WebThere are many interesting things in life. Therefore, swipe payments rarely happen, unless there is an issue with the payment, in that case, the card owner needs to sign the receipt once the purchase is made. Purchase travel insurance Any thoughts? Nonetheless, we do have the tendency to speak mostly with slang words and that doesnt change when tourists are about. 73. r/lies. In fact, I am yet to see anything like Irish Deli anywhere else in the world. All passengers traveling from Ireland to the USA must go through US preclearance. See our Advertising Policy for further explanation. 17 Ireland Travel Tips to Know Before You Visit. Did you miss your bus? If you do decide to rent a car for your trip to Ireland, Odds are you are going to end up driving on rural or country roads. If you are visiting a rural area, be sure to ask around to make sure that drinking tap water is safe, as water quality may vary locally. If you dont have an e-toll payment tag you will need to visit the nearest petrol/gas station to pay the toll/or go online. Hi Sue! For packing, just be sure to bring gear for the rain (umbrella, rain jacket, some good waterproof shoes). There is just so much to do, even on rainy days in Dublin (of which there are many), that the city tends to suck people in. For instance, its 1.2 miles from one end of the World Showcase in EPCOT to the other side. This is something I honestly ask myself every day, and I guess it is just something I have learnt to live with. For stays in cities and large towns, ditch the rental car idea and use public transport instead. Nate Hake is a recovering attorney and world traveler from Denver, Colorado. While not as prominent as that found in the United States, Ireland does have a custom of tipping servers at restaurants and pubs. Theres also a great deal of debate and animosity over the status of Northern Ireland, with some claiming it as a separate country from the Republic and others saying it is a province that rightfully belongs to the Republic. It is quite common for shops positioned near or on the border to accept both currencies but gives change back in the respective currency. The most popular phone companies include 3, Vodafone and Eir. Driving in Ireland can be a scary thought for most tourists. In fact, the Irish phrase cad mlefilte, which means a hundred thousand welcomes, fully describes the welcoming nature of the Irish people. Try to make the smartest choice and if you are travelling solo always tell someone at home where you are going and when you plan on being back in your accommodation. Since it could be bright, sunny, and pleasant one minute, and cold, windy, and damp the next, make sure you wear layers and have an umbrella on hand. However, a lot of other people want to visit these places, so try to be early when visiting so you can enjoy the serenity and beauty of these places without having to worry about other tourists. If youre coming from a right-side driving country, you might be instinctively used to looking left, so this is one of those Ireland travel tips youll have to remind yourself of for safetys sake! In the Republic of Ireland, we use the Euro and in the North of Ireland, the British Pound is used. how about you? 1. There are few places in Ireland that require avoiding, and just about all of Ireland is worth a visit if you have time. Do Research When Booking Flight Tickets to Ireland, 33 Ireland Photos Guaranteed to Cause Wanderlust, Climbing Carrauntoohill: Irelands Tallest Peak. This is one of the reasons we never leave home without travel insurance. how about you? The card comes in 1, 3, and 7 day increments. As a corollary to our previous travel tip for Ireland, crossing the street in Ireland means turning your head to look to the right. Every morning volunteers get outside to pick up trash, trim trees, and bring up their hometowns to the European level of cleanliness. Dublin is Irelands capital city, meaning a lot of tourists pass through the capital to get to various other locations on the Island. Essential tips for traveling alone for the first time 1. Considering a high majority of the world drives on the Person 1: What if it rains? on 30+ HIDDEN GEMS IN DUBLIN That not even locals know about! Okay, probably not, but there is something to be said about drinking a pint of the black stuff in Ireland versus other parts of the world. There are so many things to do in Ireland that you could easily spend an entire month on the island and never get bored. Our experience: Alexander was listed on my ticket as a lap baby, meaning we only needed to pay taxes and fees for his flight, and he was able to sit on my or Joes lap for the duration of the flight. Your email address will not be published. If you do happen to ring someone on the phone while visiting Ireland. Ireland is famous for its damp but unpredictable climate. Then every September during a special ceremony in Dublin, the winners get gold, silver and bronze medals in different categories. If these two reasons still dont stop you I will be traveling to Ireland in July 2018. The real charm of Ireland is the west coast, Kerry, Galway, Clare, Mayo, Donegal. Oh, and one last critical tip for traveling to Ireland with a car: remember Ireland drives on the left side of the road in Ireland (both the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland). WebWhen visiting Ireland for the first time, I always recommend you stay at a B&B so you can enjoy a hearty breakfast. First time travelers tips for planning 1. Heres an example, while giving directions if an Irish person says yeah, sure it is only down the road that could mean that the destination is anywhere from a 5-minute walk to a 45-minute walk. Visit a Vet Before You Travel. Check for Hidden Pet Fees. The emergency number for the Garda, Ambulance and Fire is 999. Ireland is home to the second-highest cliffs in Europe. However, when visiting this part of the island of Ireland for the first time, youll notice that English is the dominant spoken language here. The chef will stand behind the deli-style unit and you will tell them what roast you would like, what veg you would like and if you want gravy. I get this question quite often, is it required to tip in Ireland? *It is mindful to note that when renting a car there may be an additional fee for those who intend on driving up to the North. We Irish love our butter. Ireland has a lot to offer in terms of natural sights. Hello Nate. It is polite to decline on the first offer. Grand: The term grand is possibly the most used word in the Irish vocabulary. What do you recommend? We are also masterminds when it comes to stretching the truth. Simply put, when in Ireland never go outside without a raincoat or an umbrella. In terms of renting a car, personally I find the cheapest prices on Discover Cars, which compares various agencies. So, I mentioned above that the Irish road signs are in Irish, however, there is no need to worry because they are also in English. We use it ALL THE TIME! People tend to have a strong preference between the two stouts, so try both early on and be prepared to choose a side in the great Irish stout war! National pride is what motivates the Irish to keep their towns and cities clean. Ireland is home to many cliffs including the famous cliffs of Moher Irelands most popular tourist attraction. They dont do it for the purpose of impressing millions of tourists visiting Ireland yearly. If you happen to be from a country that drives on the left-hand side, then driving in Ireland will be no bother to you. I hear people say it time and time again, I didnt visit outside Dublin. Here is some slang that is easier to explain: Its Baltic Outside: Its FRREEEEEZZZINNGGG outside(weather)Its Roastin Outside: It is HOT outside(weather)Yoke: In relation to an objectThis yoke is Banjaxed: This thing is brokenYer Man is doin my head in: That man is driving me crazyThe Place was Jammers: Referring to when a place or venue is full of people.Youre Takin the piss: Are you messing with me?Youre Havin a Laugh: Quite similar meaning to takin the piss. Regardless, if youre visiting both countries, be sure to make visa arrangements accordingly. The best way to withstand the naughty weather is to layer up. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. It would be completely inappropriate for me to answer this question, considering I learned to drive on the left. Visitors from all over the world come to this old castle to kiss its famous Blarney Stone. In restaurants with table service, You have to be prepared while visiting Ireland for the first time. In Ireland, if you make eye contact with a stranger it is polite to engage with them in some way, even with a gentle smile. Check Cork, Shannon, and Dublin airports and just go with whatever flight is most convenient/cheapest. The best season to visit Ireland is in spring, summer, and fall. Its time to get real about Ireland and what its people expect from you. I promise I joke a lot less about it. Depending on the context, Craic can mean a party, chatter, or even a good time. 41+ Ireland Travel Tips: Things you SHOULD NOT do on your first trip to Ireland! It is also possible in some stores to receive cashback when purchasing items on a card. January. Ireland in January can be very hit and miss. February. Visiting Ireland in February can be another tricky one, especially if the weather is your deciding factor.March. March is regarded as the best time to go to Ireland by many that have been bitten by the St. April. May. June. July. August. September. October. More items Member: SATW, NATJA, ATTA, ITWA. Double/triple check your lap baby is listed on your ticket before you arrive at the airport. The Ring of Kerry is ideal for 3-4 days of exploring, then you can use your remaining time to explore your ancestry and maybe do a bit of sight seeing in Dublin. Dublin is so charming, in fact, that it can be tempting to spend your entire trip there. This is something I struggle with big time when abroad because I have to say yes straight away if I want something . 22. In terms of money, I always use my ATM card and withdraw from ATMs. Yes, Ireland does have automatic cars, although manual cars are far more common. If these two reasons still dont stop you from renting a car when visiting the island of Ireland, opt for a smaller car. Visit a Vet Before You Travel. Planning a trip to Ireland is very different during the summer peak tourism seasons versus the less popular winter. Some rural roads will have a speed limit of 100 kilometres an hour, yet, I still drive at no more than 60 kilometres on them. Ill be there in the end of July 2022. You will be doing plenty of walking with us. Tips for Traveling to Ireland with a Baby The Airport 1. Our Ireland travel tips will share our firsthand knowledge to ensure you have the time of your life on the Emerald Isle. No matter what time of year you decide to visit Ireland. Invest in good equipment If you are going to multiple places, a good backpack that fits you well and a good, comfortable pair of shoes will be your two most important investments before you leave home. In this section of our Ireland Travel Guide, I want to talk to you about paying for things while visiting Ireland. They will be more prepared to answer all of your questions and will be half expecting them. Now, dont get me wrong, nine times out of ten an Irish person is more than happy to help. If the government official is not able to communicate in this language, she cant fine you. The best time to visit Dublin is June through August when temperatures are warm (for Ireland anyway) and festivals fill the streets. Do not be afraid to ask them to repeat themselves or explain. We are hoping to go in September 2023. Ironically, the kids in Ireland go back to school in September. While travel to Ireland is very safe, and crime rates are quite low, you never know what might happen in a foreign country. Therefore, laws and regulations in both countries are different. Maybe you are hoping to explore some of the countrys hidden gems, like Achill Island in County Mayo or Inis Mr in County Galway. There are no destinations too small or insignificant to fuel your curiosity and creativity. I have listed below some of my favourite posts on Ireland to date to help you with your planning. This is of corse at no extra cost to you. You can also check out one of Japans natural wonders, like Mount Fuji, or Nisekos ski resorts (see our Niseko itinerary for more). Note that sometimes for large groups a service charge will already be added. Ok, another thing worth noting before setting off on your Irish adventure is our accents. By Derry. However, there are a lot of free things to do like hiking, visiting coastal towns or exploring to free things to do in a citytake Dublin for example. We never go anywhere without remembering our please and thank yous. WebOne of the best things to do in Ireland is walk along the paved pathways (theres a safety fence in place) and explore different vantage points of these famous Ireland cliffs. One of Dublins best-kept transportation secrets is the Leap Visitor Card. On Roads and Destinations, I share my love for travel, culture, life, and well-being. You need to shell out a big portion of your travel budget on accommodation while visiting Ireland. Andtoday is no different, I want to create the ultimate Irish guide, answer all your questions and provide you with an insider guide to the top Ireland Travel Tips! Officially, The Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland are two different countries, that share the same island. Thats it for this list of things to know before your trip to Ireland. For budget travelers, try to avoid peak season as much as possible and look for discount deals, which are usually good during the off-season. As an Irish citizen, I would recommend staying as little time as possible in Dublin. If I am being honest, there is no true meaning to the word as it can be used in many different contexts, but I will give you a few conversations example down below. How about what clothes to pack or how much your trip might cost? We dont tend to take ourselves all too seriously and enjoy nothing more than a bit of banter. He is the founder & CEO of Travel Lemming. Truth be told, this is our favorite way to explore the Emerald Isle. Here are helpful tips for traveling with your dog for the first time. For example, mid March is a great time to visit, due to the weather being good and well, Saint Patricks daybut it is expensive. Ireland is known for its fish and chip shops. Get a small car while driving in Ireland. It contains the basics (yes, you drive on the left side of the First things first! Clearly, the Dubs are the winners in this scenario . If you need a car rental, I suggest using Discover Cars. Some At the same time, no food, including fruits, is allowed after you go through the US preclearance facilities. Which roughly means you have all the documents to enter the country, have fun. When abroad, people often look at me with a puzzled expression when I mention the Irish language but you speak English? Will be hiring a car at the Dublin airport . Dublin and Belfast offer enough culture, architecture, history, and entertainment that one wouldnt need to leave. And while the island is small and it is perfectly possible to sample Irelands green landscapes on day trips from Dublin, to really immerse yourself in Ireland you should plan to stay in any one of Irelands other awesome cities, towns, villages, or hamlets. Ok, so we are coming to the end of our ultimate Ireland Travel tips Guide for first-timers. Ireland does not have as heavy of a tipping culture as youd find in the United States, but its still customary to leave 10-15% of your tab for service at a restaurant or pub. For example, the unlucky number 13 finds many supporters on the Emerald Isle. In our guide to driving in Ireland for tourists, youll find plenty of Ireland travel tips for first-time drivers. Your email address will not be published. I want to rent a car, do I need to purchase their insurance or can I use my state farm insurance? The other percentage of people living in Northern Ireland see the North as part of Britain and would identify as British. Sometimes we just need a gentle reminder to talk a little slower. You might also consider investing in pickpocket-proof garments and hidden pocket scarves to hide your cash and credit cards. Christmas can also be a great time to visit Ireland. 7. Youll need official documents from your vet all through your trip. You can support us by purchasing via the affiliate links on this page, which may earn us commissions. Once you arrive in Ireland it is super important to remember your manners. This is something that is very important to the Irish people. It can be bright and sunny one minute, and windy and rainy the next. This would be for bus tours that go to Ireland and Scotland. Irelands towns, hamlets, and villages are so quaint and serene, that the experience is truly unmatched. When hiking in the mountains it is common to give a person passing you by a friendly, wave, nod or smile and a quick hello. The Republic of Ireland is an independent country that is part of the EU, whereas Northern Ireland is part of the United Kingdom. Card payments in Ireland actually work quite differently from the likes of the United States.