The currencies of the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland are not interchangeable. On January 1, 2002, the Irish punt was replaced by the Euro. The Euro is divided into 100 cents. Banknotes come in denominations of 5, 10, 20, 50, 100, 200, and 500, while coins are 1, 2, 5, 10, 20, and 50 cents. You can buy local currency at any bank in Ireland, including those at airports, which are open for all flight arrivals. ATMs are widely available across Ireland. Use cards with the Plus or Cirrus logo for the best exchange rates without extra fees. Most credit cards, except Discover, are widely accepted throughout Ireland.

Ireland operates on Greenwich Mean Time (GMT), which is one hour behind Central European Time and five hours ahead of U.S. Eastern Standard Time. Daylight Saving Time is observed, with the clock change occurring around the same time as in the U.S.

1. Share Your Contact Information

Inform friends, family, or neighbors of your contact address and phone numbers.

2. Prepare Travel Documents

Ensure you have all necessary travel documents, including traveler’s checks, money, airline tickets, passport, and travel insurance policy (if purchased from Caddie Tours).

3. Label Your Luggage

Fill out the baggage tags with your name and address, and attach them to each piece of luggage.

4. Secure Your Belongings

Check your locks and avoid packing valuables in your luggage.

5. Check the Weather Forecast

Visit the Met Éireann National Forecast for the latest weather updates.

Ireland offers visitors a wide range of locally produced goods and souvenirs, including woolen items, tweeds, cashmere, handmade crafts, jewelry, china, and hand-cut crystal. Major stores can arrange shipping for your purchases, but you’ll be responsible for import duties. Duty-Free shops are available at all international Irish and British airports.

Visitors to Ireland can claim VAT (Value Added Tax) refunds on purchases taken out of the country. The tax is included in the selling price, and refunds can save you 10% to 20%, depending on the product. Various VAT refund schemes are available. Ensure the store completes the necessary forms for you. On your departure day, after checking in, visit the Tax-Free Desk to receive your refund in cash or credited to your charge card, minus a handling fee.

We recommend booking your B&B accommodations 24 to 48 hours in advance for most of the year. However, to avoid disappointment during the high season (May to September), it's best to book 30 days ahead, especially in busy tourist areas like Dublin, Galway, and Killarney.

The single supplement is €12.50, payable directly to the B&B in Ireland.

No, these vouchers are only accepted at Town and Country Homes or Farmhouse accommodations. For hotel or castle stays, we highly recommend booking in advance with Caddie Tours to ensure availability and the best rates.

We typically send B&B listings with your travel documents about 30 days before departure. However, you can also check limited listings online at www.tandctrade.com.

You can check into rooms between noon and 1:00 pm, depending on the hotel policy. Since transatlantic flights often arrive early, there may be a wait if the hotel was fully booked the night before. You can use this time to take a walk, grab a snack, or explore the area.

No, we want our tour guides to focus on informing and taking care of you, not selling. This ensures you have a pleasant and engaging travel experience. We include more sightseeing features and evening shows with dinner in the tour, so once you're with us, there are no extra costs for admissions or special entertainment.

If you're a US or Canadian citizen, a valid passport is the only travel document you'll need. If you're renting a car, you'll also need your current driver's license.

Just like house and car insurance, travel insurance protects you, your loved ones, your possessions, and your travel investment. If unexpected health issues arise, flights are delayed, or possessions are stolen, you’ll get money back. This year, we also offer a new trip cancellation waiver benefit.

There is no cost reduction for a third person sharing a room with two others. European hotel rooms are generally smaller than North American ones, and the third bed may be a rollaway. We recommend booking a twin and a single for more comfort.

Yes, to both questions! Many of our coach tours can be combined, and we offer a discount if you take two. If you're considering a self-drive vacation, a coach tour is a great way to familiarize yourself with Britain and Ireland, helping you get used to distances, customs, and driving on the "other side of the road."

On coach tours, luggage space is limited, so each passenger can bring one piece of luggage (suitcase or garment bag). You’ll also receive a carry-on bag, which can be stored under your seat or overhead on the coach. For self-drive clients, consider the car's capacity, and soft-sided luggage is easier to store in the vehicle.

Since most of your tour is prepaid, you’ll need cash for daily lunches and a few dinners during your leisure evenings. If you enjoy shopping or a cocktail, those costs are up to you. It's also customary to tip your guide and driver at the end of the tour. Credit cards and ATMs are widely available, so there's no need to carry large amounts of cash.

Caddie Tours guarantees no increase in land costs once you’ve paid your deposit. This protects you from international currency fluctuations. When you pay for your airfare in full, the ticket price won’t change, even if airfares rise later.

Departure times vary depending on the day's itinerary. In Britain, departures are typically around 8:00 am to 8:30 am, while in Ireland, with shorter distances, the group usually leaves between 8:45 am and 9:00 am.

We want you to experience as much of Britain or Ireland as possible without spending all your time on the coach. We typically include a sightseeing feature in the morning and afternoon, with breaks every two hours or less for you to stretch, grab a snack or lunch, take photos, smoke, and use restrooms.

After planning a wedding, honeymooners are happy to leave all the trip details to us! Many newlywed couples choose our programs, and our tours are also growing in popularity with those under 30. People of all ages find that vacations are more relaxing when someone takes care of the driving and arrangements.

Many of our tours include walking tours in interesting places like York, Chester, Waterford, Kinsale, and Derry. These walks are leisurely paced with a guide. After arriving at the hotel in the afternoon, you’ll have some free time to explore on your own or enjoy the leisure facilities available at most hotels. We recommend bringing comfortable shoes with non-slip soles, as many historic sites have uneven paving.

It's a 4 or 5-course meal with options for appetizers, soups, entrees, and desserts, served in a hotel. Most hotels offer a variety of red and white meats, fish, and vegetarian dishes, ensuring there’s something for everyone, even with specific tastes or dietary restrictions.

With so many flights arriving at Heathrow and Gatwick from various North American cities, it's not possible for our tour escort to greet all clients at the airports. To accommodate this, we include vouchers for a reputable airport transfer coach service at the start and end of your tour. Full instructions on how the service works will be provided with your travel documents.

All our tours are carefully planned with exciting sightseeing every day. However, since most tours include 2-night stays, you can opt not to travel with the group and instead explore your own interests on a day when the coach returns to the same hotel.