Travel Tips

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Getting Euros and Using Credit/Debit Cards

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Most places you visit will be able to take your credit or debit cards, but it is always a good idea to keep some cash on you. If you want Euros before you leave the US: Contact your bank to avoid hefty currency fees. Most banks do not carry foreign currency, so you will want to order weeks in advance. Be sure to request some small bills – €5 and €10. Upon Arrival: You'll find your best currency exchange rate at an ATM. Do not use the currency exchange kiosks in the airport or in tourist areas as they charge exorbitant exchange rates. ATMs will be found in the airport. There is likely to be a fee. For peace of mind use an ATM at a bank. Credit Cards: Notify your bank and credit card before you travel but know that not all credit/debit cards are accepted in Ireland. Any Visa or Mastercard will be accepted wherever cards are taken. Discover is not accepted anywhere. AMEX is hit or miss (most often a miss). Whether or not you incur an exchange fee depends on the card you use.

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Flights to Ireland

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You can usually get the best deals to Europe by booking early. Start keeping an eye out for cheap flights as early as possible; some airlines let you book your trip up to 11 months in advance. When you find a price that you are comfortable with paying - book it! Also, keep in mind layover and total travel times. Each traveler is different but a long layover on your way home to save $ may not end up being worth it. Especially if you end up having to eat or drink at the airport. Even though it's hard to avoid taking a red eye, you can maximize your sleeping time by choosing the best departure for your sleep schedule. Airlines offer a wide variety of red eye flights and when booking you'll likely have options to arrive between 6 a.m. and noon. You can expect to be able to go to sleep one to two hours into the flight, since beverage and dinner service happen in the first half hour to 1/2 hours of transatlantic flights.

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Car Rental & Driving

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Renting a car in Ireland is a great way to experience everything the country has to offer but not always necessary. If you plan to spend most of your time in Dublin and/or utilize tour buses and public transit for day trips, you will not need a car. However, if you want to visit the countryside and travel at your own pace away from public transit, then it may be a good option for you. Keep in mind that you will have to drive on the opposite side of the road and this is likely to be the most expensive option for getting about the country. Car rental in Ireland isn't as simple as it is in other places. You'll find plenty of options when searching for car rental in Ireland. All the big names are there: Enterprise, Budget, etc. The thing that makes car rental in Ireland tricky is the CDW insurance which comes at a premium and sometimes major holds on your credit card. You will not be allowed to drive away in your Irish car rental without some form of excess insurance.

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Travel by Bus

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Bus travel is a widespread form of public transportation in Ireland. Many consider it the best way to see Ireland without a car due to how many different places you can go. Buses are cheaper and cover many towns the railway doesn’t. In these cases, you’ll need to use the bus. You can purchase tickets in advance. Bus Éireann is the national operator for bus travel in Ireland. While subject to traffic, they can take the amount of time as trains and are cheaper when traveling in Ireland without a car. Dublin Bus is the name of the public service. Count out the exact fare in coins — no cards or bills accepted, and they don’t give change. Get a map to understand the different zones in the city. Stages 1 to 3 cover most of the city center and cost €2.-3. You can book a hop-on-hop-off bus ticket. It’s cost more than the public bus, but it is convenient (you won’t get lost or waste time walking from a bus stop to the attraction itself), and you’ll get discounts on attraction entrance fees.

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Travel by Train

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Getting around Ireland without a car is completely doable. Plus, it might also be a considerable cost-saver since you won’t be incurring the cost of a rental car and the added insurance you are required to take while driving around Ireland. The train is a fantastic way to travel while in Ireland. The Irish Rail operates 16 train routes, and the railway runs in every direction. In most cases, trains between Dublin and the major cities arrive anywhere from four to 15 times a day. Round-trip fares are also substantially cheaper than buying two standard one-way tickets. Tickets can be purchased in advance on their website.

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Travel by Tram or Taxi

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If you’re heading out of the city center, you can take the LUAS. This is Dublin’s tram system, which connects the suburbs to the heart of the city. The trams are fast, but they are very popular and crowded at rush hour. You won’t have any trouble finding a taxi cab in Dublin, and it’s certainly a comfortable way to get around. It’s ideal for late-night journeys, in particular.

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Travel in Europe

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Once in Europe, you will find airfare or train between most countries to be very affordable but you also don't want to try to do too much. Be honest with yourself on travel plans and how much you will be able to accomplish. Consider multicity flights to save time. Standard roundtrip tickets mean you’ll need to circle back to your arrival airport to fly home, which could mean a wasted day traveling. Instead, look at options for flying into one city and home from another. They’re often comparable price-wise with roundtrip tickets or sometimes even cheaper. Google Flights and Rome2Rio are two sites that will help you compare prices. Before arriving in any city, do some research and learn how to get around using public transportation or a rental car. Using public transportation in a foreign country can be a great way to experience the city but can be intimidating.

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Weather & Packing for Ireland

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The average temperature in Ireland in May/June can be anywhere between 50-65°F with the average high between 55-65°F. The main packing tip for Ireland this time of year is to pack layers and travel light. Pack a lightweight, waterproof jacket because there is certain to be rain. Few things will ruin a trip quicker than aching feet, so comfortable shoes are your best friends—especially on the uneven cobblestone so prevalent in Europe. Although some airlines allow one free checked bag on overseas flights, resist the temptation to bring a lot of “just in case” items. If you’re taking a train, you’ll have to haul your bags on and off and into luggage racks above the seats. If you’re flying to another country, there’s often a fee and a strict size and weight limit for bags. It's unlikely you will need more than a suitcase and a travel backpack.

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Cell Phone Use

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Roaming and data charges in Ireland can break your budget if you're not careful. Turn your data off when in Ireland or keep your phone in airplane mode. Use free wifi and connect with iMessage, WhatsApp, FaceTime, etc. You'll find free wifi all over Ireland – in your hotel, many restaurants, and some stores offer connectivity. Keep your wifi turned on and set to notify you when it is available. You can also contact your cellular provider and inquire about using your mobile phone in Ireland. Confirm that your device is compatible with GSM (Global System for Mobile) used in Europe, and then inquire about an International plan which includes both talk minutes and data. Verizon offers TravelPass for $10 per day. AT&T has International Day Pass for the same price. T-Mobile's Magenta Plans have a few options and also begin at $10 per day per device. There are a few other options, but these tend to be the most convenient.

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Ireland Power Adaptors

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This device is something you’ll absolutely need if you plan to charge any electronics in Ireland, as the outlets are not the same as US outlets. The most common type of outlet in Ireland is “Type G” which has 3 rectangular prongs in a triangular pattern and is the same as used in the UK. You can find these electrical converters for US outlets and USBs on Amazon or in stores for $15-$20.

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Tipping

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At bars and pubs, tipping is uncommon but rounding up your bill or leaving small change is appreciated. At restaurants, it's likely you'll find that a service charge has already been added to your bill. In this case, no further tipping is necessary. If you are unsure if a service charge has been included, you can tip your server 10 percent to 15 percent of the total bill. If you do a group tour, it's likely that a basket will be passed around at the end of the tour. In this case, it's appropriate to contribute €1-2 or more, depending on how satisfied you were with the tour. Taxi drivers in Ireland are generally not expecting a tip, but you can round up your fare to the nearest even amount if you like.

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Travel Insurance

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Whether or not to purchase travel insurance is a question that only you can answer and you may already have some coverage that you aren't aware of. If you use a credit card for travel, have homeowners or renters insurance you may have some coverage already! Packaged policies will cost from 4-8% of your trip cost and often include coverage for trip cancellation and delay, interruption (in case you have to return home suddenly), medical costs, and lost or delayed baggage. Additional options include Coronavirus pandemic coverage, medical coverage, and ‘cancel for any reason'. Adding these options will raise the cost of your travel insurance. Squaremouth is an easy-to-use comparison site that allows you to search for policies by terms and price. Their site has very simple questions to help narrow down your selections. Always read all terms & conditions and compare policies before purchasing any travel insurance.