Ireland — find the right stay, from deciding to booking
“Cliffs of Moher, castles, Guinness pubs and emerald fields”
Ireland is the emerald isle of legend and stunning nature — the sheer Cliffs of Moher dropping into the ocean, old castles and abbey ruins, Dublin pubs with Guinness and live music, rolling green fields and the coastal Wild Atlantic Way, all paired with warm people and good humor. It makes for a romantic, easygoing northern-European trip.
Ireland at a glance
Choose a city in Ireland
Each city has its own things-to-do and food guides plus in-depth ranked hotel reviews with real photos and price comparison — start with the city that fits your trip.
Decide — is Ireland right for you?
Why people love Ireland, how it compares to its neighbors, and which travel style suits you
Cliffs and coast
The Cliffs of Moher and the ocean-hugging Wild Atlantic Way.
Castles and history
Old castles, abbey ruins and ancient standing stones.
Pubs and music
Dublin pubs, pints of Guinness and live Irish music.
Lush green nature
Emerald fields, the Ring of Kerry and national parks.
The people and the craic
Warm, funny Irish people and a great, lively atmosphere (the craic).
Literature
The home of James Joyce, Oscar Wilde and world-class literature.
Ireland vs its neighbors
| Ireland | United Kingdom | Iceland | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Daily budget (per person) | $70–135 | $85–155 | $100–185 |
| Visa (Thai passport) | Required (Irish) | Required (UK) | Schengen |
| Getting around cities | Car rental · trains and buses | Good trains and metro | Car rental |
| English | Native language | Native language | Very good |
| Known for | Cliffs · pubs · green fields | London · castles | Aurora · volcanoes |
Figures are rough per-person, per-day estimates — your real budget depends on your travel style.
How do you travel?
Coastal road trip
Rent a car from Dublin → Galway → the Cliffs of Moher → the Ring of Kerry, following the Wild Atlantic Way over 7 days.
See this plan → 🍺Dublin and pubs
Base yourself in Dublin, walk Temple Bar, taste Guinness, hear live music and take a castle day trip.
See this plan → 🏰Castles and history
Trace castles, abbey ruins and old villages — perfect for the history-and-romance crowd.
See this plan →Plan — stay, eat, see
Start with where to stay (the heart of the trip), then add food and sights, and gauge your daily budget.
Find the stay you want
1 ranked reviewsNo reviews match these filters — try removing some.
- 1🍺
Guinness
A creamy, smooth dark stout, best enjoyed in a pub alongside live music.
📍 Nationwide - 2🥘
Irish Stew
A lamb, potato and carrot stew that warms you up on a cold day.
📍 Nationwide - 3🐟
Fish & Chips
Crisp battered fish with chips — fresh seafood by the sea.
📍 Coast - 4🥔
Boxty / Colcannon
Irish-style potatoes — a potato pancake and mash mixed with cabbage.
📍 Nationwide - 5🍞
Soda Bread
Dense soda bread, eaten with butter and soup.
📍 Nationwide - 6☕
Irish Coffee
Coffee with whiskey and cream — warm and fragrant.
📍 Nationwide
- 1🌊
Cliffs of Moher
Sheer 214 m cliffs on the Atlantic coast — an icon of Ireland.
📍 Clare - 2🎓
Trinity College
An old university with the Long Room library and the Book of Kells.
📍 Dublin - 3🍺
Guinness
The famous stout's museum at the Storehouse, with brewing exhibits and a bar with city views.
📍 Dublin - 4🌉
Galway
A lively seaside town with street music and seafood.
📍 Galway - 5🚗
Ring of Kerry
A scenic driving route past the loveliest mountains, lakes and coast.
📍 Kerry - 6🏞️
Killarney NP
Lakes, woodland and a castle set in lush green nature.
📍 Kerry
🚆 Getting around Ireland
Car rental
Best for the coast and countryside; drive on the left, take full insurance, and watch for narrow roads.
Irish Rail
Links the big cities (Dublin–Cork–Galway), comfortable but doesn't reach the countryside.
Buses
Bus Éireann/Citylink connect towns and sights at budget prices.
Day tours
Tours from Dublin to the Cliffs of Moher and castles if you'd rather not drive.
Luas (Dublin)
Dublin's light rail conveniently links the city center.
🛂 Etiquette & culture in Ireland
Driving on the left
Drive on the left, British-style; country roads are narrow, so take care and go slow.
Pub culture
The pub is the social hub — order at the bar, pay as you order, and enjoy live music in the evenings.
Tipping 10–15%
Tip 10–15% in restaurants; no need to tip in pubs.
Fast-changing weather
It can rain in any season, so always pack a rain and wind jacket — "four seasons in one day."
The craic
Irish people love a chat and a laugh — feel free to strike up a conversation with strangers in the pub.
💸 Daily budget — a rough guide
Budget
🛏️ Hostel / B&B $35–55
Stay in B&Bs, grab a pub lunch, take the bus, and enjoy free nature and city walks.
Comfortable
🛏️ 3–4★ hotel $70–115
Rent a car for a coastal road trip, enjoy pub food and live music, and pay castle admissions.
Premium
🛏️ Castle hotel $170+
Sleep in a castle, play a links golf course, and take a private Wild Atlantic Way tour.
🗓️ When to visit Ireland
Late spring
May – JunLush green, long daylight, less rain and not yet crowded — the best time.
Summer
Jul – AugLong daylight into the evening, lots of festivals and the warmest weather, but busy and pricier.
Early autumn
Sep – OctLeaves turning, fewer people, good prices and still-decent weather.
Winter
Nov – MarCold and wet with short days, but the pubs are cozy and prices are low (St. Patrick's Day in March).
Book — hotels our team picked
Hand-picked from the highest guest-rated hotels we've reviewed in Ireland — compare prices across 3 sites.
★ 9.8💑 Great for your trip
★ 9.4👑 Great for your trip
★ 9.2👑 Great for your tripWant to see every option in Ireland?
Browse all our ranked stay reviews — every budget and area, with real photos and price comparison.
View the top city guide →FAQ — visiting Ireland
How many days do I need in Ireland?+
7–10 days — Dublin 2–3 days + a west-coast road trip (Galway–Moher–Kerry) of 4–5 days.
Do I need to rent a car?+
Highly recommended for the coast and countryside (trains and buses don't reach the best spots); drive on the left, or take day tours from Dublin if that's not for you.
Do Thai passport holders need a visa?+
Yes, you need an Irish visa (separate from Schengen/UK) — apply in advance.
What's the weather like?+
It changes fast and can rain in any season ("four seasons in one day"), so always pack a rain and wind jacket and dress in layers.
Tips before you go to Ireland
- Apply for your Irish visa in advance (separate from Schengen).
- Rent a car for the coast — take full insurance and drive on the left.
- Always pack a rain and wind jacket; the weather changes fast.
- Book Guinness Storehouse / Book of Kells tickets online.
- Catch live Irish music in the pubs in the evening (it's free).
- Drive country roads slowly — they're narrow and winding.