A year ago my family went to southern Ireland for a week. Northern Ireland is part of the United Kingdom, while Southern Ireland is part of the European Union. The only things we booked before arriving was our first and last night hotel stays and a rental car. Other than that we decided to take it day by day based on what we liked and how our 11 month old did. Here are five travel tips to help your vacation in Ireland go smoothly and save you money. You can travel to Ireland with a baby.
1. Book a rental car in the US online. It is generally cheaper to book a rental car online before arriving at the airport. One thing to consider is most auto insurance companies (and credit cards) do not cover car rental insurance in Ireland because you drive on the left side of the road. Therefore, plan on spending about as much for insurance as you do to rent the car. We paid around 150 Euros for a week for a manual transmission compact car. Automatic cars are more expensive to rent but worth it if you are uncomfortable shifting with your left hand.
2. Bed & Breakfasts are plentiful. We had no problem finding a B&B while in Ireland. In fact, we were able to be picky if we got to a town early enough. Every B&B we stayed at had a crib for our baby and served a delicious breakfast.
3. Slow down. Ireland is a beautiful country, so take some time to relax, enjoy the locals, and the natural beauty.
4. Save money. There are many grocery stores that are similar to the ones in the States. One way we saved money was buying prepared sandwiches, sliced fruits and vegetables from a grocery store.
5. Pubs aren't just for night life. Most pubs serve lunch. While the menu is limited you can still get a decent sandwich or hamburger at most pubs. Families are often welcomed during lunch.