Travel in Europe

The best thing about living in Ireland is that you can travel to any country in Europe in just a few hours.During my time in Ireland, I have travelled to some wonderful countries around Europe, including France, Spain, Italy, Germany, Sweden, the Czech Republic, Turkey and the list goes on...

It is amazing to see so many different cultures and languages so close together and I am sure that you will also want to travel to some of these countries when you are living in Ireland.


When you decide to take a trip outside of Ireland, it is good to make some travel plans.

This will allow you to enjoy your holiday without having to worry about anything else.

I have researched a lot in the last few years about travelling around Europe, and hopefully I can provide you with some advice for making your journey as good as possible.

Of course the first thing you will want to do is to decide which country or countries you would like to visit.

There are so many options, especially if you have just moved to Ireland from another continent, like South America in my case.

Everyone has different interests and preferences when it comes to travel destinations, so you might choose a completely different destination than I would.

For example, I knew that I wanted to see the Alps as I had never seen any snow or attempted to ski.

I also knew, being from Brazil, that I would like to see Portugal and compare it to my own culture and to listen to how the people spoke Portuguese.

And like many young people, I was interested to see what Amsterdam would be like...!

If you like sunny skies, you have many countries to choose from along the Mediterranean.

If you like beautiful architecture and you don't want to spend a lot of money, then the east of Europe might be perfect for you!

Alternatively you could travel to the north of Europe and visit a Scandinavian country like Norway or Sweden. Here you will also have the advantage of meeting many people who can speak very good English.

So the choice is yours!

Whichever country you decide, you have a few different options to get to your destination.

Obviously, it is not possible to drive to another country from Ireland, but it is still possible to travel with your car by ferry across the Irish Sea.

You can travel from Dublin or Belfast to a number of different locations in the UK, or from Wexford in the south-east of Ireland to the UK or to the north of France.

If you decide to fly, like most people, then you can travel from a number of airports in Ireland.

Of course Dublin Airport has the greatest number of flights to and from Europe, but if you are living in another part of Ireland, the main airports are: Cork, Belfast and Shannon.

Airports will probably be the most stressful part of your journey and there are a few steps you can take to make things easier...

If you have the option to check-in online before you arrive at the airport, this is a very good idea. You will avoid the queues and you can save time at the airport.

When you are packing your luggage, try to use a small suitcase if possible.

The two main airlines in Ireland, Aer Lingus and Ryanair, have a maximum cabin luggage weight of 10kg.

So...

If you can, use just one carry-on luggage, you will save yourself a lot of time not having to wait for your luggage when you arrive in another country.

The most important thing about your carry-on luggage is that it does not include any liquids, gels or pastes that are more than 100ml.

Since this law was introduced, shops have started to sell many products, like shampoo or
toothpaste that are less than 100ml.

You can also buy these products after you pass through the airport security, but they can be more expensive.

The airports here provide clear plastic bags for these items and they must be kept separate from your carry-on luggage when you pass through security.

A final note about planning your departure at the airport is to make sure that you arrive on time. This is the same for airports all around the world and you should try to arrive about 2 hours before your flight.

If possible, you should also try to book your travel tickets well in advance. The cheapest flight you will find will usually be one departing on a Wednesday and returning on a Wednesday.

Similarly, if you plan to travel off-season, you will save lots of money.

Remember though, that the south of Spain might be off-season in January, but this is likely to be the most expensive month if you are travelling to the Swiss Alps!

And...

If you are planning to travel to Switzerland, don't forget that this is one of the countries where the Euro is not the main currency.

Other countries that do not use the Euro include the UK, Norway, Sweden, and the majority of the countries in Eastern Europe.

The final and most important piece of advice when planning your trip outside of Ireland is of course not to forget your passport!

If you have any other questions about travelling from Ireland to some country in Europe, please feel free to ask me.

I have visited most of the countries in west and central Europe in the last 3 years and also some in the east of Europe.

Have a safe trip : )

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