Money and payments
Cards and cash
Stand-alone cash machines (ATMs) are widely available in every city and town in the country and credit cards are accepted most outlets.
Tipping
Tipping is not a general habit in Ireland.
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Europe · Northern EuropeUsable guideCountry in Northwestern Europe
Photo: Modified from Image:Ei-map.png by User:Hipi Zhdripi., Public domain via Wikimedia Commons
Ireland (Irish: Éire), also known as the Republic of Ireland (Irish: Poblacht na hÉireann), has a rich culture that, along with its people, has been exported around the world. Some Irish history has been very dark indeed, but it remains a land of poets, story-tellers, and musicians, with marvellous scenery, an advanced knowledge economy, first-rate infrastructure, and leading industries, with a high gross domestic product and standard of living. Ireland has historically been referred to as ‘The Land of Saints and Scholars’, reflecting its long standing religious affinities as well as its many contributions to the fields of poetry and literature.
Answers to what travellers most often look up about Ireland.
Cards and cash
Stand-alone cash machines (ATMs) are widely available in every city and town in the country and credit cards are accepted most outlets.
Tipping
Tipping is not a general habit in Ireland.
Dublin has great coverage including 5G.
Mobile networks
Tap water is generally drinkable.
Tap water is generally drinkable. In some buildings you should avoid drinking water from bathroom sinks, which may be recycled or drawn from cisterns.
Covered in the guide
In general, the Irish are incredibly welcoming, friendly, upbeat, and approachable. Telling stories, jokes or being witty is very common.
Attractions, food, stays and travel essentials, with ratings, reviews, opening hours and directions.
Dublin (Irish: Baile Átha Cliath, "Town of the Hurdled Ford") is the capital city of Ireland. Its vibrancy, nightlife and tourist attractions are world renowned and it's the most popular entry point for international visitors to Ireland.
the country's second biggest city — on the banks of the River Lee. Founded c.600 by St Finbarre and known for great food (especially seafood), pubs, shopping and festivals. If you venture outside of the city along the coastline which borders the Atlantic Ocean, you will find long windy beaches, beautiful villages with history, castles and an array of outdoor activities.
Galway (Irish: Gaillimh) is the county town of County Galway on the west coast of Ireland. It's Ireland's fourth-largest city, with a population in 2024 of 85,000, but its historic centre on the east bank of the River Corrib is compact.
Possibly, the most popular tourist destination in Ireland. A pleasant town in its own right, it is also the start of most Ring of Kerry trips.
attractive medieval town, known as the Marble City — home to the Cat Laughs Comedy Festival, held annually in early June.
Main town in County Donegal, designated gateway status and reputed to be the fastest growing town in Europe. Good base for travelling in Donegal.
Limerick (Luimneach) is a city in County Limerick in the Shannon Region of Ireland, with a population of about 102,000 in 2022. It's a miniature Dublin with its Georgian streets, historic sights, and many visitor amenities, and is a good base for visiting its surrounding county plus County Clare and County Tipperary.
the poet WB Yeats was inspired by its landscape of limestone scarps, prehistoric megaliths and ancient legends, and so will you.
Brú na Bóinne (meaning "Palace of the Boyne") is a remarkable complex of Neolithic chamber tombs, standing stones, henges and other prehistoric structures. It's by the banks of the River Boyne in County Meath, 40 km north of Dublin and 8 km west of Drogheda.
Glendalough is a medieval monastery complex in County Wicklow in Ireland, 40 km south of Dublin. It's set in a deep scenic valley which is within the Wicklow Mountains National Park and has been protected from development.
County Donegal (Contae Dhún na nGall) is in Northwest Ireland and Lakelands Region and is the northernmost county in Ireland, stretching further north than any part of Northern Ireland. It's a large county but mostly hill and forest, with a population in 2022 of 167,000.
The Burren (Boireann, "great rock") is a large area of northern County Clare, in the west of Ireland, with karst landscape - a great bare limestone sheet sculpted by water action. Part of it is The Burren National Park, and part is The Burren and Cliffs of Moher Geopark.
The Aran Islands (Oileáin Árann) are three islands in County Galway in the west of Ireland. They have stark treeless scenery of barren limestone which makes the green of their fields and heathland shine all the brighter.
Dingle (An Daingean or Daingean Uí Chúis) is the only sizable town on the Dingle Peninsula in County Kerry, some 50 km southwest of Tralee. With a population in 2022 of 1700, it has a colourful town centre and fishing harbour.
Skellig Michael (Sceilig Mhichíl) or "Great Skellig" is a small uninhabited island 12 km off the coast of County Kerry in southwest Ireland. Its twin crags, rising to 218 m (714 ft), have the remains of an ancient monastery perched above an often-roiling sea.
Places in Ireland on the World Heritage List.
List from Wikidata (CC0). Photos from Wikimedia Commons.
The Irish heartland, home to the capital and vibrant metropolis of Dublin.
County Dublin, County Kildare, County Laois, County Longford, County Louth, County Meath, County Offaly, County Westmeath, County Wicklow
A region often visited for its castles and the awe-inspiring Cliffs of Moher.
A scenic and rainy section of Ireland with a beautiful coast and popular Ring of Kerry and Blarney Castle.
Ireland's least populous region, home to the Irish "Cultural Capital" of Galway and the beautiful Aran Islands.
A region that is growing in tourism activity and has a lot to offer by way of natural beauty.
County Cavan, County Donegal, County Leitrim, County Monaghan, County Sligo
A rather cosmopolitan section of Ireland, famous for its Waterford crystal.
County Carlow, County Kilkenny, County Waterford, County Wexford
Public transport and paid services in Ireland.
By train
Rail travel in Ireland is quick, comfortable and inexpensive, but the network is limited.
By bus
Bus is the predominant form of public transport across Ireland.
By boat
By taxi
Taxis are nationally regulated and you pay the same fare stuck in Dublin traffic trying to reach the airport as you do up a back lane in Connemara.
By plane
Ireland is small enough to be traversed by road and rail in a few hours, so there are few flights within the Republic, and none to Northern Ireland.
Apps for booking a taxi or a ride in Ireland.
Finding apps for Ireland…
Other ways to travel:By bicycleOnly in Ireland
Operators checked against their official websites in October 2026; services that have stopped running are not listed. Logos and Wikipedia links: Wikidata (CC0)
Choose an airport to see hotels, stations, taxi ranks and car rental desks around it.
Dublin · International · DUB
Loading places around the airport…
Calculated from climate averages: mild daytime highs and lower rainfall. It does not account for festivals, crowds or prices.
Average conditions in Dublin
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Avg. high | 8° | 8° | 9° | 11° | 14° | 16° | 18° | 18° | 16° | 13° | 10° | 8° |
| Avg. low | 4° | 4° | 4° | 6° | 8° | 11° | 12° | 12° | 11° | 9° | 7° | 5° |
| Rainfall (mm) | 86 | 70 | 70 | 61 | 67 | 76 | 80 | 91 | 76 | 102 | 106 | 97 |
| Humidity | 91% | 90% | 88% | 86% | 84% | 84% | 85% | 86% | 87% | 88% | 90% | 91% |
Choose your passport and destination to see whether you need a visa.
Budget
$90
Per person, per day
Mid-range
$255
Per person, per day
Luxury
$670
Per person, per day
| Budget | Mid-range | Luxury | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Accommodation | $45 | $140 | $385 |
| Food and drink | $25 | $60 | $145 |
| Local transport | $10 | $25 | $60 |
| Activities | $10 | $30 | $80 |
Estimate from World Bank price levels (2025). Actual costs vary by city and season. World Bank
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We do not label countries as safe or unsafe. Below is the official advice from two governments, with the date it was last updated. Always read the full advice before you travel.
US Department of State
Level 1 of 4Exercise normal precautions
Exercise normal precautionin Ireland. Ireland is generally a safe destination for travelers. Travelers should remain vigilant as petty crime is common, especially in popular tourist locations. Stay aware of your surroundings. Most crimes against foreigners are crimes of opportunity, like purse snatching and pickpocketing. Large-scale demonstrations related to the local political situation may occur with little notice. Demonstrations may disrupt transportation and other essential services.
UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office
No advice against travel. Read the full advice before you go.
Before you travel No travel can be guaranteed safe. Read all the advice in this guide. You may also find it helpful to: see general advice for women travellers read our guide on disability and travel abroad see general advice for LGBT+ travellers read about safety for solo and independent travel see advice on volunteering and adventure travel abroad Travel insurance If you choose to travel, research your destinations and get appropriate travel insurance. Insurance should cover your itinerary, planned activities and expenses in an emergency. About FCDO travel advice The Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) provides advice about risks of travel to help you make informed decisions. Find out more about FCDO travel advice. Get travel advice updates Sign up to get email notifications when this advice is updated. Follow FCDO: travel advice on X travel advice on Facebook Travel Aware on Instagram
Stories, itineraries and practical advice for travelling in Ireland.
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Food & drinkBritish and Irish cuisine had a reputation for bland food such as dry roast meat with soft-boiled vegetables from the post-war era until the 1990s.
Wikivoyage
Culture & historyBritain and Ireland have a rich heritage of music, from folk songs, through classical music, to pop genres such as rock, grime, and electronic music.
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Travel tipsIreland's rail network fans out from Dublin and Belfast to almost all the major cities and towns on the island. It's a relatively small, diesel-hauled network, but quick, comfortable and inexpensive, so it's a great way…
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