Planning a solo journey to a overseas nation is usually a daunting process. Significantly, if it’s your first worldwide journey alone. There are normally just a few ideas that play by means of our minds earlier than leaping on the airplane. We query our security, the language, transport, the individuals and naturally issues to do. Fortunately, solo journey in Eire is just not solely completely secure, however it’s also one epic journey.
This visitor submit is written by Laura Barton, an Irish content material creator who’s enthusiastic about journey, the good outdoor, and discovering new cultures. Being based mostly in Dublin, Laura certain is aware of what she’s speaking about! (And need to learn extra on touring solo in different cities and international locations? Read my posts here!)
Why You Ought to Go on a Solo Journey to Eire
I wished to kick begin this submit with 10 the explanation why you must e-book a solo journey to Eire. As native, I hope to deliver to you some insider ideas that may assist your first go to to Eire be additional particular.
1. The locals are pleasant.
In Eire, you’ll meet among the most welcoming individuals on the earth. The Irish are recognized for his or her laid-back angle, pleasant encounters, and willingness to assist others. It’s necessary to notice that they are often extraordinarily sarcastic, however need nothing greater than to “have fun” and to create enjoyable recollections.
If you end up in want of assist in your journey to Eire, don’t be afraid to show to an area. They’d be very happy to level you in the correct path. Simply ready to cease for some time as a result of the Irish are a chatty bunch.
2. There are many different vacationers.
Eire is a well-liked vacation spot to many. Which means that you’re certain to stumble upon fellow solo vacationers as you benefit from the stunning surroundings of the Emerald Isle. Folks journey from all around the world to catch a glimpse of the enduring Cliffs of Moher. Or, have a sip of Guinness in a conventional Irish pub as they swap journey tales from across the globe.
Regardless of the place you find yourself on the island, you’re certain to make recollections that may final a lifetime.
3. Public transport in Eire is straightforward to make use of.
The most effective issues about Eire is the nation’s dimension. It’s attainable to get from one finish of the nation to the opposite in beneath 6 hours. Eire additionally has a unbelievable community of trains, buses, and boats (sure boats, you’d be shocked how usually it’s possible you’ll use them).
The Leap Card has pay as you go a tap-on tap-off system that can be utilized on bus providers in most cities and a few main cities. It’s a good way to preload your transport price range onto a card earlier than touring.
4. There are inexpensive day journeys, particularly from Dublin.
The one drawback with Eire’s public transport is it typically solely runs between cities and main cities. Subsequently, these searching for a extra “distant” really feel to their journey should look elsewhere. The excellent news is Eire typically has some fairly inexpensive day journey choices.
All it means is you can nonetheless go to some bucket record locations equivalent to Glendalough, the Giants Causeway or the Cliffs of Moher with out having to depend on public transport. Day trips from Dublin are the preferred amongst vacationers adopted by these from Galway, Cork, and Belfast. Day journeys are additionally an amazing alternative for solo vacationers because it offers them with the chance to make buddies as they journey across the nation.
5. There are some straightforward meals choices for these on a price range.
There is no such thing as a denying it, Eire is an especially costly nation, particularly when planning to spend just a few days exploring it. Nonetheless, there are just a few methods to maintain the fee down.
As a substitute of consuming heavy restaurant meals every day, take into account shopping for from native “chippers” aka fish and chip outlets or meals vans. Meals vans have gotten fairly widespread in the previous couple of years and are typically fairly inexpensive. Additionally they don’t all the time should be unhealthy.
In the event you plan to remain in hostels most may have a communal kitchen the place you’ll be able to prepare dinner your personal meals lowering your value considerably.
6. English is the principle language…properly, sort of!
Once you arrive in Eire you’ll discover there are two languages all over the place, English and Irish. English, nevertheless, is essentially the most broadly spoken language on the island.
Irish remains to be used all through the nation on street indicators, on public transport, and simply on the whole. Don’t fear although, English is the principle spoken language so you’ll have no drawback speaking. (As an Irish individual it’s good to see our language nonetheless getting used and I like it when vacationers discover it.)
7. There are many hostels.
Staying in hostels might be essentially the most cost-effective technique to solo journey. It’s additionally a good way to make new buddies who’re additionally backpacking Eire alone. Fortunately, Eire has hostels all around the nation, even in among the extra distant areas that you could be not count on to see them.
8. The nation is just not so massive.
The nation’s dimension is one other nice purpose to prepare solo journey to Eire as you’ll greater than possible repeatedly stumble upon the identical individuals time and time once more. Most vacationers base themselves alongside Eire’s Wild Atlantic Method route or in Dublin.
Subsequently, don’t be shocked if you happen to stumble upon a well-recognized face or two whereas on the street. You by no means know they might change into lifelong buddies.
9. Eire is secure to solo journey.
Eire is a comparatively secure place to journey round. The individuals are pleasant and would look out for anybody who seems to be like they might be in bother. Nonetheless, with that being mentioned, like in all international locations, it’s necessary to have your wits about you when touring alone.
Eire has considerably of a ingesting tradition, particularly when vacationers come over, as ingesting within the pubs is ranked one of many high issues to do in Eire. And whereas an evening in town is all the time little bit of “craic” (aka enjoyable), you will need to drink solely a accountable quantity much more so when you find yourself touring solo (listed below are some solo travel safety tips!).
10. Eire is gorgeous!
So, quantity 10 on the record for causes to solo journey in Eire is properly, as a result of it’s stunning. So, technically this level might be on any Eire journey record nevertheless it’s nonetheless an necessary one to make.
Eire’s surroundings is bound to take your breath away with each nook you flip. Whether or not you intend to spend your time in Eire alongside the Wild Atlantic Method, or uncover Eire’s Hidden Hearthlands, or possibly even exploring the Historic East, one factor is for sure: you’ll fall in love with the nation’s awe-inspiring magnificence.
That’s a promise!
Questions You Might Have Earlier than Your Solo Journey to Eire
Now that we now have established the highest the explanation why you must e-book a solo journey to Eire, I wished to handle some questions you could have previous to reserving your journey.
What ought to I pack for my solo journey to Eire?
Packing for Eire is just not a straightforward process, which is why you will need to have a strong Ireland packing list earlier than jetting off in your journey. If I needed to choose 5 issues you have to deliver on a visit to Eire, I’d say:
- A water-resistant jacket
- Comfy strolling sneakers
- Fitness center/leisure clothes (most actions are outdoor)
- A journey adapter
- Transportable charger
When is the very best time to solo journey to Eire?
The Irish climate is usually a little bit of an attention-grabbing topic, as a result of, properly nobody has fairly discovered the way it works. I can nevertheless advise you on the very best instances to go to based mostly on the “typical” climate traits however take the following pointers with a pinch of salt as a result of the Irish climate does what it desires, regardless of the season.
Usually talking, June is the month with essentially the most solar. After all, this could change from 12 months to 12 months however I solely bear in mind as soon as when Eire didn’t have no less than one week of sunshine in June.
September is a superb month to go to as a result of all the kids have returned to highschool and the vacationer points of interest are far much less busy. The climate remains to be pretty first rate for Irish requirements and there’s a good breeze to maintain you cool within the night instances.
I really like Eire within the winter months, notably when the streets are stuffed with Christmas lights and everyone seems to be strolling round with the largest smiles upon their faces. There may be simply one thing particular about Eire in the course of the holidays.
What are the very best issues to do in Eire as a solo traveler?
Eire is residence to among the most stunning surroundings on the earth and there are millions of guidebooks on the highest issues to see and do. As an area, I wished to share with you a few of my favourite spots across the nation which might be rather less visited.
Discover the Aran Islands
This can be a group of islands situated off the coast of Galway. One in all my favourite issues to do in Eire is spending the day on a motorcycle exploring any three of the islands.
Bikes might be rented from 13 euros per individual, permitting you to discover all of which the Islands have to supply, from hovering cliffs, a hidden wormhole, or a shipwreck made well-known by widespread Irish TV present Father Ted.
Experience the Cable Automotive on Dursey Island
Step aboard Eire’s solely cable automotive (if you’re courageous sufficient) and dangle alongside the Wild Atlantic Method. The Cable Automotive results in Dursey Island in West Cork. It’s a widespread vacation spot for individuals who have a way of journey and like to discover.
See the Cliffs in Slieve League
The Cliffs of Moher are essentially the most well-known cliffs in Eire however what many individuals don’t notice is the nation is residence to a number of extra cliffs which might be simply as magnificent. One favourite is the Slieve League in County Donegal. It’s attainable to benefit from the day exploring the gorgeous surroundings of Slieve League with solely a fraction of the individuals current on the Cliffs of Moher.
These are just a few issues in retailer for you if you go to my nation. A solo journey to Eire is unquestionably one thing you’ll bear in mind!