A Guide for Solo Travel Ireland in 2023
Ireland is a good place to travel alone because it is one of the 20 safest countries in the world and the people there are known for being friendly. Even though the transportation systems in the Emerald Isle aren’t as good as those in some other European countries, don’t let that stop you. With these tips, you can make the most of your trip to Ireland by yourself.
Solo Travel Ireland: How to Drive in Ireland
If you want to see a lot of Ireland’s most remote areas, like rural Donegal and West Cork, you will need to join a tour group, rent a car, or ride a bike. If you decide to drive, you should know that Irish people drive on the left side of the road, just like in Britain.
In the Irish Republic, speed limits are shown in kilometers per hour, but in Northern Ireland, they are shown in miles per hour. People who rent cars in Ireland should also know that rural roads are often narrow and windy, and it’s not unusual to run into farm traffic, like tractors and livestock, along the way.
Solo Travel Ireland: About public transportation
Be aware that Ireland’s rail networks, especially in Northern Ireland, aren’t as good as those in many other western European countries.
Both sides of the border have state-owned bus companies that run routes all over the country. However, when Bus Éireann drivers go on strike in the south, it can slow down travel. There are also a number of private bus companies in the country, like JJ Kavanagh & Sons, that are reliable and offer fair prices.
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Solo Travel Ireland: How to stay safe in towns
Dublin and Limerick have the worst reputations for crime in the Irish Republic. However, most of the worst crime is caused by gangs and doesn’t affect tourists much. So, it’s a good rule of thumb for tourists to use a cross-body bag and keep a close eye on their belongings when they’re in crowded places. Some parts of Dublin, like most of the Dublin 1 district, are not safe for walking alone late at night.
Things have changed a lot in Belfast since the Troubles, but there are still some places where the difference between Nationalists and Unionists is very sensitive. Violence does still happen sometimes, but it’s rare, and the city has been thought to be safe for tourists for a long time.
Dublin
Keeping in mind what was said above about safety, Dublin is a great city to explore on your own. If you’re staying for a few days, it’s worth getting a Leap Visitor Card. You can get one as soon as you land at Dublin Airport and use it to take a Dublin Bus from the airport into the city center for much less than the €6 (£5.40) Airlink Express. This card can be used on all of Dublin’s public transportation, including the DART electric rail system, which runs along the coast to County Wicklow. As well as visiting the many sights in the city center, we recommend taking a trip to the coastal towns of Bray or Greystones. From the train, you can see a wide view of Dublin Bay.
Back in the city, Dublin’s Literary Pub Crawl is a fun way to learn about the city’s literary past, and you might meet other travelers along the way. If you’d rather see Dublin through the eyes of a local, Airbnb has launched its Experiences platform in the city. Residents host events like walking tours of historic and queer Dublin and paddle-boarding tours along the River Liffey.
Belfast
People still think that Belfast is an underrated tourist city, even though its reputation for being dangerous is starting to change. From the trendy Bullitt Hotel, you can check out the growing food scene in the Northern Irish capital, the award-winning Titanic Museum, the possibly haunted Grand Opera House, and other interesting places. You can also take a day trip to the Unesco World Heritage Site Giant’s Causeway from here.
The western part of Ireland
Many people who go to the west of Ireland go straight to Galway, and it’s easy to see why. The historic harbor city has a unique charm and is surrounded by beautiful scenery, from Connemara National Park in the north to the Aran Islands off the coast. But the west is much bigger than just its most famous county. Both Sligo and Mayo are easy to get to from Dublin by train or bus, and both are worth a trip.
Sligo is quickly becoming one of the most popular places to visit in Ireland. It is known for its beautiful scenery and many outdoor activities like big-wave surfing, hiking, and kayaking. The town is also a cultural center, with places like the Model Arts Centre and the Yeats Society, which serve a thriving community of writers, artists, and craftspeople.
Mayo is another western county that has been getting more attention in recent years. It has a lot to offer outdoor lovers, like kitesurfing on Achill Island, cycling on the Great Western Greenway, and hiking the famous Croagh Patrick mountain pilgrimage. Aside from its natural beauty, the Michael Davitt Museum, Ashford Castle, and the Céide Fields visitor center are the most well-known places to visit.
Cork
Many people in Cork city think of it as the real capital of Ireland. It is known for its culture, and especially for being a great place for foodies. From the city, you can go to nearby towns like Blarney, where you can see a castle from the Middle Ages, or Cobh, which was the last place the Titanic stopped before its first trip. The Wild Atlantic Way tourist trail starts in Kinsale, a town known for its seafood. This is also where the trail’s southern end is.
Waterford
Waterford is the oldest city in Ireland. In the Viking Triangle, a cultural and heritage area, you can find the country’s only medieval museum and its oldest civic building. The county is also home to Ireland’s longest walking and biking path that is not on a road. The Waterford Greenway goes from the city to the town of Dungarvan. It goes through beautiful scenery and past an old famine workhouse, a Norman castle, and a Georgian mansion.
Topic: A Guide for Solo Travel Ireland in 2023
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