Ireland is a popular travel destination for Americans for many reasons. English is spoken there, and it has a reputation for being friendly and easy to navigate. In addition, many Americans have Irish ancestry and go there to seek their family history. Dublin is the first stop for most visitors, and while it would be a mistake to travel all the way to Ireland and never leave the city, there's plenty to see and do there as well. The tips below can help you with your planning.
How to Pay For It
It might come as a surprise to learn that Ireland is one of the more expensive places in Europe. Accommodation, eating out, and drinks in their famous pubs are all pricey. While it's possible to do Dublin on a budget, you'll find that even the youth hostels aren't as inexpensive as you might expect. It's best to budget enough that you aren't constantly worried about money. If you're short on cash, you may want to consider a personal loan, a popular way to pay for everything from travel to home renovations to debt consolidation and more. You do need to make sure it's the right loan for your circumstances. You can review a guide to help you learn more about personal loans and whether they're the right solution.
Getting Around
You need to find the perfect accommodations, but you also need to find the best ways to get around. Some visitors to Ireland prefer to rent a car to get around the country since the public transportation infrastructure is not as extensive as in some other European countries. However, if you are planning to rent a vehicle, wait until you're ready to leave the city to pick it up. A car in Dublin will just be a liability. The city does offer good public transportation, with an extensive bus system plus a tram, trains that go out to the suburbs, and of course the usual options of taxis and ride sharing. Several buses run from the airport to the city centre.
The Hop-On, Hop-Off Bus
The city centre of Dublin is small and walkable, but a great way to take in all the major sights in a few hours and get a sense of the city's geography is by taking a hop-on, hop-off bus tour, which is essentially what it sounds like, allowing you to get on and off as you wish. You can also note down places you want to return to and spend more time at.
Things to Do
Everyone will have their own ideas of what they must do, whether it's following in the footsteps of writer James Joyce, taking in Gaelic games at Croke Park, or shopping on Grafton Street or in Temple Bar. However, there are a few experiences that most everyone should try. Even if you don't drink, it's worth visiting one of the city's old pubs and soaking up the atmosphere. You should also check out the ancient Book of Kells in the stunning library at Trinity. Finally, be sure to strike up a conversation with a local. Most Irish people enjoy talking, and many have lived in or have family in the U.S. themselves.
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