Essential Travel Tips for Ireland in 2025

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If you're planning to visit Ireland in 2025 you need these Ireland travel tips before you begin booking!

Below you'll learn about the new requirement for visiting Northern Ireland (and the UK), the days I recommend you NOT be in Dublin, and what's new in 2025.

You'll also get handy tips on booking everything from accommodations to attractions.

CLICK HERE to save this to your Ireland vacation planning board on Pinterest.

Jody Halsted – Ireland Family Vacations and the Traveling in Ireland podcast.

In case you're wondering why you would want to get your Ireland travel advice from me…

My name is Jody Halsted, and I am an Ireland destination specialist. I have been traveling to and through Ireland for over 22 years (!!), publish Ireland Family Vacations, host the Traveling in Ireland podcast, assist hundreds of travelers with their Ireland vacations each year and, occasionally, I also host small group tours through Ireland.

That's a lot! But Ireland travel is my passion; and my goal -100% – is to help you have an amazing Ireland vacation. And I have quite a few ways to do that.

My website, Ireland Family Vacations, is a complete resource for Ireland vacation planning – filled with information on what to do & see as well as handy tips for planning your trip and free itineraries to get your plans in motion quickly. (Don't let the name fool you! I travel through Ireland solo, with my husband, with my family, and hosting small group tours. Whatever your group size or dynamic I am able to assist!)

My itinerary personalization, vacation coaching, and custom itinerary creation services help you maximize your Ireland experience, and my small group guided tours are designed to not only deliver the ‘authentic' Ireland of your dreams but also introduce you to the people and hidden places that make the country so very magical.

If you love the process of planning your trip the My Ireland Vacation Planner & Journal walks you step-by-step through my expert process, from when to visit and how long the perfect vacation lasts, to what to see, where to stay, and even what to eat.

On a more personal note, I have 2 teenage daughters who have been traveling through Ireland with me since before they could toddle, one very supportive husband (who loves it when I plan other people's vacations because it means I'm not planning my own), and one large, very fluffy, dog who prefers we stay in the US and travel by RV so she can come along.

My family at Malahide Castle.. By Aoife for Flytographer; Dublin, Ireland. All rights reserved.

Now that you know all about me, let's jump into what you need to know as you consider planning an Ireland vacation in 2025!

This article is also available as a podcast. To listen please scroll to the player at the bottom of the page to listen.

2025 Ireland Travel Tips You Need

Ireland Travel Rules & Regulations

There are currently no health restrictions in place for North Americans traveling to or from Ireland. But we all know how quickly that can change. Bookmark these sites for travel updates:

• current rules for traveling to Ireland are here​
• current rules for returning to the US after international travel are here​
• current rules for Canadians returning home can be found here​

Vintage Tea Trips in Dublin

In Case of Cancellation

Read and understand cancellation policies before booking.

If booking with a credit card be aware of the cancellation coverage you may have with that card.
I highly recommend purchasing travel insurance if you book tickets our tours that don't allow 100% refund if cancelled.

2025 Will Be (another) Busy Year for Tourism

2024 was a busy year for tourism in Ireland, but it still fell below record numbers established in 2019.

2025 is expected to be busy, but possibly a bit turbulent as passenger caps at Dublin Airport could limit flights. I am hopeful it will help increase flights into Shannon Airport, which is a perfect arrival if you plan to explore the western coast, and possibly add direct flights from the US to Cork.

New in Ireland in 2025

If You Plan to Visit Northern Ireland

The biggest news for 2025 Ireland travel is the requirement of the UK ETA for visiting Northern Ireland (as well as Scotland, Wales and England, if your travels take you there.)

This digital permit allows you to visit the UK for short stays. You apply using a mobile device or online, pay a small fee (currently £10), and receive approval electronically. Once approved, it’s linked to your passport, and it is recommended you have it before you travel.

For all the details on the UK ETA, as well as other documentation, read Paperwork & Passports: The Documents You Need to Visit Ireland.

Here's When to Avoid Dublin

Dublin is always busy – especially in the summer months – but then end of August this year is going to be exceptionally crazy.

On August 16 & 17 the Gallagher lads will be playing Croke Park for their Oasis reunion tour. The following weekend, on August 23, the Aer Lingus Football Class will be played at Aviva Stadium. Between the two events you can expect nearly 200,000 people to descend upon Dublin in a 10-day period – which means sky-high accommodation prices, larger than normal crowds, and reservations needed absolutely everywhere.

Unless you plan to attend one of those events, I recommend avoiding Dublin from August 13-27.

Wilde Times

2025 is the 125th anniversary of the death of Oscar Wilde and the town of Enniskillen, where Wilde attended school from 1864-71, is planning a Wilde weekend of ‘fairytale, fantasy and frivolity for serious people', October 16-20, 2025. More information about the In Our Dreams – Wilde Weekend Festival is expected to be announced in the spring.

The third Oscariana festival in Dublin will also take place in October.

St. Patrick's Way

The 82-mile signed walking trail passing key sights related to St. Patrick celebrates int's 10th anniversary in 2025. Beginning at the Navan Centre in Armagh and ending at the saint's final resting place at Down Cathedral in Downpatrick, walkers will enjoy some of Northern Ireland's most spectacular landscapes while collecting stamps in a special Pilgrim's Passport.

St. Declan's Way Pilgrim Trail

Not new, exactly, but undergoing improvements. The 1500-year-old pilgrim path from Ardmore in County Waterford to the Rock of Cashel in County Tipperary follows the route that Declan took when going to meet St. Patrick in the 5th century. Known as ‘Ireland's Camino' the 115 km trail takes approximately 6 days to complete.

The Open at Royal Portrush

The 153rd Open Championship will take place at Royal Portrush Golf Club July 14-20, 2025. If you don't plan to visit the area for that event, I recommend adjusting your travel to avoid the inflated prices and crowds.

Connecting Two of Ireland's Most Popular Driving Routes

The Wild Atlantic Way and Causeway Coastal Route are set to be linked this year. Visitors can expect added discovery points, improved signage, and orientation aids.

Handy Booking Tips for Ireland in 2025

Booking Ireland Accommodations

Accommodations for 2025 are already scarce in some areas, especially for more budget friendly options like 3-star hotels and hostels. Ireland continues to host nearly 100,000 displaced people across the country, so accommodations are at a premium, especially in the cities and popular areas.
Book early – especially if traveling May – September.

If you want to try to ‘wing it' (which I definitely don't recommend during the busy season) be prepared to stay away from town centres in more rural areas.

Any ‘special' accommodations – like castles or manor houses – as well as any popular locations (Dublin, Killarney, Doolin, Dingle) should always be booked in advance.

Just plug in your dates to this handy map to find available accommodations.

Ireland Car Rental

Book your rental car early for the best prices. Car rental shortages may happen in the busier tourism months – especially on larger vehicles – which means higher prices as demand overwhelms the supply. My new Renting a Car & Driving in Ireland resource page answers to every question you'll have on this topic.
When you are comparing car rentals don't forget to use my exclusive link to save 10% at Irish Car Rentals.

Petrol costs in Ireland are currently USD$6.65 per gallon. Train and bus travel was very popular last year along the main tourist routes, and I don't see that changing. Book tickets for public transportation in advance, especially if traveling with a group.

Hiring an Ireland Driver Guide

If you have a group of 6 or larger hiring a licensed driver guide may be the best money you spend. Not only will everyone comfortably fit in their touring vehicle (with plenty of room for luggage) but everyone can enjoy the journey.

For groups of 12 or more plan to book early as minibuses and touring coaches are in high demand.

Hiring a Driver in Ireland 2025 Guide

Tips for Booking Tours & Attractions

Book tours and popular ‘must see' attractions (like Book of Kells, Guinness Storehouse, Kilmainham Gaol, and Newgrange) in advance to avoid disappointment.

OPW spots like Newgrange and Kilmainham Gaol both offer online booking (30 days in advance for Newgrange; 28 for Kilmainham) prior to your visit. You will want to log on at that 28/30 day mark – at midnight Irish time if possible- to secure your tickets.

Carrick-a-Rede Rope Bridge is operating on timed tickets for both the bridge and the car park and, according to the National Trust website, pre-booking is essential for rope bridge crossing. The booking window is 60 days.

If Blarney Castle is on your itinerary check to see if your planned day to visit corresponds with a day a cruise ship is in Cork or Cobh. If they match you may want to switch your date if possible or plan to arrive the minute the site opens.

To avoid the worst of the crowds in popular spots like the Cliffs of Moher, Blarney Castle, the Rock of Cashel, Kylemore Abbey, and similar spots try to time your visit before 10 am or after 4 pm to miss the majority of large tour buses.

The ETIAS

The European Travel Information and Authorization System (ETIAS) was set to begin in 2023. Then it was moved to 2024. It has now been postponed until after the EES rolls out.

What is the EES?
Due to begin in 2025, the Entry/ Exit System (EES) is a system for registering non-EU nationals traveling for a short stay in 29 European countries.
While Ireland is part of the EU it is not a Schengen Member Country, so this does not apply for your Ireland vacation. But if your travel plans include other European countries visit the EES website to stay up to date on this requirement.

To sum up…

Do your homework. Book early. And for answers to more of your Ireland travel questions visit the Frequently Asked Questions page at IrelandFamilyVacations.com/faq

Traveling in Ireland podcast episode 242

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