Planning Your Tour FAQs

We do not book flights on behalf of our guests.

This gives you complete flexibility over your flight departure and arrival dates, your chosen airports and preferred airlines, not to mention the opportunity to take advantage of sales, promotions and frequent flyer programmes.

Please email us at enquiries@vagabond.ie with any questions about 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:

To help you plan your return flights, here are the days and times that our tours return to Dublin.

The return point for all tours is Dublin's Grand Canal Hotel

Dublin Airport is the best airport to fly to for Vagabond & Driftwood Tours.

That's because our pickup and dropoff point for all tours is Dublin's Grand Canal Hotel.

There is no other Irish airport within convenient driving distance.

Find out about flight connections to Ireland from North America

Airport transfers are not included in our tour prices.

Taxis cost between €22-38 from Dublin Airport to downtown Dublin.

This taxi fare is dependent on several factors:

• The exact location of your hotel in Dublin;
• The number of passengers;
• The time that you hail the taxi (8pm-8am weekdays and all day Sundays and public holidays is a higher rate);

Private transfer and public transport options are also available from Dublin airport to the city centre.

Learn how to get from Dublin Airport to downtown Dublin

It's never been easier to fly direct from the USA or Canada to Ireland.

18 cities in the US and 4 cities in Canada boast direct flight connections with Ireland.

We put great effort into selecting accommodation for both Vagabond Cultural Adventures and Driftwood Journeys of Discovery.

You will be staying at small family-run hotels, high quality guesthouses or even an Irish castle hotel!

Most hotels in Ireland do not have air conditioning.

The climate in Ireland usually isn't hot enough to warrant air conditioning.

In periods of prolonged warm weather, hotels that don’t have air conditioning will normally install fans in the bedrooms.

Find out more about Irish weather and the best time to visit Ireland

Your group will start exploring between 8.45-9.30am each morning.

Each evening, your group will return to your hotel at around 6pm.

Yes, you'll be required to move your bag in and out of each hotel room.

Your VagaGuide tour guide will load and unload your baggage from the tour vehicle.

Most of our hotels do not offer porterage services.

All of our hotels offer the following choice of room types:

• Doubles (one bed)

All of your hotel rooms on tour provide hairdryers.

Please note that, in some cases, Irish hotel hairdryers may not be the most powerful models.

Yes, all hotel rooms on Vagabond and Driftwood Tours of Ireland are ensuite.

Expect your own separate bathroom with toilet, sink and shower and/or bath.

We operate a strict no smoking policy on all of our tour vehicles.

Vaping and e-cigarettes are also not allowed while on board our tour vehicles.

🚭 Smoking Ban In Ireland

Smoking is banned in all enclosed public places in Ireland and in all workplaces.

Smoking is also not permitted inside your hotel. However, all hotels will provide outdoor smoking areas.

The ban on smoking in Ireland includes company vehicles (cars and vans) as well as offices, pubs/bars and restaurants.

Dreaming of a night in a romantic Irish castle?

The following Driftwood Journeys of Discovery spend at least one night in a castle hotel:

Travel light.

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

Short answer = Yes.

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

Unless you're travelling to Ireland from the UK, you will need an electrical plug adapter to use your devices and/or appliances here.

Luckily, power adapters are inexpensive and readily available in Ireland.

Yes, you'll be required to move your bag in and out of each hotel room.

Your VagaGuide tour guide will load and unload your baggage from the tour vehicle.

Most of our hotels do not offer porterage services.

You won't need to pack formal attire or fancy shoes when visiting Ireland.

Socialising at pubs and restaurants in Ireland is usually a relaxed and casual affair.

Jeans and sneakers are totally acceptable in 99.9% of the bars, pubs, hotels and restaurants that you frequent on our tours.

Read more about what to pack for a tour of Ireland

Hiking poles are not required for our hikes.

If you would prefer to use them, please bring collapsible hiking poles that fit easily into your luggage.

Our tour vehicles come equipped with one spare set of hiking poles in case a guest requires them at short notice.

All other equipment required for optional adventure activities will be provided by our suppliers.

Serviced laundry facilities are available on tours that stay 2 nights in the following towns:

• 🧺 Dingle - Check which tours visit Dingle

Your passport is the most important travel document you'll need to visit Ireland.

To board our tours, you'll need to show us proof of your tour voucher (either on your device or in printed form). Your voucher will be emailed to you before your tour.

The only other document we require is your disclaimer. This can be signed digitally. We'll email you a link to complete this process before your tour.

⚠️ IMPORTANT: Check Your Passport Expiry Date Before Booking. Remember to check that your passport is in date for the duration of your stay in Ireland.

The answer depends on which tour style you have chosen.

Driftwood vehicles have space for luggage onboard. Vagabond vehicles tow a trailer.

Euro is the main currency you'll use while touring in the Republic of Ireland.

If your tour visits Northern Ireland, you'll also use Pound sterling (£).

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.

Tipping in Ireland can be confusing if you're visiting from the USA or Canada.

Don't worry! Our top tipping tip is: don't tip unless you really loved the service.