Free Ireland Travel Guides -

Woman in hat leans out of camper van window, mountain backdrop.

Dia Duit, I'm Laura

Let me be your local guide.

I’m lucky enough to say I’ve travelled around Ireland time and time again, and this page is here to make planning your trip feel a whole lot easier.

Think of it as your Ireland travel planning library designed to help you figure things out for your trip, stop second-guessing yourself along the way, and feel confident before you arrive.

You’ll find practical guides, must know tips, and honest answers to the things most people only realise once they’re already here.

Everything is neatly organised below so you can jump straight to what you need. And If you do get stuck or want a bit of real-time reassurance, my Ireland Facebook community is there for questions and sanity checks.

QUICK TIPS for IRELAND

Explore like a local

AVOID HIGH ROAMING CHARGES

Airalo eSIMs work seamlessly across Ireland with quick, affordable data plans. Use code IRELAND10 for 10% off your plan (ROI Deals & ROI & NI Plans)

AIRPORT TRANSFER MADE EASY

Welcome Pickups is my go-to for reliable rides from the airport straight to your accommodation. I'd advise booking in advance for peace of mind.

DISCOVER UNIQUE activities

Check out GetYourGuide & Viator for unique things to do, like a DIY Claddagh Ring Workshop or a street food walking tour with a local.

DON’T SKIP INSURANCE!!

I can't stress this enough, but travel insurance is an absolute must! Thankfully, VisitorsCoverage is great for comparing affordable, trusted insurance plans to find one that actually suits your needs.

AVOID OVERPAYING FOR CAR RENTALS

Before booking your rental, I'd advise checking out comparison tools like DiscoverCars to ensure you're getting the best deal on the market.

Our Most Popular Guides

I see it time and time again, visitors opt into using international roaming to gain service on their mobile devices. And yes, this is a great option for those come from EU countries but honestly, it is really expensive for those travelling from further a field.

You could always choose to pick up a sim card in one of Ireland's local stores although I don't recommend that as you will have to wait to you arrive and remove you home sim card from your phone.

Instead, I recommend opting into using a eSim, Airalo is the one I personally use both in Ireland and abroad, they have some pretty affordable plans to choose from.

However, it is important to note that if you are planning on visiting both the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland on your trip then the Euro Plan is the one to go for as it includes coverage across both area's. Use the code IRELAND10 for 10% off.

You may be wondering which Airport in Ireland is best to fly into? Many visitors are not aware that Dublin is not the only option. Below is a quick guide on Airports in Ireland that offer international flights.

Dublin Airport (DUB): The busiest airport in Ireland, serving destinations from all over the world including those in Europe and North America (which is major destinations for Irish tourism)
Cork Airport (ORK): Located in the South of the country and offers international flights from varies European cities.
Shannon Airport (SNN): This is a fantastic option for those travelling from the US or Canada as there is a range of transatlantic flights to choose from. It also means you can start your Ireland itinerary in Dublin and end on the West Coast. There is no need to circle back! There is also many flight options going to and from mainland Europe and the UK.
Ireland West Airport Knock (NOC): Is a small airport located in County Mayo. It offer a small selection of flights to the UK and Europe.
Kerry Airport (KIR): Much like knowck, Kerry Airport is small and compact, however, it does have a selection of international flights that leave each week with both UK and European options.
Belfast International Airport (BFS): Belfast Airport also offers a range of flight options from Europe, the UK and US. However, thanks to Brexit, most visitors will now need an ETA visa to visit passed 2025 as Belfast is part of the United Kingdom. There is also no US pre-clearance option in Belfast.

I always struggle to answer this question because honestly there is no right answer. I have been travelling the island my whole life and still find places I have never been before.

I think it is common for people to visit for one to two weeks (I have a 7 day itinerary prepared for anyone who is interested).

But then a trip of that duration is not always possible, if you only a few days to spare, I recommend spending 2 days in Dublin and then using the capital as a base to go day trips on your remaining days.

Need Help Planning Your Trip?

Ireland travel guide showing road signs, road types, roundabouts, and petrol station map.

Your DRIVING IN IRELAND TOOLKIT

Book a personal Ireland travel planning call with Laura, your local guide. Includes recording, transcript, and breakdown options.

Plan Your Ireland Trip With a Local

Dublin travel guide: "A Pocket Guide to Dublin" with packing tips, vintage shops, supermarkets, and souvenir ideas.

Your Pocket Guide to Dublin

Ireland Google Map Pins: Causeway Coastal Route, Kerry, Galway/Mayo. Use across all devices.

EXPLORE IRELAND

The Local Way

Tired of seeing the same generic locations in every Ireland Travel guide? I have just the thing for you!

As a local, I’ve handpicked hundreds of Google Maps pins across Ireland, featuring hidden gems, my favourite must-see's and pull-ins that most drive past.

Add them to your own Google Maps by signing up below.

Pre-Planning Essentials

Mistakes & Local Insights

DISCOVER IRELAND

The Local Way

Book a personal Ireland planning call with Laura, your local guide, to fine-tune your travel plans.

Feeling overwhelmed planning your trip to Ireland? I have just the thing for you!

As a local, I offer 1:1 Ireland travel planning calls, where we go through your trip together.

Discussing any potential mishaps, planning oversights and questions you may have.

The call is completely personalised to your trip, giving you the clarity, confidence and a solid plan to move forward with.

⚠️ There is Limited availability each month, so make sure to book with plenty of time before your visit ⚠️

Drive in Ireland

With Confidence

Feeling nervous about driving in Ireland? You’re not the only one… and you don’t have to figure it out alone.

The Ireland Driving Toolkit is a practical guide with clear local advice and no guesswork.

✔️ Custom Google Maps with petrol stations and toll roads mapped out.
✔️ Cheat sheets for roundabouts, road signs and km to miles.
✔️ Straightforward tips on tolls, navigation and what to expect on different road types.

Plus the small local details most guides skip, but make all the difference once you’re here.

Packing & Weather Tips