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Frequently Asked Questions

Ireland has a reputation of being the country of a thousand welcomes. It is a very safe country to visit and accessible from all corners of the world. Visitors to Ireland enjoy the openness and friendliness of locals. Irish people as a whole are helpful and are always happy to lend an ear to our foreign guests.

Booking an adventure trip to Ireland is a big deal and we know that you probably have loads of questions. Please find below the most frequently asked questions by our guests.

If you have a question that is not on our list please email us or give us a shout by phone and our Overland Ireland team will answer it for you.

Click on the questions below and to see the answers.

Before the tour

How Do I Book?

We have made booking your adventure tour Ireland as easy as possible. The most convenient way to book is online, but you can reserve a place on one of our tours by phone.

You can pay for your trip in full or secure your place by paying a deposit. We use a secure booking system Checkfront and accept all major credit cards. If you would prefer to pay by a different method we can arrange this for you.

Do I Need a VISA to Visit Ireland?

Some countries require a VISA to enter Ireland. The list of countries whose citizens do not require a VISA to enter Ireland is defined in the Immigration Act 2004 (Visas) Order 2011 (SI 146 of 2011).

Do I Need Travel Insurance For My Trip?

For your Wild Atlantic Way tour and all other adventure tours of Ireland, we strongly recommend that you take out comprehensive travel insurance.

This should cover cancellations, medical expenses, personal luggage, money, personal accident and public liability. Overland Ireland accepts no responsibility for loss or personal damage to personal belongings or liability for personal injury or death.

Booking & Payment

To confirm your booking you are required to pay a non-refundable deposit of Euro 200 per person. Your balance must be paid by the due date shown on your invoice or in correspondence and failure to do so may result in the cost being increased or ultimately cancellation. Once we receive your deposit and having accepted your booking form, the contract between us will become binding and we will send you an invoice for the balance and advise you of the date for payments of same. Brochure and website prices are quoted in Euro. However, payment will also be accepted in US Dollars and Sterling by bank transfer (charges may apply). Once a client has booked their tour, Overland Ireland will not retrospectively apply a tour discount, if an offer is running. The payment terms of bookings with Overland Ireland are:

A payment of Euro 200 per person at the time of booking.

A final payment of the remainder of the tour cost will be processed 2 months prior to departure and deducted automatically from the credit card which was used in the making of the booking.

If initial payment has been made via PayPal an invoice containing payment link shall be issued to the customer. Payment may be made via this link two months prior to departure.

Cancellation Policy 

Any cancellation must be notified in writing by the person who made the booking. If you cancel your holiday:

  • more than 61 days prior to the start of your holiday, you will only be charged your deposit.
  • between 60 and 31 days, you will be charged 50% of the holiday cost.
  • less than 30 days before the start of your holiday or on or after the commencement of the holiday, you must pay the full holiday price plus any insurance premium paid.

Note: We appreciate that wholly unforeseen events may result in cancellation. In order to facilitate this, we have lowered our deposits from 25% of the tour amount to Euro 200 per person. The moment you book, our team starts working on your tour, making reservations, providing a welcome pack, and much more. The non-refundable deposit is there to cover these costs.

We therefore strongly advise you to take out insurance against irrecoverable cancellation costs. You will be advised of the exact amount of any cancellation charge prior to the cancellation being finalized.

If you need to speak to us about a cancellation, please contact us here.

Single Supplement

Overland Tours Ireland has small group sizes which suits the independent traveller. Small group tours are an excellent way to see the best Ireland has to offer and meet like-minded guests. So as long as you don’t mind sharing with someone of the same gender, you can avoid your single supplement.

Prices are based on guests sharing. If you want your own room, there is an additional charge – single supplement. The amount will depend on the tour you book and is payable to the guide on arrival. We keep the single supplement as low as possible, but we do have to charge it because single occupancy rooms are more expensive per person.

Special Dietary Requirements

Dietary requirements are catered for in most restaurants throughout Ireland. If you let us know in advance, we can do research on your behalf and recommend the perfect restaurants for you.

We will also require this information to pass onto the guesthouses along the Wild Atlantic Way. Please advise our team when you book a trip.

On Tour

Will There Be Other Solo Travelers On Your Irish Adventure?

Overland Tour Ireland attracts and welcomes all types of travelers. We have friends, solo guests as well as couples and siblings.

By the end of the first day everyone has gotten to know each other. This is the beauty of small group tours of Ireland.

Are The Activities Suitable For Everyone?

Our adventure activities are suitable for every age and fitness levels. Our instructors are trained to adapt the activities to the ability of the group. Guests have the freedom to opt in and out of all activities along the way.

Remember it is your tour of Ireland and you must enjoy it from start to finish. So if something isn’t your cup of tea then take a break, read a book or go and explore the area. An adventure holiday is more than activities. It is about going off the beaten track and experiencing new things.

Do We Have Free Time During The Trip?

We always try to keep the driving to a minimum, so that our guests have time to explore towns and villages. Your guide will arm you with restaurant recommendations, where to find the ‘craic’ and the best pint each evening.

At the end of the day it’s your adventure tour. You decide if you want to eat with the group or just chill in front of a turf fire.

Once Booked Is The Departure Guaranteed?

Yes, all our small group tours of Ireland are 100% guaranteed.

Do All Tours Always Follow the Exact Route?

Please note that tours can tours can be run in reverse and can be merged with other Overland Ireland Tours in order to provide the best customer experience.

How Flexible Are The Tours?

Your Irish holiday should be leisurely and relaxed so we are quite flexible when it comes to the daily activities and the places we visit.

If there is something on your bucket list along the route we will try our best to fit it in. However, accommodation during the summer months are set in stone.

The Ultimate Tour:

Starts at 8:00 am from The Ashling Hotel, 10 – 13 Parkgate St, Stoneybatter, Dublin 8, D08 P38N

Ends between 4:00 pm – 6:00 pm at Dublin Heuston Station Saint John’s Road West, Dublin. 

Emerald Explorer:

Starts at 8:00 am from The Ashling Hotel, 10 – 13 Parkgate St, Stoneybatter, Dublin 8, D08 P38N

Ends between 4:00 pm – 6:00 pm at Dublin Heuston Station Saint John’s Road West, Dublin.

Ireland to Island Tour:

Starts at 8:00 am from The Ashling Hotel, 10 – 13 Parkgate St, Stoneybatter, Dublin 8, D08 P38N

Ends between 4:00 pm – 6:00 pm at Dublin Heuston Station Saint John’s Road West, Dublin.

The Great Atlantic Adventure:

Starts at 8:00 am from The Ashling Hotel, 10 – 13 Parkgate St, Stoneybatter, Dublin 8, D08 P38N

Ends between 4:00 pm – 6:00 pm at Dublin Heuston Station Saint John’s Road West, Dublin.

The Wild West & North Tour:

Starts at 12:00 pm from Harbour Hotel in Galway, The Docks, Galway, H91 E9PR

Ends between 4:00 pm – 6:00 pm at Dublin Heuston Station Saint John’s Road West, Dublin.

Spectacular South and West Tour:

Starts at 8:00 am from The Ashling Hotel, 10 – 13 Parkgate St, Stoneybatter, Dublin 8, D08 P38N

Ends between 4:00 pm – 6:00 pm at Dublin Heuston Station Saint John’s Road West, Dublin.

Magical Southern Tour:

Starts at 8:00 am from The Ashling Hotel, 10 – 13 Parkgate St, Stoneybatter, Dublin 8, D08 P38N

Ends between 3:00 pm – 5:00 pm at Galway Coach Station, Fairgreen Rd, Galway, H91 CX90 

Our adventure tours do not include transfers to and from Aston Quay to the airport.

We can arrange this for you upon request. Please contact our office for more information [email protected]

If you book one of our Ireland Private Guided Tours, the starting time may be negotiable as we tailor the experience to fit your needs and requirements.

Are Airport Transfers Included?

Airport transfers are not included in the price however, there are plenty of taxis (cost about €20-€25), or passengers can get a bus for (cost about €6-€8). Arranging your airport pick up and drop off is always better arranged in advance as ad-hoc prices could be higher.

For our custom tours, airport pickups and drop-offs can be arranged.

How Many People Will Be On My Irish Tour?

This depends on the number of bookings and what vehicle is available for that tour. We have 12 & 16 seater vehicles. There will be a maximum of 15 guests on every tour unless a private group tour has been arranged.

We like to keep numbers small for a better experience. We can then provide authentic Irish guesthouse accommodation and individual attention to provide a more personal experience. Our aim is to give guests an experience of a life time while on tour with Overland Ireland.

Money On Your Irish Tour

The Euro is the currency of the Republic of Ireland. ATMs and banks are widely available. Your Overland Tour Ireland guide will make sure everyone has the time to take money out or exchange money when needed.

Most shops and restaurants accept debit and credit cards but it is advised to always carry a small amount of cash when you visit small locally owned pubs and shops. If your tour brings you to Northern Ireland, you will need to have Sterling.

How Much Time Do We Spend On The Road?

As little as possible. Journeys between each destination are relatively short so that we can spend as much time exploring and doing exciting adventure activities as possible.

However, in order to get off the beaten track and to start your Irish tour we need to cover some ground to get to the West Coast and of course get back to Dublin.

What Kind Of Vehicles Are Used On Our Irish Tour?

The current Overland fleet consists of very comfortable mini coaches. The Overvans are small vehicles which means that we can explore locations off the beaten track, small country lanes and remote valleys and mountains.

All our vehicles are quiet and comfortable with plenty of space.

Accommodation and Luggage

What Kind Of Accommodation Can We Expect During Our Tour Of Ireland?

We stay in locally run, highly-recommended guesthouses along the Wild Atlantic Way. Each guesthouse on your adventure tour has been carefully sourced and tested to suit all of our guests. A full Irish breakfast is provided each morning to set you up for a day on tour.

If you are customizing your own tour, we can provide all types of accommodation from luxury castles to self catering cottages.

Is There A Separate Bathroom During Our Overnight Accommodations?

All accommodation have ensuite facilities.

Is Smoking Allowed In The Vehicles And Accommodation?

Overland Ireland operates a strict no smoking policy in all of our vehicles. Smoking is illegal in all enclosed places of work in Ireland. This includes office blocks, various buildings, public houses/bars, restaurants and company vehicles (cars and vans). The ban was introduced by the Tobacco Smoking (Prohibition) Regulations 2003. During your Irish tour we will have plenty of breaks where you can light up a cigarette.

Are There Luggage Restrictions On Tour?

Packing for a trip is never easy and we fully understand that you want to bring as much as possible on your tour of Ireland.

However, we would kindly ask you to keep your luggage to a medium suit case or a 70L backpack plus a day pack not larger than 25L.

What To Bring On My Wild Atlantic Way Tours?

Adventure tours Ireland advices people to travel light but a few essentials are needed.

  • Walking or hiking boots/shoes
  • Waterproof jacket and a few sweaters
  • Beach towel
  • Music
  • Camera
  • Great sense of humour
  • Believe it or not: Sunscreen!

In Ireland we are known to experience all 4 seasons in one day. The best way to dress here is to bring plenty of light layers.

Good to Know

Tipping

In Restaurants in Ireland you normally tip 10% if you are happy with the service. If you get a drink in the pub tipping is not required on your Wild Atlantic Way tour.

Gratuities On Tour

Tipping your guide is very welcome and customary after a wonderful experience on tour. The industry standard is between €10 and €15 per day! This is, of course, totally up to the guest.

Guides are absolutely thrilled to receive any gratuity in recognition of a job well done.

Cancellation Policy

Any cancellation must be notified in writing by the person who made the booking.

If you cancel your holiday:

  • more than 56 days prior to the start of your holiday, you will only be charged your deposit.
  • between 56 and 30 days, you will be charged 50% of the holiday cost.
  • less than 30 days before the start of your holiday or on or after the commencement of the holiday, you must pay the full holiday price plus any insurance premium paid.

Gadgets, Phones & Electrical Stuff

We know that you cannot live without your favorite gadgets on holidays. During the tour, you will need to charge your phone, camera and other electrical goods.

For your tour of Ireland, you need a three-pin plug, with square pins, just like in the UK. You can charge your phone in the vehicle if you bring your USB connection with you.

Do Passengers Move Their Own Luggage?

Yes, our clients do need to move their own luggage, however, just give the tour-guide a shout if you need a hand.

What’s Included On Your Irish Adventure Tour?

Overland Tours Ireland includes more than most other companies, which makes our tours worry free. At the end of the day, your only worry will be what you will spend on lunch, dinners and maybe a well-deserved ice cream after one of our great activities.

Comfortable Air-Conditioned Transport

Loads of laughs!

Select guesthouse accommodation

Great Irish Breakfast each morning

Expert friendly tour guide

Entrance fees – Many tourist attractions and National Parks

All activities – (except Kite-Surfing and Horseback Riding are optional)

All taxes and charges

Bottled Water

For each tour, we have created a special page with the specifics of what’s included. Please follow the links below for each tour:

Ultimate Tour of Ireland
Emerald Explorer
The Wild West & North Tour
Ireland to Island Tour
Magical Southern Tour
The Great Atlantic Adventure
Spectacular South & West Tour
The Green Way Self-drive Tour
The High Life Self-Drive Tour
The Emerald Route Self-Drive Tour
The Ultimate Self-Drive Tour Of Ireland
South And West Wanderer Self-Drive Tour
The Northern Way Self-Drive Tour
Ancient East Self-Drive Tour
Wild Atlantic Wanderer Self-Drive Tour
Coast To Coast Self-Drive Tour

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