FAQs – Frequently Asked Questions

You'll need basic mobility to enjoy any of our small group tours of Ireland. Standing and walking for extended periods is required on both tour styles.

For Vagabond Cultural Adventures, the fitness requirement is considerably higher than on a Driftwood Journey of Discovery.

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:

Guests whose tour travels from the Republic of Ireland to Northern Ireland (NI) will require an Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) for 2025 tours.

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.

There are two currencies used on the island of Ireland. Which one you need, depends on which part of Ireland you're visiting.

You'll use Euro (€) while visiting the Republic of Ireland. Northern Ireland's currency is the Pound sterling (£).

The industry standard in Ireland is €15 per person, per day. But this is, of course, at your discretion.

Our team of VagaGuide tour guides really appreciate any tips that come their way after leading a Vagabond or Driftwood small-group tour.

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.

Travel light.

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

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.

The main differences between our two tour styles are the level of fitness required, the pace and the tour vehicles.

On both Vagabond Cultural Adventures and Driftwood Journeys of Discovery, you are guaranteed fun, history, culture, outstanding tour guides, spectacular scenery and excellent hotels.

We always put guest safety first on Vagabond Cultural Adventures.

For this reason, when engaging in kayaking and horseback-riding activities, the following personal weight limits apply:

🐴 Horseback-Riding

Male weight limit: 238lbs / 17 stone / 108kg

Female weight limit: 225lbs / 16 stone / 102kg

🛶 Kayaking

Per person Double Kayak weight limit: 110kg / 17.5 stone / 245lbs

Total Double Kayak weight limit for 2 guests: 190kg / 30 stone / 420lbs

Per person Single Kayak weight limit: 92kg / 14.5 stone / 200lbs.

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.

We currently run 13 scheduled small group tours of Ireland. Our itineraries visit all corners of the island, including Northern Ireland.

Our tours range from 5-15 days in duration. The per person rate ranges from €1,386 to €4,435 in price (excluding single supplements).

The southern four-fifths and northwestern portion of the island of Ireland is an independent country called the Republic of Ireland. It is not part of the UK and has been independent since 1922.

However, Northern Ireland is part of the United Kingdom (UK). Northern Ireland makes up roughly 20% of the north and northeast of the island of Ireland.

Are you coming to Dublin in 2025?

Quickly check the major events and national holidays that may affect hotel rates in Ireland's capital city.