[takeaways] • Ireland drives on the left, and rural roads — especially along the Wild Atlantic Way — can be narrow and winding, so take extra care.
• The Gardaí, fire, and ambulance services can all be reached on 999 or 112.
• The TFI Leap Card is the easiest way to save money on trains and buses between cities like Dublin, Galway, and Cork.
• Ireland uses the Euro, and cards are widely accepted, though it's worth carrying some cash for rural villages.
• The best time to visit is the shoulder seasons — April to May and September to October — for milder weather, smaller crowds, and lower costs.
• An Ireland eSIM keeps you connected the moment you land, without hunting for WiFi or a local SIM card. [/takeaways]
Ireland is one of the greenest, friendliest countries in Europe — there's little wonder why so many people visit the capital of Dublin and travel from coast to coast every year. However, if it's your first time exploring the Emerald Isle, traveling here might seem daunting — especially if you're heading here from the other side of the globe!
In this guide, we break down some essential Ireland travel tips, ideal for helping first-time visitors to make the most of their Irish adventures. Learn about how to get around, how to stay safe, and what etiquette and custom tips you should keep in mind.
Essential travel tips for Ireland
As with our other travel tips guides here at SIMOVO, we've broken our Ireland travel tips into four key sections — getting around, safety, money, and local customs. Keep in mind that these are tips that apply generally to an Ireland trip, meaning that local customs and expectations might differ!
One thing that's universal, of course, is making sure you have an Ireland eSIM loaded to your phone ready to go when you land. It's the best way to keep control of roaming costs and to ensure you're connected to the best available mobile networks across the nation. And, with SIMOVO, you'll benefit from a fantastic upfront rate!
[esim flag="🇮🇪" label="Ireland" data="10GB · 30 days" price="$8.50" href="/products/ireland" benefits="Instant QR setup · Reliable 4G/5G · No contract"]Keep roaming costs under control from the moment you land in Ireland[/esim]
Let's dive into the main tips and break down everything you need to know before landing in Ireland.
Transport and getting around
If you intend to make a road trip out of your Irish vacation, remember that you'll need to stay on the left hand side of the road! Don't be too surprised if you pick up a car or van and the wheel is on a different part of the vehicle to what you're used to!
On that note, if you're driving, be careful around some of rural Ireland's narrow and winding roads, such as those you'll find across the Wild Atlantic Way. There's two-way traffic even on some seriously narrow roads, so be prepared to make a safe maneuver if you need to.
That said, Ireland is remarkably well connected thanks to its public transport system. It's easy enough to get trains between areas such as Galway, Dublin, and Cork, and it's all the cheaper thanks to the TFI Leap Card, which you can tap on and off buses and trains — and save money on adult fares.
Safety and scams to avoid
Ireland is generally considered a safe country for tourists, but, as always, common sense prevails. That means you should always be careful holding out your phone in public while walking around in case it gets snatched. This is especially the case if, for example, you're taking lots of photos or videos in a busy tourist center.
It's also a good idea to travel in groups if you need to go out at night. Neighborhood safety will vary after dark, but there's always safety in numbers — and in well-lit areas, for that matter.
[tip title="Know the emergency number"]If you need to call for emergency help at any time, the number to call across Ireland is 999 (or 112). This will put you in contact with the Gardaí, or police, as well as fire and ambulance services.[/tip] [warning]There are also several common scams to watch out for when exploring Ireland as a tourist — for example, there may be ATM skimmers out in force in city centers, so it's worth withdrawing cash from inside trusted bank branches. The broken taxi meter scam, too, can occur here — so stick to ride-hailing apps or make sure your driver's meter is clearly running before you set off.[/warning]
Money, payments, and budgeting
Ireland uses the Euro, meaning if you're traveling from elsewhere in the European Union and have some local money left over, you won't need to exchange anything. If you need to withdraw money from ATMs, again, banks are key — don't fall for expensive fees charged at airport kiosks.
Generally, the cost of a trip to Ireland depends on what you'd like to do, but there are ways to make it work on even a tight budget. Food and drink are usually affordable if you stick to supermarkets and pubs, and even souvenirs and attractions won't burn too much of a hole in your bank account.
Cards are generally accepted across the country, but if you're sticking to rural villages, make sure to have some cash to hand just in case.
Local etiquette and customs
Hilary Quinn's guide to Irish customs is a great place to start if you want to make a great impression here, and here's a quick rundown of some customs you should prioritize:
[tip title="Be ready to drink tea"]Be prepared to drink tea if you're invited to anyone's home in Ireland! Practice at home with milk and sugar, and you'll be well-versed enough to ask for your favorite brew when you arrive.[/tip] [tip title="Learn how pub 'rounds' work"]If you go drinking in an Irish pub, be prepared to order "rounds". This is where groups of people take it in turns to order and pay for drinks — for example, if it's your round, you're paying for the group, but then someone else pays next.[/tip] [tip title="Embrace 'the craic'"]Small talk is to be expected — otherwise known as "craic"! Ireland's sense of humor is often dry and teasing, so be willing to take a ribbing or two.[/tip] [warning]Never refer to Ireland as part of the UK — Ireland is an independent country, and even referring to the history between the two nations may offend some people. Keep away from politics if you are particularly concerned![/warning] [tip title="Offer a warm greeting"]Say hello to people on the street and don't be afraid to offer a firm handshake if you're meeting for the first time.[/tip]
Best time to visit
Most people tend to visit Ireland between June and August, but the best time to visit is usually between April and May and September and October. These are shoulder seasons, when the weather is mild, the crowds are manageable, and the costs are lower.
You can find out more about when to plan your perfect trip with our guide to the best time to visit Ireland.
Ireland travel planning tips
If it's your first time visiting Ireland, keep these planning tips in mind before you go.
[tip title="Sort your eSIM before you land"]Make sure you have an Ireland eSIM saved to your phone so you don't have to hunt down WiFi spots or insert a local SIM.[/tip] [tip title="Pack for changeable weather"]Pack for all seasons, because Ireland's weather is famously changeable — that said, you might be lucky enough to see some sunshine in winter, as well as rain in the summer![/tip] [tip title="Tipping isn't heavily expected"]You don't have to budget too much for tipping in Ireland. Around 10% is a good marker if you'd like to show appreciation for a nice meal out. Don't worry about tipping bartenders for each drink — just leave a few Euros to your server if they're bringing rounds to your table.[/tip] [warning]Ireland observes Sunday and Bank Holiday services, meaning that on these days, transport and some attractions may be restricted or closed off. Plan ahead by checking availability if you know you're heading here on a Bank Holiday.[/warning] [tip title="Book accommodation early"]The word going around is that hotel rooms are often scarce compared to flights here, so book your accommodations first before you work out your travel route.[/tip] [faq] [q]Does Ireland drive on the left or right?[/q] [a]Ireland drives on the left, so if you're renting a car, expect the steering wheel to be on the right-hand side of the vehicle.[/a] [q]What is the emergency number in Ireland?[/q] [a]Call 999 or 112 to reach the Gardaí (police), fire, and ambulance services anywhere in Ireland.[/a] [q]What currency does Ireland use?[/q] [a]Ireland uses the Euro. Cards are widely accepted, but it's worth carrying some cash for rural villages and smaller businesses.[/a] [q]Do I need to tip in Ireland?[/q] [a]Tipping isn't heavily expected. Around 10% is a good guide for a nice meal out, and a few Euros left with your server covers a round of drinks at the pub.[/a] [q]When is the best time to visit Ireland?[/q] [a]The shoulder seasons — April to May and September to October — offer the best balance of mild weather, manageable crowds, and lower costs.[/a] [/faq] [esim flag="🇮🇪" label="Ireland" data="10GB · 30 days" price="$8.50" href="/products/ireland" benefits="Instant QR setup · Reliable 4G/5G · No contract"]Get connected before you land in Ireland[/esim]
