TOP 10 TRAVEL TIPS FOR DUBLIN
Are you curious about the Emerald Isle? Great! I will provide travel tips for Ireland or actually half of the Island of Ireland. So, let us talk about the south side of Ireland, the Republic of Ireland. I visited Dublin, which is the capital of the Republic of Ireland, in March of 2019. We were there for St. Patrick’s Day and we learned a few things about the Emerald Isle that can help you keep your smile while exploring this lush destination. Here are my top ten travel tips for Dublin.
Food prep! Check the hours of the restaurants where you would like to eat in advance. We noticed that many restaurants were closed on Saturdays and Sundays between the hours of 3 p.m. to 5 p.m.
The more the merrier. The size of your traveling party may affect your wait time at bars and restaurants during major events such as St. Patrick’s Day. There were only two in our party and we quickly ushered past larger groups to a table.
Cash is king and its name is the Euro. The Republic of Ireland is part of the European Union and uses the Euro as its currency. I suggest that you arrive with, at least, 100 Euros. Some taxis only accept cash and do not accept credit cards, apple pay, or Samsung pay. To order foreign currency in advance, simply contact your U.S. bank about two weeks before your trip to place an order.
Put your best face forward. I always pack a few facial clothes or wash clothes in my luggage. Some hotels in Europe do not carry them and only provide hand and body towels. I use these handy clothes at home to wash my face and remove my makeup.
The train games. The Irish rail is a scenic, quick and relaxing way to journey around the Irish Isle. The Irish Rail provides three classes of service for a range of budgets with multiple amenities. We used Irish rail to travel from Dublin, Ireland to Belfast, Northern Ireland.
Is that the United States at the Dublin International Airport? Make sure you arrive at the International Airport in Dublin early. U.S. Customs and Immigration are actually at the airport in Dublin! You will need enough time to clear customs and immigration before you leave Ireland. This may provide a minor inconvenience on the front end, but it makes for an easy-breezy arrival in the U.S.
Stay plugged in. Don’t forget your travel adapters. The power outlets overseas are different. You cannot plug your devices directly into the wall. Travel adapters work well for cellphones, electric shavers, and small cameras. You will need a converter and an adapter for the more powerful electronics.
The power struggles. Many U.S. appliances use 110 volts, but in Europe 220 volts are common. Many electronics are dual voltage; however, some are not. The main appliances that are not dual voltage are hair tools! To solve this problem, I bought a set of curling irons and flat irons in London a few years ago. They work perfectly throughout Europe and any country that uses 220 voltage. You can try the converters, but sometimes they fail and you may destroy a $150 flatiron or a $50 curling iron.
Correction, cash is not always king. Even if you have prepaid your hotel room online, you may still need a major credit or debit card for your room incidentals. Make sure you have at least one major credit card with a Visa or Mastercard logo with about $500 of available funds. Also, please remember, American Express and Diners Clubs are sometimes not accepted.
Are your shoes made for walking? Dublin is a super walkable city. Make sure you wear comfortable walking shoes that are cushioned with a nice grip for your adventures. We walked an average of six to nine miles per day.
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Happy travels… Tani 😊
