Passport & Visa Requirements

• To enter Ireland, you need a valid passport with an expiration date of at least 6 months after your return date.

• U.S. and Canadian citizens do not need a Visa to enter the Republic of Ireland or Northern Ireland (U.K.).

Driving

• Driving is on the left side of the road. The steering wheel is mounted on the right.

  • A good tip to remember to stay left: Keep the driver in the center of the road and the passenger on the edge.

  • Driving speeds are in kilometers per hour in the Republic and in miles per hour in Northern Ireland.

• US car sizes are at least one size larger, so what is considered an “economy/compact” in the US is a perfectly reasonable family car in Europe, and what is considered "full-size" in the US, e.g. Ford Taurus, may protrude over the road's center line and be tough to maneuver on the narrow roads.

• While you're visiting the city centre of Dublin you don't need a car.

• The national speed limit in Ireland is 55 MPH. It is 70 MPH on Motorways and generally 30 MPH in towns and developed areas.

• If you stop to ask for directions, beware and ready for an adventure. The directions may come with references to common sites such as trees, rocks, churches, etc. and may even come with a story or friendly conversation. Street sign posts are far and few between.

• To know more about what to expect, please visit here.

Jet Lag

• If you took an overnight flight, take a short nap and try and stay up until Irish bedtime. For some people, this helps with jet lag. On your return, try to go to bed at your "regular" time.

• Here is a link with tips to prevent Jet Lag from the Mayo Clinic

Cell Phones

• Check with your current carrier to see if an International plan is available.

• If you don't have international coverage or if it is limited, don’t forget to turn off your data on your phone before you fly. An easy way to ensure you won't incur extra charges is to turn your phone on airplane mode and keep it in this mode for your entire journey. Once you land, you can rely on WiFi for the entirety of the trip, which will allow you to still send text messages (in most cases) and use the internet. You can still use your camera even if in airplane mode.

WiFi

• Ireland is a very connected country! WiFi is available in the majority of your accommodations and at bars, coffee shops, etc.

Electricity

• ​Highly recommend that you bring an adapter and possible a converter.

• The electrical supply in Ireland is 230v 50hz. The plugs and sockets are different from the USA involving a three-pronged formation, the same as those used in the United Kingdom.

• Make sure that you select a converter that will accommodate the wattage of the appliances you wish to operate. Some laptop computers, electric razors and hair dryers have built-in power converters. However, an adapter plug will be required.

Weather in Ireland

• Ireland can have a mix of sun, wind, and rain on any given day.

• Travel to Ireland is best between May and September. Temperatures tend to be in the 60s - some days may be warmer (low 70s) and some days cooler (high 50s). The days are long with light, the countryside is beautiful and green, plants are blooming, and everything's open and accessible.

• Irish temperatures are in Celsius. Here's a link to the current Ireland weather forecast: http://www.rte.ie/weather/index.html

• Ireland's weather is influenced by the Gulf Stream and has a year-round temperate climate with warmer summers and cooler/damper winters.

Irish Date & Time

• Ireland is in the Greenwich Mean Time Zone which is 5 hours ahead of U.S. Eastern Standard Time.

  • Therefore: 2 pm in Ireland = 9 am in New York City

• The 24 hour clock (military time) is commonly used.

• The date is written Day Month Year - DD/MM/YYYY

Tipping

• Ireland is somewhat of a non-tipping country. If you think someone did an excellent job and you want to tip, people would accept the tip with much gratitude.

• In pubs, the bartender does not expect a tip. Taxi drivers do not expect a tip. Waiters usually receive a tip of 10% but in nicer restaurants, you may see a "Service Charge" on the bill. This equals a tip.

• For your tour guides, tipping is optional. If you decide to tip, a suggested amount is €5 - 10 per day of the tour.

​At the Bar

• When ordering a beer you can order a pint or a glass, which is a half pint.

• Do not, under any circumstances, order an “Irish Car Bomb” anywhere in the country of Ireland.​

​Costs

• Being an island nation, food in Ireland isn’t inexpensive. A lunch of a sandwich, beverage, and chips can cost about €10. A sit-down dinner in the evening can cost €15 to €25. A pint of Guinness costs about €5. A glass of wine costs €6 to €9. On average, one may spend €30 to €50 per day on food and drinks depending on your tastes.

• To see more about the costs to expect visit here.

Money

• The Euro (€) is the official currency of the Republic of Ireland. In Northern Ireland (U.K.), the British Sterling Pound (£) is the official currency. U.S. dollars are not accepted. 

• Our recommendation is to use ATMs, credit cards, and avoid travelers checks. Banks have odd opening and closing times and smaller towns may not have the capability to exchange foreign currency. Some banks in Ireland don't cash travelers checks any more.

  • ATMs are available in the Dublin airport and all across Ireland. 

    • Check the back of your debit/ATM card to verify it is a Cirrus or PLUS account. If you don't see Cirrus or PLUS and the debit card is a MasterCard or Visa, look for an ATM with your card's logo (MasterCard or Visa) and your debit card should work there. 

      • MasterCard offers a global ATM locator: http://www.mastercard.com/global/atmlocations/

      • Visa offers a global ATM locator: http://www.visa.com/atmlocator/

    • If you have any questions about using your debit card abroad, please check with your bank.

• Also, it is a good idea to let your bank know when and where you're traveling to and to ask if there are foreign transaction charges. 

• For credit and debit cards, Visa and MasterCard are commonly accepted and Amex is becoming more readily accepted. However, be careful of foreign transaction fees.

• IMPORTANT NOTE: For U.S. credit cards when doing a transaction in Ireland, you may be asked if you'd like the amount processed in US dollars or the local currency, Euros (Republic of Ireland) or Pound Sterling (Northern Ireland). We recommend choosing the local currency so you will get the best exchange rate. If you choose US dollars, typically a 3.5% additional fee is added to your total. 

• Should I take money (Euros or Pound Sterling) to Ireland with me?

  • We recommend obtaining about €100 in cash (denominations of 20s or smaller) from your home bank prior to your arrival in Ireland. You can then take out more money from an ATM as needed during your trip.

  • When traveling in Ireland, one strategy is to use cash for smaller purchases and your credit card elsewhere. 

Chip and Pin Credit Cards

• Ireland has "Chip and Pin" technology for their credit cards. Irish people enter a PIN with all their credit card transactions. If you have a "Chip and Pin" credit card, you will be asked to enter your PIN with a transaction.

• American credit cards typically have "Chip and Signature" technology. Your credit card can be inserted into the slot for chip cards and a receipt will print out for you to sign.