11 Things to Know Before Traveling to Ireland

All visitors to Ireland need a valid passport on entry. Visitors from E.U. or EEA countries along with British nationals do not need a visa to enter Ireland. There are several other non-European countries, including the United States, Canada and Australia, for which visas are not required.

If you’re unsure of your country’s visa requirements to Ireland, check the Irish Immigration Service website.

As a member of the E.U., Ireland’s currency is the euro. It’s always worth bringing cash as you never know when you might need it, however, note that in most establishments, you can pay by card or contactless these days. Rural areas may still operate with cash only though, so it’s a best practice to keep a few euros in your wallet.

Dublin is notoriously expensive, so factor that into your budget (especially if you visit tourist-heavy areas like Temple Bar–expect to pay €9+ for a pint). Hotels are particularly egregious, so book ahead as far as possible. And beyond big-hitter attractions like the Guinness Storehouse, look out for those offering free entry, including the National Museum of Ireland, the Hugh Lane Gallery and the Irish Museum of Modern Art.

Outside of the capital, you should find prices a little cheaper, though popular places like Galway and Kerry can also come at a cost.

Dublin Airport (DUB) is located 6 miles north of central Dublin though unlike many capital city airports, there’s no direct rail link. Therefore, the quickest way into Dublin via public transit is with the non-stop Aircoach (departs every 15 minutes) and Dublin Express (departs every 30 minutes) buses, taking around 30-40 minutes. These are the cheapest ways too, as taxis–though quicker–are expensive.

Ireland’s train network isn’t extensive, but it does crisscross the country and connects with all the major cities and towns. Buying tickets to travel on Ireland’s trains can be done either online or in person at the station (check the ticket office opening times for more rural or quieter stations). Travel tickets for the Republic of Ireland can be bought online from Irish Rail’s website, while in Northern Ireland, they’re available at Translink’s website.

Taking a coach (a.k.a. bus) is slower but also often much cheaper, and Bus Éireann in the Republic of Ireland and Translink in Northern Ireland run coaches around the country regularly. Budget-conscious travellers should hop on to the Bus Éireann site to find tickets for bus travel in the Republic of Ireland or head to Translink for Northern Irish bus tickets.

Some of the best parts of Ireland however, like its mountain walks and coastal fishing villages, are only reachable by car. So, if you’re planning on taking a deeper trip beyond Dublin and other urban centers, then hiring a car is essential. And as always, it’s best to book ahead of time to avoid any disappointment.

The quality and breadth of Ireland’s cuisine has come on leaps and bounds in recent years.

In 2025, Dublin is a truly cosmopolitan city with eating options stretching from Bolivian comfort food to meticulous Japanese omakase menus. But in that time modern Irish cooking has taken huge leaps too, with a slew of quality fine dining restaurants in Dublin and across the country taking advantage of Ireland’s excellent produce.

However, if you’d like something a little more traditional (and hearty) like an Irish lamb stew or a coddle, then you’ll often find them on pub menus. They’re often perfectly paired with a Guinness, too.

And as this is Europe, tips aren’t expected–especially if eating breakfast, lunch or at a pub–though it’s not unusual to leave a cash tip after a good evening meal.

No vaccinations are needed to visit Ireland, though it’s always good to have travel insurance cover.

Visitors from the E.U./EEA can use their valid European Health Insurance Card issued by their home country to access healthcare in Ireland, should they need it. Those traveling from outside Europe do not have entitlement to free or subsidized health services, which is another important reason for taking out insurance.

Preparing for all types of weather is an essential part of the Irish experience. Ireland’s maritime location in the wild North Atlantic means that even in summer, biting winds and untimely rain showers can unexpectedly scupper a balmy afternoon. So, expect all kinds of weather, basically.

Temperatures will rarely go above 24C (75F) in the summer, while anything below 0C (32F) in winter is rare. Essentially, it’s a mild climate but with four distinct seasons. Fall is a particularly nice time to visit, when the rush of summer has subsided and the temperatures have dipped a little but the autumnal colors turn the foliage into a mass of orange, red and gold. 

Since Ireland can experience all sorts of weather (often on the same day), your suitcase will need to find space for an array of items beyond the usual.

A raincoat is essential, though if you’re staying at a nicer hotel they will often provide umbrellas if there’s a downpour. Sturdy walking boots are important too, if you’re planning on doing any form of hiking.

Layering is always a good idea, especially on Ireland’s windy coastal areas, which can feel much colder than they actually are. A wooly hat is also useful in this scenario.

Bring sunscreen too, as if you’re out walking in rural areas and the sun suddenly appears from nowhere, there’s often few ways to escape it.

Ireland is a very safe country to visit. So safe, in fact, that it ranks at number two in the world in the latest Global Peace Index, behind only Iceland.

Crime does still occur, however, so always maintain common sense when travelling solo and keep a close eye on any valuables, like money, cards, and passports. Notably, Central Dublin has seen attacks in the last year on unsuspecting tourists.

Women travelling solo shouldn’t have problems either, but should always follow best practices like staying vigilant, keeping your cell phone fully charged and letting people know your plans ahead of time.

Ireland is one of the safest LGBTQ+ countries to visit (Dublin has a big statue of Oscar Wilde, for starters). Like all countries, rural areas may not have such progressive views but most people will keep that to themselves. Overall, it should be smooth traveling as Irish folk are generally a sociable and friendly bunch.

First-time visitors are unlikely to be accustomed to some of the words or phrases heard by locals on a day-to-day basis (the accent alone is going to be tricky if English isn’t your first language).

Here are a few notable words and phrases to learn before you travel to avoid confusion:

What’s the craic? – What’s happening/what’s going on?

Grand – Generally used to describe when something or someone (often yourself, if asked how you’re doing) is good, decent, or ok.

The jacks – The bathroom. If you need to use the restroom, you might be told that ‘the jacks’ are over in the corner.

Eejit – One of Ireland’s best-known insult words i.e. “You big eejit!”

Locked – To be drunk, which is always on the cards in one of the world’s great drinking countries.

Yer man/yer one – That man or that woman, when telling a story about someone you’re unfamiliar with.

Larger cities should have lots of opportunities for connecting to wi-fi, whether that’s in cafes, hotels, or restaurants.

However, it’s always worth buying a data package for your phone, so you can access the internet on the go (especially if you’re using the likes of Google Maps for getting around). Rural areas can have patchier signal, so prepare ahead of time or ask locals questions if you’re struggling (they’ll often be more than willing to help).

If you’re traveling long distances or out all day, a battery pack for your phone is useful if using it regularly.

A good itinerary is key. The best way to mitigate costs (and to have a great trip in general) is to prepare well and that’s what a good itinerary will provide.  

Decide how and where you want to commit your time during your visit, and this will make things much easier and you should hit the ground running.