Ireland.

Don’t have an international phone plan? Consider getting an eSIM before you fly so that you can use the internet in Ireland as soon as your plane lands. If you’re also visiting Northern Ireland, choose a plan that covers Ireland and the UK.

Step 12: Watch Movies and Read Books Set in Ireland

Ireland is well known for its literary history and plenty of movies have been filmed on the Emerald Isle too. Reading and watching is the best way to get excited about your trip!

Read Ulysses or Dubliners by James Joyce if you prefer classics. Check out Wild Atlantic Women by Gráinne Lyons if you’d prefer a modern memoir.

P.S. I Love You (2007) and Leap Year (2010) are both romantic films shot in Ireland. Star Wars: The Last Jedi (2017) and The Quiet Man (1952) are both great Hollywood movies filmed in Ireland from different eras.

Step 13: Pack the Right Outfits for Your Irish Vacation

Since Ireland has a mild climate, it’s unlikely you’ll need snow boots or a sunhat. However, your visit in November could easily coincide with a random snowstorm. Heatwaves in April are not unheard of either.

Pay close attention to the forecast and bring versatile clothing. Sweat-wicking t-shirts and tank tops, jeans, and comfortable boots are handy in most seasons. 

No matter when you visit, pack a good raincoat!

Step 14: Go to Ireland!

Once you’ve finished all these steps of how to plan a trip to Ireland, you can head to the airport.

Don’t forget to keep checking the weather forecast (it constantly changes!) and listen to as much traditional Irish folk music as you possibly can.

Planning a Trip to Ireland FAQs

Is ireland cheap or expensive.

Ireland is not a cheap country to visit, but it’s not very expensive. 

Dublin, Galway, and other Irish cities have expensive accommodation and restaurants. However, staying in the Irish countryside is much more affordable.

How many days do I need to see Ireland?

You’ll need a minimum of four days to see Ireland if you just want to stay in Dublin. Allow at least seven days if you’re planning an Irish road trip.

Two weeks in Ireland is ideal if you want to visit all of the regions, including Northern Ireland.

What is the best way to see Ireland for the first time?

Renting a car is the best way to see Ireland for the first time. Public transport is ideal in cities, but a rental car will allow you access to national parks, the coast, and remote areas of the countryside.

How To Plan a Trip to Ireland Wrap-Up

Figuring out how to plan a trip to Ireland is much less daunting when you follow a step-by-step Ireland vacation planner.

From your passports to packing, this guide will ensure you know the entrance requirements to both Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland. And all the rental car considerations you didn’t know before!

Witnessing the Cliffs of Moher in a quality raincoat before sitting by the fire in a centuries-old cozy pub will make all your due diligence worth the effort.

Looking for more Ireland travel resources? Check out Ireland in Summer: Tips  + Things to Do , 21 Most Spectacular Hidden Gems in Ireland , 12 Best Day Trips From Dublin by Train , and 10 Best Dublin Hotels for Families Worth Booking !

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Planning a Trip To Ireland: 8 Big Mistakes To Avoid

November 23, 2022 //  by  Follow Me Away //   47 Comments

There is plenty of information on the web about planning a trip to Ireland. However, most of it focuses on what you should do.

We even have an Ultimate Ireland Road Trip Itinerary that tells you what to do and how to plan. But this guide is different.

Planning your trip to Ireland last minute?

Make sure to book your hotels and tours in Ireland in advance to ensure availability! Here are our top picks for your trip!

Top experiences and tours in Ireland:

• Cliffs Of Moher + Galway From Dublin (Top pick!)
• Guinness Storehouse Ticket (Often sells out)
• Northern Ireland tour from Dublin (Highly recommend NI!)
• Wicklow Mountains tour from Dublin (Multiple stops!)

Top Hotels In Ireland:

• The Dean Cork (Modern with indoor pool)
• Jurys Inn Dublin Parnell Street (Over 11,000 reviews + epic location)
• The Lodge At Ashford Castle (Pretty and historical)
• Slieve Donard (Luxury castle hotel in Northern Ireland!)

This is going to tell you what you should AVOID doing when making Ireland travel plans. Don’t worry, it isn’t all as scary as you may think.

Ireland is an easy-going country to visit, but there are a few things to keep in mind when planning your Ireland itinerary.

Make sure to check out our post about the Best Time To Visit Ireland which breaks down the weather, what to do etc!

We have been to Ireland countless times at this point and have made countless mistakes.

This [unfortunately] has given us first-hand knowledge of what you should NOT DO when planning a trip to Ireland.

Ireland was the very first country abroad we ever visited. We have since been back many times and have covered just about everywhere on the island.

We are now expert Ireland trip planners!

From the quaint small towns in Ireland to the rugged north of Donegal, these tips apply to everyone planning a first trip to Ireland!

Keep reading to learn how to plan a vacation to Ireland!

Save money on your trip to Ireland! Get a FREE $55 Airbnb coupon by using our code when you book!

Mistake #1: Spending Too Much Time In Dublin

Ask pretty much every native Irish or Northern Irish person and they will tell you to get the heck out of Dublin!

This is a mistake we made on our very first trip to Ireland.

If you only have one day in Ireland, then sure, spend it in Dublin because that makes sense.

But if you are planning a trip to Ireland longer than just a day or two, you should avoid spending too much time in Dublin.

Why? Dublin is a nice city, but it is extremely expensive and hotels and restaurants will break the bank.

While there is a lot to see and do, it is really not that interesting when you compare it to the rest of Ireland and Northern Ireland.

Spending too much time in Dublin is a common mistake people make when planning a trip to Ireland.

We highly encourage you NOT to make the same mistake we did and only spend a short time in Dublin before leaving to see the rest of this beautiful country.

We recommend 1-3 days at the most, depending on what you want to see and do. If you can swing for 1-2 days, that is even better!

Check out this Dublin trip planner on How To Spend 2 Days In Dublin . You might also want to read up on Where to Stay in Dublin .

Where to Stay In Dublin:

Budget:  The Charles Stewart Guesthouse . Check Prices: Booking.com

Mid-Range: The Artist Residence Dublin . Check Prices: Booking.com  

Luxury:   Clontarf Castle Hotel. Check prices: Booking.com

Mistake #2. Trying To Do Too Much In One Trip

Another of the huge mistakes in Ireland is trying to pack too much into one trip.

Again, how do we know this? Because we did it too and constantly see others doing the same thing.

Ireland may look small on the map, but it is actually quite big when you have to explore the whole thing. There is also so much to see and do!

This is why we have been back to Ireland so many times! We have never been able to see and do all we want in one trip.

When planning a trip to Ireland, we highly recommend NOT burning out. By burning out, we mean trying to do way too much in a short amount of time.

We recommend choosing a few things to do in Ireland and spending longer at those things rather than choosing a lot of things to do and only getting a few hours at each.

Of course, whatever type of Ireland trip you want is completely up to you, but slower travel will really let you know more about Ireland, and it will be much more enjoyable.

We recommend choosing your highlights and then going from there. Choose the places you must see and make those a priority.

If they are all spread throughout the country, and you have only a short amount of time, you may want to rethink your Ireland itinerary .

Sometimes it is better to do the top half or the bottom half of the country if you only have a short time, say, 5 days.

If your main reason to visit Ireland is to see some fantastic scenery, then make that your priority, and don’t try and fit in shopping and pubs and cultural stops all in a few days.

This will make you feel burnt out and at the end of the day, you really won’t enjoy the nature you traveled all the way to Ireland to see!

Mistake #3: Being Too Scared To Drive In Ireland

We are from the United States so we drive on the “right” side of the road.

As you may know, in Ireland they drive on the “left” side of the road which scares many people away from renting a car.

This is a HUGE MISTAKE when planning your trip to Ireland because renting a car will provide you with so much freedom.

While it is possible to take day tours from Dublin and other major cities, you can’t go everywhere or control the time you visit.

Driving in Ireland opens the doors to so many more things to see and do. Every little castle ruin will be open to exploring.

We suggest checking out  AutoEurope.com  to find the best and most affordable rate when renting a car in Ireland.

It allows you to compare rates across a variety of popular car rental websites including Hertz, Sixt, Europcar, Alamo, Dollar, Enterprise, and more.

This way, you can see a bunch of different prices for your Ireland car hire without skipping around through a bunch of different websites.

Make sure to check out the larger cities such as Dublin, Belfast, and Cork for the  best deals on car rentals in Ireland! 

If you are nervous about driving in Ireland, don’t worry!

We want to truly tell you it is NOT as bad as you think and skipping renting a car in Ireland is a mistake!

If you rent a car from the airport, you will immediately be on the motorway [aka insterstate] and that is the EASIEST place to learn how to drive on the opposite side of the road.

Unlike driving in your home country where everything is memorized and you drive like a machine and don’t think about it, you DO have to “think” about driving in Ireland because it is so different from the norm.

We actually think this makes you a safer driver because you have to put some thought into what you are doing.

Our best advice is to drive SLOWLY and CAREFULLY but with confidence.

If you turn on your GPS and plug in the location you are heading to, the GPS will put a “path” on your smartphone, and you can easily see which way you are going to turn and how.

If you have never driven on the “wrong” side of the road, make sure to rent an automatic transmission car.

Manual vehicles will be so much cheaper, but it will be very difficult to learn how to drive a stick-shift car with the opposite hand.

An automatic transmission is driven the same way on the left side of the road as it is on the right side of the road and the pedals are in the same order.

With a stick shift, you will have to gear shift with your left hand instead of your right and the narrow roads of Ireland aren’t exactly where we recommend doing this for the first time.

The more Ireland trips you take, the more confident of a left-side driver you will become!

Mistake #4: Spending Too Much Money On An International Cell Service Plan

Luckily, with Sprint and T-Mobile, we get free international data and text messages so we don’t have to pay for a pricey international plan like others who have AT&T or Verizon.

If you have a phone carrier with an expensive international plan, DO NOT GET IT! You don’t need it.

Spending too much money on a pricey international cell phone plan is one of the biggest mistakes people make when planning a trip to Ireland.

We were spared from making this mistake because our plans had it included, but know so many people who don’t know this simple trick we are about to share.

When planning a trip to Ireland, you are going to want to get a SIM CARD for “3” NETWORK .

The SIM card was for UNLIMITED smartphone data in Ireland, and we paid around 30 Euros for an entire month of data.

Now, our first time using an international SIM card was in Ireland so we were skeptical about the coverage.

And we are here to tell you that the coverage was BETTER than we get in our own home in the USA.

The 4G speeds were so fast and allowed us to use all of our apps and social media just like a local Irish person would.

All for the price of 30 euros for an entire month. We were shocked. We were impressed.

Personally, we think it will be a huge mistake if you buy an expensive international plan instead of getting a 3 SIM card when planning a trip to Ireland.

Where do you buy a 3 SIM card? You can buy it at a 3 store in Dublin or anywhere around the country.

Simply tell them you want the unlimited plan and pop it in your phone.

It is so easy anyone can do it. WORD FROM THE WISE: Make sure your smartphone is “unlocked” for International SIM card usage.

This involves calling or tweeting your cell carrier to ensure it is unlocked for SIM additions. Simply tell them you are traveling abroad and want to get an international SIM and you need your phone unlocked.

This is one of the easiest tips we have for you when planning a trip to Ireland because it makes getting around so much easier.

Mistake #5: Completely Writing Off Northern Ireland

Northern Ireland is part of the UK but is located on the island of Ireland.

The “Republic of Ireland” is the place where most people travel, but Northern Ireland is so worth the trip.

Many people make the mistake of never considering visiting Northern Ireland for one reason or the other.

Maybe they think Northern Ireland is dangerous, as Belfast once was.

Maybe they think there isn’t much to do. Or maybe they just aren’t all that familiar with Northern Ireland to even put it on the map when planning a trip to Ireland.

We are here to tell you there are a ton of great things to do in Northern Ireland .

It is easy to visit and Belfast is just 2 hours from Dublin. The country is 100% SAFE to visit and the natural scenery is unparalleled.

In Northern Ireland, there are castles that tower over the ocean and look fake, even when you are standing in front of them.

There are sea cliffs and enchanting forests and rolling hills and bustling cities and towns. Maybe you have heard of a little show called Game Of Thrones .

Game Of Thrones was actually filmed in Northern Ireland, and you can visit all of the places where filming took place.

We even put together this Game Of Thrones Ireland Itinerary to show you the best of the filming spots and activities.

You can easily drive, take the train, take a bus, or fly into Northern Ireland.

Visiting Northern Ireland is a fun way to technically visit two countries on one trip [UK and Ireland] and as soon as you cross the border you will see the British flag fly and the dialect change.

We think a huge mistake people make when planning a trip to Ireland is writing off Northern Ireland from the itinerary, and we just wanted to shed a little awareness so you can make an informed decision!

Check Hotel Prices In Belfast:  Booking.com

Mistake #6: Prioritizing The Ring Of Kerry

We had heard so much about the famed Ring Of Kerry drive in Ireland.

After four trips to Ireland, we FINALLY decided to drive the Ring Of Kerry, and we are here to tell you that it was a total waste of time.

It was also my mom’s first time in Ireland, and she was on the floor of the car super sick from the narrow roads and unimpressed by the scenery.

We had been to pretty much everywhere else in Ireland before we made it to the Ring Of Kerry so we had high standards, and the Ring Of Kerry fell flat.

A huge mistake people make when planning a trip to Ireland is putting too much focus on driving the Ring Of Kerry. You heard it here first! Skip the Ring Of Kerry.

It doesn’t offer the best scenery in Ireland or even in the area.

It is overly crowded with massive tour buses that try and make their way down incredibly narrow roads at incredibly fast speeds.

And you even have to PAY to see attractions such as the Kerry Cliffs. It was just…unimpressive, and we think you should skip it.

So if you skip the Ring Of Kerry what Ireland road trip planner should you do instead?

If you are in southern Ireland [near the Ring of Kerry area] we HIGHLY recommend the Dingle Peninsula.

We cannot suggest visiting Dingle enough. It is everything the Ring Of Kerry should be and more. Epic views, Star Wars filming locations, little cottages, cute small towns, and not many massive tour coaches.

A friend recommended Dingle to us, and we only budgeted one night on the peninsula which was a HUGE MISTAKE!

Skip the Ring Of Kerry and spend that time on Dingle instead. You can check out this list of 10 Things To Do In Dingle Ireland too!

If you aren’t going to Southern Ireland, DO NOT WORRY. There are so many other scenic drives other than Ring Of Kerry and Dingle.

The “Causeway Coast” drive in Northern Ireland is stunning and way easier to drive than the Ring Of Kerry.

If you are in the far north of Ireland in Donegal, pretty much every road is fantastic.

Anywhere along the Wild Atlantic Way is scenic and beautiful, and it was less crowded than the Ring Of Kerry.

It is one of the best European road trips !

Do your research and do whatever you want anyway. But we want you to go into Ireland vacation planning with full knowledge that there are prettier places in Ireland than the Ring Of Kerry.

Where To Stay On The Dingle Peninsula:

Mid-Range. Dingle Benners Hotel . Check Prices:  Booking.com

Affordable: Dingle Skellig Hotel Check Prices:  Booking.com

Mistake #7: Only Traveling To Ireland In The Summer

Most people think they can only plan a trip to Ireland during the summer.

Why? Because that is when it will be the greenest with the best weather. We are here to tell you this isn’t exactly true.

You can plan a trip to Ireland any time of year and we highly recommend visiting during the off-season.

When we visited during the summer or warmer months, the entire island was crowded as locals were off work for bank holidays. Also, the heat made hotels without air conditioning unbearable.

We recommend  checking out Skyscanner to find the best and most affordable time of year to visit Ireland.

When we visited Ireland in the spring or fall, we had a fantastic time every single time we visited.

The weather was cool and pleasant, the tourist season was low, prices were cheaper, and we didn’t need AC in the hotel.

We were also SHOCKED to discover Ireland is pretty much green 24/7 due to high rainfalls. If you want to see Ireland green, you can visit any time of year.

We visited Ireland once in October and the fall in Ireland was just stunning.

The weather was beyond fantastic and there were hardly any other visitors.

On the other hand, when we visited in June, we were fighting with tourists for a parking spot and everything was overcrowded.

If summer is the only time you have to plan a trip to Ireland then please, feel free! But we just want to let you know summer isn’t the ONLY time you have to plan your trip.

Ireland is essentially a year-round destination! We have had great experiences visiting when the air is cooler and more pleasant outside.

Mistake #8: Not Planning a Budget in Advance

Planning a budget is important for any trip, including Ireland. Things can really add up and get expensive if you do not have a plan ahead of time.

If you are planning a trip to Ireland on a budget, don’t worry. We have a full, comprehensive article that covers the cost of a trip to Ireland .

The article breaks everything down based on how much you are willing to spend.

First, keep in mind the big expenses like flights, hotels, and rental cars.

Then, plan a daily budget for food and activities. You can easily save money by grocery shopping and exploring free things to do.

If you know in advance the average cost of meals, transportation, lodging, and activities, you will know what to expect and how to plan your spending.

Whether you are traveling to Ireland on a budget or plan on staying at a luxury 5-star hotel in Ireland , you will still have a fun and memorable time!

Packing Tips For Your Trip To Ireland:

Here are some of our favorite items you should consider packing for your trip to Ireland !

These are essential travel items we use and love, and you should make sure to consider them for your travels.

A  concealed travel pouch  may be one of the most important items you bring with you!

This  unisex RFID-blocking concealed travel pouch is  lightweight and comes in several colors.

It has lots of organization to give you peace of mind. You can keep your most valuable documents safe and secure next to your body.

If you have a pouch already you may not want to or need to invest in a new one. If it does not come with RFID protection , these  RFID  sleeves  would be handy to prevent identity theft.

This configuration comes with enough passport and credit card sleeves that the entire family would be protected.

They are slim too, so they will easily fit into your current pouch or wallet. These are the kind our family uses not only when traveling but at home as well.

If you have a camera on your packing list, you need to add additional  memory cards  to your list as well.

Unless you are packing a computer for your trip, you will not be able to upload photos and clear your existing memory card.

Purchasing additional memory cards   cost under $20  and take up no space in your luggage. Having a backup can have the potential to save you a lot of heartache if something goes awry!

There is nothing worse than coming across that perfect moment and then finding out you don’t have enough space to capture it on your camera!

Similarly, if you are planning to capture your trip on a smartphone, we beg you to bring some way to back up your memories.

The best way to do this is with a  portable smartphone flash drive . A flash drive is a small storage device that you can connect to your smartphone and then safely and easily download photos onto this device.

If you are planning on taking a lot of pictures with your phone you will definitely want to consider an  external charging battery .

This  Anker high-speed phone charging battery  is the exact one we carry with us on all of our trips . It can be used on a variety of phones, not just an iPhone like we have. And wow is it fast!

We like that it holds its charging capabilities for several uses so we do not have to worry about it while out and about. And if we forget to recharge it at night, it will still be good to go the next day.

My mom was never a fan of  packing cubes  until she tried them out! Now she is sold .  These Bagail packing cubes   are  the exact ones she uses whenever she travels and she travels a lot.

She cannot believe how much more organized she is now! And she will never leave without them anymore.

We never leave home on a trip without our  Bobble filtration bottle.  The 18.5-ounce size is perfect for travel. It will fit nicely in the pocket of a backpack or your purse.

Also when filled with water, it is not too heavy to carry. And the Bobble carbon  filter  ensures fresh clean water whenever and wherever you fill the Bobble. You can find  filter replacements here. 

Perhaps you are traveling a long distance and packing space is a premium. Then this  set of collapsible silicone foldable water bottles  would work well for you.

Would not take up much space in your suitcase at all. And you will be receiving a set of two.

You will want to bring a  backpack or daypack  with you to store snacks, your water bottle, phone, extra clothes, etc.

This   foldable water-resistant backpack  would be great. It is very affordable and is available in many color options for you to choose from. The fact that it folds down into a zippered pouch will make it easy to pack.

Perhaps you need a more substantial  backpack  for your international travel.

This antitheft backpack has a charging port, is water-resistant, and can comfortably carry up to a 15.6″ laptop. It comes in a range of colors to choose from and it is inexpensive as well.

We all need to  protect our eyes  from the sun’s harmful UVA/UVB rays. These  unisex polarized sunglasses   come in a lot of lens colors and frame designs and are extremely affordable too.

If you are fond of the  aviator-style of sunglasses  these polarized aviators may interest you.

We like polarized sunglasses because they remove the glare of the water and help you to see things more clearly.

Don’t forget to bring along a  universal power adapter  if you are traveling abroad. This  worldwide   power plug  is a great example and will charge your phone at the end of your busy days.

And this  world traveler adapter kit   can charge several devices at the same time.

This is what you will need when there are several people traveling in your group. Or if you bring several electronic devices on your trip that require charging at the same time.

Now you know how to plan a trip to Ireland without making any major mistakes.

Ireland is the first country we visited abroad and remains one of our favorite countries without fail. We can’t wait for you to experience it.

W e hope these tips help you when planning your Ireland itinerary. They aren’t meant to scare you, but to make you “think” about a few alternative mindsets! 

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Reader Interactions

February 20, 2019 at 8:57 am

A Belfast cab tour is not to be missed!

February 20, 2019 at 1:43 pm

Omg. Ty. Ty. Ty. I will be changing so much. You are a godsend. Perhaps my husband will love what I will plan now. Ty. Ty. Ty

February 20, 2019 at 1:53 pm

Awwww! Thank you for this kind comment! I hope you have SO MUCH FUN in Ireland! It is a fantastic place!

October 10, 2019 at 2:14 am

He hated it

February 20, 2019 at 10:53 pm

Fantastic post and great insight. I have only been to Ireland twice, but a total of about 6 weeks. Ireland is indeed a fantastic country and far exceeded my expectations.

February 21, 2019 at 5:27 pm

I’ve been to Ireland 3 different times. And each time I tell myself that the next time I’ll rent a car. But it still freaks me out. Thankfully they have good bus services!

October 14, 2019 at 11:53 pm

Sorry for the lengthy commentary! I was there in September 2019 and I live in rural Manitoba Canada. Driving in a city is hard for me but i managed to drive in Dublin Ireland and rural Ireland, wrong side of the road and in a standard car… thank the lord for getting a simcard at the airport so i had data and could navigate the country from my iphone! Chose to not do the Ring of Kerry but did do the Dingle Peninsula and it was a great coastal drive with lots to see and the views were incredible. My favorite parts of the trip were the crazy single lane roads that the GPS took us on that looked deserted and had to be a mistake but took us exactly where we should be. I would do it again for sure! My 77 year old Mom said next time we do a bus tour! lol She had a hard time with the narrow roads but i liked having the freedom of our own vehicle. AND I strongly suggest driving on your own because I loved the Wild Atlantic Way to Northern Ireland. It is incredible. lots to see, great history and sooo much to see and do. The east coast of Ireland was awesome to drive. The coastal drive was incredible and i would love to go back to see more.

I love to travel and always find that i never plan enough time to properly explore and that is true no matter where I go. Ireland, I hope to see you again!

February 22, 2019 at 12:18 am

Very good tips thank you. I respectfully disagree that the ring of Kerry is that bad. The road from Killarney to Kenmare and across the mountains like the gap of Dunloe and Ballaghbeama gap along the spine of the mountains to glencar are wild and spectacular. Maybe not so much the ring itself. Go get lost in ireland outside Dublin ( and I lived in Dublin for 15 years) And don’t forget to talk to the natives. They are very friendly especially outside Dublin. They are Ireland’s true treasure. It’s not known as ireland of the welcomes for nothing.

June 9, 2019 at 9:59 pm

Completely agree with you. Just returned a week ago and the Ring of Kerry did not disappoint. Wouldn’t suggest missing it.

June 26, 2019 at 9:57 pm

For the more adventurous, The Kerry Way through hike can be a fantastic way to see Co. Kerry without the tour bus crowds. Lasr July, I tracked the entire trail hopping between towns and staying at B&B’s. it can easily be done in selected shorter spans.

it is a treasure.

September 7, 2020 at 8:26 am

I agree for the ring of kerry. I would say skip cliffs of moher if anythign

February 26, 2019 at 7:39 am

Thanks so much for the tips! My daughter & I are going in October. The cell phone info was very helpful. Dingle Peninsula and Northern Ireland are on our list! Thanks again!

March 15, 2019 at 9:08 pm

We were there last October one of the most beautiful places I have ever been. We had a blast hoping to make another trip next year. Have fun. We loved the Ring of Kerry. Do agree Dublin is a waste to spend too much time. Roads were fun to us a little scary in some places. Can’t wait to return.

June 9, 2019 at 10:01 pm

Dingle is spectacular. Check out Harrington’s fish and chips and Murphys ice cream. What a beautiful part of the island!

February 27, 2019 at 5:39 am

Great post and tips. It’s a shame you didn’t enjoy the Ring of Kerry, though I definitely wouldn’t call it a “total waste of time”! Yes it can very overcrowded and both the Dingle Peninsula and Beara Peninsula offer stunning alternatives but there is some incredible scenery along the route, particularly between Kenmare and Killarney. Valentia Island is also stunning. The views from Geokaun Mountain and Bray Head on the island are outstanding. Skellig Ring Scenic Drive is another favourite and I love the Kerry Cliffs and the views out to the Skellig Islands and over the surrounding countryside. Spend some time exploring beautiful St Finian’s Bay and sample the chocolate at the nearby Skelligs Chocolate factory before grabbing lunch or dinner in the colourful village of Portmagee. It’s a wonderful part of the country and I wouldn’t rule it out. Just my two cents!

February 27, 2019 at 1:24 pm

Thanks so much for sharing! We should change it it isn’t a TOTAL waste of time but there are so many other great things to see and do too that people shouldn’t rule out!

March 27, 2019 at 8:23 am

I agree with you Kerry…the ring of Kerry was beautiful and this is coming from someone who is anxious on narrow winding roads…so glad that I didn’t miss it and we are going back in May.

March 2, 2019 at 8:42 pm

Just finished my 5th Ireland trip. These are awesome tips and want to reinforce a couple. Every trip has been in either February or March and it’s been fantastic. Less crowded and lower costs. Lots of green and the people are friendly year round. Lol The dingle peninsula is amazing. Ringing Kerry is overrated and usually foggy. Belfast and the Giants Causeway are not to be missed. While driving may be intimidating at first, pay the extra for a car with automatic transmission and take lots of breaths! You’ll be fine! Thanks for a great post-go soon-airfare has been so low!

March 22, 2019 at 8:09 am

I need info before I plan my first trip to Ireland, a guided tour. I will be alone, my husband died and I will be coming in July. I plan to stay 3 days after the tour ends. From Dublin I want to see Newgrange but heard it is too crowded and under some construction preventing me from seeing the area. I also wanted to take the Maeve Binchy walk but some postings say it also is not available, do you know?

March 26, 2019 at 2:25 pm

So glad for these tips! Really good info for us going this summer. We ARE planning on going to Northern Ireland, too, so it’s good to know we are good for doing that! I think we will be sure to rent a car since we did it in Scotland and it was fantastic! For two weeks, ti think we will get to see a lot but will try not to plan too much!

March 26, 2019 at 5:29 pm

YAY! Yes don’t try to plan too much! But Northern Ireland is so incredible!

March 28, 2019 at 3:28 pm

Thank you for the post. Great read and the phone idea, $$ saver! We are going to Scotland after Ireland this Summer…do you happen to know if the SIM card will work in Scotland as well?

March 28, 2019 at 4:36 pm

I want to say yes that the 3 network works in the UK too because it is also in London but go ahead and check just to be sure!!

March 29, 2019 at 11:11 pm

From what I understand, SIM cards may work through the EU, but can only by reloaded in the country it was purchased in.

March 30, 2019 at 10:28 am

Great article. You reinforced what we have planned for our trip this summer through Ireland. I’m glad to read about the Ring of Kerry as I have heard that from others as well. Dingle for sure!

April 21, 2019 at 10:14 pm

Do NOT stay at the Holiday Hotel in Galway! Not heat, no hot water, LOUD music until 1:30 am, broken tv. Horrible, horrific, horrible!!!

April 27, 2019 at 4:10 am

Thanks for the wonderful tips and information. My friends and I are visiting Ireland in June. We have left out Northern part but after hearing what you say we will add it on our list. Thank you.

April 27, 2019 at 6:17 am

Thank you, Victoria and Terrence, for these helpful tips, especially the pep talk about driving and not packing too much in. I’m taking my fourteen-year-old daughter to the Republic in June, and we’re spending two nights in Dublin, staying in a dorm at Trinity College. I think it’ll be a novel experience, especially for her! It’s close to shops and restaurants and a couple of museums. I think our real visit will begin once we leave the city. I would offer another tip for your readers: fly into one airport and out the other, to make your trip more efficient. I haven’t been to Ireland yet, and I’ve already made that mistake. I wish I had booked tickets to fly into Dublin and out of Shannon, as we are concentrating on the West Coast, ending in Killarney. On the day before we leave, I have to book it back to the Dublin area, which could be a four hour trip-or more. We’re staying at an Air bnb for two nights beforehand. If you have any advice about this, such as staying only one night in Killarney (I wanted to stay two nights to make it more relaxing), I’ll gladly take it. Thanks!

April 29, 2019 at 9:33 pm

Hey!! That is a great tip! We have stayed on the west coast of Ireland and traveled back to Dublin airport for a flight the day of. Just make sure you are at the airport 3 hours before your flight and then budget enough time to get there and drop off your car. Our flights usually aren’t until the afternoon so if you have an early flight of course this won’t be able to happen. have so much fun!

May 6, 2019 at 3:37 am

LOVE THESE TIPS! Last time I was in Ireland was on a tour so I am SO EXCITED to travel it properly! Where is the last photo taken? The stunning gateway across the road? Looks beautiful!

May 6, 2019 at 10:03 pm

That is in Tollymore Forest in Northern Ireland. It is an INCREDIBLE place! So magical and stunning

May 22, 2019 at 6:16 am

I am planning to visit Ireland next week after ending my South Asia trip. This blog helped me a lot to pick few points before visiting beautiful Ireland <3

May 22, 2019 at 12:35 pm

Yay!!!! Have so much fun! Ireland is amazing

May 31, 2019 at 12:15 pm

Thanks for the great tips! Do you know anything about buying a cheap prepaid phone over in Ireland and using it while there instead of the SIM card?

May 31, 2019 at 12:47 pm

No I am sorry we don’t have more information on this as we have never done it! Consider emailing or calling the tourism board! Have fun!

July 19, 2019 at 8:08 pm

Thank you so much for these tips. I’ve been trying to plan for 2 days and was completely overwhelmed. I was trying to pack so much into 7 days, that I was to the point of tears trying to figure it all out. I’m so glad you wrote about the ring of Kerry because I get car sick. So I’m crossing that off my list.

July 19, 2019 at 10:59 pm

YES!!! You will get VERY VERY car sick on Ring Of Kerry!! Do Dingle Instead it is super pretty and way less crazy. The Slea Head loop is very narrow but you can take it slow and you won’t get sick and it is very short only like 30 min vs 4 hours!

July 23, 2019 at 10:17 pm

You are absolutely true. I almost skipped Belfast but then my friend told me I should swing my plan a bit and it was a total blast!. I enjoy every moment in both countries. I travelled during winter and it was raining all day long but i never stops me from enjoying every scenery.

August 20, 2019 at 1:35 pm

I would completely agree with this list (except for the Northern Ireland part because we did not have time to experience that area). We just returned from Ireland a week ago. Driving is great for all the reasons listed, but be sure to get an automatic if it is your first time. We should have as my husband ended up driving for the entire week by himself. I would have been comfortable driving on the left side, but only with an auto transmission. The roads can be quite narrow and there are lots of bikers, walkers and areas where you need to pull over to the side of the road for other cars which requires a lot of shifting. I’m glad we went to Dublin but I agree to spend only 1 or 2 nights. Dingle was our favorite part of the trip with a stop in Doolin after that. As far as cell service, we used the travel pass option with our provider. Even then I would advise not always counting on having service. We found ourselfs a bit lost on the Isle of Mull trying to find our cottage rental and no service to call the owner. Luckily we did find a red pay phone in the middle of nowhere that was in working order.

August 31, 2019 at 12:11 pm

I wanted to drop you a line to thank you for this. I just got back from 10 days in Ireland. I was nervous about driving there, but I followed your advice about renting an automatic, and starting from the Dublin airport and hopping right onto the motorway. By the time I got down to the peninsulas in the southwest I was reasonably comfortable, which was good because the boreens presented a whole new challenge — but again, after a little time on them I got the hang of it and actually really enjoyed driving on Ireland’s narrow country roads!

Also, as another alternative to the Ring of Kerry, I actually liked the Beara Peninsula even more than Dingle. It was very quiet, a bit isolated, and seemed very off the normal tourist paths. Several places I went, there was literally not another human in sight, so if that’s something you like (I certainly do), consider Beara!

Thanks again!

September 1, 2019 at 3:45 pm

Yay!! Thanks so much for sharing! I’m so excited you had a great time!

September 9, 2019 at 1:10 pm

Do you have an itinerary to share of a 7- 8 day trip? Thinking of going next October.

September 22, 2019 at 8:31 am

Just got back from Ireland. Made the mistake of staying in Dublin, but only had a few days to visit. The city got very boring after day 2. Luckily was able to get to the Cliffs of Moher on a beautiful sunny day and see some gorgeous scenery!

September 22, 2019 at 5:18 pm

Yay! Glad you got to see some epic stuff!

October 15, 2019 at 7:31 pm

Just returned from our third trip to Ireland. This time we included Northern Ireland & I’m so glad we did! Since we have done most of the southern part of Ireland, we focused on the Coastal Causeway over to Derry. The last half was in County Donegal with our last two days in Straffan. The scenery was stunning! Highly recommend.

October 15, 2019 at 10:39 pm

YEssss! Some of the best parts of the country! Glad you had a good time!

November 5, 2021 at 12:06 pm

Tip #8, never ever refer to Ireland (the republic) as ‘the south.’ It is deeply insulting to we Irish. It’s also not accurate as the northernmost part of the country is in Donegal, which belongs to the Republic. We prefer the name of the country, Ireland. Although the north remains the north!

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Known as the Emerald Isle, explore Ireland’s rolling green hills, amazing historic sites, and lively pub culture.

Ireland, the Emerald Isle, conjures up a unique assortment of images – lush green landscapes, old town charm, traditional folk music, the shamrock – and, of course, ubiquitous cozy pubs. In fact, Ireland is this and much more – it is a beautiful country with stunning nature and vibrant, cosmopolitan cities, offering opportunities for both adventure and retreat.

Ireland's illustrious capital is known for its literary traditions, an upbeat pub scene, and a wealth of cultural and historic sites.

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The Irish people offer ready smiles and a warm welcome, and the country’s history and culture can be as intoxicating as the local whiskey. And the weather? The locals are known to expect 4 seasons in one day, hence their motto: There is no bad weather, only inappropriate clothing!

Dublin , Ireland’s bustling capital, is often the starting point of an Irish vacation. A flat city, divided in two by the River Liffey, has several bridges uniting it, the most famous of which is the O’Connell Bridge, and it is easy to get around the city by foot. Dublin’s historic buildings include the 13th century Dublin Castle , the 12th century St. Patrick’s Cathedral , and the Parliament building. Temple Bar, a riverside area with cobblestoned pedestrian walkways, is one of Dublin’s most visited districts. It is home to the historic Trinity College , Ireland’s oldest and most prestigious university, and the Meeting House Square with its delightful galleries, boutiques, pubs, and a weekly food market. Dublin’s picturesque parks, most notably St. Stephen’s Green and Phoenix Park , are city highlights, and the National Museum of Ireland is a destination for archeology enthusiasts and those wishing to explore Irish heritage. End your day at one of the city’s many pubs, reveling in the live traditional Irish music among the native Dubliners.

Kilkenny , Ireland’s smallest city and best preserved medieval town, is a short drive from Dublin. Characterized by its grey limestone architecture, Kilkenny boasts the imposing 12th century Kilkenny Castle . Explore nearby Waterford , a famous Viking port city and Ireland’s oldest, famous for its architecture, culture, cuisine – and its crystal. Tour the renowned Waterford Crystal factory , one of the only that has preserved the craft almost unchanged over the centuries. On your way to a scenic drive on the Ring of Kerry , a 112-mile coastal route spanning breathtaking scenery and medieval ruins in Ireland’s rustic southwest, stop at Blarney , climbing to the top of the Blarney Castle to kiss the legendary Blarney Stone – but only if you’re seeking the gift of gab! The town of Cork , known as the culinary capital of Ireland, is nearby, boasting a trendy foodie scene and cultural revival.

The town of Killarney , famous for its beauty, history, and hospitality – as well as its world class restaurants, is a great base for exploring the nearby Killarney National Park with its pristine lakes and extraordinary mountain and ocean views, and Gap of Dunloe , a narrow mountain pass between two spectacular mountain ranges. A coastal walk along the majestic Cliffs of Moher is an unforgettably beautiful experience.

Galway , a coastal city in the west, is known as the festival capital of Ireland. Its hub is the 18th century Eyre Square, which offers a traditional and bohemian Irish experience – shops, pubs, boutiques, and galleries surrounded by medieval architecture. Don’t forget to taste the famous oysters, their local specialty!

In Northern Island, Giant’s Causeway is one of the most popular tourist destinations. Dubbed “the 8th Wonder of the World” by the Irish, the area’s 40,000 basalt columns - mainly hexagonal - which descend into the ocean are said to have resulted from an ancient volcanic eruption.

Belfast , the cultural heart of the north, has spectacular natural beauty and a rich history as well as outstanding museums, famed wall art, beautiful gardens, and lively markets. It is home to the Belfast Castle and the interactive Titanic Experience which is located on the slipways where the Titanic was built and launched over 100 years ago.

Need guidance? Leave the leprechaun legends aside, and start planning, organizing, and booking your customized dream trip to Ireland using RoutePerfect’s unique set of planning tools. Unlike any other company, Routeperfect offers its exclusive Popular Itineraries written by tourism professionals and experienced travelers to jumpstart your planning, helping you to personalize your travel and book your accommodations so that you can experience the country YOUR way.

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Important Things to Know When Planning A Trip to Ireland

Created On: April 7, 2018   |   Updated: August 26, 2020   |   9 Comments

Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links from which we may make commission from. As always, we only recommend places and products we love! In addition, we try our best to keep our articles up-to-date with current prices, locations, and hours of operation however we always recommend double-checking when planning a trip as these items can change frequently.

A Complete Guide to Planning A Trip to Ireland

Whether you’re just in the midst of planning a trip to Ireland, have already booked your tickets, or are just days away from your departure to visit Ireland, there are some key things to note before your visit that will help you be prepared for the roads and weather and also inspire you to enjoy Irish dining and step out of the cities for the countryside of Ireland.

Traveling to Northern Ireland & the Republic of Ireland

If you weren’t already aware, Ireland is made up of two different countries, Northern Ireland (which is part of the United Kingdom) and the Republic of Ireland (most commonly referred to as Ireland – simple right?).

While you may not notice many differences upon arrival or departure from each of these parts of Ireland, there are a few things to know if you are planning a trip to Ireland and visiting both countries.

• Currency: Northern Ireland uses the Pound Sterling (£) and the Republic of Ireland uses the Euro (€).
• Speed Signs:  In Northern Ireland, speed limits are indicated by miles per hour whereas in the Republic of Ireland uses kilometers per hour. This is especially important to know if you are renting a car because the speedometer, unfortunately, does not magically change speed readings. 😉
• Crossing the Border: When you cross the border into Northern Ireland or vice versa into the Republic of Ireland, there are no formal border crossings or extra stamps on your passport. Simply put, you may very well enter another country and have no idea until you notice a difference in the speed limit.

Renting a Car in Ireland

Booking Your Rental

From our experience, renting a car in Ireland was virtually pain-free. We decided to rent through Enterprise on our U.S. based Costco membership because it gave us an excellent rate and an additional driver free of charge.

Otherwise, you can book through Kayak to compare rental car prices too! Most U.S. based car rental companies are available in Ireland but there are also European/Irish based car rental companies you can choose from such as Irish Car Rentals, Dan Dooley, Europcar, and more.

When booking your rental make sure to choose between automatic and manual transmissions otherwise you may be in for a surprise upon arrival! The manual transmission will most likely be the less expensive of the two options, but if you haven’t driven a manual transmission or don’t drive in manual often, we highly advise you to stick with the automatic transmission, even if it does cost more, for the sake of driving safely on the windy Irish roads.

Picking-up and Dropping-off Your Rental Car

The best location to pick-up and drop-off your rental is at the airport you will be flying in and out of. After exiting your plane, going through customs, and retrieving your luggage, you can check-in with your rental car company at the airport counter.

From there, you will most likely be taken on a shuttle bus to the main rental branch by the airport to retrieve your car – this was our experience flying in and out of Dublin. If the locations of your flights vary, you can choose alternate pick-up and drop-off locations but may incur additional charges.

Getting Insurance For Your Rental Car

Prior to planning a trip to Ireland, we were told over and over again that we would be forced to take Collision Damage Waiver (CDW) for our car rental in Ireland.

However, our Chase Sapphire Reserve credit card offers up to $75,000 worth of CDW insurance for free in many countries, including Ireland and Northern Ireland. One week prior to our departure, we called Chase and asked them for a written letter to prove our coverage and within minutes one arrived in our e-mail inbox.

Upon arriving at the Enterprise rental counter we assumed we would have to argue our CDW coverage but it wasn’t any trouble at all. We simply denied the CDW insurance offered by Enterprise and asked if they wanted to see our letter providing proof of CDW insurance from Chase but Enterprise was not concerned.

But, if your credit card does not offer CDW in other countries, we recommend spending the few extra dollars per day to cover yourself while on the road. If something were to happen, you may get hit with outrageous fees and charges without insurance coverage.

It is also important to note that even if your credit card covers CDW on car rentals this coverage is only for the vehicle you are driving. So, if you happen to hit another car you will be paying for the damage to their vehicle out-of-pocket. To avoid this you can also opt to get coverage for your personal rental and for others out on the road.

Receiving Your Rental Car

Before leaving with your rental it is very important to take photos and even video of your car from all angles, make sure to tell the company you’re renting from about any scratches, dings, etc that you notice prior to leaving. This will help cover you if there are any questions later in regard to the condition of your rental.

We also recommend inquiring about some basic maintenance such as windshield washer fluid and checking the tire pressure as both of these lights went off in our car within minutes of driving down the road. This will save you time later should you have to stop and fix these small items.

Our Cost for a 7 Day Car Rental

As I said before, we decided to rent our vehicle through Enterprise on our Costco Membership Account. We opted for an Automatic Transmission and Compact Car – which was a diesel SKODA Superb. Our price for this vehicle was €63.81 + Taxes & Fees: €22.37 = Total Rental Price €86.18 ($106.14) for seven full days.

Driving in Ireland

When planning a trip to Ireland driving is what we had the most questions about and what was the most intimidating part of traveling to Ireland. However, driving is also the perfect way to add more destinations in your Ireland itinerary .

Let’s start off by saying there are some cold, hard facts that are about to be dealt out with driving in Ireland. Prior to visiting, we had prepared for the absolute worst. We imagined one lane roads on cliffs with nothing between you and treacherous mountaintop and to be honest, that isn’t far from the truth. But, with these tips, you’ll definitely be able to drive with more ease!

Drive on the Left

If you are traveling from the United States or another country that is used to driving on the right side of the road it’s important to remember to drive on the left side of the road while driving in Ireland.

The steering column is also located on the opposite side of the car (the right side) which can be a bit of an adjustment at first. There are numerous single and double roundabouts (traffic circles) in Ireland which flow in a counterclockwise direction, that is, when you enter the circle continue moving to your left.

Utilize Google Maps for (MOST) Directions

While driving in Ireland we found Google Maps to be the most effective when following GPS directions but you still need to be attentive. We were fortunate that we always had a navigator and a driver. As the navigator, we had to watch the directions from time to time as well because there were many occasions that we came to a fork in the road and our GPS wouldn’t give us a prompt on which way to go.

But if you looked at the map, you would see that it would veer to the right or left. Another helpful tip is to download the offline version of Google Maps for Ireland when planning a trip to Ireland and prior to your departure. This is especially helpful if you have limited access to wifi or cell service while driving.

Review and Understand Road Signs

If you are traveling from the United States you will notice that many of the street signs are similar but there are some differences and important ones to be aware of. The first sign we’re going to discuss is pretty obvious to figure out, the directional blue circular signs with white arrows.

These signs are great for travelers used to driving on the right side of the road. These directional signs help keep you on the correct side of the road and moving in the right direction. Speed limits are indicated by circular signs with a red border and a number indicating a km/h limit.

One of the most frustrating things we encountered while driving was the lack of signage on smaller back roads. At times it was difficult to tell if the road was one way or two because the lines on the road were the same on both sides. In the United States, we often have white and yellow lines on the road to indicate the direction of traffic, and that was not always the case in Ireland.

Know Your Fuel

Most cars in Ireland use diesel but there are a few that may require traditional gasoline. Usually, your rental will have a sticker on the side with the gas pump that labels what kind of fuel your car requires. When you start to run low on fuel there are a number of service stations you can look for including Applegreen, Topaz, Texaco, and Maxol.

When fueling up at the service station they are typically self-service. You pull up to the pump, verify if you need gasoline or diesel, then grab the corresponding nozzle and begin to fuel up. No need to pre-pay or insert your credit card (typically) before you pump your fuel – which is also different from the states.

Once you are finished, replace the nozzle and check your pump for what number you are, walk into the service station and tell the cashier your pump number to pay for your fuel. Do keep in mind that prices for fuel are almost always per liter (1/4 gallon) and not per gallon like most fuel stations in the United States.

During our trip, fuel prices were around 1.23 €/L – 1.28 €/L for diesel. Being a diesel, our vehicle was able to get an average of 56 MPG so we rarely had to stop and get fuel which saved us time and money.

Our Total Price of Fuel: €104.35 ($128.33) on 7 days of driving all around the country too!

Understand Tolls and Avoid Penalties!

When visiting tolls in Ireland you will need to have cash or coin. There are manned toll booths, automated toll booths that require exact change, and ones that also provide change. Be sure to pay attention to the signs depicted prior to entering the toll booth.

There are also toll roads that you may not even know are charging you because they simply take a photo of your car and license plate. You will find a toll such as this on the M50 to and from Dublin. If you are looking to save a few extra dollars you can set up your GPS to avoid toll roads but we took quite a few around Dublin to simply save time.

Avoid Driving in Major Cities if Possible, Especially Dublin

While driving around the countryside you will have to deal with windy, one-lane roads but in the city, the traffic can be horrendous. When we were driving in Cork, it took quite some time to find parking and get from place to place because of all the vehicles and pedestrians.

Numerous (and often poorly marked) one lane or one way streets can be difficult to navigate, especially during times of high congestion. Several times in the larger cities we had to drive up on a curb to pass other vehicles on narrow roadways or bridges.

A few times we even had to back up a block or two, to find enough space to pull over to let oncoming traffic past. We had heard traffic in Dublin was especially bad, so we decided to utilize the bus instead and found it to be well worth it.

Expect Schedule Changes – Anything Goes

Driving in Ireland can definitely be uncomfortable at times and is full of the unexpected. Chances are, you WILL encounter some kind of livestock such as sheep or cattle and they may decide that it is their new place to chill until further notice.

Roads may be narrow, or even VERY narrow and there is a good chance you will have to dip off the shoulder at some point to drive past someone. Rain is obviously common so exercise caution when encountering water over the road, potholes, and mud if you’re in the country.

Give yourself time to get adjusted and don’t be afraid to take it easy on roads that may make you uncomfortable. We noticed it was common practice for slow driving cars to pull over to let others pass whether it be on the highway or narrow country roads.

The good news is, driving on divided highways is very easy starting off and is a great way to get used to being on the opposite side of the road. By the end of our week-long trip, we were much more comfortable driving and didn’t think much about it when we hopped in the car to head off to the next location.

Touring Ireland Without A Car

While it isn’t our preferred mode of travel, some of you might prefer to sit back and have a more slow-paced, leisurely tour of Ireland without driving yourself. If that sounds like you, you might consider taking a tour bus around the countryside and cities. A tour bus has scheduled excursions and themed trips to choose from to complete your ideal Irish road trip through the coastal cities and small country towns.

Accommodations in Ireland

When planning your trip to Ireland there are many different accommodations to choose from including bed and breakfasts, hotels, and even castles!

Airbnb in Ireland

During our trip, we opted to stay in a lot of local Airbnb and found it to be not only cost-efficient but also really engaging. We were able to interact with our hosts and get an inside view of what to do in the areas we were staying as well as many other helpful tips. Our hosts provided breakfast every morning and we had complete privacy and private bathrooms in each place we stayed.

Our Favorite Airbnb in Ireland

Hotels and Bed & Breakfast in Ireland

Similar to hotels in other European countries and the United States, hotels in Ireland also had everything you needed to have a comfortable stay. They provide basic amenities such as shampoo, conditioner, body wash, light refreshments, and ample space in the room. Bed and Breakfast accommodations are usually in a more cozy setting with a full breakfast provided in the morning.

Our Favorite Bed & Breakfast in Ireland

Castles in Ireland

If you are looking to spend the night somewhere out of the norm you can even stay in a castle in Ireland! There are many castles that have been refurbished into swanky hotels and those that are simple bed and breakfasts that you can even rent out all to yourself.

Our Favorite Castle Hotel in Ireland

Weather in Ireland

The weather in Ireland can be very unpredictable – so much so that it is discussed frequently by visitors and residents alike. Many Irish people have said that they often have “all four seasons in one day” and we found that to be true!

The climate in Ireland is influenced mostly by the Atlantic Ocean, thus forming the mild temperatures that you can often find year-round in Ireland. Thus, when planning a trip to Ireland it is crucial to dress in layers and be prepared for temperature fluctuation.

Winter (December-February)

The average temperature during the winter ranges between 4-6°C (39-43°F). While snow is typically rare in Ireland, we were told on our visit that the winter of 2017-2018 did receive a large amount of snow so it is possible. However, even if you don’t see one snowflake the wind and rain make the temperatures feel even colder so it would be ideal to bring a warm coat, hat, and gloves to prepare for the temperatures.

Spring (March-May)

In the spring months, the average temperatures range between 8-12°C (46-54°F). We visited in late March and found that in the morning and late evening the temperatures were seemingly cold and during the day you still needed a medium weight coat and waterproof rain jacket to keep you warm and dry.

Summer (June-August)

Summer is obviously the warmest months to visit Ireland with temperatures ranging between 16-20°C (61-68°F). Interestingly enough, in July and August, you will get about 18 hours of daylight turning dark after 11 pm in the evening at times. If visiting during these months you will still need to bring a lightweight rain jacket to be prepared for rain.

Autumn (September-November)

Autumn in Ireland is extremely beautiful with temperatures being quite mild between 14-18°C (57-64°F). However, autumn is known to have heavier rainfall and at times, cold snaps so be prepared to have a medium weight waterproof jacket.

What to Pack for Your Trip to Ireland

Another huge part of travel is of course, what to wear! When planning a trip to Ireland your clothing choices can vary depending on the time of year you visit the weather in Ireland but isn’t as drastically different by season.

In all seasons it is important to have proper rain gear including rain jackets, an umbrella, and proper footwear. One of the best pieces of advice we received was to dress in many layers as it can often be warm one moment and sleeting the next. Here is what we suggest packing when planning a trip to Ireland!

Ladies 7 Day Packing List for Ireland

• 1 Rain Jacket
• 1 Heavier Coat/Jacket (this can be swapped for a light/medium jacket if traveling in the summer)
• 1 Sweater/Cardigan
• 2 Dresses – I used one for afternoon tea
• 1 Pair of Black Tights/Hose
• 2-3 Pairs of Pants (Black Jeans, Blue Jeans, etc)
• 2 Pairs of Leggings – Great for the flight, also great for thermal layers!
• 8 Sets of Underwear
• 3 Pairs of Wool Socks
• 1 Bralette, 1 Bra
• 1 Pair of Rain Boots
• 1 Pair of Short Booties
• 1 Pair of Casual Shoes (flats, tennis shoes, etc)
• 1 Pair of Hiking Shoes

Mens 7 Day Packing List for Ireland

• 1 Heavier Coat/Jacket (opt for a lighter/medium coat if summer)
• 1 Pullover Sweatshirt
• 3 Pairs of Pants
• 3 Long Sleeve Shirts
• 3 Button Up Shirts
• 4-5 Pairs of Wool Socks
• Waterproof Hiking Shoes
• Tennis Shoes
• Casual/Dress Shoes

Other Items To Pack

• Basic Toiletries:  Each of us brought a small zipper bag with our toiletries inside. It is important that ALL liquids are in a ziplock bag prior to flying to and from Ireland. You are allowed one ziplock bag per person.
• Disinfecting Wipes: We brought these for the flight to disinfect our tray tables, armrests, etc for the flight. But they also work great for cleaning up your rental car.
• Body Wipes: These are basically a disposable shower towelette. They are so refreshing to use after your flight or long car ride!
• Facial Tissues: Even if you don’t have a cold you may notice your nose start to run from the wind or the cold.
• Coin Pouch: Since you will be using a lot of coin currency having a coin purse is helpful for accessing change quickly.
• Power Adaptor: If traveling from another country your electric plugs may not be compatible with Irish electric plugs. Purchasing a power adaptor prior to leaving will allow you to charge your electronics.
• Portable Battery Packs: Keep your WiFi device, cell phone, and other devices charged while on the go.
• Car Charger: If you don’t have enough adaptors to charge all of your devices then you might consider charging some of your electronics while on the road. We would often charge our phones will on the go and they would still be fully charged the next morning before we left!
• Umbrella:  As we’ve said, it rains A LOT in Ireland so bringing a small collapsible umbrella is a must!
• 1-2 Small Tote Bags:  If you plan on visiting a grocery store you will need to bring your own grocery bags we brought two small totes that folded down to the size of a coaster.

WiFi Connections & Cellular Service

Disclaimer: We received a complimentary rental from Travel WiFi in exchange for this review. As always, opinions are our own.

What Is A Travel WiFi Device?

On our trip to Ireland, we rented a device from Travel WiFi who helped us stay connected while traveling around Ireland. Travel WiFi is a company that offers portable wifi devices for rent on a weekly, biweekly, or monthly basis.

We recommend using Travel Wifi while visiting Ireland for a few different reasons.

• You can order your device online and receive it before your trip.  The easiest way to receive your device is to order it online through  Travel WiFi . You can also arrange to pick it up and drop it off directly at the Travel WiFi office when booking your rental device. Either option is very convenient!
• Travel Wifi allows you to connect up to FIVE devices at a time. This is perfect for couple travelers, family travelers, or solo travelers that need to connect more than one device.
• Using a Travel Wifi device is extremely easy. Simply turn on your wifi device, connect via your electronic device, put in the password, and viola… surf the web!
• You’ll have service and good speed in the places you need it most. During our experience with Travel WiFi, we had 3G or 4G connections in all areas that we used our device even including the countryside of the Dingle Peninsula!
• The battery life is terrific for powering so many devices ! You won’t have to charge it often, although we would charge it periodically during our drives.

Travel WiFi Plans

Travel WiFi offers three different plans for those visiting Ireland or Ireland and the U.K. All of the plans include unlimited data, the ability to connect 5 devices at once, and 4G connectivity.

7-day rental:  €59.00,  14-day rental:  €79.00,  One-month rental:  €104.00

BOOK YOUR WIFI DEVICE WITH TRAVEL WIFI

Dining in Ireland

Enjoying the different cuisine and dining experiences are one of the best parts of travel! So, with that being said planning a trip to Ireland should include food recommendations.

Traditional Irish cuisine contains many different types of bread, artisan cheeses, potatoes, beef and lamb, fresh seafood and hearty broth-based dishes. International culture and cuisine have also been integrated into Ireland resulting in dishes including curry, pasta, and dim sum. This hearty cuisine is one of the things Ireland is famous for and is most definitely underrated.

Some of the dishes and items you should consider trying on your trip to Ireland are the following:

• A Full Irish Breakfast –  After having a full Irish breakfast you may be able to skip lunch! This breakfast includes a hearty helping of bacon, sausage, black or white puddings, eggs, vegetables, potatoes, a generous portion of Irish soda bread with jams, and hot tea, coffee, and/or fruit juice.
• Fish and Chips – A staple meal in Ireland that is made up of fried battered white fish and freshly cooked potato chips (commonly known as French Fries). You can find it at nearly any restaurant in Ireland but the best places are the small take away stands!
• Guinness Stew – Another signature meal in Ireland that is made up of beef, vegetables, spices, and of course, Guinness. It’s a meal that is commonly found in Irish Pubs.
• Oysters –  There are a few places in Ireland that are famous for their oysters, Galway being one of the top!
• Fisherman’s Pie –  Fisherman’s Pie is a meal that is based on a flaky pie crust filled with a variety of cooked fish in a light white sauce and topped with cheese.
• Soda Bread – A dense quick bread that is made with sodium bicarbonate as a leavening agent instead of traditional bread yeast.
• Potatoes –  In Ireland, potatoes are a staple for nearly every meal and they are prepared in many ways! While in Ireland see how many different styles of potatoes you can try including colcannon (mashed potatoes and cabbage) or boxty (an Irish potato pancake).
• Rhubarb anything and everything – Rhubarb is used abundantly in Irish sweets and beverages. We had it in tea, pies, lemonade, jams, custards, and scones. One of our favorites was a rhubarb tea we at Ashford Castle .

Grocery Stores in Ireland

If you are looking to save money and time during your time in Ireland you may want to consider purchasing some food and beverages from a local Irish grocery store.

Important Things to Know About Irish Grocery Stores

• You will need to bring your own grocery bags. We brought along two collapsible totes that folded down into the size of a coaster which turned out to be essential for our trip.
• You will need €1 to borrow a shopping cart.  If you are planning to purchase more than a few items and will need a shopping cart you will need a €1 coin to put in the shopping cart and unlock it from the others. After shopping and returning your cart you will get your coin back.
• Pay in €! If you pay in euros versus your home currency you are more likely to get the best exchange rate.
• You may need to provide proof of identification if using a credit card.  One of the times we purchased items at an Irish grocery store I was asked for proof of identification to make sure my credit card signature matched what was on my driver’s license or passport.

Things You MUST Purchase at an Irish Grocery Store

• The CHOCOLATE – Welcome to the world of Cadbury and Galaxy chocolate bars which will forever change you. These chocolate bars are creamier than chocolate bars you can get in the states and have so many different flavors including honeycomb, salted caramel, raspberry hazelnut dark chocolate, and more.
• Tayto Crisps  – Tayto crisps are a popular snack in Ireland and they’re unlike any potato chips we’ve had in the states. They’re less greasy, thin, and have an excellent crunch. We bought a variety pack that included Salt & Vinegar, Smokey Bacon, and Cheddar & Onion that made for the perfect snack on the go.
• Scones – Let us just say, we officially think that Ireland has the best scones! They’re slightly buttery, dense, and the perfect balance of flaky and fluffy. We probably ate 100 scones each during our 7 days there.
• To-Go Food Items – Ireland has a huge variety of to-go lunch items that are perfect if you are on the road. You can get made to order pizzas, deli sandwiches, meat pies, and more for just a few euro.

Using Credit Cards and Cash in Ireland

Another thing you should do when planning a trip to Ireland is to notify your bank and credit cards of your upcoming travel plans. Upon arrival, you will want to retrieve Euros (€) or Pound Sterling (£).

The best option is to withdraw cash from an ATM versus doing a currency exchange. ATM fees will be nominal in comparison to the currency exchange fees and some banks refund ATM fees up to a certain amount if you present the receipts. You can also get a free Charles Schwab checking account that reimburses ATM fees, even internationally.

Most restaurants and attractions accept credit cards but there are a few locations that may only accept cash or coin. When paying in Ireland it is typically better to pay in Euros (€) or Pound Sterling (£) to get the best conversion rate.

We hope this guide has prepared you to begin planning a trip to Ireland. It’s such a magical place to visit. Let us know if you have any questions!

Reader Interactions

Leave a reply cancel reply, comments & reviews.

April 8, 2018

Wow! What a comprehensive post. It will be most useful when I eventually get to go to Ireland!

Kallsy Page says

March 7, 2019

Thank you, Amelia! 🙂

Joan Dean says

July 2, 2019

Thanks for helping me plan my Ireland trip with such an informative write-up. After days of research regarding car rental services in Ireland, we did our booking from Dooley car rentals. The price that they quoted is very affordable. Once, I posted my query online, I got a call from the team to explain me the entire process. The process didn’t sound very complex to me. They told me about the fleet of vehicles that they have and which one would be best suited for my purpose. We haven’t thought of a leisure tour, but maybe if we could get a good deal, what’s the harm in trying? I will surely let you know how was my tour package experience. But, driving is irreplaceable I think so as you have all the liberty of movement and stops.

Shira Thomus says

November 4, 2019

I would advice booking a car rental service well before visiting the Ireland, you have to take care of a few things such as the car type, whether you want an automatic car or a manual one, SUV or a compact car. It is important to ensure you take the right decision as the roads in Ireland are narrow and steep and you might feel uncomfortable driving here. I booked Dooley Car Rentals and they were excellent. You can book them too.

November 6, 2019

Hi Shira! I’m glad that you had a positive experience with Dooley Car Rentals. We agree, booking your rental car in advance can ensure that you have a better selection of what you want! 🙂

Brandi says

February 25, 2020

What a great article…and it’s helping so much in planning our trip! My question is….how much cash do you recommend withdrawing? We plan to use our credit card as much as possible, but we know there will be places that don’t accept cards or easier to use cash. We’d like to withdraw as few times as possible to save ATM fees. I know this question is very subjective depending on what we’ll be purchasing, just wondering if you had a general idea of how many places will require cash. Thanks for any help!

Thank you so much for your feedback! We really appreciate it. 🙂 We found most places in Ireland to be very credit card friendly with the exception of some restaurants and pubs. There were also a few stores we visited that had a minimum purchase of 10 euro in order to use a credit card. I believe we only took out around 200-300 euro for our 8-day trip and brought some back home with us.

One other recommendation I have is to get a free Charles Schwab checking account because it reimburses ATM fees (even in international destinations). We have another checking account for our everyday expenses, and use this one when we want to deposit money for our travels!

I hope that helps! Enjoy your trip. 🙂

July 21, 2020

Thanks for the help, we want to go if the virus allows us in the fall, and your post has helped us learn more about what it takes to go.

Hi Anna! Thank you for your comment. I’m glad you found this post helpful. I’ll keep my fingers crossed that you’re able to visit Ireland this fall!

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Getting here

Getting to Ireland

We're closer than you think. Just hop on a plane or ferry and you’re on your way. Travel direct or join us from mainland Europe. However you get here, Ireland will be ready when you are.

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Dublin Airport

The largest airport in Ireland is where it is at for most visitors. It caters for most of our domestic and international flights and is also close to the city center and the motorway network so your vacation can start as soon as you land.

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During your stay...

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How to Plan an Unforgettable Trip to Ireland

The Emerald Isle is a land of lush pastures, roaming sheep, seaside vistas, and the friendliest locals on Earth. Let us help you plan a trip to Ireland!

The Emerald Isle is a land of lush pastures, roaming cuddly sheep, dramatic seaside vistas, and the friendliest locals on Earth. An Ireland road trip lavishes lucky travelers with a rich and inviting culture with ancient roots and unique traditions. There is a mystical and somewhat magical air about the place. Its foggy, moss-covered forests are the playland of fairies and trolls, and it’s home to one of the most iconic road trips on the planet.

The island nation is known for its idyllic countryside, but the truth is Ireland also has some seriously fun cities! The pubs of Dublin ring with laughter, Jameson toasts, live music, and the vibrant folk tales of Seanchai—Irish traditional storytellers. Ireland travel is a wonderful concoction of iconic tourist sites like The Blarney Stone and The Cliffs of Moher, mixed with hidden roadside gems, and we have found them all! Now that you’re excited, let’s plan a trip to Ireland folks!

Scavenger Hunts to See the Sights

While you’re exploring the Emerald Isle, keep the Let’s Roam app in hand! Our scavenger hunts in Ireland will lead you to the top attractions, and each short excursion includes trivia and photo ops in the form of fun challenges that allow you to earn points. Compete against fellow travelers or team up to try to the city’s high score. Either way, the experience is sure to be exciting!

The Dublin Adventure

Explore Dublin with a fun-filled scavenger hunt with Let’s Roam! Our scavenger hunts are unique in that you can participate at any time through our adventure app. The Dublin Adventure will escort you all over the capital of Ireland from famous bridges to tried architecture and the lushest green spaces. You’ll visit Trinity College, St. Stephen’s Green, Temple Bar, and all the rest of Dublin’s gems. Tap into the luck of the Irish to help you battle for the title of scavenger hunt champion! You’ll compete in trivia and photo challenges all along the way, and of course, the loser buys the Guinness!

Is Ireland For You?

We have already begun to explain some of the majesties of Ireland, but in reality, you simply must see it with your own eyes. There are so many shades of green! Ireland is a phenomenal travel destination for nature lovers, hikers, and explorers. You will discover mossy forests, wander hidden paths to glorious waterfalls, and listen to the waves roar on deserted beaches. If you’re a nature enthusiast or photographer, Ireland is for you!

History lovers, especially Celtic or Viking history buffs, will frolic through artifacts and burial chambers until their hearts overflow with immeasurable joy. Ireland is a treasure trove of castles, passage tombs, glorious museums, and roadside remains. History nerds, pack your bags!

For artists, there is nowhere more beautiful or peaceful to paint and draw away the day. Pack up your sketch pads. Pack two. You’re going to need them.

If St. Paddy’s Day is your favorite day of the year, partiers prepare—nobody parties quite like Ireland. In fact, their regular ole Tuesday is a riot to outsiders. It’s totally normal and acceptable to enjoy a pub at any time of the day, every day of the week. You will even see pubs that double as grocery or hardware stores during daylight hours. No biggie. Stop in and pop a pint any time!

In short, no matter what kind of traveler you are, Ireland has something to entice you. If you’re a budget backpacker who wants to book a hostel in Dublin for a wild weekend, that’s available. If you want a luxury guided tour of the whole island, that’s an option too… and pretty much anything in between!

The Language

Ireland has two official languages: English and Irish (or Gaelic). In most of the country, English is by far the dominant language, though it comes with a hearty and thick accent. In some small towns, especially along the West Coast, you’ll hear Gaelic more frequently. You’ll also notice road signs in both languages. However, most people even in these regions do speak both languages, so communication is generally not an issue.

The Weather

Ireland is rainy. There are no two ways about it. It’s especially rainy on the western portion of the island. The rainiest months are winter and early spring. While June, July, and August tend to be a bit less wet. The temperatures are mild in the summer with an average temp between 60 & 70 degrees Fahrenheit. Winter temp averages drop into the 40s, but Ireland mostly remains ice and freezing-weather-free, thanks to some help from the Gulf Stream.

The Culture

The Irish love a good song and dance, but they really love hearty banter! It’s all in good fun, and they will want you to play along. You’re expected to jab right back at their playful teasing. Be prepared to keep up though. It’s a culture of quick wit and fast jokes!

Pubs are such a big part of Irish culture that we will relegate “pub culture” to its own section. Just know for now. You should prepare to visit many of them! The Irish are a friendly crew, and they are generally pretty interested in your life, so share your stories and make some friends. It’s an easy place to do it.

If you know anything about the history and religious wars of Ireland, you know that it was rough. Most Irish people are game to talk about the difficult and important stuff, as long as it’s approached with genuine curiosity and respect. Don’t try to offer your opinion on the matter and be careful how you phrase your questions. Respect.

While Ireland is now a multi-religious society on paper (i.e. there is no state religion), almost 85% of the population identifies as Christian, and almost 80% of those as Catholic. So, Catholic roots and traditions run a deep thread within the history and politics of the nation.

Irish people don’t want to hear about your 1/16th Irish heritage. Just because your great-great-great grandpa came over on the ship doesn’t make you Irish or give you some kind of connection to the people or the culture. Almost 10% of the American population claims Irish heritage. They have heard it, and they don’t care.

Pub Culture

Now, onto the epicenter of Irish life, the cultural phenomenon that is… the pub! The pub is a meeting ground, a watering hole, a sports arena, and a philosophical experience. The Irish celebrate their birthdays, weddings, and successful job interviews over a pint of Guinness in their local pub. Pubs are part of daily life.

Music and live sessions are a huge part of pub culture. Sometimes local bands are scheduled to play. Other times, the most competent musicians you have ever seen just seem to wander in off the street and pick up a fiddle. Either way, you’re in for a treat. Pull up a barstool, and sing along with the crowd!

You may also be treated to a rousing folk tale by a local Seanchai. These gifted storytellers are blessed with the gift of gab, and they have memorized hundreds of limericks and tales. They have been the keepers of Irish lore and history for centuries, and they are very revered and sought after.

If someone offers to buy you a drink at the pub, accept it! But know that drinks are usually bought in “rounds,” and you’ll be expected to buy the next one.

Tipping is not expected at the pub. In fact, tipping in Ireland, in general, is not necessary. In some restaurants, they will add a gratuity for large groups, but it will be included in your price and clearly stated on your receipt.

Ireland uses the Euro, so if you’re an American, be prepared for the exchange rate. The Euro is currently worth 1.07 American dollars. Meals, transportation, and lodging are comparable in Ireland to most mid-range US cities. However, you have to account for the exchange rate. For instance, let’s say a casual meal for two costs $50 in the US. You can expect to pay around 50 euros, or $53.

If you choose to visit Northern Ireland on the same trip, they use the pound sterling. It’s a bit more favorable. 1 USD= 0.79 pound sterling.

The Best Time to Visit Ireland

There is no bad time to visit Ireland! Truthfully, the best time is when you can get the best and cheapest flight! The weather, as we have mentioned, is pretty mild year-round. However, some of the tourist attractions and small gems do close in the dead of winter. Plus, it’s really rainy. If you can swing it, a two-week trip in the shoulder season is optimal.

Ireland is one of the most popular tourist destinations in Europe, and you want to beat the summer crowds! We would suggest a trip in April or early May. Alternatively, hop on the tail-end of the season, in September. Traveling in the off-season will not only have you spending less time in lines, but you’ll have a better choice of lodgings and rental cars, and better price options.

Getting to the Emerald Isle

The overwhelming majority of travelers will fly into Dublin or Belfast. You can come into Shannon, Cork, or Knock by international flight as well. However, these are small airports, and the cheapest flights from most American cities are going to be to Dublin.

Ticket Tip: We recommend you start by using Google Flights. Enter your local airport and a couple more that are within a comfortable drive. Then enter Dublin, Belfast, and Shannon for your destination. Leave the dates open and see when the cheapest flight will be that fits into your schedule and travel plans. This will give you a good idea of the best days, airports, and airlines.

A lot of times, this simple method will give you the cheapest flight, but not always. To ensure you get the best deals out there, once you have the cheap dates, check the airlines themselves, Momondo, and Sky Scanner to compare flight deals. As with any trip, the traveler willing to put in the leg work gets the deals!

Getting Around Ireland

Like most of Europe, Ireland has great public transportation. You could visit most of the country on buses, and that’s certainly the cheapest option. The two major bus corporations for the Republic of Ireland are Bus Éireann and Translink .

Pro: It’s cheap and can be booked at the last minute.

Con: The buses go from city to city. To explore the countryside and sights, you’ll have to book tours and day trips on top of your transportation.

Ireland also has a beautiful train system, and it’s the perfect country for it. The scenic rides are pretty awesome, but you’ll run into the same cons. Trains only follow train tracks, with no off-roading. We only suggest the train if you’re not comfortable with driving long distances. You can use the train to make the long journeys and then rent a car for day trips once you get to the major cities.

If there is any country on earth (besides maybe Turkey) where renting a car is paramount, it’s Ireland. There is just so much to see and do outside of the major public transportation routes. Most of your favorite Irish sites are going to be on the side of the road, in the middle of nowhere, and the only way to ensure that you don’t miss a thing is to have your own ride!

Do your research. Check multiple sights. Look for hotel/car rental combination discounts. Use your travel credit card points. Whatever you have to do get your own wheels, do it! Don’t worry. For the most part, it’s easy. Yes, you will be on the opposite side of the car. Yes, you’ll drive on the opposite side of the road. Yes, you do technically need an international driver’s license, though most rental car agencies will never ask for it.

For the United States, the only approved places to get an IDP are American Automobile Association and the American Automobile Touring Alliance . You can also get a booklet online through several different sights, but they will not be recognized by the US. We recommend mailing your application to one of the first two options. Five years ago, we would have said don’t worry about this, but more and more rental agencies across Europe are asking for your IDP now, so it’s worth the cost and effort to have it, just in case.

Okay, back to the road trip. Yes, the roads can be very narrow and curvy in places. All that being said, it’s still easy to drive in Ireland. The traffic isn’t bad. The signs are in English. You’re going slow, looking at the sheep, anyway. It’s fine, trust us! Book the car.

How Long Should You Stay?

For a thorough trip, we recommend at least 10 days. Two weeks would be better! We also do not recommend that you see Ireland and Northern Ireland on the same trip unless you have more than two weeks. There is too much in the Republic of Ireland, and if you’re rushing to get to Belfast, you’ll miss it.

10-Day Ireland Itinerary

It’s so hard to pick the best sights to include on an Ireland tour. You could go so many ways! Every trip itinerary you look at will be a little bit different, so look at several and grab a guidebook too (Rick Steves). Just remember, that it’s your trip! You don’t have to see anything that doesn’t interest you just because everyone says to. Your favorite things might be the places no one else even mentioned. So journey off course! Ireland is the perfect place for roaming and exploring.

Most Ireland itineraries are going to start and end in Dublin because of the ease and cost of RT flights to the US. You can either start your trip with Dublin sites or rent your car as soon as you land and hit the road, saving all the Dublin stuff for last (which is our recommendation). Our trip planners recommend this ten-day itinerary for your first time on the Emerald Isle!

Day 1: Galway

We suggest you arrive on a morning flight if at all possible. Grab your rental car from the airport and set the GPS to Galway. Galway is Ireland’s 4th-largest city and one of the best for adorable shops, great food, and live music. It’s also your jumping-off point for the Aran Islands. The drive will take about 2.5 hours.

Enjoy a free walking tour around the city. Visit the cute shops and partake of the food. Galway has pristine beaches and one of Ireland’s best nightlife cultures in the Latin Quarter. Head there for an evening pint. Stay the night in Galway.

For the perfect way to explore Galway, snag “ Looking For Luck in Galway, Ireland. ” Our scavenger hunt hits all the hotspots of the city from the 12th century to today. From The King’s Head Pub to St. Nicholas Collegiate Church, all the Latin Quarter must-see sights are included. So, grab a few friends and hit the cobblestone!

Day 2: Day Trip to Connemara National Park

Connemara National Park is gorgeous, and it’s worth some time exploring the walking trails, especially for nature lovers. The prime site for today though is Kylemore Abbey. These have the be the luckiest nuns on earth because this place is gorgeous! Plan to spend most of your morning with the guided tours of the castle and gardens.

Alternative: Take a day trip to the Aran Island of Inishmore. You can hop on the morning ferry from the port just outside of Galway city. The ferry takes a little over an hour. Once there, rent a bike and tour the incredible soaring rock cliffs of the island and visit the ancient stone fort of Dún Aonghasa, high on its craggy cliff. Aran is also very famous for a particular type of wool and is a great place to snag a scarf or sweater! Stay the night in Galway.

Day 3: Bunratty Castle and The Cliffs of Moher

Today, you visit the infamous(and very windy) Cliffs of Moher. Stop along the way to enjoy the weird landscape of The Burren National Park. The cliffs are incredible, but seriously wear a ponytail and hold on to your stuff. The gusts are insane! We love the cliffs at sunset, but you have to make a choice today between sunset on the cliffs or a Medieval banquet at Bunratty Castle.

Bunratty Castle is a fun-filled day for the whole family. The castle itself is worth a tour and a few photos, but the whole village surrounding the castle is also gorgeous. Take some time to wander the property. They have Irish wolfhounds to pet, medieval shops with period-dressed workers, and tons of gorgeous acreage with hidden chapels and beautiful creeks. If you choose to do the cliffs in the morning, book the Medieval Banquet at the castle for your dinner. It’s more fun than you can imagine! Stay the night in Limerick.

Day 4: Limerick, Adare, & Dingle

Limerick often gets overlooked on Irish itineraries, but there is some interesting history there. Take the morning and visit King John’s Castle, St. Mary’s Cathedral, and grab some lunch in the adorable town of Adare, before heading out on an incredible afternoon drive through Connor’s Pass to Dingle.

Author Tip: The Warm Homemade Sticky Toffee Pudding with Salted Caramel Icecream at The Locke is to this day my favorite dessert on the planet! It alone is worth a trip to Limerick.

Along the trip through Connor Pass (drive carefully) you’ll have plenty of opportunities to pull over and enjoy the scenery. Just north of Connor’s Pass, watch for signs for Pedler’s Lake or Lough Goon. Follow the waterfall up the hill and to your surprise, you’ll find a beautiful glacier lake. It’s a great spot for a midafternoon snack (your second piece of toffee cake) and a few Insta snaps. Finish your night off at The Dingle Pub. It’s probably one of the most quaint and homey pubs in all the land!

Day 5: Slea Head Loop

The Dingle Peninsula might be our favorite day of the whole itinerary. The 30-mile Slea Head Loop Drive starts and ends in Dingle, and it’s filled with little gems. Not only will you cruise past some of Ireland’s most beautiful coastline, but you’ll visit ancient sites like The Gallarus Oratory, an early Christian church, “Beehive huts,” and Celtic cemeteries. All along the ocean drive, you will get a front-row view of distant Skellig Michael, the infamous filming location of Star Wars: The Force Awakens. (You can also take a guided tour out to the island by boat and climb the 600 stairs to the ancient Gaelic monastery at the top.)

Take your time with Slea Head Loop. We suggest your drive it clockwise and spend the evening exploring the town of Dingle. Visit the weird hardware store that doubles as a pub. Grab a tasty treat at The Wren’s Nest, and finish up at the pub.

Stay the night in Dingle-If you have had enough of Dingle (which we can’t imagine) go ahead and drive to your next spot and overnight in Killarney.

Day 6: Ring of Kerry

Okay, don’t throw stones, but the Ring of Kerry is overrated as a drive. It’s part of The Wild Atlantic Way, so of course, it’s beautiful, but you’ve already seen better. With that said, there are some incredible stops along the drive.

Stop in at Killarney National Park to take in The Ladies View, Torc Falls, and all the little castle and church ruins in the park. Snap a few pics in front of the impressive Muckross House, and then point your car towards Cahergall Stone Fort. It’s a short hike, and the extremely intact ring fort will give you not only a glimpse into Celtic history. It also sits on a beautiful landscape and affords some great photo opportunities.

Next, spend a couple of hours touring the home of one of Ireland’s greatest statesmen, Daniel O’Connell. Derrynane House sits in a gorgeous forest and boasts a private beach too! There is a peaceful ruin upon the hill next to the beach where the O’Connell family burial site lies. It’s a beautiful place to enjoy a sunset picnic. Overnight in Cork, just 1.5 hours from Killarney.

Day 7: Cork and Waterford

Start your morning with a visit to the Blarney Stone and receive the gift of gab. Legend says if you bend over backward to kiss the stone, you’ll lose all awkwardness and gab with the best of them! It’s a bit touristy, and you’ll probably stand in line to do it, but it’s fun.

Grab a quick brunch at the Old English Market, and then head for crystal shopping in Waterford. Book a guided tour of the House of Waterford, and see how their famous crystal is made. Score some precious souvenirs and then overnight in Kilkenny.

If you aren’t interested in crystal, skip Waterford and enjoy more time in the adorable town of Kilkenny. Go ahead and knock out a castle visit and wander the charming village. Make sure to grab dinner at Kyteler’s Inn , a notoriously haunted ancient tavern in Kilkenny.

Day 8: Kilkenny

Explore Kilkenny Castle and explore the little town, if you didn’t the night before. It has beautiful architecture and a lovely riverside walking path. You might want to hop in quickly to the Black Abbey. From there, you’ll start your religious ruins tour. Check out The Rock of Cashel, Jerpoint Abbey, and Kell’s Priory. Overnight in a real Irish castle at Wilton Castle Hotel , and learn the incredible story of its history, destruction, and renovation. It’s a bit of a drive over to County Wexford, but it’s worth it for a night in this place!

Day 9: Dublin

Get up early and head for the capital city of Dublin. Visit Trinity College and the stunning Trinity Library. Gaze at the Book of Kells. Then, stop in Christ Church Cathedral and St. Patrick’s Cathedral and learn the lore of the dueling families that own this city. Cap off your evening at The Temple Bar. It’s an icon in Dublin, and still has some of the best live music around. Stay the night in Dublin.

Alternative: In the afternoon, take a guided tour of Kilmainham Gaol.

Day 10: Dublin

On your second day in Dublin, start your morning with the guided day tour to Newgrange and Howth. These incredible passage tombs are the major draw of the ancient east coast of Ireland. They are some of the oldest manmade structures on earth! The immaculate tomb at Newgrange is thought to be 5200 years old.

Once you return to the city, visit The National Museum of Archaeology and brush up on your Irish history or visit the Guinness Storehouse or the Jameson Distillery. If you still have room, spend your last night in another one of Dublin’s fabulous pubs. Stay the night in Dublin.

** If you have extra time, we highly recommend visiting Dublin Castle and the impressive Chester Beatty Library. It’s filled will artifacts and manuscripts from all over the ancient Asian world, and it’s worth a few minutes of your time!

Take Your Time

If we can give you one tip on Ireland, it would be to take your time! It will be tempting to cram your itinerary with every castle and museum in sight. Go ahead and resolve now that you’re not going to see it all. You could spend a lifetime exploring the historical sights of this little green island.

You can get a good glimpse of Ireland in 10 days, as you can see. There will be time to check off all the bucket list items, but if there is any way you can extend your trip to 14 days, this will allow you to enjoy the country at a comfortable pace. You may even get to sip a coffee or two. On the ten-day itinerary, you’ll be moving pretty quickly from place to place, without much downtime.

If you extend your trip to 14 days, you could consider visiting the hot spots of Northern Ireland like The Dark Hedges, Giant’s Causeway, and all those epic Game of Thrones film locations.

The best things about Ireland are the people and the glorious landscape. Make sure you take some time to smell the roses so to speak. You’ll find so many interesting people, in Ireland, willing to shoot the bull over a pint of Guinness. These are the moments from your trip that will have the most impact. Make sure you give yourself plenty of time for the unexpected. Ireland is full of little villages and awesome locals.

Save a Penny

To ensure that you get the most out of your trip, don’t spend money where it isn’t needed. There are some very simple Ireland travel tips you can do to save a little pub cash!

• Book early – Booking months in advance for Airbnb and hotels will get you the best deal every time. Plus, you get the best options to choose from too! Ireland is popular, and the good stuff sells out, so get to it first. We highly recommend local guesthouses and Airbnbs in Ireland. They are clean, comfy, and filled with friendly hosts. You’ll likely get excellent travel advice and maybe even some good stories by staying with locals! **If you choose to book early, make sure that your accommodations are refundable or that you have good travel insurance. Most hotel sights, like Booking.com, have a filter you can choose for free cancellations.
• Pack light – Packing carry-on bags saves you on your flight costs. However, it also saves you on your stress level and your rental car costs! If you have less luggage, you can rent a smaller vehicle. We recommend you rent the smallest vehicle possible. Irish roads are tiny! Plus, gas in Europe is expensive compared to the states. It’s a shock to the wallet that you want to lessen as much as possible.
• Get The Heritage Card – The Heritage Card will give you access to most of Ireland’s top sights, and if you plan on visiting several historical slights, it will save you big bucks! You can buy it ahead of time online, or just pick one up at your first heritage site!
• Eat smart – Eat a large breakfast at your Airbnb or hotel. Pack a light lunch and some snacks for your day, and eat dinner early! Dinner in Ireland, like most of Europe, tends to be pretty late by American standards. You can often score “early-bird” specials if you eat dinner before 7 pm.
• Keep your receipts – You’ll pay sales tax fees on anything bought in Ireland. If you buy souvenirs or any physical product that you’re going to export from Ireland (i.e.-take with you), you can apply to get that VAT tax back. Simply fill out the VAT refund form (which you can acquire from the information booth at the airport) and provide proof of purchase.

Ireland Vacation Packing List

When packing for Ireland you need to prepare for every kind of weather… possibly all in one day! This is especially true if you’re following our travel tip to book your Ireland vacation in the shoulder seasons. It’s a balance to pack light and still have what you need, but you got this! In addition to your basic toiletries, don’t forget these few essentials:

• Light raincoat
• Wellies or rainboots
• Light clothing that can be layered – You’ll put on and take off articles of clothing all day long.
• A small daypack or fanny pack – It should be able to fit essentials like your passport and car keys.
• International driver’s license
• Hiking or tennis shoes
• Portable phone charger – You will take a lot of pictures.
• Binoculars – Especially if you’re a bird watcher!

**Pack light. You can always book an Airbnb with a washing machine!

Closing Thoughts

Ireland will steal a piece of your heart, and beckon you back. It’s one of those charming places in the world that you could visit over and over and never tire of. We guarantee once you spend some time here, you’ll immediately want to book your second trip. So relax! Take your time. Don’t try to visit every town and see every little ruin on your first trip. Instead, truly cherish your time in the places you do visit. It’s a landscape and culture that almost demands you calm down and enjoy life. There is no place like Ireland!

Got a favorite spot on the Emerald Isle? Let us know your recommendations in the comments!

For more amazing travel destinations, check out “ The Absolute Best Places to Travel in Northern Europe .” It’s full of charming villages, epic fjord hikes, and arctic adventures fit for every kind of traveler!

Frequently Asked Questions

The Emerald Isle beckons travelers to its iconic landscapes and glorious seaside views, but just about any Ireland itinerary will require stops in small towns that can only be accessed by private vehicle!

If you’re planning a trip to Ireland , be sure to stop in Galway for some live music, explore the dark side of Dublin on a haunted tour, and save time for the charming villages of Kilkenny, Adare, and Dingle!

Allow about two weeks for a perfect Ireland trip . Even if you can manage 10 days, you’ll get to see most of the bucket list items, like Dublin, Cork, Dingle, the Cliffs of Moher, and The Wild Atlantic Way.

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13 useful things to know before you visit Dublin

Apr 15, 2024 • 10 min read

These local tips on packing, transport and etiquette can help you plan the perfect visit to Dublin © maydays / Getty Images

As a born and bred Dubliner, I’ve spent most of my life trying to make sense of my hometown.

In one way it’s a cinch to figure out: you’ll get your bearings pretty quickly and realize that you can explore most of it on foot. But it’s not just its size that makes it such a great walking city. It’s the nature of life here that makes it the ideal flaneur destination, where you amble and devote yourself to the art of observing life around you.

Spend a few days in Dublin and you’ll soon appreciate that there is much going on in this busy little town, and that to really understand the place you’ll have to move here and spend the rest of your days figuring out its wonderful idiosyncrasies and multilayered sense of humour.

In the meantime, though, here are a few local tips that will smooth your introduction to a city that has the power to grab your imagination and not let it go.

1. Plan on having at least three days in Dublin

Dublin might be a small capital city, but it’ll demand as much time from you as you’re willing to give. You’ll need at least three days to even make a dent in the place: one day to explore even just a couple of the main sights, such as  Trinity College and the  Guinness Storehouse . You’ll need another day to visit some of the city’s other brilliant attractions, like the  Little Museum of Dublin , the  Chester Beatty and just one branch of the  National Museum of Ireland . And a third day to sample some  whiskey and visit either of the city’s iconic  cathedrals .

A couple of days more will give you a chance to stretch your legs and explore more of the city – such as the historic  General Post Office and  14 Henrietta St on the northside. But you’ll have to build in some leisure time – after all there are 800 pubs in the city , a fine selection of music venues and a handful of great theatres. And what about going further afield, on a day trip to  Howth , for instance, or beyond?

Planning on some beers while you're in Dublin? Here's our guide to the locals' favorite traditional pubs  

2. Dublin is a casual kind of place so pack accordingly

You can wear pretty much whatever you want in Dublin, and smart casual is the most you’ll need for fancy dinners, the theater or the concert hall. Even most work places like to keep it casual as there’s a general perception in the city that dressing up is only for that special occasion, which work rarely is.

Irish summers are warm but rarely hot, so you'll want an extra layer for when the temperatures cool, especially in the evening when the disappearing sun can make that day’s warmth feel like a distant memory.

Ultimately, the ever-changeable weather will determine your outfits, but a light waterproof jacket (preferably with a hood, unless you’re carrying an umbrella) and waterproof shoes should never be beyond reach, for the almost inevitable rain.

Plan your packing with our seasonal guide to Dublin through the year

3. Take advantage of discount cards

There is a range of discount cards that will save you money on attractions and transport. The  GoCity All-Inclusive Pass (1–5 days, €79–164) gives you free entry to a bunch of top attractions, including the Guinness Storehouse, EPIC The Heritage Museum, the Jameson Distillery Bow Street, and the Big Bus Hop On, Hop Off tour. For 25% off six of those attractions, there’s the  DoDublin Days Out Card (€55).

As well as the Leap Card (see below), there are good discounts to be had with the  DoDublin Freedom Ticket (€48), a 72-hour travel pass that covers all public transport as well as a hop on, hop off tour.

4. Get a Leap card for use on public transport

If you’re planning on using public transport in Dublin, be sure to get a  Leap Card first, as it’s cheaper and more convenient than paying for fares directly. This green plastic card is available from most newsagents and can be used on all forms of transport in the city, including buses, DART, the Luas light rail system and commuter trains throughout the county. The Leap Visitor Card (1/3/7 days, €8/€16/€32) provides unlimited travel on public transport. It can be purchased in the city and at Dublin Airport, or ordered online and delivered to your home in advance of your trip.

To use the card, just tap your card on the machine as you get on: for Luas, rail and DART services you will also need to tap off when you get off (but not for buses).

You top up the card with any amount you want (there’s a minimum of €5) at newsagents, any Luas, DART and commuter rail machines, or by downloading the  Leap Top-Up App onto any NFC-enabled iPhone or Android phone: hold the card to the back of the phone and you can top up, collect pre-paid tickets and check your balance.  

If you’re using a regular Leap card, rather than the Visitor Card, the TFI 90 Minute Fare applies to journeys made by Dublin Bus, Luas and most Dart trains. Any journey less than 90 minutes (including transfer times) costs €2.

Here's more useful transportation information for Dublin

5. Uber is not the best taxi option in Dublin

There are plenty of taxis in Dublin, but they can be tough to find late at night, especially at weekends when thousands of Dubliners are looking to head home to the suburbs after a night out in the city. Uber does exist in Dublin, but it’s oddly expensive; by far the most popular taxi hailing app is Freenow , which most of the city’s taxis are connected to. There are taxi ranks in the city center, but hailing them through the app is the preferred (and most convenient) option for most.

6. Get to grips with Dublin’s dining habits

Dubliners rarely eat breakfast out, so you might struggle to find a decent spot for breakfast that opens before 9am or 9:30am. The good news is that a decent cup of coffee is a non-negotiable, so there are plenty of places open by 8am to cater for caffeinated employees.

Discounted lunch specials are common, especially in the busy city center. Book tables at popular restaurants at least a few days in advance if you want to avoid disappointment or dodge the 5:30pm seating nobody else wants. For the really fancy spots including those with Michelin stars, you’ll have to plan well in advance. Some (like  Restaurant Patrick Guilbaud ) will accommodate reservations no more than a month in advance, but a place like  Chapter One opens its reservations list three months in advance, and then only for blocks of two months. Most tables are nabbed up pretty quickly, but if you miss out you can join the online waitlist.

7. Many of the city’s museums are free to visit

Most of the city’s larger cultural institutions are free to visit, including the three  branches of the National Museum of Ireland, the  National Gallery , the Chester Beatty and the  Dublin City Gallery-the Hugh Lane – although there is a charge for some of the exhibitions. There are free tickets for the tours of  Áras an Uachtharáin , the official residence of the Irish president in Phoenix Park and there is no charge to visit the  Irish Museum of Modern Art in Kilmainham.

Smaller, privately owned museums charge a fee, but it’s rarely more than €10, and you won’t need to book your ticket in advance.

Traveling to Dublin on a budget? Here are some other free experiences to consider  

8. Bottled water is a needless extravagance

In most restaurants in Dublin you’ll be offered the choice of water – still or sparkling. Unless you have a particular fondness for a specific brand of bottled water, you should always opt for tap as the city’s supply is perfectly safe, free and generally excellent. Some restaurants operate their own in-house filtration system, so for a minimal cost (usually €1–2) you have your choice of still or sparkling tap water. Same goes for filling your water bottle: tap water is fine and you don’t need to buy pricey and environmentally unfriendly plastic bottles to replenish your supply.

9. In the pub, it’s all about the rounds system

Dubliners, like the rest of the Irish, put great store in conviviality and a generous spirit. And both of these qualities are embodied in the rounds system, whereby if someone buys you a drink, you are obliged to buy them one in return. Getting sucked into the rounds system is a great way of getting to know Dubliners: strike up a conversation and, at the appropriate moment (ie when they’re just about to finish their drink), ask what they’re "having" – and before you know it you’re multiple drinks and conversations deep into a blossoming friendship.

Needless to say, you don’t have to take part in buying rounds, but if you want to understand the social glue that binds people together in Dublin, there aren't many better ways than having a few drinks with them.

10. Dublin's nightlife is expensive

Dubliners love a good night out, but the city is a pretty expensive place to party in. The capital is notorious for the price of the pint of beer, which is higher than anywhere else in Ireland. As a result, many Dubliners will do pre-drinks at home before heading out, usually between 9 and 10pm.

Happy hour promotions are illegal in Ireland; expect to pay anything from €7–10 for a pint in the city center, but keep an eye out on pubs that sneakily raise the price of a pint later in the night, presumably when punters are too drunk to notice. It’s illegal to charge a price other than what is indicated; if it happens, your best reaction is to complain and leave.

Licensing laws are stricter in Dublin than almost any other European capital. Pubs can serve alcohol until 11:30pm Monday to Thursday, to 12:30am Friday and Saturday, and to 11pm on Sunday. Many premises apply for special exemption orders, which allows them to serve until 2:30am – usually from Thursday to Saturday nights. Nightclubs usually go until 3am, but in a lot of venues there’s barely a distinction between a huge pub that turns up the music really loudly and a dedicated club for dancing.

11. Learn to take a "slagging" among friends

Dubliners are, for the most part, an informal and easy-going lot who don't stand on excessive ceremony and generally prefer not to make too much fuss. That doesn't mean that they don't abide by certain rules, or that there isn't a preferred way of doing things in the city, though. But the transgressions of the unknowing are both forgiven and often enjoyed – the accidental faux pas is a great source of entertainment in a city that has made "slagging", or teasing, a veritable art form.

Indeed, slagging is a far more reliable indicator of the strength of friendship than virtually any kind of compliment: a fast, self-deprecating wit and an ability to take a joke in good spirits will win you plenty of friends. Mind you, even slagging has its hidden codes, and is only acceptable among friends: it wouldn't do at all to follow an introduction to someone by making fun of them!

12. LGBTIQ+ travelers are welcome in Dublin

Dublin has a pretty vibrant LGBTIQ+ scene, with some well-established bars and club nights as well as activities including hiking and sea swimming. The best-known gay bar in town is  the George on South Great George’s St, followed by  Pantibar , which is owned by renowned activist and drag queen Rory O’Neill, aka Panti Bliss. June’s  Pride Festival is the second-biggest celebration in the city after St Patrick’s Day, a raucous festival of color and fun that runs over five days. August sees  GAZE International LGBTQIA Film Festival , Ireland’s only dedicated film festival, while the  International Gay Theatre Festival usually takes place in May.

13. Dublin is generally a safe city with good health care

Health and safety should not be an issue during a visit to Dublin. Pharmacies selling basic medication are easy to come by, and crime is not a major concern. Taking normal precautions (eg keeping an eye on belongings in crowds) should be sufficient. O'Connell St and the streets immediately around it can get a little shady after dark, so keep your wits about you.

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The best places to visit around Ireland on a daytrip

If you’re planning to go daytripping, where should you venture fionn davenport offers some suggestions.

Glendalough is one of the country’s most significant and beautifully located monastic sites. Photograph: Chris Hill

Whatever you think of the name, the concept of “daycations” is pretty straightforward: take a day to explore the region around where you live and then return to sleep in your own bed at night. It’s the chance to break up a regular routine, plus it’s a great way of engaging in a little tourism without spending a fortune on accommodation, usually the heftiest expense of any holiday.

And in Ireland, where tourist accommodation is squeezed by seasonality and availability – in the last couple of years, up to a third of all hotel beds have been tied up in public contracts – that can mean significant savings.

The idea is simple: be a tourist in your own area. Take a visit to a nearby attraction, or maybe explore some ruins. Go for a hike in the mountains, or kayak on a nearby lake. Everyone’s version of the ideal day out is different and can change depending on the season and the weather.

Here are some ideas on where to explore from the base of a number of Ireland’s largest populated areas – Dublin, Cork, Limerick and Galway.

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Have you ever visited Marsh’s Library in Dublin?

Of course, you could devote plenty of days to exploring without leaving the city centre: when was the last time you went to the Natural History Museum, for example? Have you ever visited Marsh’s Library or the Casino at Marino? And while we all know it’s there, have you ever actually been to the Guinness Storehouse? But there’s a lot to explore within a couple of hours’ drive of O’Connell Street – including some genuine surprises.

Brú na Bóinne, just west of Drogheda, is one of the most known neolithic sites in the world, a Unesco world Heritage attraction that draws hundreds of thousands of yearly visitors. If you have never been, you should go.

But if you like your neolithic sites without the crowds, there’s the cairns at Loughcrew , 50km to the west, near Oldcastle along the R154. Of the 32 tombs here, Cairn T is the most accessible, a 15-minute walk up the hill from the car park. Although it mightn’t seem as impressive as Newgrange, the passageway is illuminated during the spring and autumn equinoxes, and the passageway is visible when Heritage Ireland guides are present; otherwise, the key to the gate is available from the cafe at Loughcrew Gardens.

If you like your neolithic sites without the crowds, there’s the cairns at Loughcrew

Glendalough is one of the country’s most significant and beautifully located monastic sites, but it does get busy. A far less visited alternative is the Fore Valley in Co Westmeath, about 5km east of Castlepollard near the shores of Lough Lene. There’s nary a visitor here, but the setting for the ruins of St Féchín’s 7th century monastic village is stunning: a cluster of ruins huddled at the base of a beautiful valley, that is looped by a 3km walking trail. If you do visit, be sure to pick up a guide map at the Fore Abbey Coffee Shop, which will also explain the “seven wonders” of the valley – the monastery in the bog, the water that flows uphill, the tree that won’t burn, the water that won’t boil, the anchorite in a stone, the mill without a race, and the lintel raised by the prayers of St Fechin. And even if you don’t believe, it’s a beautiful place to linger.

The particularly arresting artwork in Spike Island by inmates is on display upstairs in the punishment block

Corkonians are spoilt for choice when it comes to things to do beyond the city limits. The train ride to Fota Island, for instance, is one of the most scenic in the country, as you chug past marshy Harper’s Island and over the bridges on Lough Mahon and the Slatty Water.

Fota has plenty to keep you entertained for the day with the wildlife park and, just by the tiger enclosure, Fota House , which can be visited by guided tour. Even if you don’t step inside, take time to walk around the gorgeous arboretum.

While it may lack the high-tech razzmatazz of its sister museum in Belfast, the visit to the old White Star Line building is a stirring one

Although most Corkonians are well familiar with Cobh, how many have set foot inside the excellent Titanic Experience ? While it may lack the high-tech razzmatazz of its sister museum in Belfast, the visit to the old White Star Line building (the last port of call before setting out into the North Atlantic) is a stirring one: when you enter you’re given a ticket with a real passenger’s name on it; you then go through the exhibits and find out at the end if they survived or not. Further along the seafront is the dock for Spike Island , whose 1300-year history is told in compelling detail; particularly arresting is the artwork by inmates upstairs in the punishment block.

Cork has no shortage of terrific hikes, including the wonderful cliff walk that starts at Knockadoon Pier, 45km east of the city on a headland looking out over Capel Island. The 7km-long looped cliff walk is stunning, taking you along the coastline past the old signal tower (which dates from 1803) and back to the pier, which is a popular spot for a swim. About 500 metres offshore, Capel Island is an uninhabited bird sanctuary; you’d need permission from Birdwatch Ireland to visit.

King John’s Castle has stood on the banks of the Shannon for 800 years, but when was the last time you went inside? Photograph: Eye Ubiquitous/Universal Images Group via Getty Images

There’s a lot to see in Limerick these days, from the relatively new to the very old. The wonderful International Rugby Experience opened in 2023 and tells the story of the sport as well as providing a chance to test your kicking skills. King John’s Castle has stood on the banks of the Shannon for 800 years, but when was the last time you went inside? If it’s been a while, you might enjoy the primer on Irish history (there’s a lot of gore) and the chance to try some medieval games in the courtyard, like a proper game of hopscotch.

What about experiencing Limerick from the water? Nev Sail has kayaking tours that start just behind the Hunt Museum and take you up and down the river, under the bridges and up close to the sturdy walls of the castle.

If you’re looking for more watery adventures outside the city, head north to Killaloe, where Aoife O’Mara’s My Next Adventure has a range of kayaking tours: the Brian Ború Experience is a two-hour trip through 1000 years of history (and 13 of Killaloe’s stone bridges) as far up as Lough Derg. The Full Moon Kayaking takes you right out into the middle of Lough Derg at sunset before returning to Killaloe.

For an even more active day out, the Ballyhoura Mountain Bike Trails are, at 98km, the largest of its kind in Ireland, weaving in and out of thick forest and gorgeous mountain views – and they’re only a 45km drive south of the city, just beyond Kilmallock. There are five loops of varying length and difficulty, from gentle, family-friendly slopes to rugged speed tracks designed to challenge the most intrepid riders (you might even catch world champion rider and local lad Oisin O’Callaghan going for a spin). If you don’t have a bike, you can rent everything – including helmets and protective pads – from the Ballyhoura Mountain Bike Centre at the base of the mountain. If you prefer to do your wandering on two feet, the waymarked Ballyhoura Way wends its way through 90km of forest trail, field paths, moorland and tarmac road.

Outside of Galway city, a journey around Lough Corrib is a fantastic day trip option

With Connemara, the Aran Islands and the Burren on its doorstep, Galwegians have no shortage of day trip options from the City of the Tribes. But even within the city there are some interesting ways to discover, not least with a tour that takes full advantage of Galway’s reputation as a capital of fine food.

Galway Food Tours is a local outfit that operates a range of food tours where you get to sample lots of different local produce, from sushi to chocolate. Day tours start outside McCambridge’s on Shop Street include six food and drink stops and you finish in the Soul Garden at the back of Massimo’s in the West End (where you bid farewell with a goody bag). They also offer whiskey and craft beer tours as well as a food and cycling tour that uses e-bikes.

Outside of the city, a journey around Lough Corrib is a fantastic day trip option. Just before you get to Oughterard, Aughnanure Castle was once home to the “fighting O’Flaherty’s”; these days the six-storey tower house on a rocky outcrop overlooking the lake is open to visitors. If you fancy getting out on to the lake, Corrib Cruises has twice-weekly summer sailings from Oughterard that take you out to explore the monastic ruins of Inchagoill, the largest island on the lake.

The bridge at Maam, Connemara, Co Galway, used in the 1952 film The Quiet Man. Photograph: iStock

Just beyond Oughterard is the Quiet Man bridge, the idea of which has raised collective eyebrows since the 1950s film starring John Wayne and Maureen O’Hara became part of the Irish-American cultural lexicon, but there’s no denying that it’s an absolutely gorgeous spot. In Cong, there’s the Quiet Man Museum (strictly for the hard-core fans) but far more interesting is the 3km forest loop walk that brings you to Leonard’s Tower, aka the Guinness Tower, on the grounds of Ashford Castle. Climb the 85 steps to the top for views and a decent leg workout. One final stop, on the eastern side of the lake, are at the ruins of Ross Errilly Friary, just beyond Glencorrib, the most complete Franciscan monastic ruins in the country. From here, it’s 27km back to Galway City along the N84.

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5 day road trip plan? - Ireland Forum

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Tentative plan:

Thursday - pick up car in Dublin around 6-7pm and drive to Doolin (I am a night owl, I don't mind driving late)

Friday - Cliffs of Moher plus drive to Dingle via connor pass - stay in Dingle

Saturday - Slea head drive, drive to/tour Killarney National Park /stay in Killarney

Sunday - Muckross House/Gardens, Rock of Cashel , stay in Kilkenny

Monday - Kilkenny Castle , Glendalough - stay in Dublin?

Tuesday - depart Tuesday late morning from Dublin (could conceivably also drive in this morning from somewhere nearby if I don't stay in Dublin)

My specific questions are:

How is pacing?

Is anything missing that I should swap something out for? Ring of Kerry for instance I debated about

Does where I plan on staying make sense? Or, for instance, should I stay somewhere other that Doolin that first night, etc.?

MANY thanks in advance!

19 replies to this topic

Umm … No. Just, No. Please do NOT attempt this as a first-time visitor.

On your final night — assuming you have a Direct flight to the USA, you need to be AT the check in counter in the airport at least three hours before your scheduled departure, in order to complete the US Customs & Immigration PreClearance. That’s AFTER you have returned the car .

The in-between part reads like a mad dash about the country spent almost entirely watching through the car windows as you pass it by.

This is just crazy, It is just driving round and seeing nothing apart from the road ( if you take your eyes off the road you will be in the ditch).

You need to start from scratch. Is this next month or May of 2025? If it's this May you should have already made reservations for your overnight stays. You might have trouble finding accommodations. You are trying to cover too many areas in 4 days. Pick one area and travel at a more relaxed pace. Come back with a more reasonable itinerary and we can help you.

Ireland needs a slow approach, taking time to smell the flowers and soak up everything that makes it special. A tick list approach is not the most enjoyable way to do it, but it's your trip, your money and your time. So if you insist, you'll be able to see for yourself whether it's fun or not!

I appreciate these replies - though would welcome what to cut rather than just "you're insane" :) What's the best on my list? Am I staying in the right towns? Geez, y'all are unnecessarily harsh!

Also, I'm fine with a late arrival Thursday night. VERY fine with arriving at midnight or even later to my destination; when I say I'm a night owl I mean it. I'm not worried about accommodation. I'm a very well-versed

You did ask: “ How is pacing?“ and you have received feedback. But, if you re-read post #4, that’s exactly what I would tell you. Best of luck.

Pirate 🏴‍☠️

I would then welcome recs on which are YOUR favorites/which you would recommend leaving off :) I know I have to make the decision, but as I've never been there, I don't know what the coolest things of the list are! I picked the things that look cool so am now at the point of difficult decisions - as people who know the country well, which could you cut?

This forum is awash in people complaining about the difficulty of finding accommodation.

YOU may be fine with arriving at a B&B late at night

but most hosts probably won’t be.

Yes, there is a lot you're missing because you're simply planning to do 98% driving and 2% seeing.

Sadly, what you have in mind is just not humanly possible. Sorry.

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6 Delightful Day Trips from Dublin Ireland to Take in 2024

Taking a trip to the Emerald Isle?  You’re probably planning to spend a few days in Dublin, the lively capital of Ireland. 

But there are so many more amazing places to visit in Ireland!  You should definitely take some day trips from Dublin to see more of the country’s must-visit attractions.

I spent four months living just outside of Dublin last summer.  Whenever the weather forecast was pleasant (or at least not calling for a deluge), I’d spend my weekends exploring this beautiful country.

While it did take me a little while to get the hang of driving on the other side of the road in Ireland , I had a great time seeing everything from medieval architecture to Ireland’s stunning natural landmarks.

The Absolute Must-Do Activities

If you can do all the tours on this Dublin list, do it. But if you’re time is limited, these are my Dublin Day Trip faves:

• Visit the town of Kilkenny.
• Take a day trip to the Cliffs of Moher along Ireland’s famous Wild Atlantic Way.
• Drink a Guinness at a local pub.

Ready to learn about the best day trips from Dublin?

Lace up your shoes and let’s go!

1. Kilkenny

Kilkenny is one of my favorite Dublin day trips.  It’s only an hour and 30 minutes by car or about an hour and 40 minutes via public transport.

Kilkenny is known as Ireland’s Medieval Mile, and history buffs will love exploring the ancient sites scattered throughout the city.

One of Kilkenny’s top attractions is Kilkenny Castle.  This imposing castle dates from the 12 th century and is surrounded by lush green lawns.  While you can take a self-guided tour, it’s worth the upcharge for the guided tour to learn about its intriguing history. 

Kilkenny is filled with historic cathedrals. The most important is St. Canice’s Cathedral, which boasts beautiful stained-glass windows and an impressive pipe organ.  If you’re not afraid of heights, climb the Round Tower.  You’ll get a workout climbing the ladders to reach the top of the tower, but you’ll love the panoramic views of the countryside!

Enjoy traditional Irish food and daily live music at Matt the Millers.  Be sure to sample a pint of Smithwick’s Red Ale (the Smithwick’s brewery was founded here in Kilkenny).

If you’re visiting Kilkenny with your family, check out the National Reptile Zoo – the only one in Ireland!  Or take a short drive to the Castlecomer Discovery Park and get your adrenaline pumping on Ireland’s longest zip line.

2. Limerick

Another excellent choice for a Dublin day trip is Limerick.  It takes about 2 hours and 20 minutes to drive here from Dublin.  The fastest public transportation option takes around 2 hours.

The main attractions in Limerick are within a compact area, so it’s easy to do your sightseeing on foot.

The most popular activity in Limerick is visiting King John’s Castle.  This imposing medieval fortress will transport you back to medieval times.  Learn about history through the museum’s exhibits, then climb the towers and enjoy excellent views of the River Shannon from the ramparts.

Don’t miss the beautiful Saint Mary’s Cathedral with its stunning stained-glass windows.  Check out the Celtic crosses marking the grave sites in the adjoining burial ground.  For a memorable experience, attend a concert at the cathedral!

Museum enthusiasts will enjoy exploring the treasures of the Hunt Museum, housed in Limerick’s former Customs House.  Its collections contain a wide variety of art and medieval artifacts.  Don’t miss the outdoor museum in the garden.

3. Cliffs of Moher

The Cliffs of Moher are one of Ireland’s most stunning natural wonders (they’re also a UNESCO Geopark).  It does take about 3 hours and 15 minutes to drive from Dublin, and there aren’t any public transportation options.

This does make for a particularly long day trip, but the Cliffs of Moher are a must-see attraction.  I recommend taking a group tour to see the Cliffs from Dublin.  Many companies offer these day tours, allowing you to enjoy the scenery rather than worrying about the long drive.

Plan to spend a couple of hours walking along the paths and admiring the views around each curve.  There is also a visitor center with interpretive exhibits and some dining options.

If you drive a little further up the coast to Doolin, you can take a boat tour and view the Cliffs of Moher from the perspective of the water.

Tip:  While the cliffs are beautiful any time of day, I recommend visiting later in the afternoon to get the best pictures.  I visited on a bright and sunny morning when the cliffs are shadowed.  In the late afternoon and at sunset, the lighting would be phenomenal!

4. Newgrange

Newgrange is one of the most mystical sites in Ireland.  It’s an easy 50-minute drive from Dublin, and it is definitely worth the trip.  You can’t reach Newgrange via public transit, but you can join a tour group to visit Newgrange and the Boyne Valley from Dublin.

Newgrange is an incredible Stone Age monument in Ireland’s Ancient East and a UNESCO World Heritage Site.  This large passage tomb was painstakingly constructed over 5000 years ago and is surrounded by 97 large kerbstones (some carved with megalithic art).

There are so many mind-boggling aspects to Newgrange.  It is estimated that Newgrange took over 30 years to build.   The materials were not locally available, so they would have had to transport them.   The dimensions and orientation of the site needed to be perfect to align with the sun on the winter solstice.

On the morning of the solstice, the light from the roof box over the passage entryway shines through the passage and illuminates the chamber.  There is such a demand for experiencing this event that there is a lottery to select who can be inside the chamber at this magical moment.

If you are a fan of the movie Braveheart , you’ll want to take a trip to Trim.  It’s only a 50-minute drive from Dublin or a one-hour journey via bus.

The top thing to do in Trim is to visit Trim Castle, the largest Norman Castle in Ireland. This magnificent castle was made famous as the shooting location for the movie Braveheart , starring Mel Gibson.

Enjoy scenic castle views from the Trim Castle River Walk (walking along rivers and canals is a popular activity in Ireland!).  Trim is also home to the oldest bridge in Ireland, which crosses the River Boyne.

Other points of interest to explore in the city include Trim Cathedral (also known as the Cathedral Church of St. Patrick) and the scenic ruins of St Mary’s Abbey.

Enjoy a bite or a pint at Marcie Reagan’s Pub, a local favorite.  Be sure to duck your head as you enter!

6. Maynooth

Maynooth is one of the easiest day trips from Dublin.  If traffic is light, it is a short 30-minute drive from Dublin, or less than an hour via public transit.

Maynooth is one of Ireland’s university towns, home to both Maynooth University and St. Patrick’s College.  It is worth the visit to admire the architecture of the campus buildings (some even say that the south campus of Maynooth University resembles Hogwarts!).

Wander amongst the ruins of Maynooth Castle, or join the locals and enjoy a scenic stroll or bike ride along the Royal Canal Greenway.

Golf enthusiasts will love playing the courses at the gorgeous Carton House Golf Club, which has hosted several Irish Open tournaments.  Choose between the O’Meara Parkland Course or the Montgomerie Links Course.

Local Tip:   There is a massive Tesco Extra supermarket in Maynooth if you need to pick up supplies.  I went here for all my big grocery shopping trips while I was living in Ireland.

Final Thoughts :

Whether you prefer experiencing the jaw-dropping natural beauty of the Cliffs of Moher or touring incredible medieval castles and cathedrals, these day trips from Dublin will not disappoint!

You’ll have a great time visiting any of these fabulous places in Ireland. Why not plan a few extra days into your Ireland trip and see them all?

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