Exploring Ireland with a Motorhome

Ireland is a fantastic vacation destination, perfect for exploring with a motorhome while on a road trip. This way, you can travel spontaneously at your own pace and discover the diversity of the land. After hearing many friends rave about Ireland, it was time to set off for Ireland with my own camper van. Want to travel to Ireland with a motorhome?

In this article, I will show you how to explore the green island in the Atlantic, whether with a rental camper or your own motorhome. I spent four weeks traveling through Ireland (from north to south) in my own motorhome (check out my camper van here). Therefore, I have documented my experiences and highlights and answered questions I had before the trip. Reading time is about 13 minutes.

From renting your motorhome (if you don't have your own) to booking a ferry passage, we will cover all the details so you can plan your trip smoothly. We will also give you useful tips on where to go and what to see on your road trip. Let's get started!

Here are a few tips to keep in mind before your trip. If you have your own motorhome, feel free to jump to point 3.

If you are short on time and don't want to start from Germany with a motorhome, you can also fly into Dublin or Belfast and rent a vehicle on-site in Ireland to kick off your vacation. Because traveling by ferry takes a total of 3 to 4 days. In Ireland, there are a few providers for motorhomes of all sizes.

Tip: In the motorhome search engine Camperdays, you can find motorhomes for Ireland.

Friends in Ireland have recommended the following providers to me:

Check carefully which camper meets your requirements. We found that a heating system was essential for Ireland even in May - June because we experienced days with persistent rain and temperatures of 10 degrees (even colder at night). However, if your budget is limited, a mini camper with a mattress is a good option for flexible travel. Just make sure to pack a good sleeping bag, as running the engine to use the heating is neither good for the environment nor for maintaining a pleasant relationship with other campers.

Ask what services are included in the rental price. Depending on your budget and preference, you can choose from different sizes and amenities. Also, read the contract carefully before you book and sign. Check what is covered by the insurance. Sometimes there are daily mileage limits. Planning to drive long distances? Then this point is important.

Are you traveling during peak season (June, July, and August)? Then most height barriers in parking lots are closed. This means that you won't be able to access the parking lot with any camper larger than a van (higher than 2 m). Often, you have no alternatives for parking or they are located far away.

The narrow roads and driving on the left also deter many tourists from renting a larger vehicle. We didn't have any issues (I have a Peugeot Boxer) because the locals drive very predictably and are happy to stop to let you pass. Which cannot be said for many tourists. We've seen many broken mirrors lying on the road.

The advantage of a road trip with your own motorhome is obvious: You know your vehicle, know what is installed (I can stand independently due to a dry separation toilet, a good LifePo battery, and solar panels on the roof), and I have the time since I can work on the go.

Timing is a factor for getting there: There are ferries that take you from France directly to Ireland and ferries or the Le Shuttle train that first take you to England, then from Wales (or Scotland) to Ireland.

On the way, we chose the Le Shuttle train (Calais to Folkestone). On the same day, we continued on to Rugby (the place where rugby was invented), spent the night for free at a pub, and took the ferry from Holyhead (Wales) to Dublin the next day. This allowed us to have two relatively short transfers (train: 45 min. and ferry 3.30 h) and unlike the direct ferry (Rosslare - Cherbourg, duration 18 hours), we got to see some of England and Wales. For dog owners, this is likely the more attractive way to get to Ireland with a motorhome.

I used the overview at Direct Ferries to find the perfect connection for us. The train journey is not featured.

Our crossing to Ireland (for a total of 2 people with the motorhome (Peugeot Boxer)) cost Euros. You can stay in your camper during the train journey; on the ferry, you can bring snacks up from the car. We didn't eat anything on board.

On the return journey, I (traveling alone) booked the direct ferry from Dublin to Cherbourg (Irish Ferries). Here, Direct Ferries also listed the best connections by price and duration for me. Therefore, I decided to book the longer ferry ride (19 hours) to avoid driving more miles from Cherbourg home without a second driver.

In Ireland, since COVID, the most important payment method is your credit card. Whether it's just a drink at the bar or for paying camping fees, you rarely need cash. Even the smallest amounts and entries can be paid by credit card. PayPal is also accepted as an alternative.

Warning: EC cards are more or less a "German thing." They are accepted, but do not help for parking apps in some cities (RingGo or PayByPhone). Ireland is almost cashless. Only on some hiking trails that cross private land is there an honesty box where you should drop cash if you're taking the hike. Once we couldn't.

You only need cash for doing laundry at campgrounds. Since Ireland uses the Euro, that's not a problem. In Northern Ireland, you can get the necessary £ coins when you check in if you directly order shower tokens or washing machine coins.

To avoid fees in Northern Ireland when paying with a credit card (foreign currency fees), a good travel credit card is suitable, which allows you to pay without incurring fees.

Currently, the best free credit cards for travel are the DKB Bank debit card, GenialCard (Hanseatic Bank), and the TF Bank Mastercard Gold. With a setup of at least 2 of these cards, you can almost always withdraw money from ATMs abroad and pay locally without foreign currency fees! -> Here you can find all tips from my experience for the best travel credit cards in comparison.

Officially, wild camping is forbidden in Ireland. However, there are many places where it is tolerated as long as there is no height barrier. Especially in the north of Ireland (Inishowen), there are many beautiful spots where you can stay overnight in nature on fields or by the beach in peace. However, you should take your trash with you and not relieve yourself in nature.

In Ireland, you will find many campgrounds right along the coast. The density is mainly high along the Ring of Kerry. However, in summer (June, July, and August), you need to book in advance at the major sights in Ireland, such as the Cliffs of Moher (there are only two campgrounds here). Even during the pre-season on weekdays (in May), we found that by evening, the last spot was taken, and campers were being turned away.

In other regions, you can usually still find a camping spot spontaneously in July and August. The costs range from €20 to €30. There are very basic campgrounds in nature, great spots without sanitary facilities with a view, or large campgrounds that are quite luxurious.

Given the number of spots, the showers and toilets are often only available in limited quantities. I will soon provide a list of the campgrounds we used and spots in nature (free of charge).

To find a suitable campground, we used the Park4Night app and Google Maps. We read the most recent reviews of the spots and then decided whether to head there. If we didn't like it, we drove on (as long as there was a nearby alternative).

Most campgrounds open in April and close in October. Only a few campgrounds are open year-round.

The best months for road trips with a motorhome in Ireland are June (Midsummer), July, and August. The days are very long and the temperatures are pleasantly around 20°C on average. Ideal conditions for hiking and other activities. May and September to October are also acceptable.

Since we prefer the off-season and like to travel away from the crowds and peak travel times, we chose May. Over almost 4 weeks, we only had 3 rainy days. The campgrounds and attractions were never overcrowded (at the Cliffs of Moher or the Giants Causeway, you are almost alone only very early in the morning or late at night), and the opposing traffic on the narrow roads (especially large tour buses or larger motorhomes) was minimal.

The highlight in Ireland is its very diverse landscapes. When you are in Ireland for the first time with the motorhome, you will surely want to drive along the coastal road, the Wild Atlantic Way, with its numerous highlights. The less crowded alternative is located in Northern Ireland and is called the Causeway Coastal Route. It also runs along the coastal road.

We toured Northern Ireland, the north of Ireland, the west, and the south on a long road trip. Each region had something worth seeing for us. Depending on the weather, it might be that you encounter a whole day of continuous rain and no visibility or, on the other hand, perfect weather with stunning views.

For the complete Wild Atlantic Way, you will need plenty of time, as traveling through the many peninsulas and fingers of Ireland means a lot of driving.

There is much to discover, and I find it difficult to come up with route suggestions.

As a German, you can enter Ireland with your ID card. However, you will need your passport if you also want to go to Northern Ireland or arrive via Great Britain. Border controls in the Schengen area have been abolished. Don't forget to bring your driver's license. For anyone under 18: The driver's license for 17-year-olds is not valid.

I don't own a dog myself, but I've seen many Germans traveling with motorhomes and dogs. Therefore, I recommend checking this official website from Ireland tourism for entering with a dog here.

Additionally, each ferry company has different rules regarding traveling with pets. Make sure to check this before booking.

When driving in Ireland, there are a few special considerations and rules you should keep in mind to be safe on the road:

Weather conditions: The weather in Ireland can change rapidly. Always check the weather report and possibly adjust your route. Is it raining all day? Then head to a campground and just relax. Continuing without visibility is pointless.

Especially in rural areas, sheep can suddenly jump onto the road. Slow down your speed and pass the animals carefully.

In Ireland, you should always fill up when it's inexpensive. It felt the most expensive in the Ring of Kerry and Dingle. The mountainous ascents and descents quickly affect your range in a motorhome. Keep an eye on your tank and check if a gas station is on your way.

In Ireland, the following speed limits apply for cars and motorhomes:

My conclusion, briefly: Ireland is always worth a trip. I love this country.

Traveling through Ireland with a motorhome is a nice and flexible way to explore this wonderful country. You can travel at your own pace, experience nature up close, and be spontaneous-especially when the weather isn't ideal. This level of flexibility isn't possible with a rental car and pre-booked accommodations (especially in summer). I can wholeheartedly recommend traveling to Ireland with (your own) motorhome. Don't be afraid of single-lane or narrow roads. Everything will be okay; just drive accordingly and yield to oncoming traffic in the pull-out areas. No panic!

I hope to find time again soon to travel back to the Emerald Isle. Because it hasn't always been ideal weather. The tour to Skellig Island (with landfall) had to be completely canceled due to bad weather.

I hope you enjoyed this article and found it helpful in answering your questions about camping holidays with a motorhome in Ireland. If you have any ideas or questions, we would love to see your comment here on the travel blog.

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