Arrival & Transport

Ireland is quickly and cheaply accessible by plane from Germany. The flight time is only 2–2.5 hours, and thanks to Ryanair (Europe's largest airline has its headquarters in Dublin!), there are affordable connections all year round.

✈️ Dublin (DUB) — Ireland's Main Airport

By far Ireland's largest airport is only 10 km north of the city center. Excellent connections all year round: Direct flights from Munich, Frankfurt, Berlin, Düsseldorf, Hamburg, Cologne, Vienna, Zurich. Airlines: Ryanair (main base!), Aer Lingus (Irish national airline, part of the IAG group with British Airways), Lufthansa, Eurowings. Two terminals — Ryanair flies from Terminal 1, Aer Lingus from Terminal 2.

Transfer to the center: Airlink Express Bus 747 to the city center (€7, 30 min, every 15 min). Aircoach (€8, various routes). Taxi/Uber €20–30. There is no train connection to the airport — a perpetual annoyance for Dubliners.

✈️ Shannon (SNN) — Gateway to the West

Smaller airport on the west coast, ideal for the Wild Atlantic Way, the Cliffs of Moher, and the Ring of Kerry. Direct flights from Frankfurt and Düsseldorf (seasonal, Aer Lingus). Fewer connections than Dublin, but the location saves long drives. The airport is perfect as a start or endpoint for a Wild Atlantic Way tour.

✈️ Cork (ORK) — Gateway to the South

Southern Ireland's main airport, 8 km south of Cork City. Direct flights from Munich and Frankfurt (Aer Lingus, Ryanair). Ideal for trips to Southern Ireland, Killarney, and the Ring of Kerry. Smaller, uncomplicated airport — from gate to rental car in 20 minutes.

✈️ Belfast (BFS/BHD)

Two airports: Belfast International (BFS) and the city-near George Best Belfast City Airport (BHD). Direct flights from Germany are limited — often the detour via Dublin or London is cheaper. For Northern Ireland travelers, Dublin is worth considering as a starting point (Belfast is only 100 min by bus away).

Flight Prices (Guidelines from Germany, one-way)

Money-saving tips: Ryanair regularly offers flights to Dublin from €15–20 one-way — but note the surcharge for luggage (from €20 per piece)! Aer Lingus is more comfortable and usually includes 10 kg of hand luggage. Open-jaw flights (to Dublin, return from Shannon or Cork) are perfect for road trips and often not more expensive than round trips.

A rental car is by far the best way to discover Ireland. The island is compact (Dublin to Galway: 2.5 hours, Dublin to Cork: 3 hours), the roads lead through breathtaking landscapes, and many of the most beautiful places are hardly accessible without a car. But: In Ireland, driving is on the left!

🚗 Driving on the Left — No Need to Panic

Yes, driving on the left sounds daunting. But most drivers get used to it within 30–60 minutes. The gear shift is on the left (or you book an automatic), the windshield wiper is where the indicator is in Germany (in the first few days, you'll wipe instead of indicating — this is completely normal and a running joke among Ireland travelers), and the roundabouts run clockwise. The most important phrase: “Stay left, overtake right."

• At the airport: Use the first kilometers on the airport grounds to get accustomed. Don't plunge into city traffic immediately!
• Roundabout: Clockwise! Those in the roundabout have the right of way
• Narrow roads: In the countryside, many roads are single-lane with passing places. The one closer to a bay yields — and greets with a hand signal
• Sheep: On country roads, sheep regularly stand on the roadway. Drive slowly, honk, wait

Prices & Booking

Rental cars in Ireland are unfortunately not cheap: From €35–50/day for a small car in the off-season, €60–100/day in summer. The peak season (July/August) can become brutally expensive — €100–150/day for a standard mid-size car. Book early! Through comparison portals (billiger-mietwagen.de, CHECK24) at least 6–8 weeks in advance. Recommended providers: Hertz, Enterprise, National. Tip: Automatic cars are significantly more expensive (often +50%), but recommended for driving on the left — shifting with the left hand is initially confusing.

Insurance & Deposit

Irish rental car companies are notorious for high insurance costs and deposits. At the counter, there is a massive push to sell expensive additional insurance. The best strategy: Book comprehensive insurance without excess in advance through the comparison portal and decline everything else at the counter. The deposit via credit card (often €1,000–2,000) is blocked as authorization and released after return.

Roads & Speed Limits

Ireland's roads range from excellent motorways (M roads, mostly toll-free) to adventurous narrow country roads where two cars can only pass by folding in the mirrors. Speed limits: 120 km/h motorway, 100 km/h national road, 80 km/h regional road, 50 km/h urban. The M50 around Dublin has an electronic toll (eFlow) — clarify with the rental car provider! In Northern Ireland, miles are used instead of kilometers.

Ireland without a car? Possible, but with limitations. The capitals and larger towns are well connected, but in the countryside — where the most beautiful spots are — it gets sparse.

🚌 Bus Éireann & Express Buses

Bus Éireann (buseireann.ie) is Ireland's national bus company and operates the most extensive network on the island. The express buses reliably and affordably connect all major cities.

GoBus and Citylink are private alternatives on the main routes (Dublin–Galway, Dublin–Cork) and are often cheaper and more comfortable than Bus Éireann.

🚂 Irish Rail (Iarnród Éireann)

Ireland's rail network is manageable, but the main routes are fast and comfortable. Dublin is the central hub with two main stations: Heuston Station (trains to Cork, Galway, Limerick, Killarney) and Connolly Station (trains to Belfast, Rosslare, Sligo).

Online tickets at irishrail.ie are significantly cheaper than at the counter — book in advance for the best prices. The Irish Explorer Pass (5 days out of 15 for €160) can be worthwhile for intensive travelers.

Organized Tours

For travelers without a car, day tours from Dublin are an excellent alternative: Paddy Wagon Tours, Wild Rover Tours, and other providers run daily to the Cliffs of Moher, Giant's Causeway, Glendalough, and the Wicklow Mountains. Prices: €40–70 per tour including transport and entry. The guides are usually excellent and provide entertainment on the level of a stand-up comedian.

The Wild Atlantic Way is not just a road — it is a way of life. This 2,500-kilometer coastal route from Kinsale in Cork to the Inishowen Peninsula in Donegal is the longest designated coastal road in the world and Ireland's masterpiece of tourism marketing that has become a genuine experience.

The route is marked with blue signs and the Wild Atlantic Way logo (a stylized wave) and follows the coast through counties Cork, Kerry, Clare, Galway, Mayo, Sligo, and Donegal. Along the route, there are 188 official "Discovery Points" — viewpoints, beaches, historical sites, and natural wonders, each with a small information sign.

Route & Time Planning

• The full route (2,500 km): Plan at least 14 days, preferably 3 weeks. Anyone trying to rush through the WAW in a week misses the point — it's about slow travel, spontaneous stops, and pub evenings
• Highlight route (7–10 days): Galway → Cliffs of Moher → Dingle → Ring of Kerry → Killarney. The most popular and impressive section
• Daily stages: Never plan more than 200 km per day — the roads are winding, narrow, and full of photo stops. 100–150 km is realistic if you want to enjoy the scenery

15 Signature Discovery Points (Highlights)

The WAW has 15 specially designated "Signature Points," including:

• Cliffs of Moher — Ireland's most iconic coastal landscape
• Skellig Michael — Monastic island and Star Wars filming location
• Slieve League — Europe's highest sea cliffs (three times higher than the Cliffs of Moher!)
• Loop Head — Dramatic cape in Clare
• Malin Head — Ireland's northernmost point
• Downpatrick Head — Spectacular sea stack in the sea

Direction of travel: Best from north to south — this way you drive on the coastal side of the road (left) and always have an unobstructed view of the sea. In the opposite direction, you sit on the mountain side and miss the view.