How to Get Around Ireland

Getting Around

Getting in. Dublin is the main airport, with Shannon and Cork useful for the west and south and Knock for the north-west. Ferries run from Britain and France to Dublin, Rosslare and Cork.

Driving is the way to see the country. Public transport does not reach most of what people come for. Drive on the left, note that rural roads are narrow with stone walls and no verge, and that the speed limits shown are optimistic for the conditions. Automatic hire cars are scarce and need booking well ahead.

Trains. Irish Rail runs radially from Dublin to Cork, Galway, Limerick, Sligo, Belfast and Waterford. Fast and comfortable on those lines, and almost useless for going between two provincial towns.

Buses. Bus Eireann and private operators cover far more of the country than the railways, including many villages, though timetables on rural routes can mean one or two services a day.

In Dublin. Luas trams, DART trains along the coast and buses, all on the Leap card. The city centre is walkable.

Verified against UK Government (GOV.UK; FCDO travel advice abroad), September 2026.

Entry, and why Ireland is the exception

Although Ireland is in the EU, it is not part of the Schengen area, and Schengen rules do not apply. That has two consequences worth planning around. Days spent in Ireland do not count against a Schengen 90-in-180 allowance, and Ireland is not affected by the Entry/Exit System introduced across Schengen from 12 October 2025 — there is no biometric registration on arrival here. British nationals are not legally required to show a passport at all, travelling freely under the Common Travel Area, and may live, work or study without a visa or residency permit; but airlines and ferry operators increasingly require a passport as the only acceptable ID, so check your carrier rather than the law. Irish immigration officers may still ask for proof of British nationality. For other visitors, tourist and business stays of up to 90 days need no visa.

Public transport fares

The TFI Leap Card is the thing to get: it is up to 30 per cent cheaper than cash single fares, works as pay-as-you-go on top-up, and is cheaper than cash on town services as well as in the cities. Holders of a Young Adult (19–25) or Student Leap Card pay a flat €1.00 and get 50 per cent off. Fares are published per county.

Driving and rural roads

Road conditions and road safety are generally good, but some roads are uneven, narrow and winding, particularly in rural areas, and become hazardous in severe weather — reduce speed on narrow country roads and take care entering a roundabout. Carry an International Driving Permit; a non-EU licence is valid for up to 12 months, after which an Irish one is required. Car theft and break-ins happen particularly in tourist areas in and around Dublin, and rental vehicles are a target of choice: park in secure facilities overnight, keep belongings out of sight, and leave nothing in the boot.

Weather, which is the real disruption here

Ireland gets seasonal storms, windstorms and severe weather. Heavy rain causes flooding and landslides, high winds bring down power lines, and seasonal flooding can make roads impassable and interrupt telecommunications. Check Mét Éireann before committing to a driving day, and take particular care near major rivers. If you are walking or cycling, note that trails are not always marked and conditions can change rapidly even in summer.

Money and emergencies

The currency is the euro. Declare cash or travellers cheques of €10,000 or more on the way in and keep the certified declaration — without it the money can be seized when you leave. Pickpocketing and bag-snatching target tourists at attractions, in hotels, restaurants and bars, on public transport and at airports and stations, mostly in the larger cities; you can file a preliminary theft complaint online with An Garda Síochána to speed up the station visit, and Tourist SOS and the Irish Tourist Assistance Service support victims of crime. 112 or 999 reaches ambulance, fire and police. Drug penalties are severe even for small quantities including cannabis, and that applies in airport transit.

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Sources & verification Covers the sourced claims on this page.

Checked against UK Government (GOV.UK; FCDO travel advice abroad) — Ireland is in the EU but not in Schengen, so Schengen rules do not apply and the Entry/Exit System introduced from 12 October 2025 does not cover it, British nationals need no passport to enter under the Common Travel Area, but carriers increasingly require one as the only acceptable ID, Ireland is in the EU but not in Schengen, so Schengen rules do not apply and the Entry/Exit System introduced from 12 October 2025 does not cover it, British nationals need no passport to enter under the Common Travel Area, but carriers increasingly require one as the only acceptable ID (September 2026).
Checked against TFI Leap Card (National Transport Authority) — The TFI Leap Card is up to 30 per cent cheaper than cash single fares and works as pay-as-you-go on top-up, including on town services, The TFI Leap Card is up to 30 per cent cheaper than cash single fares and works as pay-as-you-go on top-up, including on town services (September 2026).
Checked against Global Affairs Canada — Road conditions are generally good but rural roads are uneven, narrow and winding and hazardous in severe weather, A non-EU licence is valid for up to 12 months and an International Driving Permit should be carried, Seasonal storms and flooding can make roads impassable, damage power lines and disrupt telecommunications, Road conditions are generally good but rural roads are uneven, narrow and winding and hazardous in severe weather, A non-EU licence is valid for up to 12 months and an International Driving Permit should be carried, Seasonal storms and flooding can make roads impassable, damage power lines and disrupt telecommunications (September 2026).