Details

Trip Notes & Expectations

ACCOMMODATION

The hotels and guesthouses on this trip are chosen for their comfort and central location, allowing easy access to shops and restaurants. However, they can vary in style and amenities. Some accommodations may be smaller with limited features, and some, like smaller guesthouses, may not have elevators. Beds may be two singles pushed together, rather than a single large bed. Important: Single room accommodations in European hotels are often smaller, and may not be to the same service level as double-occupancy rooms.

TRANSPORTATION

This trip is fast-paced and covers a lot of ground. Be prepared for a significant amount of time spent on the bus. It's an excellent way to see the country, but the journeys can be long. The schedule is structured, and it's essential for everyone to be punctual to ensure the group stays on track.

ACTIVITY LEVEL & PACE

This trip includes light walking and optional moderate hiking that is suitable for most fitness levels. The hike on the Cliffs of Moher can be difficult for some people, but you don't have to do the whole hike if you let your tour leader know in advance. It also can be muddy, so boots are handy there. We recommend always carrying snacks with you. Meals can sometimes be far apart.

ACTIVITY COSTS & CURRENCY

While the itinerary includes several activities, it's important to know that many "en-route" stops and popular optional activities require a separate payment. Be sure to have both Euros for the Republic of Ireland and British Pounds Sterling for Northern Ireland, as some places, like small villages or family-run businesses, may not accept cards. Past travelers have recommended bringing at least €250 in cash for tips, food, and these on-the-spot purchases.

WEATHER & PACKING

Ireland's weather can be unpredictable. You should expect rain, often on a daily basis. Pack layers, as temperatures can fluctuate, and be sure to bring a waterproof jacket and comfortable, sturdy walking shoes for the often-hilly and uneven cobblestone streets. While some hotels have laundry facilities, it can be difficult to find time to do laundry during the trip, so plan accordingly.

GROUP LEADER

All GEEO programs are led by a G Adventures Chief Experience Officer (CEO), whose role is to take the hassle out of travel and help you get the most from your trip. They’ll share information about the places you visit, suggest activities and restaurants, and introduce you to our local friends. While not traditional guides, CEOs have broad knowledge of the region’s history, culture, and daily life. On some excursions, local guides are used for deeper insight.

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PROGRAM DETAILS

Single Travelers

Traveling solo? You’re in good company—about half of our participants do the same. Shared room by default. The program fee covers one person in a twin room. We’ll pair you with a roommate of the same gender if you don’t have a travel companion. Want a private room? Most trips offer a “My Own Room” (single-supplement) upgrade. Check the price in the Extra Services section, then email travel@geeo.org to reserve it. You pay the single-supplement only if you request it.

Emergency Contacts

Should you need to contact G Adventures during a situation of dire need, it is best to first call their local G Adventures office. If for any reason you do not receive an immediate answer, please leave a detailed message and contact information so they may return your call and assist you as soon as possible. EMERGENCY CONTACT NUMBERS: G Adventures UK office (9:00 a.m.-5:30 p.m.): +44 20 7243 9870 For absolute emergencies after office hours, please contact +44 1858378000 If you are unable for any reason to contact the local office, please call the numbers listed below, which will connect you directly with the 24-hour Sales team, who will happily assist you. Toll-free, North America only: 1 888 800 4100 Calls from UK: 0344 272 0000 Calls from Germany: 0800 365 1000 Calls from Australia: 1300 796 618 Calls from New Zealand: 0800 333 307 Outside North America, Australia, New Zealand, Germany and the UK: +1 416 260 0999

Packing List

See our blog post of staff-recommended gear to help you pack for your upcoming travels. You must be able to carry your own luggage—up stairs, on and off of transport, and during 15 to 20 minute walks. Bring one small or medium backpack or rolling bag (22-30lb) and one daypack for daily items. Space is limited on transportation, so oversized bags cannot travel. As you prepare your packing list, we recommend checking average weather conditions for your destination on a site like Weather Spark for the time of year you will be traveling. *Laundry: We recommend bringing enough clothes so you don't have to do laundry during the trip. You won't be sweating much, so it should be pretty easy. Laundry facilities may be offered by some hotels for a fee. You can also use a local laundromat, if necessary.

Passports and Visas

Travelers are responsible for securing all required travel documents and meeting the entry requirements for every country on their itinerary, including applicable transit/layover countries. 

• → Read GEEO's Guidance for Europe (detailed instructions with official links and resources)

PASSPORT  All travelers must have a passport valid for at least 6 months beyond your trip dates with enough blank pages for stamps. Need to apply or renew? Start here. ENTRY/VISA REQUIREMENTS  Visa rules change frequently—always verify the latest requirements on the U.S. State Department Country Information Pages. Non-U.S. passport holders should verify requirements with your country's official government resources. Use the tool below to see entry requirements for your specific itinerary.  Entry information below is provided by Sherpa, a third-party service and trusted G Adventures partner. You must search each of your destination countries separately; “Add connection” solely searches transit visa requirements. Additional fees apply if you choose to purchase any services through Sherpa.

Money Exchange

Currency:Ireland is part of the Eurozone and uses the common currency, the euro (EUR), while Northern Ireland uses the British pound (GBP). For current exchange rates, visit www.xe.com. Credit/Debit Cards: Credit cards (especially Visa and Mastercard) are accepted at many hotels, shops, and restaurants, but not everywhere. Some vendors may also charge an international transaction fee, so check with your bank before you travel. Cash: For small purchases, tipping, or places that don’t take cards, we recommend using ATMs to withdraw local currency while traveling. If you bring U.S. dollars to exchange, the bills must be new, unmarked, and in excellent condition—damaged or older notes are often rejected. Emergency Funds: Bring at least $200 USD (or the equivalent in local currency) in cash for emergencies in case of ATM or card issues. Always carry more rather than less to avoid feeling short of funds while traveling. See the Estimated Trip Costs section at the bottom of this page for budgeting guidance. For more advice, see our post, Smart Travel Finances: Your Guide to Money, ATMs, Fees, and Safety Abroad

Tipping

Tipping is optional but appreciated and goes a long way for the people who look after you on the trip. If you are happy with the service, use these ballpark amounts and adjust as you see fit: - Service providers/Waiters: €1-2 EUR for snacks or 10% of the bill. - Local guides and drivers: €3-5 EUR per person per day. - G Adventures tour leader (CEO): €30-40 EUR per person per week. (We suggest pooling contributions in an envelope and presenting it as a group) Tipping Kitty: On some trips, your CEO may suggest a “tipping kitty” where everyone contributes at the start of the tour, and the CEO uses that pooled amount to tip service providers for the group as a whole (not including your CEO). If your CEO doesn’t mention it and you’d like to use a kitty, we recommend asking about it early in the trip. Your CEO will advise the suggested amount and preferred currency for the kitty.

Flights

Wait for official trip confirmation via email from GEEO before booking your flights. Prices tend to be lowest 90–120 days out, but that window varies by route and year. Neither GEEO nor G Adventures bear responsibility for any flights purchased before the trip is confirmed. This program begins in Dublin and ends in Belfast. Check the itinerary for the required arrival date. Aim to arrive no later than mid-afternoon for the 6 p.m. Day-1 welcome meeting, and consider arriving a day or two early to buffer flight delays and see more of Dublin. You can depart from Belfast at any time on the final day of the trip, or stay later to see more of the city. If you booked a round-trip flight to Dublin, there are convenient and affordable transfer options from Belfast to Dublin, including direct trains to Dublin Connolly station with Irish Rail (2-2.25 hrs) or buses with DublinExpress, Aircoach, and Translink.

Plugs and Converters

Ireland and Northern Ireland use British-style Type G plugs and the voltage is 220-240V. To use your electronics safely, you’ll need to consider: 1. Adapter (plug shape) Adapts your U.S. plug to fit Ireland’s sockets. PLACE RECOMMENDATION. See our recommended all-in-one travel adapter in our Gear Recommendations post. 2. Converter / transformer (voltage) Steps Ireland’s higher voltage down to the U.S. 120 V for appliances that can’t handle higher voltage. How to know which you need: Look at the fine print on the plug or power brick. An “Input 100-240 V” means the device is dual-voltage and works worldwide with only an adapter—phones, laptops, and most camera chargers fall into this category. If the label shows “Input 120 V” (hair dryers, curling irons, some shavers), it could be damaged on high voltage. Pack both an adapter and a travel voltage converter. Converters are inexpensive and sold online or in the travel aisle of many stores.

Weather

Irish weather can be unpredictable, so the Irish like to discuss it. The warmest months of the year are July and August, when you will get about 18 hrs of daylight and it gets dark only after 11:00 p.m. Hence the well-worn phrase in Ireland: "Sure, there's a grand stretch in the evenings." Even at the peak of summer, it is still quite mild, with highs typically in the 60s F and lows in the 50s F. You will almost surely get some rain showers during your trip, but they don't tend to last too long.

Advice From Past Participants

"The weather is unpredictable. Dress in layers. Bring a coat so you won't get sick. You'll probably wear it every day. Always carry an umbrella and/or a waterproof jacket. It's definitely worth hiking the Cliffs of Moher. Irish pub music is fun!" "In Ireland, they like CASH, especially for food, and many places were reluctant to take credit cards. Most people came expecting to use credit cards for their meals. Also, most purchases had a value-added tax of about 20%, which you could try and recoup later if you asked the merchant for a form (a big pain)." "Most travelers brought very small suitcases or duffel bags. I had a medium/large suitcase, which was not a problem since we did not need to carry it often. However, I don't think several suitcases of that size would have fit on our bus. "This was made pretty clear on your website, but you need sturdy shoes most days. The Cliffs of Moher path is slippery when wet, and there were some hills to walk up during stops along the Ring of Kerry." "All but one hotel had soap provided and all but one had a blow dryer provided."