Ireland Travel Guide: Essential Tips for Exploring

Ireland is a lovely green country in northwest Europe. It is an island located off the coast of Ireland, separated from the United Kingdom by the Irish Sea. It has a population of 6.4 million people. The capital city of Dublin had a population of 1.273 million. Despite its modest size, Ireland provides visitors with an abundance of top-notch attractions. But I’m sure that I’ll be able to advise you with the travel options within the country.

1.Getting around by Car

I strongly advise you to consider a self-drive trip because it is the most convenient way to see Ireland. I understand, however, that driving on the opposite side of the road can be daunting. Take into account all elements and continue in the manner that is most beneficial to you! The distance between North and South is only 300 miles, and the distance between East and West is only 150 miles. With a rental car, you can cover a lot of ground in only a few days. Some of the country’s most popular sights, such as the Wild Atlantic Way and the Ring of Kerry, are best experienced at your own leisure, with you in control.

Car Rental

In Ireland, renting a car is pretty standard. Although rental firms normally have a modest number of automatics available, the majority of rental cars are manual/stick shift. It’s best to make your reservation as soon as possible to ensure that you get the car you desire. Cars come in a variety of sizes, from compact, economical versions to SUVs and luxury vehicles. Keep in mind that city streets and country roads in Ireland may be fairly narrow, and parking places in public lots are famously limited, so unless you truly need the extra space, you might want to reconsider the Land Rover and settle for something a little more compact.

Car rental rules and regulations are similar to those in other European countries and the United States, with two notable exceptions. Most rental automobile firms in the Republic will refuse to rent to you if you are under the age of 25 or beyond the age of 74 , or if your driver’s licence has been valid for less than a year. In the Republic of Ireland, all distances and speed restrictions on road signs are in kilometre. But in Northern Ireland, they are in miles. If you’re travelling across the borders, keep in mind that the border isn’t signposted. So you could accidentally cross from one side to the other. It’s easy to become disoriented and speed up unintentionally.

All car rental outlets provide insurance, which is standard in terms of coverage level. Only diesel and unleaded petrol (gas) are available; at petrol stations, the green handle signifies unleaded, while the black handle represents diesel.

Parking

When I think about driving in a city, the first thing that springs to mind is “where can I park my car.”

Parking is readily available in all major towns and cities, with both covered and open short-stay parking lots clearly marked. On-street parking is normally paid for with ‘pay and display’ tickets obtained from machines on the street or by disc parking.

Hourly rates range from €1.50 to €6; all-day parking at a car park will set you back around €25.
Restrictions are indicated by yellow lines (single or double) along the road’s side. Double yellow lines indicate that parking is prohibited at all times. Always keep an eye out for the adjacent sign that specifies when you are permitted to park and when you are not.

Also read : Amazing Scenic Drives in Ireland

2. Getting around by Train

It is not advisable to rely only on trains to move about Ireland, as rail travel to all sections of the nation is not possible. Trains, on the other hand, serve most major hubs and are a fantastic way to see the nation, especially on longer excursions, while buses may carry you from big train stations to smaller towns if you don’t want to rent a car in between train rides. Traveling by train is the quickest way to get around the country. The train services in Ireland are operated by Iarnród Éireann (Irish Rail). The majority of lines branch out from Dublin to other major cities and towns. Cork is around 2 1/2 hours from Dublin; Belfast is just over 2 hours; Galway is just under 2 1/2 hours; Killarney is 3 1/4 hours; Sligo is 3 hours, and Waterford is about 2 1/4 hours.

Rail Pass

Rail travel costs can quickly add up, but there are methods to cut costs. Whenever possible, make a reservation ahead of time. The disadvantage of booking this approach is that you must specify travel hours; however, Irish Rail has a convenient policy of allowing you to upgrade a pre-booked ticket to something more flexible for just €10. If you plan on spending a lot of time on public transit, you should seriously consider purchasing a discount pass.

The Eurail Pass allows you to travel between France and Ireland on trains, expressway coaches, and Irish Continental Lines ships. They range in price from €159 for a three-day pass to €296 for an eight-day permit. (Days don’t have to be consecutive if they’re used within a month.) There are also youth (ages 16–25), family, and first-class passes available. The passes are good for the whole of Ireland (including Northern Ireland). You can also purchase Eurail passes, which allow you to travel across up to 28 European countries.

3. Getting around by Bus

Bus Éireann provides a comprehensive network of express and local bus services to practically every town in Ireland. Timetables and rates for bus service across Ireland can be found on the Bus Éireann website. Translink, meanwhile, provides comprehensive information on services in Northern Ireland. Bus travel is inexpensive, dependable, and comfortable in both countries—but it is also slow.

Traveling throughout Ireland by bus is undoubtedly the most convenient and cost-effective mode of transportation. Bus travel is fairly economical for long-distance travel, and tickets may be ordered in advance through BusEireann. All major cities have bus links, for example. Buses are dependable and comfortable, and the majority of them include free Wi-Fi. Local bus transportation, on the other hand, is a different story. Intercity bus services are notorious for frequent delays and bus breakdowns, but if you’re on a budget and don’t mind being late, they’re still a cheap method to move across a metro area. You must wave at the bus driver as the vehicle approaches to catch a bus; buses will not stop just because there are people waiting.

Well there it is, all the modes of transports that are essential for you if you’re planning on a trip to Ireland and how to get about inside the country. Check here for some amazing tour packages at Pickyourtrail.

Also read: Ireland Travel Guide – All You Need To Know Before Visiting This Country