How to get to Ireland

Destinations

Posted by Ed Roberts on 31st October 2024

Benbullen Mountain provides the gorgeous backdrop for grazing horses.

Are you planning to take a holiday in Ireland this year? If you have never visited the Emerald Isle before, chances are you may need to make a list of points to consider before booking your holiday accommodation. For ease, we have compiled a brief guide about travelling to the Republic of Ireland to get you started, such as addressing which currency to use, taking a dog to Ireland, booking ferries and flights to Ireland, and much more.

Beautiful Ireland is located to the west of England across the Irish sea. The Republic is part of Europe and the EU and shares a border with Northern Ireland, which is a part of the United Kingdom. Ireland is reached most commonly by ferry and aeroplane. We will cover general entry requirements for tourists travelling from the UK, and also air and sea travel.

We have a collection of self-catering holiday cottages in Ireland to meet your tastes and requirements in the counties of Cork, Donegal, Kerry, Galway and beyond. Click on the button below to explore our Ireland collection.

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Woman ticking off items on a packing list while sat next to her luggage bag full of holiday clothes.

FAQs - Before you go to Ireland

If you have never travelled to Ireland, you may have some questions. Read on to find useful information about your trip. We cover passport and visa details, travelling with pets, car hire, currency and more.


Woman watches a plane take off from the terminal waiting area.

Do I need a passport to go to Ireland from the UK?

You don’t need a passport to visit Ireland from the UK if you are a British National, as the country falls within the Common Travel Area (CTA). There are no routine passport checks for British or Irish citizens between the two countries. Travel between Ireland and Northern Ireland also falls under the CTA. The CTA also includes the Isle of Man, the Scottish Isles, and the Channel Islands. Please carry your passport with you on holiday, as it is a useful form of identification.


Small aircraft awaits take off.

Do I need a visa to enter Ireland from the UK?

British citizens don’t need a visa to visit Ireland. You do not need a visa to live permanently, work, study, or holiday in Ireland.


Can I travel in Ireland without an International Driving License (IDP)?

Yes, you can drive in Ireland with a UK driving license. You are not required to carry an IDP. Always carry your license with you to use as personal identification should it be needed.


Right hand drive car travels through Ireland countryside.

Which side of the road do I drive on in Ireland?

People in Ireland drive on the left-hand side of the road, the same as in the UK. The steering wheels are on the right hand side of the car, also the same as in the UK, Australia, New Zealand, and Japan to name a few more. 


Which currency is used in Ireland?

The Euro is the national currency in the Republic of Ireland. One Euro is made up of one hundred cents and notes are €5, €10, €20, €50, €100, €200 and €500. For more information, visit this page on Irish currency.


Which forms of official identification are recognised in Ireland?

The following forms of identification are recognised in Ireland: a passport, a driver’s license with a photo, international student cards, government-issued ID, health insurance cards, or work identification.


Orange dog profiled against a white and orange ferry.

Can I take my dog to Ireland?

It’s easy to take your dog (or other pets) to Ireland because they are permitted on ferries and some aeroplanes. Pet passports are needed, so some arrangements are required prior to travel

On ferries, pets are permitted to stay in the comfort of your car, or in an onboard kennel (see below), where available. For instance, Irish Ferries provide this service.


Does my dog need a passport to go to Ireland?

Yes, your dog must have a valid EU Pet Passport in order to travel with you to Ireland. If your pet does not have a passport, you can find more information on the government website.


Does my dog need to be microchipped to go to Ireland?

Yes, your dog does need to be microchipped in order to accompany you to Ireland. For more information on microchipping, visit the PetTrac website


The wake of a ferry at sea.

Ferries to Ireland

Travelling to Ireland by ferry is easy, especially if you wish to take your dog along on holiday too. Please make sure that you book in advance, and arrive in plenty of time for check-in. Length of boarding times vary depending on the ferry line.



A ferry begins its crossing to the UK from Ireland. A green lighthouse is in the foreground.


Where do ferries for Ireland leave from?

The main ferry ports to Ireland in the UK are Holyhead, Fishguard and Pembroke in Wales. The main ports in Ireland are Dublin and Rosslare. You can travel to Belfast in Northern Ireland from Liverpool.


Where do I book my ferry ticket to Ireland?

Visit the Ferry to Europe website to get a quote and current timetables. Or the StenaLine or Irish Ferries websites, respectively.

Where do I catch my ferry to Ireland?

Outbound crossing

  • StenaLine – Fishguard (Wales) to Rosslare (Republic of Ireland) – 2 sailings per day
  • StenaLine – Holyhead (Wales) to Dublin (Republic of Ireland) – 4 sailings per day
  • Irish Ferries – Holyhead (Wales) to Dublin (Republic of Ireland) – 4 sailings per day
  • Irish Ferries – Pembroke (Wales) to Rosslare (Republic of Ireland) – 2 sailings per day
  • StenaLine – Liverpool (England) to Belfast (Northern Ireland) – 2 sailings per day

Return crossing

  • StenaLine – Rosslare (Republic of Ireland) to Fishguard (Wales) – 2 sailings per day
  • StenaLine – Dublin (Republic of Ireland) to Holyhead (Wales) – 4 sailings per day
  • Irish Ferries – Dublin (Republic of Ireland) to Holyhead (Wales) – 4 sailings per day
  • Irish Ferries – Rosslare (Republic of Ireland) to Pembroke (Wales) – 2 sailings per day
  • StenaLine – Belfast (Northern Ireland) to Liverpool (England) – 2 sailings per day

Useful websites:


Jack Russell dog waits in a dog travel holdall.

How do I use the dog kennels?

After you have parked your car or arrived on board (if you are a foot passenger), follow the signs to the kennel. Kennel staff will give you a padlock (why not bring some comfortable bedding for your pet?). Visits to the kennel during the crossing are permitted.

Kennels, where available, vary in size and price. Pre-booking with the ferry line is essential and the earlier the better. Don’t forget to book a kennel for your return journey.


Are guide, hearing and assistance dogs permitted on ferries?

Yes, hearing and assistance dogs are permitted on ferries. Please show all the necessary accreditation for your assistance dog on check-in. Some ferry lines require advance notice so that onboard teams can be on hand should you need help. Assistance dogs have access to all public areas for the duration of the crossing.


How many dogs can I take on board a ferry?

There is a movement restriction on the number of pets that one person can bring aboard. The maximum number of pets over the age of 6 months is five, under the Pet Travel Scheme. There are exemptions, concerning sporting events and dog shows. But please consult the Pet Travel Portal for more information.


Young couple aboard a plane.

Flying to Ireland

Flying is a very popular choice for people travelling to Ireland, specifically among those that are planning a city break to Dublin or Cork, and those who have booked a hire car. Read on to discover some handy points and links relating to flights to Ireland.

Where can I fly to in Ireland?

  • There are lots of routes to Ireland from the UK. There are also several airports across the county: Dublin, Ireland West, Donegal, Shannon, Kerry, and Cork

Where can I fly from in the UK to Ireland?

  • London: Heathrow, Luton, City, Stansted, Southend, and Gatwick offer direct flights to Dublin
  • Also, Manchester, Birmingham, Liverpool, Bournemouth, Bristol, Doncaster, East Midlands, Exeter, Leeds Bradford, Newcastle, Jersey (CI), Edinburgh, Glasgow, and Aberdeen. You can get connecting flights from Dublin to airports in Cork, Shannon, West Ireland, Donegal and Kerry
  • You can travel direct to Cork from London Heathrow, Manchester, Bristol. and Edinburgh

Useful websites:


A car on a lonely Irish highway. A big hill ahead and a lake on the right.

Can I hire a car at the airport in Ireland?

Car hire is a common option when holidaying in Ireland, and you can pre-book a vehicle online. Some of the smaller airports don’t have an on-site rental car desk, but you can arrange to have a car left at the airport for your collection. Dublin and Cork have car hire desks that are manned during busy hours.


Small black and brown dog rests in it's carry on pack.

Can I take my pet aboard my flight to Ireland?

Yes, some airlines do allow pets aboard, such as Aer Lingus. Pets must be booked for carriage in the aircraft hold via a pet agent at the airport. As stated above, in the ferry section of this guide, all pets must be microchipped and have a valid EU Pet Passport. 


Stay at a self-catering holiday cottage in Ireland

We hope our guide to travelling to Ireland will come in useful to you. Why not follow up your research by browsing some of our lovely self-catering holiday properties in Ireland? We have properties across the Republic, from Donegal and Dublin to Kerry and Cork. Enjoy country bungalows and family farmhouses; there’s something for everybody. Click the button below.

Ireland cottages

Disclaimer: Whilst every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of the information at the time of writing, please ensure you check carefully before making any decisions based on the contents within this article.