Ireland travel guide: where to go and how to get around
Ireland is small enough to see in a week and wet enough that you should plan for rain in every month. Dublin and Galway make the best short city break, and the coast between and beyond them is what people remember. The one thing to know is that the trains reach the cities but not much of the countryside, so decide early whether you will drive.
The short answer
- First trip
- Start in Dublin for two or three days, cross to Galway by train or bus, and use Galway as the base for the west coast.
- How long
- Four to five days for the two cities. Seven to ten days adds the south-west, the Dingle peninsula or a loop through Clare and Connemara.
- Best time to go
- May to September has the longest days and the most open. Spring and early autumn are quieter and still workable.
- Getting around
- Trains and intercity buses link the main cities. For the coast and small towns a car or a day tour is far easier.
- Money
- The euro. Cards are taken almost everywhere, with a little cash for small shops, markets and some rural pubs.
- Book ahead
- Dublin's biggest attractions in summer, the Cliffs of Moher in peak months, and a hire car or island ferry if you want one.
Best cities to visit in Ireland
Dublin
The capital: Georgian streets, big museums, a Guinness tour and a pub on most corners. It suits a first visit and anyone who wants a city with good rail and air links.
Give it 2 to 3 days
Galway
A small, walkable city on the west coast with street music, seafood and the Atlantic close by. It suits people who want a gentler pace and a base for day trips.
Give it 2 to 3 days
Beyond the cities
The Cliffs of Moher and the Burren
Sea cliffs and bare limestone in County Clare, about two hours by road from Galway. Most people go on a day tour or drive.
Connemara
Lakes, bogs and mountains northwest of Galway. It is a long day by tour or car, and public transport is thin.
The Dingle peninsula
Coast road, small villages and Irish-speaking communities in County Kerry. It is easiest with a car and worth two nights.
Cork and the south coast
Ireland's second city and a food-minded one, with trains from Dublin in under three hours, and small harbor towns nearby.
Ireland itineraries
- Five days: Dublin and Galway
Two nights in Dublin, then a train or bus west for three in Galway. Spend one of those days on the Cliffs of Moher or Connemara by tour. No car needed.
- Seven days: Dublin, Galway and Clare
Three nights in Dublin, three in Galway, and a day or an overnight in Clare for the cliffs and the Burren. Hire a car in Galway for the last leg, or join a tour.
- Ten days: Dublin, the west and Kerry
Dublin for three nights, Galway for three, then south through Clare to Kerry for four, based around Dingle. A car is close to essential after Galway.
Best time to visit Ireland
Summer, June to August, gives the longest days, the best chance of a dry afternoon and the most going on, but also the highest prices and the biggest queues at the main sights. May and September are a good balance.
Winter is mild but wet and dark early, and some rural places, island ferries and seasonal attractions cut back. Rain can arrive in any month, so pack a waterproof whenever you go.
How to get around Ireland
- TrainsIrish Rail runs the intercity lines from Dublin to Cork, Galway and other cities. They are comfortable and suit city to city travel, but they do not reach much of the coast.
- BusesIntercity coaches and Bus Éireann cover many towns the trains miss. Services thin out in the countryside and in winter, so check times before you plan around one.
- Hire carsThe best way to reach the coast and small villages. Ireland drives on the left, many roads are narrow, and automatic cars cost more and go first.
- Day toursA coach tour is the simplest way to see the Cliffs of Moher or Connemara without driving, and it removes the parking and the narrow roads.
- City transportA Leap card works on Dublin's buses, trams and DART trains, and on some buses elsewhere, but not on every longer rail journey.
What to book before you go
These are the ones that sell out across Ireland. Each city guide has its own list.
- Dublin's main attractionsa few days to weeks ahead in summer
Timed entries for the Guinness Storehouse, the Book of Kells and Kilmainham Gaol sell out in busy months.
- Cliffs of Moher ticketsa few days ahead in summer
The visitor experience sells timed slots online, with cheaper ones outside the late morning and afternoon peak.
- Hire car or island ferryseveral weeks ahead for July and August
Cars, especially automatics, and ferries to islands such as the Aran Islands are limited and weather decides the sailings.
Money, tipping and practical things
- CurrencyThe euro, in the Republic of Ireland. Northern Ireland is in the United Kingdom and uses the pound, which matters if a route crosses the border.
- Cards and cashCards and contactless are taken almost everywhere. Keep a little cash for markets, small shops and a few rural pubs.
- TippingNot required, but 10 to 15 per cent is normal in a restaurant for good service. Check the bill, because some add a service charge.
- Tourist taxesNo national tax on hotel stays was in force when we. A visitor levy has been debated, so check when you book.
- EntryIreland is in the EU but outside the Schengen area, with its own entry rules: check irishimmigration.ie for your passport before you book.
- PlugsType G, the three-pin plug used in the United Kingdom, at 230 volts. Bring an adaptor if your plugs are different.
What to skip in Ireland
- Trying to see the whole island in a week
Distances look short on a map and the roads are slow. Pick two bases and a few day trips instead.
- Driving out of Dublin on day one
The city is better on foot and by tram, and you avoid paying for a car that sits in a garage. Collect it when you leave.
- A fixed plan for outdoor days
Weather changes quickly. Keep one flexible day for the cliffs, an island or a coast walk, and swap it for a museum if it pours.
Ireland: questions people ask
How many days do you need in Ireland?
Five days covers Dublin and Galway with a day trip. Seven to ten days lets you add Clare, Kerry or the south coast without rushing. A week is enough for a first visit.
What is the best time to visit Ireland?
May to September is the best for long days and open attractions, with June to August the busiest. Spring and early autumn are quieter. Rain is possible all year.
Can you travel around Ireland without a car?
Yes, between the main cities. Trains and buses link Dublin, Galway, Cork and others, and day tours cover the Cliffs of Moher and Connemara. The small coastal villages are much easier with a car.
What are the best places to visit in Ireland for a first trip?
Dublin for the capital, Galway for the west coast, and the Cliffs of Moher and the Dingle peninsula for scenery. Those four give a good first sense of the country.
Is Ireland expensive?
Dublin hotels are among the pricier in Europe, and eating out and a hire car add up. Staying outside the capital and traveling in May or September helps. Compare prices for your dates.
Do I need a visa for Ireland?
Ireland is in the EU but outside the Schengen area, with its own entry rules: check irishimmigration.ie for your passport before you book.
Is Northern Ireland part of the same trip?
It is a different country with a different currency and its own entry arrangements, though the border is open. This guide covers the Republic of Ireland only.