Pre-Travel Information
We recommend that you check-in for any international flights 3 hours prior to your scheduled departure time.
This will allow for any unexpected delays in your journey, check-in at the airport or any security issues, you will also feel more relaxed before your international flight to Ireland or Scotland.
Baggage allowance is one piece of checked luggage and one piece of carry on luggage per person. Please check airline websites for complete baggage allowances and travel restrictions e.g luggage weight, restricted items etc.
The answer is YES. All US Citizens need to have a passport that remains valid for 6 months after the return date of travel. For all non-US citizens, you must check with the local consulate/embassy for any documentation requirements. Please check that you do indeed hold a valid passport, if you do not have a passport, you may secure one through your local post office and if you require it promptly please avail of the expedited processing services available.
Please ensure when submitting your names to Brack Tours that they APPEAR AS STATED ON YOUR PASSPORT (First, Middle (if applicable) & Last Names required)
In the event that you lose your passport, we always recommend that you make a copy and leave it at home or with friend or family member who is contactable during your vacation.
Will I need to pack a converter or plug adapter??
The electrical supply in Ireland is 230v 50hz.
The plugs and sockets are different from the USA involving a three-pronged formation.
The same as those used in the United Kingdom. If your appliances operate on a different current (such as those from North America) you will need a power converter and plug adapter.
Plug adapters do not change the electricity supplied to equipment, they simply allow it to be plugged into a different type of wall socket or outlet.
All Hotels and most other accommodation in Ireland & the UK will have a two-pin 110v to 120v plug for shavers in the bathroom which will accept an American style plug and allows 120v shavers to run safely. You will require no additional equipment if you are only bringing a shaver.
DO NOT use this power outlet for anything except shavers. It is specifically designed for that one item only and will cause damage to anything else.
In Ireland, we can safely say that our dress code is extremely casual and you may only require a suit or a smart dress code for fine dining. So we recommend packing as you would prepare for a weekend away at home with the family or your friends. Make sure that clothing is layered one can never predict the weather while in Ireland. Our recommend essential list is as follows:-
- Layered Clothing: Fleeces, T-shirts, Jumpers, Shorts (applicable to the summer months check the weather a few days before)
- Sensible walking shoes (maybe bring one pair or two pairs just to be safe we don’t want you getting sore feet)
- A light waterproof “Rain Jacket” or “windbreaker”
- Carry bag for daily touring (if you plan on buying lots of Irish Goodies)
- Driver’s license and other forms of identification
- Credit cards, bankcard, cash and/or traveller’s checks
- Camera and film
- Address book
- Cosmetics and toiletries
- Extra eyeglasses and contacts
- Any necessary medicine (carry it with you personally with the prescription labels)
- Small umbrella (just in case it rains, always be prepared)
In Ireland, everyone talks about the weather and if they don’t can we really call them Irish… Whether it’s discussing the direction of the rain from a supermarket doorway, or musing that it’s 75°F in March from a bar counter.
Irish weather can be unpredictable, so we like to discuss it. A lot and it is usually something we complain about. It’s Too Cold, It’s Too Warm, Its Beautiful & Most Of All Its Ours…
Ireland’s climate is influenced most by the Atlantic Ocean. As a result, it doesn’t have the extreme temperatures that other countries at similar latitude would have. The average temperature is a mild 50°F.
A major warm ocean current called the North Atlantic Drift keeps sea temperatures mild too. Hills and mountains, mainly around the coast, shelter the rest of the island from strong winds coming off the ocean.
So while the weather can be changeable – it’s rarely extreme.
The seasons: spring and summer
In spring (February to April), the average highest temperatures range from 46 to 54°F, with April considered particularly pleasant. In summer (May to July), the averages for the highest temperatures are between 64 and 68°F.
The warmest months, July and August, get about 18 hours of daylight and it gets dark only after 11.00pm. Hence the well-worn phrase in Ireland; “sure there’s a grand stretch in the evenings”.
The seasons: autumn and winter
In autumn, (August to October) highest temperatures hit between 64 and 57°F. September is considered a mild, temperate month.
Winter air temperatures inland normally reach 46°F, while the coldest months are January and February. The temperature drops below freezing intermittently, and apart from a few freak cold snaps, snow is scarce.
Yes, it does work however we recommend that you consider contacting your mobile phone provider to add an international calling/texting/data plan for the duration of your stay, as you may not be able to use your mobile phone in Ireland without a pre-paid international service plan.
Calling information:
The international dialling code for Ireland is +353 and for Northern Ireland & Scotland it is +44.
When dialling an Irish number from abroad drop the preceding 0 from the local area code e.g within Ireland our telephone number is 086 3616935 outside Ireland our number is +353 86 3616935.
While in Ireland and if you are travelling with Brack Tours on one of our self-drive packages we recommend that you bring a valid credit card which belongs to the main driver for the car rental. This will be used for any security deposit or pre-authorization while picking up your car rental.
Visa & Mastercard are widely used throughout Ireland and Scotland and will be accepted however please note if you have a discover credit card that some shops, restaurants and car rental companies may not accept them.
As we are a very proud people, there is not a strong tipping culture in Ireland but any tips are always greatly appreciated by many of the workers in the establishments that are frequently visited. As of such many natives and visitors tend to tip for certain services, in particular restaurants, taxis and personal services (e.g. hairdressing).
Below is a rough general guide and if you want to tip and are in doubt about how much, think 10%. All tips are at your discretion!
Restaurants with table service: Tip 10%-12.5% of the bill, based on the quality of service. If you receive exceptional service you can tip higher. WARNING. Some restaurants already add a ‘Service Charge’ on to the bill (usually 12.5%). This will be printed somewhere near the end of the bill or you can ask your server if there is a service charge/gratuity. Most Hotel restaurants include a service charge. If this Service Charge is added there is no need to tip as this charge is essential ‘the tip’ If the service is terrible and a service charge has been added you can sometimes dispute it.
Some restaurants now add an automatic service charge to parties over a certain size usually 6 and up. Why this is done is a mystery and has never been fully explained.
It is also worth keeping in mind that often serving staff, both bar and floor, do not receive tips which are added to either credit cards (or in hotels those which are added to room charge) it is always best to ask in advance, to ensure your tip is received by staff and not the establishment.
Counter service/fast food: No tip expected.
Bartenders: No tip expected. (If you are part of a large group who have had a number of drinks and exceptional service from the staff you might consider a tip of €1 to €2 euros or the same in Sterling depending on your location). And while barmen do not expect tips, lounge staff (floor serving staff) do and €1 or €2 for a large round is considered acceptable or the same in Sterling if in the UK.
Hotel housekeeping/maid service: Tip at your discretion- €1 – €2 per night or Sterling equivalent.
Hotel porter: €1 – €2 per bag if it is brought to your room in a friendly and courteous manner, generally not over €5. Most hotels do not provide this service anyway unless you ask and many hotels may not even provide this service. (All group tour packages will have free porterage included, whereas our private chauffeur packages or self-drive packages do not have this included).
Bed and breakfast proprietors/staff: The majority of bed and breakfasts in Ireland are small family undertakings and it is not expected that guests tip for either food service or housekeeping. In larger bed and breakfasts and guest houses where staff are employed, it is acceptable to tip staff but it is certainly not expected nor required.
Taxi Driver: No tip expected nowadays round up to the nearest Euro. Tip 5% to 10% of the fare if the driver has been particularly helpful informative and courteous. Ranges are usually €5 or £5 to €10 or £10 Euros/Sterling (€10 would be considered a very large tip) and again this is always at your discretion. Taxis nationwide charge the same fares, they are heavily regulated and provide an automatic receipt at the end of your journey showing mileage, time, cost etc… Please take your receipt.
Hairdresser/manicurist: Ladies Hairdresser 10% of the bill, Gents barbers €1 or £1 to €2 or £2 euro/sterling or 10% of the bill