Dublin travel tips

Travelling to Ireland as an Australian is relatively easy, but it’s still good to read up on some key Dublin travel tips before you depart. We have so much in common with our friends on the Emerald Isle – heritage, laws, a love of beer and sport – that not only is getting around quite simple, but there’s also very little language barrier. Culture shock, beyond the extensive ancient history of Dublin, is not something Australian travellers need to worry about. The bureaucratic processes involved in visiting Dublin are quite straightforward as well.

Irish visas

Australian passport holders travelling to Ireland don't need to apply for any visas at all unless looking for work. Your Australian passport (valid for at least six months) will be enough to grant you entry. If you have any visa concerns, speak to your local Flight Centre representative for more in-depth Dublin travel advice.

Irish currency

Ireland uses the euro (€) as its primary currency. The Australian dollar, however, is typically not very strong against the euro, so it may pay to exchange more money for your trip than you think you'll need. Assuming that every Australian dollar you've got is worth half a euro in Irish currency is a generally sound policy.

Dublin food

While there is plenty of traditional Irish cuisine to find throughout Dublin, its status as a global city is reflected in the wide variety of international food available. Those who are picky or perhaps unadventurous eaters will find that there is plenty of familiar food in Dublin, from fast food favourites to generous homemade-style dishes in pubs.

Tipping in Dublin

Much like Australia, there isn't a strong tipping culture in Ireland. While certainly welcomed by service industry professionals like taxi drivers and restaurant waiters, you should not feel obligated to tip unless provided with truly exceptional service. If you would like to tip someone, aim for about 10% of your total bill.

Irish electrical plugs and voltage

When travelling to Ireland, you'll need to procure a UK/Ireland travel adapter from a local electronics retailer to deal with plugs and voltage. Most modern appliances like smartphones, laptops, cameras and tablets are equipped with dual-voltage settings, which means you'll likely not have to go to the trouble of getting an additional power convertor.

Language in Dublin

Conversing with the locals and being able to read local signage won't be a problem in Dublin as English remains the primary language in Ireland. While a small subset of the population does still use the traditional Gaelic language for speaking and writing, it is very unlikely that you'll run into a situation where there won't be anyone who speaks English.

Dublin Airport

Ireland's busiest airport and the major international gateway to the country, Dublin Airport will likely be where you catch your first glimpse of the Irish countryside. A large but easy-to-navigate building, the airport is located about 10km north of Dublin in a suburb called Collinstown. It's also home to a large short and medium haul fleet of aircraft for those travelling on to other Irish cities.