How do I book an Ireland Vacation package?
Easily is the answer! Call us on our Freephone numbers below, email us at info@discoveringireland.com or use the Quick Enquiry link on the website.
USA and Canada Toll Free: 1800 963 9260
UK Toll Free: 0800 041 8833
Australia Toll Free: 1800 823 578
Which vacation package should I choose?
You may have an idea of which of our packages look most appealing to you and have more questions, or you may not know where to start. Either way our dedicated team of travel consultants are here to help you on your way to your perfect Ireland vacation. Don’t forget – all our packages are completely customisable!
What does the price of a package include?
Accommodation, transport and extras as included in your package information and pricing email.
Hotel or B&B accommodation is en suite bed and breakfast.
24/7 helpline for the duration of your tour.
E-Itinerary with detailed travel information and recommended landmarks, attractions and experiences.
Flights are not included. This way you have complete control and flexibility over your departure and arrival, entry airport and preferred airlines for travel.
Can I customise/personalise the vacation packages on your website?
Yes we can customize all of our Self-drive & Chauffeured tours of Ireland. Our rail packages need to follow a certain route of course, however additional nights and locations can be added.
Which date can I start your Self-drive, Rail or Chauffeured Tours?
Our tours run everyday day of the week, we can work around your timetable/flight details
Do you still sell B&B Vouchers?
Unfortunately, we no longer sell B&B Vouchers.
Where can I get the price of a Chauffeured tour of Ireland?
Please submit an enquiry with your details and one of our travel experts will get back to you with a detailed proposal.
Do you offer Group tour of Ireland?
We are CIE Tours main Irish agent and offer group Escorted Coach Tours of Ireland and Scotland.
Should I have Travel Insurance?
There is only one answer to this question: YES. The additional cost involved with travel insurance is well worth the peace of mind provided. There are different types, so take time to consider what is most appropriate for you, especially if you or close family members have ongoing health concerns. Your credit card, personal insurance company or airline may offer trip insurance at a reasonable rate.
Our travel consultants can also recommend our preferred insurer to you. Be sure to review insurance policies as to whether the coverage is for trip “interruption” or trip “cancellation.” “Cancel for Any Reason” would be the best option. We also recommend you closely review the criteria for refunds and whether you get a full refund or a percentage. Ask questions of your provider. It is always better to review the offered coverage prior to the trip rather than to be surprised later.
What is an ETA and do I need one if I am travelling to Ireland?
Guests whose tour travels from the Republic of Ireland to Northern Ireland (NI) will require an Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) for 2025 tours.
Guests visiting the Republic of Ireland (southern Ireland) from outside of the EU do not require an ETA unless they are travelling to Northern Ireland during the trip.
An ETA is a digital pre-clearance allocated to individuals who intend to travel to the United Kingdom (UK) for short stays. The process of obtaining an ETA is simple.
When Should I Apply for my ETA?
Citizens of the United States, Canada, Australia, New Zealand can apply for an Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) from 29 November 2024 onwards. These are required for any vacation starting on 8 January 2025 or after.
How do I Apply for my ETA, how much does it cost and how long does it take?
The application for an Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) costs £10 (UK sterling).
You can apply online at https://apply-for-an-eta.homeoffice.gov.uk/how-to-apply
You will require your passport you are using to travel to upload a photo the website.
It should take only 3 days to process but this is a government site completely independent to ourselves or your airline.
The cost of your ETA is £10 Sterling and will remain valid for 2 years, or sooner if you replace your passport.
What is the difference between 3 Star and 4 Star accommodations?
3-Star Accommodations: These offer a comfortable experience with essential amenities like en-suite bathrooms, basic furnishings, Wi-Fi, and sometimes dining options, though services are generally more limited.
4-Star Accommodations: These provide a more luxurious experience with additional amenities such as high-quality furnishings, room service, spas, thermal suites fitness centres and often more refined dining options. Expect higher levels of customer service, a more spacious setup, and usually a prime location.
Will there be a chance to do laundry on my tour?
Unless you are staying more than one night in a particular location, a laundry service will not be available. Where you are staying more than one night, please enquire on arrival at reception to find out more, as service will be subject to your arrival time and availability within the hotel. Be sure to utilize on arrival to get your garments back on time.
Please note that if you opt to use this facility, it is at your own discretion and between you and the hotel. We do not bear responsibility for items damaged or lost.
Will my room be serviced regularly?
Many hotels now work with a sustainability policy, which means rooms are serviced on request. If you require your room to be serviced, please follow the steps laid out in your room information folder or stand-alone signage in your room.
Will there be an elevator in my accommodation?
In some hotels, elevators may not be available to all floors and the use of stairs may occasionally be required. B&Bs do not usually have an elevator and stairs will be your point of access and egress from your room in most cases. If you require low level/ground floor accommodation, please make this clear at the time of booking.
Some of the hotels on in your package may have leisure facilities including swimming pools and or health suites and beauty rooms. You are welcome to use these facilities provided payment is made directly to the hotel when requested or before departure.
Breakfast is included each morning unless otherwise stated. Additional meals may be included in our Silver, Gold and Platinum Castle Package and will confirmed on your confirmation.
What kind of beds are in each location?
Twin Rooms will be either two single beds or a double and single bed.
Double Rooms will contain a double bed, often Queen sized or larger but this can vary.
Single Rooms are often a double bed for single occupancy, although not guaranteed and may be a single bed.
Triple rooms are often a double a single bed. Our recommendation is to opt for a twin and single room for three people travelling.
What currency do I use and what about tipping?
The currency in Ireland is the Euro and in Northern Ireland it is British Pounds Sterling. Foreign Currency can be changed at Airport Foreign Exchange Bureaux, although some difficulty may be experienced with $100 bills. 100 pound notes or Euro notes (bills) may also be difficult to use so we suggest that if you are bringing pounds sterling and Euros, they should be in 50s. During your vacation, you will be able to obtain cash via the many ATMs using your Visa or Mastercard credit or debit cards, but we suggest you check with your issuing bank before you leave home that yours are acceptable & useable in Scotland and Ireland.
Credit Cards – Visa and MasterCard are accepted in most shops, at ATMs and hotels and restaurants. Pubs will normally take credit cards for payment. There may be additional charges for using your credit cards overseas. Amex is not as readily accepted due to the fees levied to both the cardholder and person being paid.
Tips – This is a very personal area and difficult to give a definitive answer as they are voluntary. Tips are based on the service received and vary from person to person. As a rough guide, in restaurants if you feel you have had good service, a tip in the region of 15% of the bill would be well received by your server. If you are on a Chauffeur tour, your proposal will suggest recommend tips. Please note that these figures are suggestions and do depend on how you evaluate the service received.
What electricity adaptor do I need?
Plugs and Sockets – Northern Ireland Ireland
Plug Type: Type G plugs.
Type G: Three rectangular pins arranged in a triangular pattern.
Voltage: 230V, 50Hz.
Adaptors Needed for Tourists from the USA
For Northern Ireland and Ireland: You will need a Type A/B to Type G adaptor.
Voltage Considerations
Voltage Difference: The USA operates at 120V, while Europe, the UK, and Ireland use 230V.
Use of Converters: Many US devices are designed for 120V and may not work with 230V without a voltage converter. Check if your devices are dual-voltage (100-240V, 50/60Hz). If they are, a plug adaptor is sufficient. If not, you will need a voltage converter in addition to a plug adaptor to avoid damaging your electronics.
Most hotels do have hairdryers in your room or you can obtain one from the front desk.
How much luggage should I bring?
We recommend one checked in item of baggage and one smaller carry on piece. Each airline has different maximum sizes so check before you travel. Remember the more you bring the more you have to carry, particularly for rail tours. If you are a heavy packer, please bear this in mind when selecting the size of your self-drive vehicle.
What is the weather like and what should I pack?
In Ireland, Spring and Fall months can have extreme variations in temperature from warm days to frosty ones with average temperatures of 43 to 53 degrees, with evenings quite cool indeed regardless. Summer months are more clement in temperature and can vary between 50 and 63 degrees, although hotter days can rise to around 75 degrees.
Heavy rain is always a possibility on any day in Spring and Fall with showers more likely in summer months.
We recommend that you bring layers, including lighter clothing for warmer days and sweaters for cooler days and evenings. We also suggest you bring a windproof/waterproof jacket and sturdy walking shoes, as some of your visits will be open to the elements and may have uneven terrain.
At your arrival airport in Ireland, usually Dublin or Shannon.
At your departure airport, usually Dublin or Shannon.
What side of the road do we drive on in Ireland?
In Ireland, you drive on the left side of the road, and the driver’s seat is on the right side of the car.
Is it possible to rent an automatic car in Ireland?
Yes, automatic cars are available for rent in Ireland. we work with Hertz for car rental and they offer both automatic & manual vehicles. Automatic rentals can sometimes be more expensive than manual options.
What is the best time of year to visit Ireland?
The best time to visit is from April to September, when the weather is milder and days are longer. July and August are the warmest months but also the busiest. Spring and early autumn (May, June, and September) offer a good balance of pleasant weather and fewer tourists.
How do I pay for my vacation package?
When booking, a 15% deposit is usually required to secure your package, however we regularly run special offers and discounts that may include a lower deposit amount.
The final balance does not need to be paid until 28 days before the start date of your trip.
We also offer the flexible option to allow you to pay in instalments, where you can reserve your tour with a deposit and make additional payments over time. This can be a great option if you are booking far in advance.
We have an online payment system through a secure link, which will be provided to you by our sales agent for you to submit your card details securely. Alternatively, you can phone us directly and we can take your details over the phone.
What methods of payment are accepted?
We accept payment for deposits and final balances by Visa, MasterCard and AMEX. We can also accept wire transfers, however any fees would need to be covered by you and this may take a few business days for the transfer to be received and confirmed.
What happens if I need to cancel my vacation?
We still strongly recommend that all clients take out travel insurance to cover all travel and accommodation arrangements.
Our Postponement Policy
More than 28 days - If more than 28 days in advance of your arrival date, then your deposit will be held towards a future booking.
28 days or less - 100% of your tour price will be held against a future booking less any Chauffeur/hotel/service charges that we were unable to cancel without penalty due to the late postponement. Occasionally, hotels and drivers may allow the payment to be used for a future booking as opposed to it being forfeit entirely but we will endeavour to do our best for you in this regard.
Our Cancellation Policy:
More than 28 days - If more than 28 days in advance of your arrival date, then your deposit will be held towards a future booking.
28 days to 14 days - If you cancel from 28 days to prior to your start date, 100% of your tour price will be forfeit less any Chauffeur/hotel/service charges that we were able to cancel without penalty due to the late cancellation. We will of course endeavour to do our best for you in this regard. Credit card processing fees will also be subtracted from the balance before any refund is made.
Less than 14 days - If you cancel less than 14 days in advance of your start date, 100% of money paid will be forfeit.