Before I Book FAQs

Active Vagabond Tours that Visit Northern Ireland:

⛰️ 12 Day Vagabond Giant Irish Adventure Tour

🥾 7 Day Vagabond Magnetic North Adventure Tour

Relaxed Driftwood Tours that Visit Northern Ireland:

🐑 6 Day Driftwood Northern Island Tour

🚐 11 Day Driftwood Discover Ireland Tour*

*On your 11 Day Driftwood Discover Ireland Tour, you may travel around Northern Ireland in either clockwise or counter-clockwise direction.

Read our blog about Northern Ireland

Read more about the delights of Northern Ireland on our blog

Our relaxed and easy-paced Driftwood Tours range in length from 6-11 days.

Our active and adventurous Vagabond Tours range in length from 7-12 days.

We have two types of tours: active Vagabond and relaxed Driftwood.

All you need is love. And also...

The minimum number for our tours is two people.

Your departure is 100% guaranteed once you've booked your tour (as long as there is one other person booked). We've never cancelled a tour.

The maximum group size is 13 for active Vagabond Tours.

The maximum group size is 15 for relaxed Driftwood Tours.

Yes. Once we have two people booked on a tour, it is a 100% guaranteed departure... And that’s a promise!

We've never cancelled a tour. We are proud that no Vagabond or Driftwood tour has ever been called off due to low bookings.

We are very aware that you have probably gone to great lengths to get to Ireland; organising time off work; buying flights; booking hotels. So we always run our tours once guests have booked. It's only fair!

Please bear in mind that this does mean that, every now and then, we do run tours with only two guests.

Yes. One of the only non-flexible things about our tours are the departure days.

All of our tours depart from Dublin's Grand Canal Hotel on either Sundays, Mondays or Tuesdays.

Our mini coaches are not wheelchair accessible. In order to enjoy our tours, you must be able to get on and off our tour vehicles unaided; or have someone come along on tour to help you.

A lightweight foldable wheelchair can sometimes be stowed in the luggage compartment. Our tours are not suitable for larger wheelchairs or mobility scooters.

Vagabond Cultural Adventure Tours are centred around adventure activities. We think you'll enjoy them if you're an active perseon with at least a moderate level of fitness.

More detail on Vagabond adventure activities:

There are two main differences between active Vagabond Tours and relaxed Driftwood tours.

We strongly recommend that you purchase comprehensive travel insurance cover before your trip to Ireland.

Your policy should cover medical cover and additional travel expenses such as flight cancellation, personal accident, lost/stolen personal luggage, lost/stolen money and public liability.

Travel light. But your Ireland trip will run smoother if you pack these essentials.

Yes. Owing to the compact nature of our small group tour vehicles, our baggage limit is one suitcase per person (no bigger than 30” (75cm) along their longest side).

Travelling as a couple? You can bring along one large suitcase instead of two medium ones.

Our tours don’t include pre/post tour accommodation or activities in Dublin.

We find it’s best to allow you to book these elements, as tastes and budgets differ from guest to guest.

In your booking confirmation email, we'll recommend a list of hotels in Dublin that are close to your tour pick-up/drop-off point.

Read our blog about non-touristy things to do in Dublin

Airport transfers are not included in our tour prices.

Taxis cost between €20-25 from Dublin Airport to Dublin City Centre.

If you're staying at our pick-up/drop-off point at the Grand Canal Hotel, your taxi from Dublin Airport may cost up to €35.

Find out how to get from Dublin Airport to Dublin City Centre

Dublin Airport is the best option.

All Vagabond and Driftwood Tours depart to and from Dublin's Grand Canal Hotel.

There is no other airport within convenient driving distance.

Find out how to get from Dublin Airport to Dublin City Centre

The only travel document we need you to bring on tour is your disclaimer. This will be sent to you by email 21 days before your tour departure date.

After printing and signing your disclaimer, you can either:

• Scan and email it to us - enquires@vagabond.ie;
• Or bring the physical signed copy with you to show your VagaGuide tour guide on Day 1 of your tour.

All of our tours leave from our pick-up/drop-off point at the Grand Canal Hotel in Dublin.

Our pick-up times from the Grand Canal Hotel vary by tour:

In the true spirit of Ireland, we like to keep our tours as relaxed as possible.

Flexibility and free time are built into all of our tour itineraries.

Active Vagabond Tours feature lots of adventure activities.

Relaxed Driftwood Tours are more easy-paced, with plentiful free time to stroll and explore.

We feel that there's no better way to meet Irish people and experience firsthand Ireland's famous hospitality, warmth and humour.

In general, no special immunisations or medications are required when travelling to Ireland.

If you suffer from pre-existing medical conditions, we strongly advise that you check your circumstances with your medical professional before coming on tour.

Ireland is consistently named as one of the safest places in the world for tourists. The Global Peace Index ranked Ireland number 10 in the world in 2018 (from 163 countries).

We welcome lots of solo travellers on tour. Take one of our small group tours for a hassle-free way to explore Ireland and meet future friends.

We welcome lots of solo travellers on tour. Take one of our small group tours for a hassle-free way to explore Ireland and meet future friends.

Read more about solo travel with us in Ireland

Simple answer = Lots!

All of our tours are packed with great scenery, local Irish culture and loads of laughs.

Our tour prices include:

• Your accommodation;

Our tour prices are set from May to September, inclusive.

You can get 10% off our standard prices on all tours departing in March, April and October.

Check our 2019 tour prices

If you're from the USA, Canada, Australia or New Zealand, travelling for the sole purpose of tourism and staying less than 3 months in Ireland, you do not need a visa.

From a different country? Check the visa requirements on the official Irish government website.

If in doubt, please contact the Irish Immigration Service. Alternatively, contact the Irish embassy or consulate in your home country.

Our 2019 prices are as follows:

Yes, when accompanied by their parent/guardian. In general, your kids can stay in an Irish pub until 9pm.

Children (anyone under the age of 18) are only allowed in licensed premises if they are with a parent or guardian. This provision carries certain restrictions. For example, if accompanied by a parent/guardian, the child may remain on the premises from 10:30am – 9pm in the months of October to April (until 10pm May to September). The pub licence holder has the right to contravene this if he/she sees fit.

All ages enjoy our tours.

However, there's a minimum age of 8 years old for a scheduled tour. Do you have younger children? Check out our private family tour page.

Find our tour cancellation terms and condition below.

Yes. We are proud members of several professional tourism and adventure travel organisations.

Find out more on our Professional Memberships page

We require a deposit of 15% of the tour price to secure your booking.

The remaining balance is due 60 days before departure. If there is less than 60 days until departure when you book, full payment is required.

Find out more on our Book A Tour page

All Vagabond and Driftwood customer correspondence is carried out by email. This includes your booking confirmation.

Don't worry! There's no need to print your booking confirmation or voucher.

The only travel document we need you to print out is your disclaimer. This will be sent to you by email 21 days before your tour departure date.

After printing and signing your disclaimer, you can either:

• Scan and email it to us - enquires@vagabond.ie;
• Or bring the physical signed copy with you to show your VagaGuide tour guide on Day 1 of your tour.

We accept:

✔️Most major credit cards (except AMEX and Discovery).
✔️Electronic Bank Transfer – get details from our reservations team
✔️International Euro drafts or euro cheques issued in Ireland

All bookings are confirmed by email. Your confirmation will include:

• Your Booking Reference Number;
• A Helpful Information Pack;
• Our Full Terms and Conditions.

We can also send out physical copies of your confirmation in the post, if required.

It's easy to book your Vagabond or Driftwood Tour:

🔒 Book Securely Online

☎️ Call us Toll Free from the USA on 833 230 0288.

🌏 Or from anywhere else in the world on +353 (0) 14428559

💭 Questions about booking? Email us on enquiries@vagabond.ie

Find out more on our Book a Tour page