Ireland is two countries on one island. The Republic of Ireland (26 counties) is an EU member using the euro. Northern Ireland (6 counties) is part of the UK using the pound. There is no border check — you can drive across without stopping — but everything from prices to speed limit signs changes the moment you cross. Here's what you need to know for a trip in 2026.
Visa and entry
EU/EEA and Swiss citizens — enter freely, no passport needed for Republic of Ireland (national ID card fine). For Northern Ireland (UK), passport required post-Brexit.
UK citizens — no visa needed for Republic (Common Travel Area agreement). Passport not legally required at Dublin Airport for UK arrivals but airlines require photo ID.
USA, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Japan — no visa for tourism up to 90 days. Passport must be valid 6 months beyond travel dates.
Other nationalities — check dfa.ie for Republic and gov.uk for Northern Ireland. A Republic of Ireland visa is not valid for Northern Ireland (and vice versa). The British-Irish Visa Scheme (BIVS) covers Chinese and Indian nationals only.
Currency
Republic uses the euro (€). Northern Ireland uses the pound sterling (£).
In border towns you'll sometimes see both accepted at a bad rate — just use the local currency. ATMs are everywhere, contactless is universal, and even rural pubs take Apple Pay.
Tipping
Restaurants: 10% is standard for good service. Many restaurants include a service charge for tables of 6+; check the bill.
Pubs: no tipping for drinks. Occasionally a food tip if you're eating pub food.
Taxis: round up, or 10% for a longer journey.
Hotels: €1-2 per bag for porters. Tour guides: €5-10 per person for half-day.
Weather — expect rain
Ireland gets a lot of rain. Not necessarily heavy rain, but frequent — a passing shower, then sun, then a shower again. This is why the country is so green. Average annual rainfall on the west coast is 1,200-2,000 mm. Dublin is drier (800 mm) but grey.
Temperature range: winter 4-9°C (very rarely below freezing), summer 15-20°C (rarely above 25°C). The Gulf Stream keeps the climate mild.
Best months: May, June and September have the best combination of warmth, daylight and lower rainfall. Peak season July-August is busy and often wet. Winter (November-February) has short days but hotel prices drop 40%.
Layering. Waterproof jacket. Layers. Always assume you'll need rain gear.
Transport — city
Dublin: LEAP card works on Dublin Bus, Luas trams, DART commuter train, and Airlink 747 airport bus. €19.50 for a 72-hour Visitor Card, buy at the airport. Individual fares are more expensive.
Cork, Galway, Limerick, Waterford: buses only in the city, LEAP card also works.
Belfast: uses the Translink Metrolink system. iLink card equivalent.
Uber barely operates in Ireland — use Free Now app or ring a local taxi.
Transport — intercity
Irish Rail (Iarnród Éireann) — reasonable service. Dublin-Cork 2h 30min, Dublin-Galway 2h 30min, Dublin-Belfast 2h 20min. Book online for cheaper Advance fares (€10-15 for shorter journeys). Weekend and holiday services are reduced.
Bus Éireann — the state bus company covers the whole country. Slower than trains but cheaper and reaches smaller towns.
Aircoach and GoBus private coaches (Dublin-Cork-Galway) are often better than trains. Rural transport is patchy — most villages have one or two buses a day, so for genuine rural travel you need a car.
Driving
Ireland drives on the left. If you're not used to it, an automatic rental is safer.
Roads: motorways (M-roads) are good. National roads (N-roads) are variable — often single-carriageway but well-maintained. Regional (R-roads) are narrow but paved. Local (L-roads) are what tourists call boreens — one lane, high hedges, occasional passing places. Speed limits are posted in km/h (Republic) or mph (Northern Ireland).
Toll roads: several around Dublin. The M50 uses a barrier-free electronic system — you pay online within 24 hours at eflow.ie (€3.50 per crossing) or your rental car company will charge you a fee.
Fuel: petrol around €1.75/litre in Republic, £1.55/litre in Northern Ireland (2026 prices). Called "petrol" not "gas."
Alcohol: 50 mg/100 ml blood alcohol limit in Republic (lower than most of Europe). Around one small drink. Do not drink and drive.
Health and emergencies
Emergency number: 112 or 999 (both work, both free). Police (Garda Síochána in Republic, PSNI in NI), ambulance, fire brigade.
Pharmacies are called "chemists." Boots and Hickeys are the big chains. Most towns have late-night rota chemists.
Hospitals: EU citizens use EHIC/GHIC card for free/reduced treatment. Non-EU need travel insurance. A GP visit is €50-60 in Republic.
Tap water is safe everywhere in Ireland.
Language and electricity
English is universal; Irish (Gaeilge) is the first official language, on all road signs, and spoken daily in Gaeltacht regions. Plugs are three-pin UK-style (type G, 230V) — continental Europeans and North Americans need an adapter.
Same plug as UK (three-pin, type G). 230V. Bring an adapter if you're from continental Europe or North America.
Internet and phones
Free public wifi in most cafés, hotels and pubs. Mobile coverage is excellent in cities and along main roads; patchy in remote west coast areas.
SIM cards from Three, Vodafone or Eir — around €20 for 30GB. EU roaming applies (free for EU visitors); UK visitors sometimes charged since Brexit.