Major city · Ireland
Lifford
Skip Lifford as a destination: it is a county administrative centre with no major sights. Use it only as a border crossing or bus stop between Strabane and Letterkenny.
Lifford is the county town of Donegal but much smaller than Letterkenny. Its main feature is the bridge over the River Finn linking it to Strabane in Northern Ireland. The County Council chambers are here, but there is little else for a traveller. Most people pass through in minutes.
More
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- EUR
- Best months
- May–Sep
- avoid Nov–Feb (short days, cold)
- Airports
- LDY · DUB
- Nights
- 0
Not a trip line yet
Rules in force · 8Non-EU visitors get 90 days in any rolling 180-day window…
- Europe ↗Non-EU visitors get 90 days in any rolling 180-day window, counted across all 29 Schengen states together — not per country; the Entry/Exit System now logs each crossing, so an overstay is detected automatically.
- Europe ↗On the first Schengen entry since EES began, non-EU travellers give four fingerprints and a face photo at the border instead of a passport stamp; there is nothing to apply for or pay in advance.
- Britain and Ireland ↗Neither the UK nor Ireland is part of Schengen: days spent here do not count towards the 90/180-day Schengen limit, and a Schengen visa does not admit you to either country.
- Britain and Ireland ↗The island of Ireland runs on two currencies: euro in the Republic, pound sterling in Northern Ireland and Great Britain. Carry a card that pays in both without fees.
- Britain and Ireland ↗Both islands drive on the left. Speed limits are in miles per hour in the UK (including Northern Ireland) and in kilometres per hour in the Republic of Ireland.
- Ireland ↗Ireland is in the EU but not in the Schengen area; it sets its own entry rules and a Schengen visa is not valid for Ireland. Check Irish immigration for your passport.
- Ireland ↗Ireland and the UK form the Common Travel Area, with no routine checks on the land border. Visitors who are not Irish or British must still meet UK rules (including the UK ETA where it applies) to enter Northern Ireland.
- Ireland ↗Driving is on the left; rural roads are narrow with hedges and few passing places.
Entry rules depend on your passport. Full visa guide
What is in this basic guide9 covered · 4 not yet ▾
In this guide
Not in this guide yet
- Walking areas with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Airport-to-bed timings and the last safe connection
- Field-checked times and prices
Official sites
Emergency numbers for Lifford112 ▾
Tap a number to call from your phone. These are the numbers listed in this guide; a row marked check has not been verified.
EssentialsQuick answers and what things cost
Essentials
Quick answers and what things cost
Quick answers
The questions people ask first about Lifford, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.
- Cash or card?Currency is the euro (EUR).Ireland-wide
- SIM or eSIMVodafone, Three and Eir run the networks; prepaid SIMs (also 48, Tesco Mobile, GoMo) sell in phone shops and newsagents, no registration fuss.Ireland-wide
- Tap waterTap water is safe; occasional local 'boil water' notices are posted by Uisce Éireann.Ireland-wide
- TippingRestaurant with table service: 10–15% if service is not included.Ireland-wide
- Plugs & powerSockets G. US/Canada (A/B): adapter · UK/Ireland (G): fits · Australia/NZ (I): adapter. 230 V: US 120 V-only devices (hair dryers) need a converter; most chargers are dual-voltage.Ireland-wide
- SafetyVery safe.
Show all 12 answers
- RestroomsFree in shopping centres, museums, pubs (as a customer) and many petrol stations; some public toilets charge 50c.Ireland-wide
- Emergency numbers112 or 999 police (gardaí) · 112 or 999 fire and ambulance (not 911, 999 or 000)
- Sundays & holidaysShops open Sunday afternoons in towns; rural shops and some attractions close in winter (November–March).Ireland-wide
- Your embassyFind your embassy's 24-hour line before you fly.
- AirportLDY City of Derry Airport (About 20 km (12 mi) away; buses to Strabane then walk across the bridge.).LDY City of Derry Airport (About 12 mi (20 km) away; buses to Strabane then walk across the bridge.).
- Getting aroundWalkable: the town is tiny.
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- CoffeeCoffee in a café€3–4 (≈ US$4–5)
- Street or quick mealPub lunch (sandwich or soup)€8–12 (≈ US$10–14)
- BeerPint of lager€5–6 (≈ US$6–7)
- Metro or bus rideBus to Letterkenny, one way€8 (≈ US$10)
- Budget bedPub room double, a night, per room€70 (≈ US$85)
- Mid-range bedB&B single room, a night, per room€70 (≈ US$85)
- High-end bedB&B single room, a night, per room€90 (≈ US$110)
A day, not counting the bed: Budget €40 (≈ US$50) · Mid €70 (≈ US$85) · High €120 (≈ US$140)
Local prices, with USD next to them (rates 2026-09 (approximate); change it in the header). Ranges are desk estimates: check locally. Every price and the budget calculator →
DecideWhat it is known for, and when the weather works
Decide
What it is known for, and when the weather works
At a glance
What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.
- Airports
- LDY City of Derry Airport (About 20 km (12 mi) away; buses to Strabane then walk across the bridge.) · DUB Dublin Airport (About 2.5 h by bus via Letterkenny.)LDY City of Derry Airport (About 12 mi (20 km) away; buses to Strabane then walk across the bridge.) · DUB Dublin Airport (About 2.5 h by bus via Letterkenny.)
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
Avoid
8°C (46°F)46°F (8°C)
Feb
Avoid
9°C (48°F)48°F (9°C)
Mar
not flagged
11°C (52°F)52°F (11°C)
Apr
not flagged
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
May
Best
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
Jun
Best
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
Jul
Best
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
Aug
Best
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
Sep
Best
17°C (63°F)63°F (17°C)
Oct
not flagged
14°C (57°F)57°F (14°C)
Nov
Avoid
10°C (50°F)50°F (10°C)
Dec
Avoid
8°C (46°F)46°F (8°C)
Best: May–Sep. Avoid: Nov–Feb. Month by month →
Warmest Jul (19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)), coolest Jan (2°C (36°F)36°F (2°C) low), wettest Jan (17 rain days), driest Apr (12). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
Lifford: next 7 days
Loading forecast…
Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
Loading…
Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.
Jan
8°C (46°F)46°F (8°C)
2°C (36°F)36°F (2°C)
17 rd
Feb
9°C (48°F)48°F (9°C)
2°C (36°F)36°F (2°C)
14 rd
Mar
11°C (52°F)52°F (11°C)
3°C (37°F)37°F (3°C)
15 rd
Apr
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
5°C (41°F)41°F (5°C)
12 rd
May
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
7°C (45°F)45°F (7°C)
13 rd
Jun
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
10°C (50°F)50°F (10°C)
13 rd
Jul
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C)
15 rd
Aug
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
11°C (52°F)52°F (11°C)
15 rd
Sep
17°C (63°F)63°F (17°C)
9°C (48°F)48°F (9°C)
14 rd
Oct
14°C (57°F)57°F (14°C)
7°C (45°F)45°F (7°C)
17 rd
Nov
10°C (50°F)50°F (10°C)
4°C (39°F)39°F (4°C)
16 rd
Dec
8°C (46°F)46°F (8°C)
2°C (36°F)36°F (2°C)
16 rd
High / low, both scales · rd = rain days
Arrive & moveAirports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Arrive & move
Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Getting around
Walkable: the town is tiny. Buses from the main street go to Letterkenny and Derry. For Strabane, cross the bridge on foot.
Nearest full guides
Straight-line distance, not travel time
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Door to door: 30 min
Bus from Lifford main street, about 20 min
Largest town in Donegal; shops, restaurants and the Donegal County Museum.
Door to door: 45 min
Walk to Strabane bus station (5 min), then bus to Derry, about 30 min
Historic walled city with the Guildhall and Peace Bridge.
Door to door: 2.5 h
Bus via Letterkenny and Donegal Town, about 2 h
Folk village and coastal walks; better as a day trip from Donegal Town.
Eat & sleepWhich area to sleep in
Eat & sleep
Which area to sleep in
Where to sleep
Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.
Lifford town centre
A handful of B&Bs and pubs with rooms; limited choice.
Strabane (across the border)
More accommodation options, 5 min walk over the bridge.
PracticalWhat a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Practical
What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Cost per day
- Budget
- €40–60 (≈ US$50–70) excl. bed
- Mid
- €60–100 (≈ US$70–120) excl. bed
- High
- €100 (≈ US$120)+ excl. bed
Trip budget
| B&B single room1 × 1 night × €70 | €70 |
| Food, local transport, entries1 × 1 day × €70 | €70 |
| Bus to Letterkenny, one way1 × €8 | €8 |
| Bus to Derry, one way1 × €10 | €10 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | €16 |
| Trip total≈ €174 per person per day, bed included | €174≈ US$250 |
2026 estimate in euro; flights excluded. Lifford is not a base, so this is for a short stop.
Prices of common things
| Coffee in a café | €3–4 (≈ US$4–5) |
| Pint of lager | €5–6 (≈ US$6–7) |
| Pub lunch (sandwich or soup) | €8–12 (≈ US$10–14) |
| Bus to Letterkenny, one way | €8 (≈ US$10) |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- The border is open but carry ID if driving; customs checks are rare but possible.
- Currency changes at the bridge: Republic uses euro, Northern Ireland uses pound sterling.
- No tourist information office in Lifford; check Donegal Town or Letterkenny.
Emergency numbers
- Police (Gardaí)
- 112 or 999
- Fire and ambulance
- 112 or 999
Pocket card
Fill in, then print or save as PDF
Stays in this browser only; nothing is sent anywhere.
LiffordLifford
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
Go dtí an seoladh seo, le do thoilTo this address, please
Emergency
- Police (Gardaí)112 or 999
- Fire and ambulance112 or 999
Embassy
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- Bus Lifford → Letterkenny: about €8 (≈ US$10), 20 min
- Bus Lifford → Derry (via Strabane): about €10 (≈ US$12), 30 min
- Taxi Lifford → Letterkenny: €25–35 (≈ US$30–45)
Say or show
- Dia duit — Hello (dee-a gwit)
- Go raibh maith agat — Thank you (guh rev mah agut)
- Cé mhéad é sin? — How much is that? (kay vayd ay shin)
- Cá bhfuil an stad bus? — Where is the bus stop? (kaw will on stod bus)
- An bhfuil Béarla agat? — Do you speak English? (on will bayr-lah agut)
English is universally spoken; Irish phrases are optional but appreciated.
Deep diveWhat this guide covers so far, and its sources
Deep dive
What this guide covers so far, and its sources
Not a trip line yet
This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for Lifford. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.
What we know, and what is coming
On this page
- Best months: May–Sep · avoid Nov–Feb (short days, cold) · month by month →
- 2 airports and 2 areas to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 3 bands
- 4 day-trips, door to door
- 3 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- An airport-to-bed path that says whether a late landing still works
- Walking clusters with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Field-verified times and fares
Sources
Ask about Lifford
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