Tipping – Suggested Guideline
CEO (tour leader): ~€5–€7 per person, per day
Driver (if separate): ~€2–€3 per person, per day
Tip at the end of the tour (cash is easiest)
If service isn’t included → ~10%
If it is included → rounding up is totally fine
Luggage & Packing Reality Check
You'll be moving around → pack light
Think layers (Ireland = moody weather)
Waterproof jacket (non-negotiable)
Comfortable walking shoes (cute ≠ practical here)
Destination Information – Money & Currency
You’ll be visiting two countries during this trip — Ireland (Dublin) and Northern Ireland (Belfast) — and each uses a different currency:
Northern Ireland: Pound Sterling (£)
Spending & Accessing Money
Credit Cards: Widely accepted everywhere, including restaurants, shops, and attractions. Visa and Mastercard are the most common. American Express is not as widely accepted.
Debit Cards: Most ATMs accept international debit cards (look for the Plus, Cirrus, or Maestro logos).
Tap & Pay: Contactless payments are extremely popular — you’ll see locals using their phone or watch for even small purchases.
Cash: While many places are card-friendly, it’s still a good idea to have a small amount of local cash for tips, taxis, markets, or rural stops.
Suggested Cash Amounts
Ireland (Euro): ~€100–150 total is usually more than enough for small expenses.
Northern Ireland (Pound Sterling): ~£50–100 should cover tips, taxis, and small purchases. (You can always withdraw more at an ATM if needed.)
Exchange Tips
Avoid exchanging large sums at airports or hotels — the rates are much better at ATMs or reputable exchange counters in the city.
Notify your bank and credit card companies that you’ll be travelling to Ireland and the U.K. to avoid card holds or fraud alerts.
ATMs will usually ask if you’d like to be charged in your “home currency” — always select “Charge in Local Currency” for the best rate.
Other Handy Tips
Tipping: Rounding up the bill or leaving 10–12% in restaurants with table service is appreciated (but not required).
Many public washrooms and smaller vendors accept contactless payment instead of coins.
Keep a backup card and store it separately from your main wallet.
Apple Pay and Google Pay work seamlessly in both Ireland and Northern Ireland.
Emergency Fund
Please also make sure you have access to at least an additional USD $200 (or equivalent) as an emergency fund, to be used when circumstances outside control (e.g., a natural disaster) require a change to the planned route. This is a rare occurrence.