I am traveling from the US for three weeks and part of that is to stay in Ireland but drive into Northern Ireland during the day to explore a little. I am concerned about needing some sort of visa to do so. Or maybe there is something else I might also need to know. Advice?
Thank you!!
You don’t need a visa.
One thing you’ll need to remember is Ireland’s currency is Euros, NI’s British pounds.
Both countries accept tap Credit and Debit cards.
Ireland is a democracy. There’s a President.
Northern Ireland is part of the United Kingdom and under the realm of King Charles.
Read up on The Troubles. https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Troubles
In Eire it’s Slainte. In NI it’s Cheers.
Don’t miss having the seafood chowder at Mournes in Belfast. Also see the Titanic Museum.
Easy train and bus transport between both cities.
Absolutely no border crossing, but just a heads up - when we rented a car in Belfast last July, we had to confirm that we would not take it across the border to Ireland. You might want to make sure you are allowed to cross with the rental car company you use.
Many car rental companies will charge you a one time "recovery fee" (30 euros?) if you reveal you plan to drive in NI. Not a huge amount and I'd suggest you pay it.
You won't know that you crossed the border until you see a speed limit sign or your GPS shifts units.
A few trips ago, I carefully had a 2 pound coin in my pocket after landing in Dublin for use at the toll plaza near the border. I created a bit of delay for the people behind me as I scrambled to find a 2 euro coin or credit card when I realized I blew the geography.
I'd also point out that NI (Belfast in particular) has a fabulous trad music scene, but enjoying it really requires having accommodations nearby.
With three weeks, I encourage you to stay a couple nights in the North. Bushmills is a nice little town with good access to the Giant's Causeway and the Dun Luce castle ruin, plus a distillery tour if that's your thing. We did a day trip to Derry from there. Belfast is better done without a car, and again, I would stay over a couple of nights and do the Black Cab Tour, etc. You can do an organized tour to GC and Dun Luce from Belfast.
As the others have said, there's no visa required. Though your trip will be crossing an international border you won't notice anything different except for the changing road signs.
A detail not to overlook is ensuring that your rental car company, and your rental car contract, note that the vehicle will be crossing the international border - you don't want to inadvertently void your insurance coverage by failing to do so.
Ireland is a democracy. There’s a President.
To be fair the UK is also a democracy.
We use miles not km on speed signs though.
Last year we drove from Dublin to Belfast and parked the car at the Value Car Park on Grosvenor Rd for three nights. Short walk to a hotel and town center. No city driving required and it was cheaper than a one-way international rental and faster than turning somersaults taking the train over and back. After leaving Belfast, we went to Rathlin Island, spent a night in Portrush(disappointing) and then back to the Republic. A future trip will include just two nights in Belfast, two nights on the Antrim coast, and Letterkenny(or nearby) before heading to Tory Island in the Republic.
if you are visiting Northern Ireland from the spring of 2025 onwards all visitors coming to the UK including across the land border will require a Electronic authorisation from the British government, this will be required if you do not get one and enter NI across the Land border you can be taken to court or deported and banned from entering the UK
this will apply to US Citizens from spring 2025
https://www.gov.uk/guidance/apply-for-an-electronic-travel-authorisation-eta
