Season guide
1. Best Time to Visit Ireland
Ireland has a temperate maritime climate — mild, wet and changeable year-round. There is no truly dry season, but some months are considerably more hospitable than others. The southwest (Kerry, Cork) is warmer and wetter than the east; Donegal and Connemara are the wildest and wettest. Daylight hours swing dramatically — June has up to 17 hours of daylight; December barely 8.
| Month | Avg Temp | Rainfall | Daylight | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 6–8°C | High | 8 hrs | Quiet, cold, great rates |
| February | 6–9°C | High | 10 hrs | Still quiet, days lengthening |
| March | 8–11°C | Moderate | 12 hrs | Good for hiking, fewer tourists |
| April | 9–13°C | Moderate | 14 hrs | Excellent — wildflowers, long days |
| May | 11–16°C | Low–Moderate | 16 hrs | ⭐ Best month — bright, uncrowded |
| June | 14–18°C | Low–Moderate | 17 hrs | ⭐ Peak daylight, warm, busy |
| July | 15–19°C | Moderate | 16 hrs | Peak season — most expensive |
| August | 15–19°C | Moderate | 14 hrs | Peak season — festivals |
| September | 13–16°C | Moderate | 12 hrs | ⭐ Excellent — quieter, golden light |
| October | 10–13°C | High | 10 hrs | Autumn colours, fewer tourists |
| November | 7–10°C | High | 9 hrs | Quiet, cheap rates, moody landscapes |
| December | 6–8°C | High | 8 hrs | Christmas atmosphere, expensive |
May and September offer the best value — lower hotel rates than peak summer, longer days than winter, and Ireland's most pleasant hiking conditions. Book early for May Bank Holiday weekends (first Monday in May) as popular properties fill fast.
Transport
2. How to Get Around Ireland
🚗 Hire Car (Recommended for Rural Ireland)
A hire car is essential for exploring rural Ireland — Kerry, Connemara, Donegal, Clare and the Wild Atlantic Way are not accessible by public transport to any useful degree. Book in advance, especially for June–August. Main hire companies at Dublin, Shannon, Cork and Kerry airports include Hertz, Europcar, Enterprise and Budget.
- Petrol is sold in litres; expect €1.60–1.90/litre (2026)
- Most rental cars are manual (stick shift) — request automatic in advance if needed
- Speed limits in km/h (not mph): motorways 120, national roads 100, regional roads 80, urban 50
- Toll roads operate on the M50 Dublin ring road (pay online within 24 hours via eflow.ie) and some national motorways
🚂 Train Network
Irish Rail (Iarnród Éireann) connects Dublin to Cork, Galway, Limerick, Waterford, Westport, Sligo and Tralee. Journey times: Dublin to Cork 2h35, Dublin to Galway 2h15, Dublin to Kerry 3h30+. Book via irishrail.ie. Intercity services are comfortable with WiFi.
🚌 Bus (Expressway & Local)
Bus Éireann operates the national Expressway coach network connecting all major towns. Citylink and GoBus provide competitive private services between Dublin, Galway, Cork and Limerick. Dublin city has a comprehensive bus and Luas tram network. The new BusConnects network is improving Dublin's bus routes significantly.
🏝️ Wild Atlantic Way
The 2,500km Wild Atlantic Way stretches from Donegal in the north to Kinsale in Cork — Ireland's most spectacular driving route. Allow a minimum 10 days for the full route; two weeks is more comfortable. Key sections: Donegal cliffs, Mayo's Achill Island, Connemara, Clare's Cliffs of Moher coast, Kerry's Ring and Dingle Peninsula, West Cork headlands.
Costs
3. Budget Planning for Ireland
Ireland is not a cheap destination by European standards, but it's considerably less expensive than London, Paris or Scandinavia. Dublin is the most expensive city; rural accommodation can be exceptional value.
| Category | Budget | Mid-Range | Upscale |
|---|---|---|---|
| Accommodation (per room/night) | €50–90 | €100–180 | €200–600+ |
| Breakfast (if not included) | €10–15 | €15–25 | €25–45 |
| Lunch | €10–18 | €18–30 | €30–60+ |
| Dinner (per person) | €18–30 | €30–55 | €60–150+ |
| Pint of Guinness | €5.50–7.50 (Dublin higher) | ||
| Petrol (per litre) | €1.60–1.90 | ||
| Car hire (per day) | €35–50 | €50–80 | €80–160+ |
| Attractions (per person) | €0–12 | €12–25 | €25–100+ |
Book hotels early (3+ months ahead for summer) to get the best rates. Many of Ireland's greatest attractions are free: national parks, coastal paths, ancient monuments, beaches. Use IMPT's €5 new-member credit on your first hotel booking. Book breakfast-included hotels in rural areas where restaurant options are limited.
Road guide
4. Driving in Ireland
Ireland drives on the LEFT — this is the most important thing to remember, especially at junctions and roundabouts after a long flight. The adjustment takes 10–15 minutes of concentrated driving; after that it becomes natural. Roundabouts are give-way-to-the-right and extremely common.
Road Types
- Motorways (M): Dual-carriageway, high-speed, excellent surface. M1 Dublin–Drogheda, M7/M8 Dublin–Cork, M6 Dublin–Galway.
- National Primary (N): Main connecting roads, mostly good surface. Allow for slower speeds than a sat nav suggests.
- Regional (R): Often single-track in Kerry, Connemara and Donegal. Passing places are marked with yellow diamonds. Pull in and wait for oncoming traffic if needed.
- Bóthairín (small boreens): Tiny farm roads that may not appear on maps. Often the most scenic — just don't take a wide rental car.
Key Driving Rules
- Speed limits are in km/h (not mph)
- Blood alcohol limit: 50mg/100ml (lower than UK/US; effectively zero for driving)
- Mobile phones: illegal to use while driving — use hands-free or pull over completely
- Seat belts: mandatory for all passengers
- M50 toll: pay online via eflow.ie within 24 hours or incur a penalty
- Parking discs required in many towns — buy from newsagents
Kerry and Connemara roads are often single-track with passing places. When you see a yellow diamond sign, slow down — you may need to reverse to the last passing place to let a lorry or tour bus through. Don't let sat nav lead you down a farm lane unsuitable for normal cars. Download the Google Maps Ireland offline map in case of signal loss.
Money matters
5. Currency & Costs
The Republic of Ireland uses the Euro (€). Northern Ireland (part of the UK) uses Pound Sterling (£). If your trip crosses the border — Donegal, Derry, the Causeway Coast — you'll need both currencies, though many businesses in border areas accept both at a rough rate. ATMs are available in all towns but are less common in very rural areas — carry some cash when venturing into Connemara, the Burren or remote Donegal.
Tipping Culture in Ireland
Tipping is appreciated but not obligatory. Common practice:
- Restaurants: 10–15% if service charge not included (many restaurants add 10–12.5% automatically)
- Bars: Not typically expected; a round for the barman is appreciated in local pubs
- Taxis: Round up to nearest euro or add 10%
- Hotel staff: €2–5 for porterage, €5–10/week for housekeeping at upscale properties
- Tour guides: €10–15 per person for a full-day guided tour is generous and appreciated
Booking Hotels on IMPT
Every hotel booking through IMPT removes 1 tonne of verified CO₂ from the atmosphere — roughly 28 times the carbon produced by the average hotel night. The price is identical to Booking.com. New members receive €5 free credit on their first booking. Subsequent bookings earn 5% cashback in IMPT tokens. Free cancellation applies to most rooms across all 26 Irish counties.
Questions answered
Ireland trip planning FAQs
What is the best time to visit Ireland?
Do I need a car to travel around Ireland?
What side of the road do they drive on in Ireland?
What currency is used in Ireland?
How do I book eco-friendly hotels in Ireland?
Sustainable & green accommodation: IMPT lists eco-friendly hotels, green-certified stays, sustainable guesthouses, and responsible travel options — from carbon-neutral hotels and eco lodges to environmentally friendly B&Bs and net-zero accommodation. Every booking removes 1 tonne of verified CO₂ at the lowest price guarantee — same as Booking.com or better.