Northern Ireland tours & vacations

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.

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 traveling from overseas.

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 centers.

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 traveling with Intrepid are required to purchase travel insurance before the start of their adventure. Your leader will record your travel insurance details on the first day of the trip. Due to the varying nature, availability and cost of healthcare around the world, travel insurance is an essential part of every journey.

Learn more about travel insurance

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

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

For more detailed and up-to-date advice, we recommend visiting Equaldex 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.