United Kingdom travel guide for the Irish

Irish citizens do not need a visa or an Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) to enter the United Kingdom. The Common Travel Area (CTA) lets you travel, live and work freely between Ireland and the UK, and it also protects your right to access public services in the UK. You must still carry proof of identity, such as a passport or an Irish passport card, and be able to show you are a resident of the CTA if asked.

There are no visa or ETA requirements for Irish citizens entering the UK. You can arrive by air, sea or land without a visa, and you may stay for as long as you wish under the CTA. Border officials may ask to see proof of identity and residence, so carry your passport or Irish passport card. The UK ETA scheme does not apply to Irish citizens, so you do not need to apply online before travel.

Ireland has an embassy in London and consulates in other UK cities. The embassy can help with lost or stolen passports, emergency travel documents and consular assistance. For routine questions, check the Department of Foreign Affairs website first. In an emergency, call the embassy's out-of-hours line or the local emergency number 999 or 112.

The UK uses the pound sterling, so your costs in EUR will vary with the exchange rate. As a rough 2026 estimate, a mid-range trip costs about €150–€250 per day per person, including accommodation, meals and local transport. Budget travellers can manage on €80–€120 per day with hostels and self-catering. London is noticeably more expensive than the rest of the country, especially for hotels and eating out.

From Dublin, the flight to London takes about 1 hour 20 minutes, and to Manchester or Edinburgh about 1 hour 30 minutes. From Cork, Shannon or Belfast, direct flights to London and other UK cities take around 1–1.5 hours. There are also frequent ferry crossings from Dublin and Belfast to Liverpool, Holyhead and Cairnryan, which take 2–8 hours. Use a flight-time planner to check exact times from your home city.

The UK uses Type G sockets with three rectangular pins, at 230 V and 50 Hz. Irish plugs are the same Type G, so you do not need an adapter for most devices. If you bring devices from elsewhere, bring a Type G adapter. The voltage is the same as Ireland, so most electronics will work without a converter.

Tipping is not as widespread as in the US. In restaurants, leave 10–12.5% if no service charge is added to the bill. In pubs, tipping is not expected, though you can round up for table service. Taxi drivers and hairdressers appreciate a small tip, but it is not required. Check the bill for a service charge before adding anything.

In an emergency, call 999 or 112 for police, fire or ambulance. For non-urgent medical help, call 111 (NHS) in England, Scotland and Wales, or 101 for non-urgent police matters. These numbers are free to call from any phone. If you need consular help, contact the Irish embassy or consulate.