The Ultimate Guide To Tours In Ireland And How To Make The Right Choice

With so many tours in Ireland to choose from, making the right call can be tricky. VagaGuide and Digital Marketing Executive Brian is here to help you make the right choice in this ultimate guide.

Tours In Ireland At A Glance

Choosing A Tour Vs. Travelling Independently
Different Types Of Tours Explained
What's The Best Tour Company?
Top Things To See On Tour
Best Way To Tour Ireland
What To Look For From Your Tour Operator
What Is The Best Time Of Year To Tour?
The Right Tour Duration To Choose
What Is & Is Not Included In Tours?
Popular FAQs To Help You Choose Correctly
How To Book Your Tour

Group making memories on active tours in Ireland

👋 Hi, I’m Brian, Digital Marketing Executvie and VagaGuide at Vagabond & Driftwood Tours.

Ireland is a bucket list destination for people all over the world. And why wouldn’t it be? Our rolling green hills, ancient castles, rich history, friendly locals, cosy pubs, stunning coastline and creamy pints make tours in Ireland a truly unforgettable experience.

If you are planning your dream trip to Ireland, you want to be sure that you are making the right choice. With so many tours in Ireland to choose from nowadays, just getting started can often feel overwhelming.

Fear not, with over twenty years of experience guiding curious travellers just like you across our beautiful island, we have all the insight you need to make the right decision. Below, we have put all of our insider knowledge to help you sift through all the tours of Ireland to choose the best tour for your needs.

Read on intrepid traveller for everything you need to make the right decision when you are choosing your tour of Ireland.

Why Choose A Tour In Ireland Instead Of Travelling Independently?

Ireland is an accessible country to travel. It’s affordable, the climate is temperate, English is widely spoken and the hospitality you will experience is second to none.

While you might consider renting a car and travelling Ireland independently, there are countless advantages to choosing a tour when you are touring the Emerald Isle.

Joining a guided tour allows you to eliminate the stress of driving on the other side of the road, navigating twisting narrow country roads, deciphering maps and planning complex itineraries.

Not only that but taking a tour of Ireland with an expert local guide will bring Ireland to life in a way that you can’t experience on your own. Their local knowledge, personal stories, historical insight and experience will allow you to see the country’s hidden gems as well as get the best experience at the iconic sights.

And, with someone else looking after the driving, you are free to have an Irish coffee with breakfast, enjoy a pint at lunch and experience whiskey or beer tasting at the distilleries and breweries you visit along the way.

Our specially customised tour vehicles can go places that big coaches simply cannot. This allows you even more access to those authentic, off the beaten track destinations that you won’t find in the guidebooks.

Choosing a tour of Ireland rather than travelling independently allows you to make friends and memories that will last a lifetime.

The Different Types Of Tours In Ireland

As you might imagine, there are countless different ways to explore Ireland. From walking tours to bike tours to train tours and bus tours, you can choose to explore Ireland by any means that you fancy.

Understanding the different options is the first step to getting the most out of your Ireland adventure.

It’s also important to understand what you want from your tour in Ireland. Do you want an active adventure tour? Or would you prefer a more easy-paced tour of Ireland? Maybe you want a blend of the two or perhaps you really want to embark on one of the best castle tours in Ireland.

However, you want to travel, you can be sure there is an option out there for you. Here at Vagabond Tours, we are advocates of the small group tour experience. It’s what we have been delivering for more than twenty years, and we know this is the ultimate way to experience Ireland.

On a small-group tour of Ireland, you can expect a more personalised experience, an opportunity to connect with your fellow travellers, explore the roads less travelled and get to know your guide.

For the adventure enthusiasts out there, an active adventure tour like our Vagabond tours are the perfect option. These tours include adventure activities like kayaking, horseback riding, surfing and biking. You will also go hiking most days on a variety of different terrains, all of which offer epic views. When you’re not adventuring, you will have plenty of opportunities to soak up Irish culture, visit historical sights and enjoy the local pubs.

If you are looking for more of an easy-paced tour, like our Driftwood tours, there are plenty of options to choose from too. These tours focus more on history and culture and give you a little more time to explore local towns and villages, visit distilleries, breweries and see local craftspeople at work. There are also plenty of opportunities to enjoy the breathtaking landscapes as you tour Ireland.

Finally, it’s important to consider the length of your tour. While there are many day trips from Dublin, there is no better way to immerse yourself in the beauty of Ireland than on a multi-day tour. We offer tours that range from 5 to 15 days across two very distinct tour styles, ensuring there is a suitable option for everyone.

What’s The Best Tour Company In Ireland?

When you are looking at tours in Ireland, naturally, you want to travel with the best company. You want an experienced company with insider knowledge that can take you to the iconic sights but also bring you to Ireland' s hidden gems.

Of course, we are a little biased here at Vagabond, but we believe that taking a Vagabond or Driftwood small-group tour of Ireland is the best way to experience our amazing country.

Three women jumping in the air with their hands raised on Bray head

But don’t take our word for it. We have received thousands of 5 star reviews from our guests over the last 20+ years and the positive reviews continue to pour in. We are also very proud to have won many awards both nationally and internationally, most recently being voted as one of the top 15 tour operators in the world at the 2025 Travel + Leisure Best In The World awards.

Touring Ireland since 2002, we have a wealth of experience taking our guests on tours of Ireland. We are 100% Irish owned and operated and all of our itineraries are crafted with care and local knowledge.

Vagabond Tours is also Ireland’s very first B Corp travel company. We have also achieved STN Gold Certification and we are proud to keep sustainability at the heart of everything that we do to ensure our tours continue to have a positive impact.

What Are The Top Tourist Attractions In Ireland?

With so much to see and do on the island of Ireland, it can be difficult to know where to begin sometimes. Everyone has different interests and has different sights and locations in mind when it comes to their Ireland travel bucket list.

Our Vagabond and Driftwood tours take you to some of the country’s most iconic sights. However, we also take you off the beaten track to places that you won’t find in the guidebooks. Our expert VagaGuides know every corner of Ireland and love taking the roads less travelled.

If you are considering different tours in Ireland, be sure to consider what sights you want to see so you know that your tour includes them. Here are some of the top spots:

Cliffs Of Moher

The world-famous Cliffs Of Moher are a must-see for anyone visiting Ireland. Reaching a height of 702ft at their highest point, these spectacular cliffs offer jaw-dropping views of the crashing Atlantic below. They are home to an abundance of bird life and were made a UNESCO Global Geopark in 2011.

The Ring Of Kerry

Driving through majestic mountains, taking in incredible views and passing by lakes and rivers, the Ring Of Kerry driving route is one of the most famous in Ireland for good reason. Not only are the views amazing but the small villages you stop in along the way are packed full of locals waiting to chat with you.

The Giant’s Causeway

Northern Ireland’s Giant’s Causeway is another UNESCO World Heritage Site you need to visit. Set along the beautiful Causeway Coastal Route in Antrim, the scenery here is second to none. Walk along the basalt columns of this geological wonder and revel in the stories of Irish giant Fionn Mac Cumhaill and the folklore that surrounds this magnificent location on the Antrim coastline.

Connemara

When it comes to wild, rugged beauty, there is nowhere quite like Connemara. If you have been searching for those picture-postcard views of Ireland, you’ll find them in Connemara in the west of Ireland. Share the road with stray sheep, gaze at the miles of stone walls and see the mountains kiss the ocean in this remote but incredibly beautiful corner of Ireland.

Of course, these are just a few of the best places to visit in Ireland. For more information check out some of our popular blogs below:

👉🏻 The Best Cities In Ireland
👉🏻 Top 9 Prettiest Towns & Villages
👉🏻 Our Favourite Islands Off the Coast of Ireland
👉🏻 Ireland’s Best Castles
👉🏻 Things To Do In Dublin

What Is The Best Way To Tour Ireland?

Undoubtedly, the best way to tour Ireland is by joining a small-group tour led by an expert local guide. Tours in Ireland that are smaller in size allow you to visit those off the beaten path destinations and to truly immerse yourself in the local culture.

With a small-group tour, you will get a better balance of iconic sights and hidden treasures. Of course, the added benefit is you don’t need to stress about organising an itinerary, driving on the other side of the road, knowing where to go or the best places to stop for food and drinks.

What’s more, you have an instant group of friends to share those wow moments with while you travel in Ireland and your own personal guide to lead the way.

What To Look For When Choosing A Tour Operator?

Choosing the right tour operator can make or break your experience. This is an important decision and you need to make sure you make the right call when you are choosing tours in Ireland.

First and foremost, you will want to look for a company with lots of experience, a proven track record, outstanding reviews and a reputation for travelling responsibly.

Next, you need to think about the tour itself and what you will experience. Expert local guides are a must. You should look for itineraries that provide an immersive experience and avoid those that are a box-ticking exercise.

Comfortable accommodation, a good mix of time with your fellow travellers and time to roam alone, as well as comfortable tour vehicles are all important considerations. And, of course, you want to work with an Irish tour operator that is a pleasure to deal with and provides a great experience from the beginning of the booking process right through to the end of the tour.

You can expect all of the above from Vagabond Tours. We have more than 20 years of experience delivering tours in Ireland, thousands of 5 star reviews and sustainability is at the heart of everything we do.

A group jumping for joy in Killarney National Park on their cycling tour All of our Vagabond and Driftwood Tours are led by our expert local VagaGuides and our itineraries have been perfected with more than two decades of experience. We stay in carefully selected local hotels and we travel exclusively in specially customised Mercedes Benz tour vehicles to offer the most comfortable tour experience possible.

Our in-house Ireland travel experts are a wealth of knowledge on touring Ireland and are always just a Toll-Free call away. We have also developed our Tour Finder tool to make it as easy as possible for you to find the perfect tour for your needs.

When Is The Best Time To Travel In Ireland?

Choosing the right time of year for your tour of Ireland is key. While Ireland is a year-round travel destination the best weather is generally from May to September. The days are also much longer giving you more time to get outdoors and explore the incredible natural beauty Ireland has to offer.

April, May and October are typically a little cooler but the scenery is just as beautiful and you will enjoy less crowds, especially at the more iconic sights, during these shoulder season months.

A panoramic view of the Healy Pass taken from a height

Winter is a quiet and cosy time of year in Ireland. The days are short, often with less than 8 hours of daylight per day. This is also the time that we experience the wettest and coldest weather. However, it’s the perfect time of year to wrap up warm and experience Ireland’s cosy pubs.

Read more about the best time to visit Ireland before you choose what time of year to travel. Our Vagabond and Driftwood tours run from the beginning of March until the end of October, allowing our VagaGuides time to hibernate for the winter.

How Long Should Your Tour Of Ireland Be?

The ideal tour length varies a lot depending on your personal circumstances. You need to consider how much time you have to visit Ireland, how much you want to see and the pace at which you want to travel.

Our tours can be anything from 5 to 15 days. Generally speaking, our 6 to 8 day tours offer a well-rounded experience of Ireland’s highlights while still allowing time to discover a few hidden gems along the way. Our 11, 12 and 15 day tours travel further, giving you the chance to experience and see more. Some of our longer tours also travel at a more relaxed pace, giving you a little more time in each location.

To dig into the details of each tour, get in touch with our Ireland Travel Experts and let them guide you to the right tour for you.

What’s Included (And What’s Not)?

What is included in your Ireland tour package and what’s not, will vary from one tour operator to the next. It is definitely worth checking to see what exactly is and is not included in your tour before making any final decisions.

Of course, we can only speak for ourselves. On our Vagabond and Driftwood Tours all of our prices in include:

✅ Your hotel for each day on tour except the final day
✅ Hot and filling Irish breakfasts from Day 2 onwards
✅ Entrance fees to unmissable attractions
✅ Most daily activities and visits
✅ All taxes and VAT (Irish sales tax)
✅ A guaranteed booking price
✅ The personalised services of a highly-trained VagaGuide tour guide
✅ Full days on tour — we guarantee your tour will run from 9am on Day 1 until at least 5pm on your final day.

For added flexibility, you are free to choose your own:

➡️ Flights to and from Ireland
➡️ Pre/post tour hotels and activities in Dublin
➡️ Optional activities on each tour, including Vagabond adventure activities (such as kayaking and biking)
➡️ Lunches and evening meals on tour

Popular FAQs About Taking A Tour In Ireland

Do I Need Travel Insurance?

Travel insurance is not required for our tours but we do recommend that you purchase comprehensive travel insurance before your trip to Ireland.

Can I Travel Solo On Your Tours?

Absolutely. We often have solo travellers on our tours. Travelling as a small group, it’s easy to connect with your fellow travellers. Read more about travelling solo in Ireland.

What Should I Pack?

Packing for Ireland can often be tricky as you need to be ready for whatever the weather might do. Read our full packing guide for Ireland to make sure you’re ready.

What Are Ireland’s Hotels Like?

Ireland’s hotels all have their own unique charm. The hotels we choose are hand-picked to ensure the best experience possible for our guests. Read our detailed guide to hotels in Ireland so you have all of the information you need.

How Much Money Will I Need?

Everyone’s spending habits are different so it is difficult to know exactly how much money you might need for your trip to Ireland. Read our ‘How Much Money To Bring To Ireland?’ blog for a full breakdown.

We understand that these questions are just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to planning a trip to Ireland. On our website we have more FAQs that you might find useful when choosing tours in Ireland:

If you have any other questions, be sure to get in touch with our Ireland Travel Experts.

How To Book The Perfect Tour Of Ireland

Booking your dream tour of Ireland is simple.

Start by using our Tour Finder to find a tour that suits your interests and matches your schedule.

Once you have located the right tour for you, reserve your tour online or contact our friendly team to secure your seats.

Happy tour group who have reached the summit of a mountain in Ireland

If you need time to talk with your travel companions before confirming the booking, that’s no problem. With our flexi-terms, we can reserve your seat for up to seven days without the need for a booking deposit.

Once your tour is booked, all you need to do is pack your bag and get ready for the adventure of a lifetime that only our tours in Ireland can deliver.