PLAN YOUR IRISH EXPERIENCE
Frequently Asked Questions
From choosing a tour to getting ready for departure, here are clear answers to the questions our guests ask most.
These answers mainly cover scheduled small-group tours. Private arrangements and bookings through other channels may have different conditions; check your own confirmation and applicable booking terms.
Find your answer
Choose a topic below, then open a question to read the answer.
Choosing your tour
We’re an independent, Irish-owned family business based in Tralee, County Kerry. All tours depart from Dublin, with private experiences departing from anywhere in Ireland. Our tours combine local knowledge, Ireland’s scenery and culture, and a personal welcome. Meet our family and team.
A scheduled small-group tour follows a published itinerary and departure date, with other guests joining you. A private tour is for your own party, with the route and arrangements agreed with our team. Browse small-group tours or explore private experiences.
Our scheduled small-group touring groups have a maximum of 16 guests. The vehicle may have more seats than the group size, giving extra space. Private-group arrangements are agreed separately.
Absolutely. Solo guests are very welcome. You’ll share the touring experience with the group and have your own private room when booking single occupancy. The single-room price applies; we do not automatically pair solo guests to share a room.
We welcome guests from their 30s to well into their 70s — and sometimes beyond!
Most of our travellers tend to be between 55 and 75+, but that can vary depending on the tour you choose.
No matter the mix, the one thing everyone has in common?
They’re young at heart, curious, and excited to explore Ireland beyond the usual tourist trail.
If you love stretching your legs, soaking up incredible landscapes, and sharing stories over a pint in a cosy pub — you’ll feel right at home with us.
Start with the time you have, the places you most want to see and your preferred pace. Compare the route, overnight stops, included experiences and free time on each tour page. If you’re undecided, tell our team what matters to you.
Yes, for sure, but sometimes in the low season, extended tours might combine with shorter tours.
We operate luxury midi-coaches with up to 29 seats, but limit tours to 16 guests. This gives most travellers a double seat, along with extra legroom and luggage space.
Using these larger vehicles at reduced capacity allows us to maintain guaranteed departures, consistent pricing, and a higher level of comfort. Combining tours at certain points helps us achieve this without compromising the overall experience. See Tour Vehicle Page
Please contact us with the children’s ages and the tour you’re considering before booking. Suitability and age conditions depend on the itinerary. A private tour can be a useful option for families who want their own pace and arrangements.
Booking, payments & cancellations
Use the dates and booking section on your chosen tour page. Prices depend on the departure, accommodation package and room arrangement. The booking process shows the applicable price before payment. Any available offer is subject to its stated dates and conditions; we don’t repeat changing price lists here.
Choose your tour, departure date, package and room arrangement, then follow the online booking steps. Check the guest details and booking terms before paying. If you need help choosing or completing a booking, contact our team.
The standard scheduled small-group deposit is €250 per person. It is non-refundable and non-transferable: it cannot be moved to another departure, tour or person. Bookings close to departure require full payment instead. Check any separate private-tour or booking-channel conditions before paying.
For scheduled small-group tours, the final balance is due 31 days before departure. Book within 31 days and full payment is required at booking. Standard private-tour terms require the balance 60 days before departure; your agreed written quotation and confirmation set out the terms for your booking.
No. Travel Flex means the scheduled small-group balance is not due until 31 days before departure. It does not include free date changes, unlimited transfers or a refundable deposit. Any change request is subject to availability and approval; fees, supplier costs or price differences may apply. Read Book with Confidence.
For scheduled small-group tours:
- 31 days or more before departure: your deposit is non-refundable; any balance already paid is refundable.
- 30 days or less before departure: both deposit and balance are non-refundable.
- No-show or leaving early: no refund applies and the full tour fee remains payable.
Private tours have different conditions. Read the full booking terms. Your statutory rights are unaffected.
We strongly recommend comprehensive travel insurance when you book. It is not included in the tour price. Check cancellation, medical, repatriation, disruption and activity cover with your insurer. A claim is subject to your policy; insurance does not mean every cancellation is covered. See our travel insurance guidance.
You’ll receive a booking confirmation and payment information. Please check the details and complete any guest information we request. We’ll provide joining instructions and final itinerary and accommodation information before travel. Contact us if you need details sooner to organise other arrangements, rather than relying on an old sample itinerary.
Yes, subject to places and room availability on the same departure. If the online booking cannot accommodate your party, contact us before making separate bookings. We can help you check the arrangements or discuss a private tour for your group.
Arrival, meeting points & getting home
Flights are not included and we do not book them for scheduled small-group guests. Arrange your own flights after checking your tour’s confirmed start and finish arrangements. Our team can help clarify the tour timings before you commit to travel plans.
We recommend arriving at least the day before your tour begins. An early departure leaves little room for flight delays, immigration queues or missing baggage. Staying in Dublin beforehand also gives you time to settle in and reach the meeting point without rushing.
For departures joining the small group tour in Dublin, the usual meeting point is Point A Hotel, Parnell Street. Aim to arrive by 8:15 am for an 8:30 am departure. If you’re not staying at the hotel, wait outside the entrance. Some itineraries have a rail connection or different joining arrangements: always follow your own confirmation. (See Next Question below)
Most itineraries return to Point A Hotel in Dublin at approximately 4:30–5:00pm. Tours with a rail transfer or different route may finish elsewhere or later. Times can be affected by traffic and operations, so confirm your specific itinerary before booking onward travel.
Some tours start/end with a train journey back to Dublin.
If you’re booked on one of the following:
- 8-Day Castles & Coasts Experience
- 6-Day Ultimate Atlantic Adventure
- 5-Day South West Coast Experience
- 5-Day Giant Irish Experience
Your tour will end at Dublin Heuston Station (
St John’s Rd West), arriving at approximately 6:00 PM.
(Alternative earlier train times may be available – just ask your guide.)
If you’re booked on one of the following:
- 6-Day Legends of the North & West
Your tour will start at Dublin Heuston Station ( St John’s Rd West), arriving at approximately 8:00 AM.
(Alternative later train times may be available – just ask your guide.)
Heuston Station is right across the road from The Ashling Hotel and connects easily to the LUAS (tram), taxis and Dublin Bus.
Some itineraries include a rail connection at the beginning or end of the tour, with separate station and meeting instructions. Your confirmation will explain the arrangements and any included ticket. Do not assume every tour begins and ends at Point A Hotel or that sample rail times apply to your departure.
Airport transfers are not included in scheduled small-group tours. You can arrange an airport coach, bus or taxi to your accommodation. Confirm routes, timetables and fares directly with the provider. For a private tour, any agreed transfers should be specified in your quotation.
Pre- and post-tour Dublin accommodation is not included unless your booking specifically says otherwise. You may stay wherever you prefer. Point A is convenient for its coach departure point, while nearby alternatives include Leonardo Hotel Dublin Parnell Street. Book directly with your chosen property and check its room details and cancellation terms.
Staying overnight and flying the next day is the least rushed option. If you choose a same-day flight, check your itinerary’s finish point and timing with us first. We recommend a departure after 10:00pm, but this is not a guarantee of making a flight. Allow for disruption, the airport transfer and your airline’s check-in requirements.
Accommodation & room arrangements
Classic combines welcoming B&Bs, guesthouses and comfortable smaller hotels. Premium uses selected hotels and higher-standard properties with additional comfort and amenities. Both include a private bathroom and breakfast. Facilities and property styles vary. Some tours offer only one package. Explore our stays.
On the same scheduled departure, the core touring programme is shared; the main difference is accommodation. Check your selected tour for any package-specific inclusions. Guests may stay at different properties while travelling together during the day.
- Double: one bed for two guests.
- Twin: two separate beds for two guests sharing a room.
- Single occupancy: a private room for one guest, at the single-room price.
Rooms are private to your booking and have a private bathroom. You are not allocated a stranger to share with.
Yes. The single-occupancy price includes the additional cost of providing a private room for one guest. Select the single-room option to see the applicable tour price. You still join the same group activities and touring programme.
Double and twin describe the sleeping arrangement, not a guaranteed bed size. Irish room and bed sizes can differ from those in North America. Specific bed sizes cannot be requested or guaranteed. If separate beds matter most, choose a twin room when booking, subject to availability.
Contact us before booking. Classic properties often have no lift and may require several flights of stairs; ground-floor rooms cannot be guaranteed. If you have difficulty with stairs or require lift access, you’ll need to choose Premium so we can check suitable arrangements. Premium alone does not guarantee step-free access or an accessible room: your specific needs must be confirmed individually.
Our accommodation examples show the properties and standard we work with. Arrangements can vary by departure. If a listed property is unavailable, we will use an alternative of equal or higher standard. Room views, layouts, bed sizes and individual facilities cannot be assumed from sample photographs or hotel lists.
Not necessarily. A small group may use more than one property, particularly where guests choose different packages.
We keep it simple and social. Each evening, our driver-guide makes a maximum of two drop-offs, always within 5 minutes of each other and centrally located in town.
Why? Because we believe the magic of small group travel doesn’t end when the wheels stop turning. By staying close together, you’ll be able to:
Easily meet up with your tour mates for dinner, drinks, or live music
Stay connected and avoid anyone feeling isolated or far from the group
Be within walking distance of restaurants, shops, and local highlights
So whether you’re toasting in Kinsale, wandering Dingle’s colourful streets, or catching the sunset in Galway, you’ll feel part of the experience — even after the day’s itinerary is done.
Only where they are listed as inclusions for your chosen itinerary and package. Some tours include castle-hotel stays or particular dinners, while others do not. Check the current tour inclusions and your confirmation rather than assuming that every castle visit is an overnight stay or that all evening meals are included.
These are commonly available at our accommodation, but facilities and connection quality vary by property. If a particular facility is essential, tell us before booking so we can check it. Do not assume that every property has a pool, spa, lift or air conditioning.
Life on tour & optional experiences
Your selected itinerary sets out the included accommodation nights, breakfasts, transport, driver-guide services and listed sightseeing or admissions. Optional experiences are separate unless expressly included. Flights, travel insurance, personal spending and pre- or post-tour stays are not included unless your booking says otherwise.
Breakfast is included with each overnight stay. All lunches and dinners are at your own expense (one dinner included on the 8 Day Castles & Coasts Tour), giving you the choice of where and what to eat. Your guide can suggest local places to eat.
Your guide can help explain and arrange many options during the tour. Some experiences have limited places, seasonal schedules or advance-booking requirements. If something is especially important to you, ask us beforehand. Check that it fits your itinerary before paying a supplier. Explore optional experiences.
Optional activities are generally paid to the local provider. Prices, accepted payment methods, availability and cancellation conditions are set by that provider. Many accept cards, but carrying some cash is useful. Published examples are planning guides rather than guaranteed rates.
No. Optional activities are your choice. You can often use free time to explore independently or enjoy a quieter day, but discuss the practical arrangements with your guide. Alternative transfers, admissions or activities are not automatically included. Once booked, a supplier’s cancellation charges may apply if you change your mind.
Driving distances vary from day to day. We break journeys with sightseeing and practical stops, while some days necessarily involve longer stretches on the road. Check the day-by-day route and overnight locations when choosing your tour rather than expecting the same daily driving time throughout.
From time to time, our 13 Day Full Irish and/or our 11 Day Ultimate tour can travel around Ireland in one of two directions: clockwise or counter-clockwise.
While our itineraries normally follow a standard direction, we occasionally operate a departure in the opposite direction. This allows us to work around major events, festivals, particularly busy periods and accommodation availability in the smaller towns and villages we visit, while maintaining the quality and relaxed pace of your tour.
Does This Change My Tour?
No. Apart from travelling the route in the opposite direction, the tour experience remains the same.
You’ll still enjoy the same:
- Destinations and overnight locations
- Included attractions and experiences
- Accommodation standard
- Small-group touring vehicles
- Professional Irish Experience Tours guide team
- Dublin departure and finishing points
The main difference is simply the order in which you experience the itinerary
Both versions deliver the same overall Irish Experience Tour — you’re simply travelling around Ireland in a different direction.
Why Do We Do This?
Ireland’s smaller towns can become exceptionally busy during festivals, sporting events, concerts and other major local events.
Operating some departures in the opposite direction gives our operations team greater flexibility when planning the tour and helps us maintain the quality of accommodation, experiences and easygoing pace that our guests expect.
It can also help us avoid having our groups arrive in smaller destinations during their busiest periods.
How Will I Know My Tour Direction?
Your booking remains for the tour itinerary you selected, regardless of the direction in which that particular departure operates.
Your final itinerary and accommodation information will confirm the day-by-day order for your specific departure.
Please remember that travelling clockwise or counter-clockwise does not mean you’re receiving a different tour — it’s simply a different way of experiencing the same journey around Ireland.
We use comfortable touring vehicles including Mercedes-Benz Sprinters and Iveco Turas midi-coaches, depending on the group and operations. A larger vehicle does not increase the scheduled small-group limit of 16. Vehicle features vary; a particular model, seat or double seat cannot be guaranteed. See our touring vehicles.
Mobility, dietary needs & practical support
Please discuss your needs with us before booking. Guests must be able to manage the vehicle steps, everyday walking and the accommodation arrangements. Our touring vehicles are not wheelchair accessible. If you need personal assistance, discuss travelling with a companion who can provide it; do not assume the driver-guide can provide individual care throughout the tour.
Tell us its type, folded dimensions and your assistance needs before booking. A lightweight folding wheelchair may be carried in the luggage area if agreed in advance and space permits; this does not make the vehicle wheelchair accessible. We need to confirm the full tour arrangements, not just storage.
Let us know before booking, especially for serious allergies or complex needs. We can discuss options and pass relevant requirements to accommodation providers and your guide, but cannot guarantee allergen-free environments or every menu choice. Confirm your needs directly with each restaurant or food provider when ordering.
It’s entirely up to you!
One of the lovely things about travelling in a small group is the chance to enjoy meals with new friends, but there’s never any pressure to join in.
During your tour, your driver-guide will often chat with the group to see who’s interested in having dinner together. If there’s enough interest, they’ll be happy to recommend a nice local restaurant and help arrange a group booking, subject to availability.
Of course, you’re just as welcome to make your own plans, whether that’s a cosy Irish pub, a special restaurant or simply a quiet evening to yourself.
We want everyone to feel comfortable and enjoy Ireland their own way. Unless dinner is included in your itinerary, meals are at your own expense, and you’re free to choose where and with whom you dine.
Packing & everyday travel
Our usual allowance is one main bag up to 23kg, with combined height, width and depth no more than 158cm, plus one daypack or carry-on up to 10kg and 55 × 40 × 20cm. Pack so you can manage your bag at accommodation and stations. Airline or rail restrictions may differ; tell us about extra luggage or equipment in advance.
Bring layers, a waterproof jacket and comfortable walking shoes with good grip. Casual clothing is suitable for most evenings. Add a small daypack and any personal essentials you need while the main luggage is stored. Check the requirements for particular walks or activities rather than assuming all routes suit ordinary trainers.
Laundry services may be available in towns or through some properties, particularly during longer stays. Availability, opening hours, turnaround and charges vary, so ask your guide early. Laundry is not an included service or guaranteed at every accommodation stop.
Ireland uses Type G sockets with three rectangular pins. Bring a compatible adapter if your plugs differ, and check that your device is suitable for the local electricity supply. An adapter changes the plug connection, not the voltage. Northern Ireland uses the same plug type.
The Republic of Ireland uses euros (€), while Northern Ireland uses pounds sterling (£). Cards are widely accepted, but a small cash reserve is useful for smaller businesses and optional purchases. Check your own bank’s overseas transaction and withdrawal charges.
Wi-Fi is commonly available at accommodation and many cafés, although quality varies. Charging facilities differ between vehicles and properties, so bring your own chargers and adapter and do not rely on a particular onboard connection. Check mobile roaming or data arrangements with your provider before travelling.
Passports, Northern Ireland & travel documents
Requirements depend on your nationality, passport, residence and travel plans. Check the official Irish visa guidance and entry-document guidance, plus any transit and airline requirements. There is no single passport-validity answer that suits every guest. Carry your itinerary and accommodation information as well as the required travel documents.
Northern Ireland is part of the UK. Depending on your nationality and status, you may need a UK visa or Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA), including when crossing the land border from the Republic. British and Irish citizens and some other travellers are exempt. If an ETA is required, obtain approval before travelling to the UK. Use GOV.UK to check eligibility, the current fee and how to apply.
Your transit requirements depend on your nationality, route and whether you pass through UK border control. Check with your airline and the official UK guidance before booking. A tour that stays entirely in the Republic of Ireland does not remove any separate requirements for your flight connection.
Keep your booking confirmation, passport, any required visa or ETA, insurance and emergency contact details accessible. Complete the guest-information requests and tour waiver sent by our team before travel. Arrange comprehensive insurance for your full itinerary and planned activities; contact your insurer about policy suitability and claims.
Private tours & our local connections
Yes. Tell us your dates, party size, interests, preferred pace, room arrangements and approximate budget. We’ll discuss options and prepare a proposal. An initial itinerary or hotel suggestion is not a confirmed reservation; your team member will explain availability, pricing and the booking steps. Explore private experiences.
No. Private arrangements have separate terms, including a standard final-balance deadline of 60 days before departure. Your agreed quotation and written booking confirmation specify your inclusions, payment dates and cancellation conditions. Please check these rather than applying the scheduled small-group summary to a private booking.
Local guides, independent accommodation and local experiences are part of the way we travel. We also support community development through our partnership with North, East & West Kerry Development (NEWKD). It is part of our community commitment rather than an additional donation guests are asked to make. Read about our community work and our sustainability journey.
A question about your own plans?
Tell us your preferred tour, travel dates and what you’d like help with. We’ll help you work out the arrangements before you book.