Northern Ireland Tours & Holidays

Visas in the UK are granted on a UK wide basis, so if you’re coming from overseas and have been given a visa it will be valid for England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland.

Visa regulations are always subject to change, which is more likely after Britain's exit from the European Union (EU).

Citizens of the EU, Australia, Canada and the United States have visa-free access to Wales provided you meet the immigration rules. Learn more about visas on the GOV.UK website.

If you’re travelling by air, the easiest airport to fly into is Belfast International Airport (BFS).

You can also fly into the smaller George Belfast City Airport (BHD) which is only three miles from the city centre.

The ferry is a good option if you’re travelling from Scotland or England and want to take your car. 

If you’re coming from the Republic of Ireland, you can take the TransLink cross-border train from Dublin to Belfast Central Station. 

Tipping isn’t expected but if you’re happy with a meal or service, a tip is always appreciated. Rounding up a taxi fare is common.

• “Wee” = a word used (for pretty much everything!) but especially for small or cure things

• “Craic” = a term used to describe a great time or a good laugh
• “Bout ye?” = “How are you?”
• “Buck eegit” = an endearing term for someone who is being or did something silly
• “Houl yer whisht” = “please be quiet” or “shut up”
• “Yoke” = a term used to describe an object, e.g. “Will you pass me that yoke (TV remote, hairbrush, glass, etc) over there?”
• “Catch yourself on” = “Don’t be so ridiculous!”
• “Baltic” = a term used when the weather is very cold, e.g. “It’s pure baltic outside this morning!”
• “Aye” = “yes”
• “Banter” = similar to craic, it’s a term used to describe having a good laugh

Mobile phone coverage is generally very good in most parts of Northern Ireland, but it might be patchy in more remote areas. Ensure global roaming is activated before you arrive if travelling from overseas.

• Cup of coffee = £2.50
• Pint of beer = £4
• Glass of wine = £4.00
• Simple cafe lunch = £10 
• Nice meal in a restaurant = £30

Drinking tap water is safe in England unless otherwise marked. We recommend bringing a refillable bottle with you to avoid buying single-use plastic bottles to do your bit for the environment.

Major credit cards are widely accepted in shops and hotels in Northern Ireland. Smaller shops may not accept credit cards, so it’s never a bad idea to carry some cash for smaller items such as a coffee, or if you’re splitting bills with your group.

ATMs are called cash machines or cashpoints in Northern Ireland.

You’ll see plenty of them on main streets and shopping centres.

You can use Visa, MasterCard, Maestro, Plus, Amex and Cirrus at most cash machines, as well as international bank cash machines in bigger towns and cities.

Absolutely. All passengers travelling with Intrepid are required to purchase travel insurance before the start of their trip. It's important to understand that each country you visit may have its own specific entry requirements, and some destinations mandate travel health insurance for all foreign travellers, regardless of their nationality.

We require that at a minimum you are covered for medical expenses including emergency repatriation, but minimum coverage may differ from trip to trip, so make sure you check the Travel Insurance section in your Essential Trip Information. You will not be permitted to join the group until your leader has sighted your insurance policy number and the insurance company's 24-hour emergency contact number, and these details will be recorded on the first day of your trip. Due to the varying nature, availability and cost of health care around the world, travel insurance is an essential part of every journey.

For travellers who reside within the European Union, Switzerland or the USA, the requirement to purchase travel insurance cannot be compulsory. However, the purchase of travel insurance is still highly recommended, and travellers from these regions who decline travel insurance when travelling outside their home region must sign a Travel Insurance Waiver Form, recognising personal responsibility for emergency medical and repatriation costs should they arise.

Read more about travel insurance

Belfast is the most LGBTQI+ friendly destination in Northern Ireland with many social meeting places for the LGBTQI+ community.

Belfast is also home to the largest LGBTQI+ festival in Ireland. Some areas of the country such as smaller country towns might be more hostile to LGBTQI+ travellers.

For more detailed and up-to-date advice, we recommend visiting Equaldex or Smartraveller before you travel.

We believe travel should be accessible to everyone. Although some destinations and itineraries may be more accessible than others, we'll do our best to accommodate your needs, make reasonable adjustments where possible or guide you toward the most suitable trips. Get in touch with our friendly adventure consultants to chat about your options.

Our Tailor-Made team can also help you plan a customised trip just for you.