The bus and train system in Ireland is efficient, affordable, and reliable, with most of the transport options featuring free WiFi. Use secure parking facilities where available, particularly overnight 3. Don’t worry about eating local either as they’re often stocked with tons of beautiful Italians products; most Italians eat at home anyways! When you’re planning a trip to Ireland take note of the currency. I’m sure you weren’t planning on traveling to Ireland for a suntan. share this article . Although leprechauns are part of modern Irish folklore, there aren’t any real leprechauns in Ireland – sadly. People travelling to Ireland from “red” listed regions will no longer have to restrict their movements once they receive a negative PCR Covid-19 test after arriving in the country. The awesome sign up offer of 60,000 Ultimate Rewards points which can be redeemed for $750 of free flight if booked through the Chase travel portal. We opted to stay in Airbnb’s and had our apartment for €60 a night. The Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland is on the island of Ireland. This is a test version of the layout of this page. This is a test version of the layout of this page. I would suggest checking Ireland’s bus timetables to make sure you can get where you want to go by public transport. That’s if you’re staying in cheap accommodation, not drinking much alcohol, cooking your meals and eating paninis, and not partaking in costly activities. Nowadays it’s the best hotel to stay at in the city. You can change your cookie settings at any time. Depending on what direction you travel, the craggy, crenellated Donegal coastline is either the dramatic finale of the Wild Atlantic Way or its breathtaking beginning. Download the COVID Tracker app . What Northern Ireland lacks in size, it more than makes up for it with things to do and see. We love getting to off the beaten path destinations and aren’t afraid to go it alone. See exactly what it cost to travel Ireland here. The country is known for being very green, and that means plenty of rain! However, there are a few things to know before you head to the Emerald Isle. If you know anything about the Titanic, you know that it was the largest ship of its time. I’m sure you weren’t planning on traveling to Ireland for a suntan. 1. A pint of Guinness should cost no more than €5, and if it does, you are more than likely in a tourist pub that is ripping you off. What is the current travel advice for Ireland? That’s because Irish Gaelic is the first official language followed by English. If you’re traveling to Ireland from the US you may get asked if you are chasing your ancestry. Avoid secluded parks and unlit areas. At one point they made up over 1/3 of the immigrants in the country. We do, however, recommend visiting the Guinness Store House. 16. Limited transportation options are available, and some businesses are operating, usually with significant restrictions. 15 Haunted Castles in Ireland to Visit – xyuandbeyond . Which back at the turn of the century was a part of Ireland (which was all still part of Britain). Travellers should keep the contact details of their home country’s embassy or consulate in Germany in case they need to contact them. Do you remember that quote in Titanic where Tommy O’ Ryan tells Fabrizio that “It was an Irish ship,” and “15,000 Irishmen built the ship.” It’s okay if you don’t, I have just seen the movie a hundred too many times. I have to note in this Ireland travel guide about the weather. Rainfall has become a part of Irish life, especially in the west. Latest travel advice for Ireland, including how to stay safe during the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic and information on returning to the UK. If you have traveled to Ireland, you are probably going to want to get at least one pint of Guinness in an Irish pub. On the other side, prices can be really high and it can be crowded everywhere. Were we chasing our ancestry? month by month Ireland travel section here! As mentioned before in this Ireland travel guide that Ireland is actually two countries! We’ve broken it down for you with a list of the best castles to visit in Ireland so that you can select from some of the best-known and most-loved options. Some iconic locations include the Antrim plateau, the Dark Hedges, Cushendun Caves, Murlough Bay, Ballintoy Harbour, Larrybane, Castle Ward, Inch Abbey, and Downhill Strand. On our most recent trip, we rented a car in Ireland to get around the island, which is also affordable and reliable. How to minimise your risk and what to do in the event of a terrorist attack. To clarify, The Republic of Ireland is its own country – while Northern Ireland is a part of the United Kingdom. See Our Full Ireland Budget Breakdown Here. So, that means there are a lot of Irish Americans floating around today, and many of them want to chase their heritage! It should go without saying that the weather in Ireland can be a bit rainy, this is the most important item in your suitcase. The grand Titanic was built in Belfast, Ireland. Share Email Facebook … When is the Best Time to Visit Ireland? Latest travel advice for Ireland, including how to stay safe during the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic and information on returning to the UK. We highlight the best time to visit Ireland in this post. Ensure that valuables in vehicles are kept out of sight at all times 2. Applying for your free Global Health Insurance Card (GHIC) or European Health Insurance Card (EHIC): who can apply and where you can use them. On this site, you’ll find our experiences, photography, and informative travel guides. beta Just lower your expectations, abide by all their rules to avoid extra fees, and enjoy your cheap flight – most meals out cost more than their flights! Instead, a trip is only as good as what you make of it; there are always a ton of things to do in any city, no matter the season. We enjoyed going on long walks and hiking in Ireland, so it’s a good idea to pack a comfortable pair of walking shoes. If you’re travelling to Ireland with kids, it can be difficult to know which sights and attractions are going to be family-friendly. 1912 the ship hit an iceberg and sank. One of Ireland’s most iconic…, Famous Pubs in Dublin You Should Hit Up! Thanks to globalisation, visiting Ireland for the first time isn’t the culture shock it may once have been to international travellers. We picked up sweaters from Smartwool and love our stuff from Marine Layer. We use cookies to collect information about how you use GOV.UK. Travel to Ireland just became more feasible—though numerous restrictions remain. Hostel dorm rooms will cost anywhere from €10 to €20 a night, while you can also find a mid-range hotel room for €100. You can pick up priority access tickets here and skip the line! I don’t like crowds or high prices and that’s why I love traveling between September and May. Much of the show films in Northern Ireland, and if you are a GOT geek I suggest renting a car and driving to all the locations in Northern Ireland to see for yourself. We went in late October and still had a few nice days of sunshine! All content is available under the Open Government Licence v3.0, except where otherwise stated. SPOILER: On the night of April 14th. I’ve traveled to Ireland three times now. According to 2016 Irish census, more than 70,000 people speak Irish Gaelic daily, and about 55% (c. 2,500,000) of people in the Republic claim to understand and speak the language. IRELAND has released their list of safe countries which people can travel to this summer, but you will have to quarantine on arrival. Here’s some more detailed information – granted this may all change thanks to the Brexit, but they say there will still be an open border. 18 Excellent Things to do in Crete, Greece, 20 Helpful Iceland Travel Tips to Know Before You Go, 12 Amazing Festivals in Ireland to Attend, All You Need to Know About Visiting the Cliffs of Moher, 13 Famous Pubs in Dublin to Have a Guinness At. But I wouldn’t go chasing them to the end in search of a leprechaun with some lucky gold charms. Of course, everyone will know English, but it doesn’t hurt to learn a few phrases before your trip, you’ll probably even impress the locals! Speed limits are in kilometers per hour in Ireland and miles per hour in Northern Ireland – confusing. Includes travel advice and how to get married abroad. The tap water in Ireland is perfectly fine to drink, so best not to waste money or plastic on one-time use water bottles. There’s no denying that Ireland can sometimes seem a sleepy, quaint…, If you’ve at any point you looked into traveling to Ireland, you’re probably familiar with, or have at least heard of, the Cliffs of Moher. The reason for the question so often is that there are a lot of tourists in Ireland – specifically a lot of American tourists like us who are tracking down their ancestors. Welcome to the world, as seen through the eyes of Cameron and Natasha. It’s pretty hard to visit Ireland and not wind up visiting a castle at least once during your travels. It’s definitely worth a half day if you find yourself in Belfast. Both times that I traveled to Ireland, I was surprised that many people were still reading and speaking Irish Gaelic. Asides from the pre-trip expenses like airfare, luggage, and any Ireland packing list items you’ll want to buy I believe you can get by in Ireland for under €50 a day. View the protocols for international travel for the aviation and maritime sectors. You May Need Both the Euro and the Pound, 4. I would also recommend packing anice wool sweater, scarf, and a hat for those windy days. I’ve been back to the museum twice and have loved it both times. You can learn more about travel in Ireland here. For those with less time, a little bit of online shopping for wool sweaters will suffice. Remember when I said that it rains a lot in Ireland? Read the Department of State’s COVID-19 page before you plan any international travel. You can read more about our travel banking tips here before traveling to Ireland. Young Irish people – raised on a steady diet of Friends – now have accents with an American twinge, and the single currency has made travel within the eurozone significantly less complicated (while it lasts). Chase Rewards are some of our favorite points to earn as they’re high value and can be redeemed in a multitude of ways. Do we have Irish blood? From Department of the Taoiseach Published on 23 July 2020. If there’s anything you’re going to do while you’re in Dublin, it’s hit up the local pubs. You can travel freely between the two countries. Rental vehicles are a target of choice. We’ll send you a link to a feedback form. But we have flown them at least ten times around Europe and have never had an issue with them. priority access tickets here and skip the line, driving to all the locations in Northern Ireland, They are among some of the best places to visit in Ireland. Here you'll find all the latest Covid-19 entry requirements for Ireland and everything travelers need to know before booking their trip. Travel within the island of Ireland is subject to prevailing domestic public health restrictions as outlined on gov.ie. Travel Advice related to COVID-19. Irish cuisine is very hearty with some of the staple dishes being Irish stew and seafood pie. You have two options for styles of rain jackets. Rainfall has become a part of Irish life, especially in the west. We’d suggest a high ankle boot, but you can go even further with “wellies” or muck boots. We purchased wool sweaters from independent retailers in Ireland, and good ones were fairly easy to find for a decent price. Citizens of The Republic of Ireland are referred to as Irish, while citizens of Northern Ireland are Northern Irish. To help us improve GOV.UK, we’d like to know more about your visit today. It will take only 2 minutes to fill in. The first time I was backpacking Europe and took public buses everywhere. Ireland announced earlier this month that they would be aligning with the EU ‘traffic light’ system for international travel, which categorises regions in colour codes according to the effectiveness of their controls over the coronavirus. When is the best time to visit Ireland, you ask? This means that even cold or blustery weather can, for many, be the preferred travel conditions. The best time to visit Ireland is in April, May, and June, as well as in September and October. Americans can now travel to Ireland, although they have to quarantine when they arrive – and while many Irish people say they miss the Americans, they'd prefer they stay at home. Any Ireland trip planner should mention budget. Get yourself a travel water bottle and keep refilling it! The UK is made up of England, Wales, Scotland, and Northern Ireland. If you are a group of two or more, consider renting a car. We knew we just had to stay on our visit to Belfast. If you want to find us, head to the nearest coffee shop or check back here! The grocery store provides great value especially on Italian food like pasta, prosciutto, and grapes. It’s wet in Irland and you can expect a lot of boggy weather year-round so packing a pair of good waterproof boots for hikes is crucial for protecting your feet. We save money this way when traveling around Ireland. This page contains information about: Travel Advice; Where to find advice if you have recently entered Ireland ; Links to official sources of information about Covid-19; Links to airlines; Information about the Department's role; Travel Advice. If you’re not keen on driving or don’t have a car rental in your budget, consider booking a tour. On Great Victoria Street in Belfast, you can find a hotel with a fantastic history. If your accommodation has a kitchen then it’s best to make use of it. Got it? Explore Ireland! There are so many things to do in Northern Ireland it…, One thing about Ireland is for sure, and that’s that any Irish Festival is sure to be a party. The latest iteration is the new Titanic Belfast museum. The most damaging was in 1993, and it closed for refurbishments. You Can Stay at the Most Bombed Hotel in Europe! So how much spending money per day should you have in Ireland? That being said m favorite time to travel Ireland is in September, when the leaves are changing color, the air is cool, and tourism is slowing down. Requirements, paperwork and processes for weddings and civil partnerships overseas - registration, restrictions, fees. Ireland is the British Isles, but that does not make it British. Ireland is open to Americans just like its neighbor the United Kingdom, but it has enacted the same 14-day quarantine requirement that will scare off most American travelers. If you’re wondering how to plan a trip to Ireland, the first step is to purchase a flight. The country’s small size and accessibility make it easy for travelers. Just note that in both Ireland and Northern Ireland drivers drive on the left side of the road and you should know how to drive a manual car as automatics are expensive. Your best chance of sun and warmth in Ireland is in the summer months of June and July. I guess what I’m trying to say is be prepared for all sorts of weather when you’re planning your trip to Ireland. Europa Belfast Hotel is a beautiful hotel, which you can quickly see from the outside. I don’t, but Cameron does so he had a field day reliving certain scenes that are on the hit HBO show. Here is a coupon off your next Airbnb booking so you can do the same! There Are Plenty of Rainbows, but no Leprechauns. Having a car is always the more comfortable and convenient option, Here are ALL my tips for driving in Ireland, more than 70,000 people speak Irish Gaelic daily. Between 1820 and 1930, 4.5 million Irish immigrated to America. In my opinion, traveling in Ireland particularly shrines in the offseason. We hope to inspire other independent travelers and provide the resources to do so. You can drive the vehicle in and out of Northern Ireland as much as you like without border checks. We found the hotel to be charming, comfortable, and beautifully decorated. Travelling to Ireland during the COVID-19 pandemic . We love the Chase Sapphire Preferred as it was one of the first travel rewards we received and it’s well-loved by plenty of others. Last updated on 27 November 2020. I wouldn’t suggest changing currencies at a currency exchange, but an ATM to pull out the money you need. We traveled freely between the two countries many times and were never stopped at a border post or had to produce a passport to get stamped. Take the survey to help us improve it. Do you watch Game of Thrones? 15. Did we have relatives in Ireland? From reenacted scenes featuring knights and royalty to elaborate banquet dinners in your very own castle, you may want to stay forever and never return to the present! We were able to get a car from Dublin airport for two weeks for €150, and we paid €1.20/liter for fuel. Truth is we just came for the beautiful countryside, history, and friendly locals. Incoming passengers should ensure that they are aware of, and comply with, all relevant public health restrictions that apply to the population in general. The Republic of Ireland uses the Euro (€) and the United Kingdom uses the British Pound (£).