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

• 🍀 12 Day Driftwood Wild Coasts & Clover Tour
• 💚 11 Day Driftwood Discover Ireland Tour (Monday Departures)

Mondays at 8.20am

• ☘️ 12 Day Vagabond Giant Irish Adventure Tour
• 🧭 12 Day Vagabond Due South 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 for our Ireland tours.

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.

⚠️ IMPORTANT: All ATMs in Ireland require a pin for your card. We recommend you arrange alternative card options prior to your tour if your card does not have a pin.

💳 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.

⚠️ It’s strongly recommended to convert your money into euros before travelling to Ireland. Once you arrive, especially if you are visiting rural areas, currency exchange options are very limited. In fact, Irish banks now generally only exchange money for customers with an Irish bank account and most post offices won’t exchange foreign cash.

You will find desks at airports or in major cities but beyond that it can be difficult to exchange currency during your tour.

🐎 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 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.

Ensure your policy 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.

Your insurance company must be notified in advance if you are taking part in adventure activities like hiking, biking, kayaking and surfing during your travels.

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)

As of May 2026, no occurrences of Hantavirus have been recorded in Ireland. There has been no impact on guest experience or on our tour departures. All visitor activities across Ireland and Northern Ireland are running as normal.

At present, there are no restrictions or concerns affecting travel in Ireland. You can look forward to enjoying their tour as planned.

As always, the health and safety of our guests is paramount at Vagabond & Driftwood Tours. Should the situation change, we will communicate directly with you and provide updates as needed.

Got Questions? Contact enquiries@vagabond.ie.

All hotels on your Vagabond or Driftwood Tour offer free internet access.

You'll also be able to access the internet at pubs, cafes and restaurants along the route using any wifi-enabled device you bring.

WiFi Off The Beaten Track

In certain hotels, you can enjoy WiFi in your room and all areas. In others, WiFi coverage is just in public areas.

The nature of experiencing remote destinations means that, inconveniently, you'll be far away from radio masts and wireless infrastructure.

Now you have another excuse to make new friends at the bar, right?

WiFi Onboard Your Tour Vehicle

We love taking you off the beaten track to see REAL Ireland.

Sometimes this means leaving civilisation far behind - even just for a few short hours!

This is the reason why we've shied away from installing WiFI in our tour vehicles.

Our mission is to keep your focus on Ireland's amazing landscapes and friendly people.

Reach us any time using the Emergency Operations phone number listed in your booking voucher email (sent 3 weeks before departure).

Contact Details

Do you need to contact us at VagaHQ for a standard query?

Our office hours are Monday to Thursday, 9.30am-5.30pm and Fridays 9.30-5pm.

We're located in the GMT timezone.

Phone us from Ireland using 01 563 4358

Phone us from outside Ireland on +353 1 563 4358

Visit our Contact Us page for TOLL FREE phone numbers and other contact details.

Short answer = Yes.

We heartily recommend packing bug repellent in your suitcase when travelling to Ireland.

What type of insects are there in Ireland?

We get our fair share of mosquitos. Irish mozzies are not quite as large or as commonplace as elsewhere in the world. But what they lack in bulk, our Irish mosquitos make up for in appetite!

Seriously, mosquitos tend to appear only in hotter weather over the summer months (May, June, July, August).

Midges, on the other hand...

What are midges?

Midges, or midgies, are small, biting flies. They swarm in damp, windless, warm conditions. A typical midgie hotspot would be near a bog (wetland) or a lake in an enclosed mountain valley.

The windiness of Ireland's climate, particularly along the Wild Atlantic Way, helps ward off midges and other biting insects. Stick to the coast and you will most likely avoid midges.

Kiwi visitors to Ireland will recognise the midge as the cousin to the infamous New Zealand sandfly, or 'sandie'.

Local midges insisted on meeting Michelle Obama in person on her visit to Ireland.

Where to buy bug spray in Ireland

You will find a pharmacy in all towns and most villages in Ireland.

Boots is a pharmacy chain that you will find in all major cities.

Dublin Airport has a pharmacy in Terminal 2.

Any other Irish insects I should worry about?

Horseflies are common in agricultural areas and in uplands and on mountains. They tend to be around during summer months. Horseflies look like a small moth, but fly during the day. Their bite is non-poisonous but is quite painful initially.

Bees and wasps are common in Ireland in the summertime. Employ common sense to avoid a sting.

Irish spiders are 99.9% non-venomous and 100% non-lethal. Contact local medical services if you're worried about a spider bite.

We don't do snakes in Ireland.

Plan ahead and you should be able to use your CPAP machine in Ireland with no problems.

Past guests have reported that finding distilled water and packing a suitable power adapter are the main challenges.

How Should I Pack My CPAP Machine?

You are free to pack your CPAP machine separately to your main luggage or within your main bag.

Some CPAP machines will take up luggage space. Other, compact travel CPAP machines will fit snugly into your bags.

As long as your main piece of luggage conforms to our size guidelines, how you pack your CPAP machine is really up to you.

Where Can I Find Distilled Water?

While distilled water suitable for CPAP machines is not easily found in the smaller towns that our tours visit around Ireland, several pharmacies in Dublin sell distilled water.

• McCabe's Pharmacy has several outlets around Dublin and sells distilled water
• Foley's Chemist on Parnell Street sells distilled water

Please note, occasionally distilled water can also be referred to as 'sterile water' in Ireland.

If you want to pre-pack distilled water before your trip, Amazon sells several brands that are specifically labeled for CPAP machines. Airlines accept them if they are in checked baggage.

If you are at a loss and can't find distilled water in Ireland, water that has been boiled and then cooled has been known to function in CPAP machines (though this approach is generally not recommended by the manufacturer).

Another option suggested on our Facebook Community Group was to switch off the humidifier on your CPAP machine, if possible. This negates the need for distilled water.

What Power Adapter Will I Need?

If you're coming to Ireland from the USA/Canada, a universal power adapter should work to power your CPAP machine.

Guests coming to Ireland and Northern Ireland on tour do not need an ETIAS (European Travel Information and Authorisation System).

A ETIAS applies only to countries that are part of the Schengen Area. While Ireland is a member of the European Union, it is not part of the Schengen zone.

Learn more about Visas and the ETA Scheme

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 
• 🐑 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 £20 (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 £20. 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

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 £20. 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.