Trip Planner & Travel Budget
Budget in any currency, how much to save each paycheck, a day-by-day itinerary, bookings and packing in one Google Sheet.
$12Buy now
Some links on this page are affiliate links. If you book or buy through them we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. Booking links may be converted by Travelpayouts, an affiliate network, and product links go straight to the retailer. How partner links work.
1. Before you book: passports, and the Northern Ireland catch
- The Republic of Ireland: US citizens don't need a visa for a tourist trip of up to 90 days. Your passport has to be valid for the whole stay.
- Northern Ireland (Belfast, the Giant's Causeway) is part of the UK, not the Republic of Ireland. There's no passport check on the land border, but you still need a UK ETA: £20 per person, babies included, applied for on GOV.UK or the official UK ETA app. Northern Ireland also uses pounds, not euros.
- Kids' passports: US passports for children under 16 are only valid for 5 years, so check expiry dates against your return date now.
A nice bonus on the way home: Dublin and Shannon airports have US preclearance, so you clear US immigration and customs before you board and land in the US like a domestic flight.
2. When to go
Ireland is mild all year, rarely very hot or very cold, and it can rain in any month. The west gets a lot more rain than Dublin. What changes most is daylight, crowds and prices.
| Season | Average temperature | Rain | Daylight in Dublin (mid-season) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Winter (Dec to Feb) | 5.4°C (about 42°F) | Wettest time of year: December averages about 142 mm | 7h 32m |
| Spring (Mar to May) | 8.8°C (about 48°F) | Driest season: April and May average 79 mm and 82 mm | 13h 58m |
| Summer (Jun to Aug) | 14.6°C (about 58°F); July is warmest at 15.2°C | June is the driest summer month (85 mm), August the wettest (103 mm) | 16h 58m |
| Autumn (Sep to Nov) | 10.3°C (about 51°F) | October and November average about 130 mm or more | 10h 38m |
Temperatures and rainfall: Met Éireann 1991–2020 national averages. Daylight: sunrise to sunset on 15 December, April, June and October, calculated for Dublin.
- May, June and September are our pick with kids: long days, drier weather than autumn, and fewer crowds than high summer.
- July and August are the busiest and priciest months for rooms and cars, so book early.
- Winter is usually cheaper and quiet, but days are short and some smaller attractions on the west coast keep reduced hours. Plan one or two things a day.
3. Getting around: driving on the left and real drive times
A car is the easiest way to see the west with kids. In Ireland you drive on the left, distances are in kilometres and speed limits in km/h, and many rural roads are narrow and twisty with stone walls right at the edge. These are mapped times with no stops, plus a "realistic" column with 40% added for photo stops, toilets and slow tractors.
| Drive | Distance | Mapped time | Realistic (+40%) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dublin → Galway | 209 km (130 mi) | 2h 30m | 3h 30m |
| Galway → Cliffs of Moher | 77 km (48 mi) | 1h 19m | 1h 51m |
| Cliffs of Moher → Dingle (via Limerick) | 227 km (141 mi) | 3h 18m | 4h 37m |
| Dingle → Killarney | 66 km (41 mi) | 1h 08m | 1h 35m |
| Dublin → Kilkenny | 124 km (77 mi) | 1h 34m | 2h 12m |
| Kilkenny → Killarney | 196 km (122 mi) | 2h 43m | 3h 48m |
| Galway → Westport | 80 km (50 mi) | 1h 19m | 1h 51m |
| Killarney → Shannon Airport | 135 km (84 mi) | 1h 57m | 2h 44m |
| Killarney → Dublin | 303 km (188 mi) | 3h 46m | 5h 16m |
| Dublin → Giant's Causeway (Northern Ireland) | 263 km (163 mi) | 3h 08m | 4h 23m |
Mapped times: OpenStreetMap road data via the OSRM router, by car, looked up October 2026.
- Shortcut from Clare to Kerry: the Killimer–Tarbert car ferry across the Shannon estuary takes about 20 minutes and saves the long drive round through Limerick.
- Car seats: children must use a child seat or booster until they're 150 cm tall or 36 kg. Request them when you book, or bring your own.
- Automatics are less common than manuals, so book early if you need one.
- M50 toll: the Dublin ring road has a camera toll between junctions 6 and 7. Pay at eflow.ie by 8pm the next day, unless your rental company handles it.
- Going north? Tell the rental company you'll drive into Northern Ireland and ask if there's a cross-border fee.
Comparison sites like Discover Cars show what's available at Dublin and Shannon airports, but read the next section before you pick the insurance.
4. The rental car insurance catch (read this before you book)
Lots of US credit cards include rental car damage cover, and plenty of people plan to rely on it. Ireland is one of the places where that often doesn't work, and where it does, the rental desk can still make it awkward:
- Many Visa cards don't cover Ireland at all. Visa's standard Auto Rental Collision Damage Waiver, used by many Visa Signature cards, excludes the Republic of Ireland, Northern Ireland, Israel and Jamaica.
- Some premium cards do. Chase's Visa Infinite guide to benefits (the one for cards like Sapphire Reserve) says coverage is available worldwide, and it's primary.
- American Express: the standard Car Rental Loss and Damage Insurance on most Amex cards excludes Australia, Italy and New Zealand but not Ireland. It's secondary cover, and you have to pay for the whole rental with the card and decline the desk's collision damage waiver. Amex's paid add-on, Premium Car Rental Protection, does exclude Ireland.
- At the desk: Hertz's Dublin terms, for example, say that if you rely on a credit card you need documents showing the cover applies in the Republic of Ireland. They also add a €10.22-a-day Supplementary Liability Waiver and put a €5,000 hold on your card if you decline their CDW.
What that means for you: call the number on your card, ask "does my rental car cover apply in the Republic of Ireland (and Northern Ireland, if you're going)?", and get a letter of coverage in writing. Check you have room on the card for a large hold. If your card doesn't cover Ireland, budget for the rental company's CDW (collision damage waiver), or for "excess" cover that lowers the amount you'd owe after damage. It can add a lot to the daily rate, so get the full quote before comparing cars on price.
5. Two sample routes
7 nights: Dublin and the west
Dublin (2 nights, no car needed) → pick up the car and drive to Galway (2 nights, with a day for the Burren and the Cliffs of Moher) → ferry across the Shannon to Killarney (2 nights, with a day on the Dingle Peninsula) → Shannon Airport (1 night nearby, or fly the same day). Flying home from Shannon saves the long drive back to Dublin.
10 nights: Dublin, the south and the Wild Atlantic Way
Dublin (3 nights) → Kilkenny (1 night: a castle and an easy medieval town for little legs) → Killarney (2 nights, Ring of Kerry or Killarney National Park) → Dingle (1 night) → ferry to Clare and the Cliffs of Moher → Galway (2 nights) → Dublin (1 night before the flight). The Wild Atlantic Way is the signed coastal route along the whole west coast, and this trip follows one piece of it, from Dingle up to Galway.
Adding the Giant's Causeway
The Giant's Causeway is in Northern Ireland, about three hours' mapped drive from Dublin, so it's a long day trip with kids. It works better as two nights near Belfast or on the Causeway Coast. Remember it's the UK: everyone needs a UK ETA, prices are in pounds, and tell your rental company you're crossing the border.
Rather skip the driving for a day? Coach day trips from Dublin to the Cliffs of Moher, Galway or the Giant's Causeway are listed on GetYourGuide and Klook. With young kids, check how many hours you're actually on the coach.
6. What things cost (and the passes worth knowing)
Flights, rooms and the car will be most of your budget, and they depend so much on dates that we won't guess at them. Get real quotes. Some fixed costs worth knowing:
- OPW Heritage Card: one year of free entry to all state-run OPW heritage sites (places like Dublin Castle, Kilkenny Castle and the Rock of Cashel). Adult €40, family €90 (two adults and up to five children aged 12 to 18). Children under 12 get in free at these sites anyway. It's valid for a year from first use, and you can buy it at the first site you visit.
- Cliffs of Moher: 2026 gate prices are €15 per adult or €30 for a family, and online tickets are cheaper, especially before 11am or after 4pm. Children under 12 get in free with a parent (up to 4 per adult).
- Book of Kells, Dublin: timed tickets often sell out in summer, so book ahead. Tiqets sells Book of Kells tickets, and so does Trinity College's own site, so compare.
- UK ETA if you're going to Northern Ireland: £20 per person.
- Car rental insurance: see section 4. It's the cost people most often leave out.
- Phone data: US plans can charge a lot to roam. A travel eSIM such as Airalo's Ireland eSIM is an easy fix. If you're crossing into Northern Ireland, check that the plan covers the UK too, or pick a Europe-wide plan.
Estimate To get your own number, plug real quotes into the free travel budget calculator (it also tells you what to save per paycheck), and use the daily budget calculator for spending money per day in euros and dollars.
7. Packing for Irish weather
- Layers, not a big coat. Even in summer, averages sit in the high 50s °F, and the weather changes fast on the coast.
- A proper waterproof jacket for everyone, kids included, plus waterproof shoes or boots. The Cliffs of Moher and Dingle can be very windy.
- A change of clothes in the car for wet or muddy kids.
- Plug adapters: Ireland and Northern Ireland both use the UK-style three-pin plug (type G).
Kids' clothes for Ireland
Ireland rarely gets very cold or very hot, but it rains a lot and the west coast is windy. Waterproofs and a warm layer matter more than a big coat. The Atlantic is cold, so beaches are more for rock pools and wellies than swimming. Counts are per child. The two-week column assumes one load of laundry halfway (most self-catering places have a washer, and quick-dry things dry on a radiator overnight).
| Clothes | Weekend | 1 week | 2 weeks | Why |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tops | 3 | 5 | 6 | T-shirts or long-sleeve tops; quick-dry or merino beats cotton |
| Trousers or leggings | 2 | 3 | 4 | leggings and joggers dry faster than jeans |
| Base layers | 1 set | 2 sets | 2 sets | thermal top and leggings, for cold days, evenings and hill walks |
| Fleece or warm mid layer | 1 | 1 | 2 | the thing they'll wear every day under the jacket |
| Waterproof jacket with a hood | 1 | 1 | 1 | a real waterproof, not a showerproof windbreaker |
| Rain trousers or a puddle suit | 1 | 1 | 1 | a puddle suit (all-in-one) for toddlers; over-trousers for older kids |
| Warm hat | 1 | 1 | 1 | plus gloves or mittens from October to April |
| Sun hat | 1 | 1 | 1 | yes, really: summer days are long, and a cool breeze hides how strong the sun is |
| Pyjamas | 1 | 2 | 2 | one warm pair: old houses and B&Bs can be chilly at night |
| Socks | 4 | 8 | 8 | wool or merino; one spare pair a day, because feet get wet |
| Underwear | 4 | 8 | 8 | a couple of extra pairs for little ones |
| Waterproof shoes or wellies | 1 pair | 1 pair | 1 pair | wellies for small kids, waterproof walking shoes for older ones |
| Comfy trainers | 1 pair | 1 pair | 1 pair | for travel days, cities and when the wellies are soaked |
| Swimwear | 1 | 1 | 2 | hotel and leisure-centre pools are a lifesaver on a wet afternoon |
| A nicer outfit | 1 | 1 | 1 | for a special dinner, afternoon tea or family photos |
| Spare outfit in the carry-on | 1 | 1 | 1 | a full change per child (two for under-3s), in case the checked bag goes missing or someone spills |
Extra for babies and toddlers
- A sleep sack (or two for a baby, in case of leaks). Rooms vary a lot, so check the tog guide on the label against the room temperature.
- Extra changes: plan on two outfits a day for a baby and one spare a day for a toddler, plus extra vests or bodysuits.
- Bibs: two or three a day, or a few wipe-clean ones you can rinse in the sink.
- A warm all-in-one or fleece suit for the stroller or carrier on cold, windy days, and a puddle suit once they're walking.
Pack each child's clothes in their own packing cube, with travel-day clothes and the spare outfit on top.
8. Tips for traveling Ireland with kids
- Keep most driving days under two to three hours of mapped time, and don't stack long days back to back.
- Base yourself for two nights or more where you can, so there are days when you don't pack the car.
- Have a rain plan in each place: museums, castles, aquariums and caves are easy wins when the weather turns.
- Cliff edges: stay on the marked paths at the Cliffs of Moher and other coastal spots, and keep small kids' hands held. Wind gusts are strong.
- Jet lag: Ireland is usually 5 hours ahead of US Eastern time. Get outside in daylight on day one and keep the first day light.
- Pubs: lots of pubs serve food and welcome families during the day and early evening. Policies on children later at night vary, so ask.
9. What to book when
- 6 to 9 months out: rooms in Dingle, Killarney and Galway for July and August. Check Booking.com or local B&Bs.
- 4 to 6 months out: flights and the rental car (especially an automatic), after you've confirmed your card's insurance situation.
- 1 to 2 months out: timed tickets for the Book of Kells and the Cliffs of Moher, and any tours.
- Once flights are booked: passport check, a UK ETA if you're going north, and travel insurance.
- The week before: your card's letter of coverage, offline maps, and the eSIM installed.
Plan it in one sheet
The Trip Planner & Travel Budget handles costs in euros, pounds and dollars and works out what to save each paycheck. The Family Travel with Kids Planner checks passports against your return date and has a jet-lag plan and packing lists by age.
Family Travel with Kids Planner
Passport expiry checker, a gentle jet-lag plan, packing by age, day pacing and an emergency info page.
$12Buy now
Free: kids travel packing checklist
Three printable pages: what to pack by age (baby, toddler, school-age), kids' clothes with counts for a weekend, 1 week or 2 weeks, and a plane & car bag list for travel day.
Questions
Do US citizens need a visa for Ireland?
No. US citizens can visit the Republic of Ireland as tourists for up to 90 days without a visa, and the passport needs to be valid for the whole stay. Northern Ireland is different: it's part of the UK, so you need a UK ETA (£20 per person) to visit, even if you just drive across the border.
Does my credit card cover a rental car in Ireland?
It depends on the card, so check its guide to benefits before you book. The standard Visa benefit used by many Visa Signature cards excludes the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland. Chase's Visa Infinite guide covers rentals worldwide. American Express's standard car rental cover leaves out Australia, Italy and New Zealand but not Ireland, though it's secondary, and Amex's paid Premium Car Rental Protection does exclude Ireland. Even with cover, Irish rental desks can ask for proof, a big card hold, or an extra daily charge.
How many days do you need in Ireland with kids?
Seven nights is enough for Dublin and one region of the west, like Galway and the Cliffs of Moher, or Kerry. With ten nights you can do Dublin, Kerry and the Galway area without long drives every day. Northern Ireland and the Giant's Causeway really need two extra nights.
Is the OPW Heritage Card worth it for a family?
If you'll visit several state-run sites, often yes. The family card is €90 for two adults and up to five children aged 12 to 18, and children under 12 already get in free at OPW sites. With younger kids only, compare a couple of adult cards (€40 each) with the individual tickets you'd buy.
Do kids need car seats in Ireland?
Yes. Irish law says children must use a suitable child seat or booster until they're 150 cm tall or weigh 36 kg. Request seats when you book the car, or bring your own.
Do I pay the M50 toll around Dublin?
If you drive the stretch of the M50 between junctions 6 and 7, yes. There's no booth: cameras read the plate, and you pay online at eflow.ie by 8pm the next day. Ask the rental company first, because some add tolls to your bill.
Sources
- Ireland: entry requirements for US citizens (U.S. Department of State)
- Travel between the USA and Ireland (Irish Department of Foreign Affairs)
- UK ETA factsheet, April 2026: £20, and how ETAs apply in Northern Ireland (UK Home Office)
- Apply for a UK ETA (GOV.UK)
- US preclearance locations, including Dublin and Shannon (U.S. Customs and Border Protection)
- Ireland's Climate Averages 1991–2020 (Met Éireann)
- Visa Auto Rental Collision Damage Waiver terms: excludes the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland (Visa)
- Chase Visa Infinite Guide to Benefits, effective 06/11/26: auto rental coverage worldwide (Chase)
- Car Rental Loss and Damage Insurance: excludes Australia, Italy and New Zealand; secondary cover (American Express)
- Premium Car Rental Protection FAQ: excludes Ireland (American Express)
- Hertz Dublin rental terms: credit card cover documents, €10.22/day SLW, €5,000 hold (Hertz)
- Child car seats: until 150 cm or 36 kg (Road Safety Authority)
- M50 toll for tourists and rental cars (eFlow)
- OPW Heritage Card prices (Heritage Ireland)
- Cliffs of Moher admission rates (Cliffs of Moher Experience)
- Killimer–Tarbert car ferry (Shannon Ferry Group)
- The Wild Atlantic Way (Fáilte Ireland)
- US passports for children under 16 (U.S. Department of State)
- Drive distances and times: OpenStreetMap data via OSRM
Rules, fees and card benefits change. Check the official pages and your own card's guide to benefits before you book. Last checked 22 October 2026.