Advice from previous Rick Steves Ireland tour travelers.

I took a 4 wheel spinner and the longest place I seemed to drag it around cobblestones was in Dublin when we arrived RS 14 day Ireland pretour from the airport express bus airport drop off near St Stephens Square, and we walked to our hotel all very bumpy cobblestone. Was it practical, no? Did I just repeat through France, and the RS Belgium and the Netherland tour? Yes. Am I coming to my senses and considering buying a 2 wheel, which my husband prefers, for our next excursion? Yes!
By the end of our trip in the Netherlands, I was ready for 2 wheels.

On our tours, (we've done 3) we've had roadblocks that meant our bus couldn't get as close as normal and we've had some unexpected longer walks. And then we've had plenty of hotels where the bus simply can't pull up near the hotel; so you must walk some distance. As I recall this was the case in Westport, but it was smooth surface not cobblestones. However, there are plenty of hotels where the bus pulls up right next to the hotel. Of course tour hotels aren't always the same.

No matter what you decide, you'll love the tour. Enjoy!

which Ireland tour?

Best of Ireland in 14 days

I would never take a spinner on any RS tour. They are ok for airports and smooth pavement, but Rick always includes some cobbles or uneven surfaces in his tours. Take a backpack and/or sturdy two wheeled roller.

My partner and I have both used spinners on our last 4 lengthy RS tours including the 14 day Best of Ireland. We seldom encountered any cobblestones that were too challenging for them. We simply pick them up and tote them if it becomes too rough and it helps that we chose the most lightweight pieces (3.8 lbs). The side benefit to that is less clattering noise for the neighborhood . Often stairs or climbs into public transportation were actually the more challenging activities. We're pretty robust though and can handle them when needed.

One thing I hated about our previous 2-wheeled pieces was that they were more prone to tipping over. I had some incidents with tipping that bothered some people waiting in line or on escalators which I've happily avoided lately.

Backpacks just became a little too difficult for us. I often felt like I was going to fall over backwards on escalators.

Each has it's pros and cons.

I’ve done 11 RS tours. I have a 2 wheel bag I really like. I was skeptical of 4 wheel spinners but many, many people on tour have them and do just fine. I’ve yet to see a broken wheel or hear anyone complain. I’m not ready to trade my bag in however. Other than in the airport I don’t see a big advantage in using a spinner bag and they are heavier. Lightweight bags, mine is 4lbs, 3 oz, mean more to me.

I took a two-wheeled bag, but either should work. I took this tour in May.

The only place we had to walk to a hotel from the bus was in Kinsale and that was on a paved road. Our guide had someone with a van transport the luggage between the bus and hotel; I don’t know if all guides do that. In all the other locations, the bus stopped in front of the hotel.