Get The Latest Travel News For Our Tours Of Ireland

All of our tours depart from Dublin's Grand Canal Hotel [Google Maps location] on either Sundays, Mondays or Tuesdays between 7.50am and 8.30am.

Please plan to arrive at the Grand Canal Hotel at least 15 minutes before the scheduled departure time.

Here is the full list of scheduled departure days and times for Vagabond and Driftwood Tours of Ireland:

Sundays at 7.50am

• ⚔️ 6 Day Driftwood Great Southern Ireland Tour
• 🐑 6 Day Driftwood Northern Island Tour

Sundays at 8.00am

• 🏰 7 Day Driftwood Castles & Kingdoms Tour
• 🌍 7 Day Vagabond World Tour of Ireland

Sundays at 8.10am

• 🛶 7 Day Vagabond Magnetic North Tour
• ☘️ 15 Day Driftwood All Ireland Tour

Sundays at 8.20am

• 🌄 8 Day Vagabond Wild Irish Rover Tour
• 🌊 8 Day Driftwood Wild Atlantic Way Tour
• 🎻 8 Day Driftwood Jigs & Reels Music Tour

Mondays at 7.50am

• 🏴‍☠️ 5 Day Vagabond Edge of the World Tour

Mondays at 8.00am

• 🌄 7 Day Driftwood Treasure Ireland Tour

Mondays at 8.10am

• 💚 11 Day Driftwood Discover Ireland Tour (Monday Departures)

Mondays at 8.20am

• 💍 11 Day Driftwood Ring of Ireland Tour

Mondays at 8.20am

• ☘️ 12 Day Vagabond Giant Irish Adventure Tour

Tuesdays at 8.10am

• 💚 11 Day Driftwood Discover Ireland Tour (Tuesday Departures)

Booking Suitable Flight Times

We strongly advise that you book your flights arrive at least the night before your scheduled tour departure.

We aim to have you back in Dublin between 5-6pm on the final day of your tour. If you're planning to fly out on the last night of your tour, please do not book a flight that departs Dublin Airport before 10pm.

Check return days and times for our tours

We recommend bringing a small amount of cash in euros to Ireland with you.

Around €300 euro should be more than enough to get you through your first days in Dublin.

🏧 Withdrawing Cash From ATMs

While in Ireland, you can withdraw cash from cash machines/ATMs as you need it.

You'll find cash machines/ATMs in most towns and gas/service stations on tour.

Just ask your VagaGuide tour guide for advice on when and where is best to withdraw cash.

💳 Card Charges & Acceptance

Check how much the charges on your cards are for withdrawing foreign currency before you leave home.

Please note that American Express (AMEX) and Discover are not widely accepted in Ireland.

Our advice is stick to Visa or Mastercard, if possible.

⚠️ Let Your Card Provider Know You're Travelling

It's important to let your bank know you are travelling to Ireland before you leave your home country.

If you don't alert your bank, payments could be blocked on the grounds of suspicious activity.

💷 Money In Northern Ireland

Remember that you'll need British pound sterling (£) in cash if your tour is visiting Northern Ireland:

The following tours visit Northern Ireland:

  💷 15 Day Driftwood All Ireland Tour

  💷 12 Day Vagabond Giant Irish Adventure

  💷 11 Day Driftwood Discover Ireland Tour

  💷 7 Day Vagabond Magnetic North Adventure Tour

  💷 6 Day Driftwood Northern Island Tour

💶 Exchanging Dollars for Euros/Pounds

If you're travelling with dollars, you can exchange them for Euro (€) or Pounds (£) at Dublin Airport or any currency exchange.

🐎 Cash For These Optional Activities

• Black Cab Tour in Belfast
• Dingle Folk Concert
• Kinsale Walking History Tour
• Slieve League Boat Trip
• Surf Lesson in Spanish Point
• Horseback Riding in Dingle
• Traditional Rowing in Dingle
• Bike Hire in Killarney
• Guided E-Bike Tour in Connemara
• Surf Lesson in Donegal
• Sea Kayaking in Donegal
• Horse-Drawn Carriage Ride
• Walking Tour of Derry/Londonderry
• Horseback Riding in Mayo

Read our full guide to money, budgeting and credit cards in Ireland

To make everyone's tour run smoothly, we operate strict limits on baggage size. Plan to bring 1x compact suitcase as well as 1x daypack or backpack, per guest booking.

Your single large piece of luggage should weigh no more than 51lb (23kg) and measure no longer than 31” (79cm) along its longest side. This 31 inch (79cm) limit includes any wheels that may protrude from the suitcase or bag.

When full, your daypack or backpack should be light enough to easily carry on your back. It should be compact enough to fit into the space at your feet and measure no larger than the following:

• ↕️ Height: 18.5" (48cm)
• ↔️ Width: 13" (33cm)
• 🎒 Depth: 8" (20cm)

Because your tour with us will be small-group, your tour vehicle will be compact in nature and have limited space for luggage.

Travelling as a couple? You can bring along one larger suitcase instead of two compact suitcases. This single piece of luggage should weigh no more than 51lb (23kg).

Soft-sided bags work better than hard shell luggage.

🎒 Day Pack

Besides your larger bag, we recommend bringing a small day pack or backpack with you.

This allows you easy access to essentials such as your wallet or purse, your phone, a reusable drinks bottle, snacks and any medications you might need throughout the day.

Larger luggage is difficult for your VagaGuide to access between hotels. On a Driftwood Journey of Discovery, it's stacked in the trunk. On Vagabond Cultural Adventures, large luggage is towed behind the tour vehicle in a locked trailer.

A fannypack or bumbag can also come in handy for smaller items, but is non-essential.

🧳 Left Luggage

Most Dublin hotels offer a left luggage service.

You can leave luggage at the hotel while you tour and return to it when your tour is complete.

🧺 Laundry

Will you need to do laundry while on tour?

Your hotel can organise laundry facilities on tour if your tour stays for 2 nights in any of the following towns:

• Dingle
• Clifden
• Kinsale
• Westport

Just ask your VagaGuide tour guide in advance.

Travel light.

That's the one travel tip that we hear again and again from guests who have experienced our tours.

Your Ireland trip will run smoother if you pack these essentials.

👣 Footwear

Are you taking an active Vagabond Cultural Adventure?

Comfortable trainers/sneakers work fine for our hikes.

However, lightweight hiking boots are even better because they...

• Are usually waterproof or water-resistant
• Offer improved grip over steep and/or loose terrain
• Support your ankles on uneven ground and when descending

There are no long walks or hikes on Driftwood Journeys of Discovery so you don't require specialised footwear.

However, comfort is the order of the day. But make sure you pack shoes suitable for light walking.

You'll enjoy lots of free time to stroll around cute little towns and take guided tours of sheep farms.

💡 TOP TIP: Make sure you wear-in your chosen footwear for at least a few days BEFORE you come on tour.

📱Phone

We highly recommend you bring a WiFi-enabled mobile phone with you to Ireland.

All of our hotels have free internet access so you can keep in touch with loved ones at home.

A phone will also come in very handy if you are delayed or need to contact a local number while you are here, for any reason.

If you do plan on bringing a phone, please share your number with us before the trip: enquiries@vagabond.ie

👚 Clothing

One of the things that makes Ireland so much fun is the exciting climate.

Sun. Wind. Rain shower.

Then, 5 minutes later, sun again...

Here are our tips for what clothes to pack for your tour:

• 🧅 Pack Layers. We suggest packing flexible and lightweight layers (under a waterproof outer shell). Layers will allow you to quickly adapt to unexpected changes in weather or temperature.
• 🪩 Think Casual: Formal wear is not required for dining and nightlight in Ireland. The dress code is casual at 99% of pubs, restaurants and venues.
• 🧥 Waterproof Shell. Beat sudden rain showers and gusts of wind by packing a lightweight waterproof shell jacket. Make sure you buy from a reputable brand. You'll thank yourself later!
• 🧢 Head First. You'll never regret packing a hat. Either a soft 'beanie' or a peaked baseball cap will come in handy at some point.
• 👖 Trousers. Are you taking an active Vagabond Cultural Adventure? Lightweight waterproof or water-resistant trousers can be handy for longer hikes. Quick-dry walking trousers are another great option.
• 🌤️ Protect Your Eyes & Skin. Pack sunglasses/shades and protective sun cream. Yes, it can get sunny in Ireland! What's more, when sun and wind combine, you may not notice your skin burning; which won't be fun for anyone.
• 🛶 Towel: Are you taking an active Vagabond Cultural Adventure? Watersport options like sea kayaking or surfing require a light towel. Towels are supplied by all our hotels but you may wish to bring your own.
• 🩳 Swimsuit/Trunks: Pack a swimsuit/trunk for watersports (see above), for cheeky dips in the sea or for accessing hotel spas, where available.

🧳 Luggage

Guest luggage on Vagabond & Driftwood Tours is restricted to one suitcase per person (no bigger than 30” or 75cm along their longest side).

Soft-sided bags work great.

🎒 Daypack/Backpack. A smaller bag where you can store your daily essentials will also prove convenient.

Learn more on this luggage FAQ.

🤭 Facecloths

You might think we are joking here...

However, some hotels in Ireland do not provide facecloths.

If you like to have a facecloth to hand while travelling, we'd suggest bringing one or two along with you!

Read our blog about packing for Ireland

While travel insurance is not a requirement for our tours, we strongly recommend that you purchase comprehensive travel insurance cover before your trip to Ireland.

Your policy should cover all medical costs associated with travel.

We recommend

⚠️ IMPORTANT: Even though the risk is small, make sure your insurance cover includes costs associated with one of your party testing positive for COVID-19 while in Ireland.

Ensure your policy also covers issues arising from:

• Flight cancellation
• Personal accident cover
• Lost/stolen personal luggage
• Lost/stolen money
• Public liability

Vagabond Tours Ltd. can accept no responsibility for loss or damage to personal belongings or liability for personal injury/death while on tour with us.

Better safe than sorry!

Vagabond will earn a small commission if you purchase travel insurance via the link on this FAQ.

Are you a citizen of the USA, Canada, Australia or New Zealand?

If so, you DO NOT require a visa to travel to the Republic of Ireland for the sole purpose of tourism.

You DO NOT need any type of visa or pre-clearance for the Republic of Ireland as long as you meet ALL of the following conditions:

• You're a citizen of the USA, Canada, Australia or New Zealand;
• You're travelling for the sole purpose of tourism;
• You're staying less than 3 months in the Republic of Ireland;
• You will not visit Northern Ireland as part of your trip.

⚠️ IMPORTANT: From 2025 onwards, if you visit Northern Ireland during your trip, you will require an Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA).

An ETA is a digital pre-clearance allocated to individuals who intend to travel to the United Kingdom (UK) for short stays.

The process of obtaining an ETA is simple.

Learn more in our dedicated ETA section

If in any doubt about your visa status, please contact the Irish embassy or consulate in your home country before embarkation for travel.

If you're NOT a citizen of the USA, Canada, Australia or New Zealand, a full visa may be required when visiting Ireland and/or Northern Ireland.

• Check if your country requires a visa for the Republic of Ireland
• Check if your country requires a visa for Northern Ireland (UK)

Vaccines are not required for travel to Ireland.

You are not required to wear face masks in public spaces in Ireland.

While it is not necessary to wear a mask on a Vagabond or Driftwod tour vehicle, you are welcome to do so, especially if you have symptoms of any respiratory illness such as a cold, flu, or COVID-19, or any contractible gastric illness.

No.

Current medical guidelines in Ireland state that you do not have to take a COVID-19 test if you have respiratory symptoms unless a doctor requests you to do so.

If you test positive for COVID-19 on tour, you will need to comply with Irish healthcare guidelines and leave the tour to self isolate for 5 days.

Our friendly and professional team will support you in any way we can.

It is important that you have travel insurance to cover any costs incurred.

The welfare of our guests, as well as that of our staff and the communities we visit, will always be paramount.

Here is how we ensure the highest possible standards of hygiene and lowest risk:

• 😷 While it is not necessary to wear a mask on Vagabond and Driftwood tour vehicles, you are welcome to do so, especially if you have symptoms of any respiratory illness such as a cold, flu, or COVID-19, or any contractible gastric illness.
• 🧴 Hand sanitiser is provided for guests in all Vagabond and Driftwood tour vehicles.
• 🧼 We actively and continuously review our standard operating procedures, ensuring the highest possible standards of hygiene for our vehicles.
• 🏨 We insist that our hotel destinations, activity suppliers and other partners comply with the latest safety guidelines.
• 🛞 Our VagaGuide tour guide team receive dedicated training to ensure safe, smooth driving and minimise risks.

Wearing of face masks on Vagabond and Driftwood tour vehicles is not required.

While it is not necessary to wear a mask on a Vagabond or Driftwod tour vehicle, you are welcome to do so, especially if you have symptoms of any respiratory illness such as a cold, flu, or COVID-19, or any contractible gastric illness.

Most Vagabond & Driftwood tour guests whose itineraries include Northern Ireland (NI) require an Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA).

If you are a US, Canadian, Australian or NZ citizen who does not reside in Ireland and you are taking one of these tours that visit Northern Ireland, you will require an ETA prior to travel.

Any citizen of the above countries transiting or traveling to the UK (including Northern Ireland) for tourism, family visits, business meetings, conferences, or short-term study for 6 months or less requires an ETA.

Guests visiting the Republic of Ireland (southern Ireland) from outside of the EU do not require an ETA unless they are travelling to Northern Ireland during the trip.

An ETA is a digital pre-clearance allocated to individuals who intend to travel to the United Kingdom (UK) for short stays. The process of obtaining an ETA is simple.

You need to have been accepted for an ETA before you embark on your trip to the UK, including Northern Ireland.

From 2025 onwards, if you are taking a tour with us that visits Northern Ireland, you will need to apply for an Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) pre-clearance.

Rest assured, the ETA application process is simple and affordable.

Driftwood Journeys of Discovery

• 🚐 15 Day All Ireland Tour 
• 💚 11 Day Driftwood Discover Ireland Tour 
• 💍 11 Day Driftwood Ring of Ireland Tour
• 🐑 6 Day Driftwood Northern Island Tour

Active Vagabond Tours

• ☘️ 12 Day Vagabond Giant Irish Adventure Tour
• 🛶 7 Day Vagabond Magnetic North Tour

The application for an Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) costs £16 (UK sterling). 

You can apply online or via the UK ETA App:

• 🍏 Download the UK ETA App for iOS
• 📱 Download the UK ETA App for Android

⚠️ Please be aware of third-party websites selling ETAs that are much more expensive than the official UK government rate of £10. We advise you to apply only through the official channels linked above. If you are unsure, please get in touch.

Before you start the application process for an Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA), you will need the following:

• The passport you will travel with (not a photocopy);
• Access to an email address;
• A valid payment method (credit/debit card, Apple Pay or Google Pay).

You will need to upload or take a photograph of your passport and the face of the person applying.

The fastest way to apply is to download the UK ETA App:

• 🍏 Download the UK ETA App for iOS
• 📱 Download the UK ETA App for Android

Apply for an ETA Online Here (no app download).

Each person travelling will need to apply separately for an ETA.

⚠️ Please be aware of third-party websites selling ETAs that are much more expensive than the official UK government rate of £10 (rising to £16 from April 9th 2025). We advise you to apply only through the official channels linked above. If you are unsure, please get in touch.

It should take 3 working days to process an Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA). This is an estimate. Real times may vary.

Please be aware, your application may be approved earlier or later than another person in your travelling group who applied at the same time.

You must apply before you depart. However, you can travel to the UK or Northern Ireland while you are awaiting a decision on your application.

The email address you used during your application will receive a notification confirming you've successfully acquired an Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA).

Your passport will be digitally linked to the ETA.

Once approved, your Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) is valid for 2 years.

A new application for an ETA is required if you obtain a new passport during that period.