Planning a trip to Ireland: Your Easy 8-step checklist

Planning a trip to Ireland can be both exciting and overwhelming. The Emerald Isle offers something for every traveler. To help you make the most of your adventure, we’ve created this easy-to-follow 8-step checklist to guide you through the planning process.

Step 1: Research and Key Factors

Before you dive into booking flights and daydreaming about Irish castles, the first step in planning a trip to Ireland is research. Understanding entry requirements, transportation options, budget considerations, and trip duration will help set the foundation for a smooth trip.

Check entry requirements

Before you begin planning your trip, it’s important to check whether you need a visa to travel to Ireland. This will depend on your country of origin and the length of your stay. Check the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service website for the latest information on visa requirements.

Most visitors won’t need a visa for stays up to 90 days, including citizens of the USA, Canada, the UK, Australia, and EU member states. Ensure your passport has at least six months’ validity beyond your travel dates, a common entrance requirement.

Note: While Ireland is an EU member state, it is not part of the Schengen Zone.

How to get to Ireland

Major international airports are in Dublin, Shannon, and Cork. For ferries, ports like Rosslare and Dublin connect Ireland to the UK and Europe.

Decide the length of your stay

Determining how long you can stay in Ireland will help you plan your itinerary and budget accordingly. Consider how long you can take off work, your travel style, and the season. Peak season (June to August) is more expensive and crowded, while shoulder season (April to May, and September to October) can be less expensive and less crowded.

Things to keep in mind before deciding the duration of a trip:

• Travel style: Driving can extend the duration of a trip, while flying can shorten it.
• Distance: Trips within 8 hours can be done on a weekend if you travel overnight.
• Type of destination: Urban trips need more sightseeing time, requiring longer stays, while beach towns can be shorter.
• Buffer day: For trips longer than 7 days, include a buffer day for delays or extended stays.

Set a realistic budget

Once you know how long you’ll be traveling, make a budget for your Ireland trip. This helps determine how much you can spend on flights, accommodation, meals, transportation, and attractions. Consider your travel style:

• Do you want to stay in luxury hotels or budget-friendly hostels?
• Do you plan to eat out every night or cook your own meals?

Start with our guide, How to Make a Budget for Your Trip to Ireland, for tips on saving money.

Step 2: Choose attractions and activities

Ireland is full of amazing attractions, and offers a mix of iconic landmarks and hidden gems. To make the most of your trip, determine which attractions you want to visit.

Create a Google My Map

1. Open Google ‘My Map’ and create a new map.
2. Plot everywhere you want to see on the map.
3. Look for clusters of attractions to plan routes and understand distances.

This tool is invaluable for visualizing distances and planning your days efficiently.

For inspiration, check out The Wild Atlantic Way: A Journey Through Ireland’s Coastal Wonders.

Step 3: Getting around in Ireland

Decide how to get around Ireland based on your itinerary and budget. Research the pros and cons of each option before making a decision.

Option 1: Renting a car in Ireland

Renting a car in Ireland is ideal if you want flexibility and access to remote areas.

• Advantages: Freedom to explore remote areas and travel at your own pace.
• Disadvantages: Can be expensive, and driving on the left side can be stressful for some.

Learn more with our Driving in Ireland: A Stress-Free Guide.

Option 2: Using public transport

Using public transport in Ireland is possible, especially if you’re sticking to main towns and cities.

• Advantages: Options like the Leap Visitor Card or Northern Ireland iLink Smartcard make travel affordable and convenient. It’s less stressful, and easy to combine with daytrips.
• Disadvantages: Limited access to rural attractions, some places have poor transport, and you must stick to schedules.

Step 4: Decide when to visit Ireland

Deciding when to visit Ireland at this stage puts you in a good position for the itinerary planning step. Ireland is beautiful year-round, but each season offers a different experience.

Factors to consider

• Budget: Off-peak (Autumn and Winter) is cheaper than peak (Summer and Spring).
• Weather: Consider daylight hours and likely weather conditions.
• Events: Plan around different festivals in Ireland.
• Availability: Align your trip with your personal schedule.

Step 5: Plan your itinerary

Once you’ve decided which attractions to visit and how you’ll get around, it’s time to map out your itinerary.

Tips for planning your itinerary

1. Be realistic: Don’t try to see everything. Balance travel days with rest days to avoid burnout.
2. Prioritize attractions: List must-see sites and fit others around them. Be flexible but have a plan.
3. Look at your clusters: Group attractions by proximity to minimize travel time. Use your Google My Map to see clusters of interest.
4. Always have a “rainy day backup plan” like museums or distilleries.

Need ideas? See our guide, 19 Ireland Travel Tips: What to Know Before You Go.

Step 6: Book your transport

With your itinerary mapped out, book your transportation. If flying into Ireland, consider which airport makes the most sense based on your itinerary. Book your flights, ferry, train, or bus tickets in advance for the best deals.

• Flights: Compare fares on sites like Google Flights or Skyscanner. Dublin Airport is a hub for international and domestic flights.
• Ferries: Travel to/from the UK or Europe via ferries from Dublin, Rosslare, or Belfast.
• Trains and buses: Use Irish Rail for intercity train travel or Bus Éireann for long-distance bus routes.
• Rental car: It’s at this point, if you’re renting a car in Ireland, that you should look at making a booking.

Check out our article, How to Get Around Ireland: A Transportation Guide, for more details.

Step 7: Book your accommodations

Once you know where you’ll visit and when, it’s time to book your accommodations. Choose hotels, B&Bs, and inns that fit your nightly budget and are located in areas that make sense for your itinerary. Use travel websites such as B&B Ireland or Airbnb to find the best deals.

Read Where to Stay in Ireland: Accommodation Options for a breakdown of choices.

Step 8: Pack and prepare for your trip

Prepare for your trip to Ireland. Buy travel insurance to protect yourself from unexpected events, such as flight cancellations or medical emergencies.

Prepare for Ireland’s famously unpredictable weather and pack accordingly:

• Essentials: Waterproof jacket, sturdy walking shoes, and layers.
• Travel gadgets: Universal adapters (Type G plugs) and a portable power bank.
• Documents: Passport, travel insurance, and printed copies of bookings.

For a complete checklist, read The Ultimate Ireland Packing List.

FAQs about planning a trip to Ireland

Get ready for an unforgettable Irish adventure

Planning a trip to Ireland doesn’t have to be complicated. With this 8-step checklist, you’re well on your way to experiencing the magic of Ireland—its friendly locals, stunning scenery, and vibrant culture.

Looking to dive deeper into planning? Check out Ireland on a Budget: Easy Ways to Save Money or read how to Rent a Car in Ireland: A Stress-Free Guide for more tips.

Slán go fóill (goodbye for now)!