Top Travel Tips When Visiting Ireland (From An Irish Man)


wild atlantic way route view in ireland

Ireland (Eire) is a beautiful country with so much to offer. It’s one of the most popular tourist destinations in Europe and has been named one of the top places to visit in 2018 by Lonely Planet. But, for all its beauty, it can be difficult to know what you should do when you’re there!

What’s your favourite destination in Ireland? Ireland is an amazing country, but it boasts an incredible diversity of landscapes and culture. It’s not just for St. Patrick’s Day anymore! With so much to see and do, it can be hard to choose the best destinations in Ireland for you.

The Emerald Isle is a small island in the North Atlantic Ocean. It’s hard to find on most maps, and only has a population of 4.8 million people. But it is one of the most popular tourist destinations in Europe!

If you’re planning a trip to Eire, you’ll want to be sure to pack your passport and make travel arrangements as soon as possible. But before that, why not check out these top travel tips from All Things Ireland?

The Emerald Isle is a country that has the ability to change your life. From its rolling green hills to its charming towns and cities, Ireland will make you feel like you’re living on a postcard. You’ll be surrounded by history and culture everywhere you go, but there are some places that stand out as destinations for all of those reasons.

Tip 1 Think about the Time Difference

time differnce clocks

Travelling to Eire is a great experience but there are some things you should know before you book your trip. The first thing to consider when planning a vacation is the time difference between your location and the Emerald Isle. Eire has one of the largest gaps in hours, with their time being an hour ahead of Eastern Standard Time so make sure to plan accordingly.

 Tip 2 Check What Liquids Are Allowed on the Plane

When you are taking a plane to go to Eire, remember that the only drinks allowed on the plane are water and tea. If you want to have some alcohol or a soft drink, you can do it during your flight with the help of flight attendants. Food is usually available after you go through security if you don’t want to buy anything, remember you will get food onboard the flight. Remember to check how much liquids are allowed on aircrafts in the hand luggage with your airline.

Tip 3 Plan for the Irish Weather

When planning a trip to Ireland, you may be wondering what the weather will be like. Will it be raining? How cold will it get? Will I need sweaters and jackets all the time, or can I just buy them at the airport?

I have some good news for you! The Irish climate is actually quite mild. We don’t really see snow in Ireland often (though we do get some frosty mornings). Ireland’s winters are usually cold but wet so make sure to pack an umbrella or rain gear if your stay is during that time of year. And summers are warm and dry with occasional showers—it’s a great season for outdoor activities like golfing, hiking or water sports. It’s a good idea to pack good shoes and a few jumpers just in case of a bit of bad weather.

Tip 4 Shop Around for Accommodation

hotel room with bedside light on

A lot of people ask me about the cost of hotels in the Emerald Isle. I’m going, to be honest with you, it can be a bit pricey! You may think that there are tons of budget options on booking sites such as hotels.com and bookings.com, but these tend to only have hotels listed from 4- or 5-star establishments.

One of the cheapest options for accommodation is AirB&B which can give you an apartment-type setting with prices starting at around €40 per night. Of course, this rate goes up if you want something more luxurious like staying in a castle, which will set you back approximately €400 per night! There are loads of Irish bed and breakfasts offering good value for money, you could get a single room for 40 euros per night in some locations.

Tip 5 Shop Around for Deals on Package Holidays

The Irish are known for their sense of humour and hospitality, but they’re also notoriously thrifty. This is why some of the best deals on package holidays can be found in Ireland in the off-season.  There are loads of companies offering deals while visiting Eire and if you don’t mind visiting in the off-season there are some great deals in the off-peak periods. You can get good rates when booking group packages so consider organising a group trip with some friends or family.

Tip 6 Rent a Vehicle and Go for It

cliff of moher

Driving around Ireland with a rental car is one of the best ways to explore this beautiful country. No matter what you are looking for, there’s something in Ireland that will fit your needs. With over 22 million acres of land and more than 30,000 kilometres (18,624 miles) of coastline just waiting to be explored by foot or vehicle – it’s no wonder why people come from all over the world to experience this amazing place.

Having loads of experience driving in Ireland myself I can attest that driving on Irish roads is not as bad as some would think! It’s actually quite an enjoyable experience exploring our natural landscapes and learning about the rich history behind them. The rolling green hills dotted with sheep are surreal when viewed from your rental vehicle.  If you rent a vehicle yourself and book accommodation yourself you can save a ton of money.

Tip 7 Check out all the FREE Stuff to See

The tourism industry in the Emerald Isle is worth €6.8 billion a year, and it’s one of the most popular destinations for Canadian travellers. With so many visitors coming to the Emerald Isle every year, you’re probably wondering how you can save that money – here’s a tip check out all the FREE stuff in each city, town and village.

According to the Irish Tourism Board, Eire is a country that attracts more than 8 million overseas visitors annually. With this staggering number of people visiting each year, it’s important to know how you can save money while visiting this beautiful country.

Irelands cities, towns and villages have loads of free stuff to see and do, there are free walking tours, free visitor centres and live music in the pubs. If you want to do things on the cheap that’s not a problem because there are loads of stuff to see for FREE.

Tip 8 Don’t Over Pack

There are a few things to consider when packing for your trip to Ireland. The first is the time of year you plan on visiting. For example, if it’s wintertime in Ireland (December-February) and you’re going there from North America, then bring warm clothes! You’ll also want to pack a jacket because the Irish weather can change quickly. If it’s summer in Ireland (June-August), then don’t overpack your luggage! In this situation, we recommend bringing an umbrella or raincoat with you because there may be some days when it rains. Leave some room in your suitcase to bring home some Irish stuff, Irish crafts are known worldwide for their beauty and refinement, so you will want a bit of room in the suitcase for some Irish crafts.

Tip 9 Make Sure to Bring a Credit Card with You

3 different credit cards

Having a credit card is an essential thing for any traveller coming to Eire. It can be used as currency, to make purchases and it may also provide you with the opportunity of having your lost luggage or passport replaced.

You might think that because Ireland is considered one of the safest countries in Europe, you don’t need a credit card while visiting Ireland. There are many reasons why it’s important to have a credit card on hand while travelling abroad. It’s just so handy to pay for anything in Ireland with your credit card nowadays and you can track easily what you’re spending each day with your online banking app.

Check out some more of my articles below

Cliffs of Moher Guide

Irish History Explained

A Brief History of Guinness

Ireland Travel Guide

24 Things to do and see in Limerick

Things to see and do in Adare

John C

Hey, my name is John Conway and I love travelling around Ireland. I have a passion for All Things Ireland. I love the Emerald Isle! I love Guinness and green fields!

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