We will be taking a tour for two weeks touring all of Ireland. They suggest tipping drivers and guides. Should we exchange money in the US or wait until we get to Ireland? I see that part or Ireland is Euros and other parts of Ireland is Sterling. Is this correct as well?
Thank you so much.
Posted by
Eastern Iowa, USA
8050 posts
Yes, the Republic of Ireland is part of the EU and uses the euro, Northern Ireland (Belfast and surrounding) is part of the UK and uses GBP.
You can use a debit/atm card there to just withdraw 50 euro or so, that should last you, other spending can be done by using a credit card with contactless capability, or a phone (Apple or Google Pay) Same with Northern Ireland, except probably need even less cash.
Posted by
San Francisco/Marin County
9436 posts
“spending can be done by using a credit card with contactless capability, or a phone (Apple or Google Pay)”…
Or a Debit Card.
Posted by
Freedonia
16272 posts
Where is the tour company based? While I have a feeling it's better to tip in the currency of the driver and tour director, I'm sure they will accept either.
You will get the better exchange rate from an ATM in Ireland but you may be limited on how much you can withdraw. You will pay slighty more in the US but not so much it will break the bank.
Posted by
Atlanta
5196 posts
It never hurts to have some local currency in hand upon arrival. You might consider getting a hundred Euros from your local bank before you leave. It eliminates finding an ATM machine, waiting to use it, the stress of hoping it works (they do fail and / or run out of money at times), and doing it while jet lagged. Getting currency ahead of time will cost a little more than an ATM upon arrival, but the extra cost is very minor compared to the total cost of the trip. Regardless, check with your bank to see if they need a travel advisory put on the account so they don't suspect fraud and lock down the account. Some do and some don't.
Posted by
California Central Coast
180 posts
We are currently in Ireland. We got 100 euros at our bank before we left and we just had to get more cash from an ATM. We are on our own and on public transportation. We have found that buses that you get on at a bus stop rather than a bus station are cash only. We found that some taxi drivers preferred cash and we used cash for tipping.
Posted by
59 posts
i think you mean Northern Ireland,yes Northern Ireland uses Pounds sterling
(btw never call when in Northern Ireland call it "Ireland", that is the official name of the Republic of Ireland, if referring to the Island Geographically it is Better to say the "Island of Ireland" ) Northern Ireland is a constituent country of the United Kingdom and uses the Pound made up of 100 pence (p)
Posted by
Freedonia
16272 posts
Amazing...the OP asked about getting cash to tip his guide and driver and most are telling him he can use a credit card in most places.
Doubtful the guide or driver accept credit cards.