Preparing for Your Trip to Northern Ireland

What do you need to know when Preparing for Your Trip to Northern Ireland

You won’t need either a visa or a passport to visit Northern Ireland as it is part of the UK. There is plenty to enjoy in the north, from the wonderful Irish hospitality, especially in the pubs and bars, to the beautiful scenery and numerous stop-offs for a tasty snack or a delicious meal with local fare, and perhaps an Irish coffee…

Getting About

If this is the first time that you have travelled around NI, a coach trip is the ideal way to do it. There is plenty of wonderful scenery in and around this part of the country, particularly the wonderful Giant’s Causeway.

Let Your Bank Know

Even though you won’t need a different currency for travelling though Northern Ireland, it is still a good idea to let your bank know that you will be moving around and using your credit/debit cards for purchases. There isn’t a requirement for this unless you are travelling outside the UK, it’s just another safeguard for your financial details.

Travel Insurance

Whenever you go on an extended trip, and especially if you are staying in hotels and being driven by a coach tour company you should have travel insurance. While nobody expects something bad to happen on holiday, it is always best to have insurance just in case your luggage gets lost or stolen or you have an accident. At Odyssey Coach Tours we’ll provide you with an itinerary of your coach tour, and even though you’ll still be in the UK, it’s not a bad idea to make sure that you leave a copy with a friend or family member.

Luggage

When you are travelling by coach, and possibly staying overnight at different hotels, you need to take sufficient clothing for the trip. Most coaches have room for one average to large size suitcase per passenger, and a small carry-on bag – similar to what you might take on a plane.

Clothing

Temperatures in NI are much the same as in the rest of the UK, so adapt your clothing to the time of year. It is always best to pack a light raincoat and a couple of sweaters, as evening temperatures may be cooler. There are some great museums and beauty spots across Northern Ireland, as well as the beautiful countryside, so you may want to take some casual jeans and tops, as well a pair of comfortable walking shoes. You’ll receive an information sheet about the places you will be visiting while you are on the trip, and you’ll want to make sure you have plenty of battery power for your camera. The wall murals in Derry, for example, are well worth seeing as they are integral to the history of the area.

Finally

Once the preparations are made, you can look forward to seeing some wonderful sights – and relaxing while somebody else deals with the driving!