Ireland is easier to reach than you might think — from the UK, a flight takes as little as an hour; from mainland Europe, under two and a half. Direct routes from North America land in Dublin, Shannon and Belfast, and regular ferries from Britain and France bring your car with you. This guide covers every option, honestly.
Use the Journey Planner on the right to get a personalised recommendation for your route, entry requirements and the best booking approach for your trip.
Airports
Where to fly into IrelandDublin Airport
DUBIreland's main international hub, handling over 32 million passengers a year. Two terminals, excellent connections from Europe, North America and beyond. T1 handles Ryanair and most short-haul; T2 handles Aer Lingus, US carriers and long-haul.
Shannon Airport
SNNThe gateway to the Wild Atlantic Way — perfectly positioned for Clare, Galway, Kerry and Limerick. Smaller and more relaxed than Dublin, with US pre-clearance and growing transatlantic routes. Often the better choice for western itineraries.
Cork Airport
ORKServes Ireland's second city and the southern coast — ideal if Cork, Kerry or West Cork is your destination. Strong European connections; Ryanair and Aer Lingus both operate here. No long-haul, but easy connection via London or Amsterdam.
Belfast International
BFSThe main airport for Northern Ireland — good for Belfast, the Causeway Coast and Donegal. Ryanair's main Belfast hub. If you're entering Northern Ireland, note it's the UK — passport rules differ from the Republic. A second option is George Best City Airport (BHD), closer to central Belfast.
Ireland West Airport Knock (NOC) serves the west — useful for Mayo, Sligo and Roscommon with flights from London and some European cities. Kerry Airport (KIR) links the far southwest to Dublin and London. Donegal Airport (CFN) has Aer Lingus Regional flights to Dublin — scenic but small. None handle international long-haul, but all feed into domestic connections.
Ferry Routes
Sail to Ireland with your carGetting Around Ireland
Once you arriveCar Hire
For most of Ireland — especially anywhere west of the Shannon — a hire car is essential, not optional. Rural Ireland simply isn't accessible by public transport. Book in advance; summer demand is high and prices surge without notice.
Bus Éireann & National Coaches
Bus Éireann covers most towns and cities. Expressway routes between Dublin, Cork, Limerick, Galway and Waterford are reliable and good value. For smaller villages, services are infrequent or absent. GoBus and Citylink are private alternatives for the Dublin–Galway–Cork corridor.
Irish Rail (Iarnród Éireann)
Rail is excellent between Dublin and the main cities — the Dublin–Cork Enterprise (2h 30m), Dublin–Galway (2h 10m) and Dublin–Belfast Enterprise are comfortable and scenic. Beyond the main lines, the network is limited. Book in advance on irishrail.ie for the best fares.
Cycling
Ireland has invested heavily in cycling infrastructure — the EuroVelo 1 Atlantic coast route, the Waterford Greenway, the Great Western Greenway in Mayo. Roads in the west are quiet and spectacularly scenic. Rain is the variable. Bike hire is available in most tourist areas.
Taxis & Ride-Hailing
FreeNow (the app) works in Dublin, Cork, Galway and Limerick. In smaller towns, local taxi firms are usually the only option — ask at your accommodation. Uber operates in Dublin in a limited form. Licensed taxis are metered; agree a fare for longer journeys outside cities.
Island Ferries
Reaching the offshore islands — Aran Islands (from Doolin or Rossaveal), Skellig Michael (from Portmagee), Cape Clear, Achill, Rathlin — requires local ferry services. Most are seasonal. Aran Islands ferries run multiple times daily from April to October.
☘ Insider Tips for Getting to Ireland
- Book flights early for July and August. Ireland's peak season is short and intense — prices on popular routes from the UK and US can double by March. January is usually the sweet spot for booking summer travel.
- Shannon is often cheaper than Dublin. Transatlantic passengers who need the west of Ireland should compare Shannon — fares are lower, queues at US pre-clearance are shorter, and you arrive without driving across the country.
- The Common Travel Area (CTA). British and Irish citizens can travel freely between the UK and Ireland without a passport — a national ID card is technically sufficient, though airlines still ask for photo ID. Everyone else needs a valid passport.
- Northern Ireland uses UK entry rules. If you're entering via Belfast, you're entering the United Kingdom — Schengen visas don't apply. Many visitors can still enter visa-free, but check UK government guidance if you're not from the EU, EEA or Commonwealth.
- US pre-clearance saves hours. Dublin and Shannon have US Customs and Border Protection — you clear US immigration before boarding. You land domestically in the US, no queues, no customs. An underrated advantage of flying these routes.
- Driving in Ireland — left side, narrow roads. If you're not used to left-hand traffic, give yourself a day before tackling rural lanes. Hedgerows are right up against the road. Wing mirrors are the first casualty. Consider collision damage waiver on your hire car.
Where to Book
Our recommended booking partnersSkyscanner
FlightsBest for comparing all airlines and routes to Dublin, Cork, Shannon and Belfast. Set up a price alert for your dates and check monthly view for flexible travellers.
Search flights to Ireland ✦ →Aer Lingus
FlightsIreland's national airline — often the best fares on transatlantic routes and competitive on European. Book direct for seat selection and the AerClub loyalty programme.
Book Aer Lingus →Irish Ferries
FerriesThe main operator on UK–Ireland routes (Holyhead–Dublin, Pembroke–Rosslare) and the France–Ireland direct service (Cherbourg/Roscoff–Rosslare). Book early for summer sailings.
Book Irish Ferries ✦ →Compare Ferries
FerriesCompares all operators across all Irish Sea routes — Irish Ferries, Stena Line, P&O, Brittany Ferries — in a single search. Useful if your route or date is flexible.
Compare ferry prices ✦ →RentalCars.com
Car HireBest price guarantee and free cancellation on most bookings. Covers all Irish airports and city locations. Compare excess insurance options before you collect.
Compare car hire ✦ →DiscoverCars
Car HireStrong on full-coverage options with no hidden excess charges — good for cautious first-time drivers in Ireland. Often undercuts Rentalcars on smaller vehicles.
Browse DiscoverCars ✦ →Links marked ✦ are affiliate links — if you book through them we may earn a small commission at no cost to you. We only recommend services we'd use ourselves.