Travelling to Ireland for the First Time? Then This Guide Will Help You

If you want to travel to Ireland then there are some things that you need to know first. If you want to find out more or if you want to try and make sure that you are not going to miss out on any of the big sights, then take a look below.

There’s a Different Currency in Northern Ireland

Most people know that Northern Ireland and Ireland are two different countries. If you happen to travel across the border then you should know that Northern Ireland uses the pound, and not the Euro. International bank cards work fine in chip and pin machines, so it won’t make a difference to your travel experience but if you are planning to shop then you may want to get your currency converted. If you do this, you will be able to save money while also getting more bang for your buck in general.

Source: Pexels (CC0 License)

Shopping Tax-Free

If you are coming from outside the EU, then you will be entitled to tax-free shopping. If you apply for a card, then you can swipe it in various locations and claim tax back. This service even comes with a tax-free shopping app and this means that you can register your card before locating the various affiliated outlets. You can also track your purchases as well, so make sure that you keep this in mind.

Rent a Car

Most Irish sights can be taken in if you simply use public transport. That being said, it is worth trying to rent a car. This will help you to get off the beaten track and it will also help you to see everything you want to see. You should take note that people in Ireland drive on the left, which is the opposite of the US. It’s also worth noting that country roads tend to be very windy, and locals tend to speed down them as well, so stay away from them if you are a nervous driver.

Check Your Baggage

Ryanair, the Irish budget airline is known for providing very low fares if you want to fly around Europe. They are also known for placing regulations on heavy baggage too. If you are going through Ryanair then you will only be able to take one cabin bag, which can weigh up to 10kg. You can take a small bag or handbag on top of this, though. If you are travelling out of Ireland then you would need to file an Irish passport application so remember that.

Tipping

Ireland doesn’t seem to have the same tipping culture as other countries, but there are certain services that you will need to tip for. If you go to a restaurant with a table service, then it is very normal for you to tip around 12%. If you get given a spectacular service, then you will want to tip even more. Taxi drivers tend to be tipped around 10%, but this is at your discretion. You are not expected to tip them, but if you feel as though they have gone the extra mile then make the call at the time.

                           

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Tracy Kiss

Social influencer, Bodybuilder, Mother, Vegan
London, UK

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