Self Drive Vacations

1. Do I need a visa to visit Ireland?

2. Is it necessary to pre-book B & B accommodations?

3. How much is the single supplement over the B & B voucher and can I pre-pay it?

4. Can I use my B & B vouchers to upgrade to a hotel or castle while in Irealand?

5. Can I extend my stay beyond the package?

6. What are the age restrictions on driving in Ireland?

7. Do I need an international driver's license to drive a car in Ireland ?

8. Can I pick up my car in Shannon and drop it off in Dublin?

9. What does my car rental include?

10. Are there charges for adding an extra driver?

11. What's the weather in Ireland like?

12. What to pack?

13. What if I'm carrying medication?

14. What's the currency in Ireland?

15. Do you need an international Drivers Licence to drive in Ireland?

16. Do you drive on the right side of the road?

17. When can we get the list of the B&B homes that accept open vouchers?

18. What's the time difference between Ireland and the US?

19- What do I need to check before I depart on my vacation?

20. What are the incentives for shopping in Ireland?

1. Do I need a visa to visit Ireland?
Passports are required by U.S and Canadian citizens traveling to Ireland.Ensure your passport is valid for travel 6 months beyond your arrival in Ireland

2. Is it necessary to pre-book B & B accommodations?
A We usually recommend booking your B & B accommodations 24 - 48 hours in advance for most of the year. However to avoid disappointment in the high season (May- September) we recommend pre-booking you B & B accommodations 30 days in advance especially in busy tourist areas like Dublin, Galway and Killarney.

3. How much is the single supplement over the B & B voucher and can I pre-pay it?
The single supplement is 12.50 euro and you pay direct to the
B & B in Ireland.

4. Can I use my B & B vouchers to upgrade to a hotel or castle while in Ireland?
A No, these vouchers will only be accepted at either Town and Country Homes or Farmhouse accommodations. If you wish to stay in a hotel or castle we highly recommend booking these accommodations in advance with Caddie Tours to guarantee availability and the best rates.

5. Can I extend my stay beyond the package?
A Yes, we offer extensions on all of our self-drive packages.

6. What are the age restrictions on driving in Ireland?
A Minimum Age * 25 years Group B, C, E, F& S
30 years Group B, C, D, P, W, M, N, S, E, F,G, H, I, V & T
*Persons aged 23/24 may rent group B, & E cars for an additional charge of 25 euro per day, payable direct to the car company in Ireland. Damage excess will be in the amount of 1,000 euro.

Maximum Age 75 years*
*It may be possible to rent a car to a driver over 75 but under 79 if they have a doctors certificate issued within the month prior to the rental and prove they have had no accidents in the last 5 years and are driving regularly. The proof must be produced at the Hertz Rental Desk.

7. Do I need an international driver's license to drive a car in Ireland ?
A No international license is needed - your domestic driving license from the US or Canada is sufficient to rent a car in Ireland or Britain. You must have at least one years driving experience and their can be no endorsements on your license.

8. Can I pick up my car in Shannon and drop it off in Dublin?
A You may pick up your car at Shannon, Dublin or Cork and drop it off at any one of the above locations without incurring an extra drop charge.

9. What does my car rental include?
A Local tax, unlimited mileage and third party insurance. This means that if you have an accident the other party is covered, you and the car are not. You may purchase (PAI) personal accident insurance directly from the car company. The client is responsible for Collision Damage Waiver (CDW). You can obtain CDW insurance in one of the following ways:

1. By purchasing CDW through Caddie Tours at time of booking.
2. By purchasing the CDW from the car rental company at the commencement of the rental period.
3. By paying for the entire package with a credit card that offers CDW protection to its members. It is the sole responsibility of the hirer to ascertain and meet all requirements of any car rental insurance coverage provided by a credit card company

10. Are there charges for adding an extra driver?
A Yes, it will cost 5 euro per day and is payable direct to the car company in Ireland.

11. What's the weather in Ireland like?

Weather is mild in Ireland. Summer temperatures generally range from 60-75 Degrees F; average spring and fall temperatures are in the 50s with winter averages in the 30s to 40s. As these islands are influenced by weather patterns from the Atlantic Ocean, the weather is moderately changeable and rain showers can occur any time of the year.

12. What to pack?

Travel light, dress comfortably and pack easy care items. Dressing in layers is most suitable so you can sheditems if you get warm during the day. An all-weather coat with removable linet and folding umbrella are excellentfor traveling. make sure you have strong,comfortable shoes as historic sites tend to have uneven paving. Casual Clothes are appropiate for daytime and evening wear. Jacket and tie are not required for men nor dresses for ladies.

13. What if I'm carrying medication?

Please advise at time of booking so we can notify the airlines in advance. If you take prescription drugs, ensure thatyou have ample supply for the duratiion of your trip and ALWAYS carry them in your hand luggage.

14. What's the currency in Ireland?

The currency of the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland are not interchangeable. On Jan 1, 2002 the Irish punt was replaced by the Euro. The Euro consists of 100 cents. Notes are 5, 10, 20, 50, 100, 200 and 500. Coins are 1,2, 5,10, 20, 50. Local currency can be purchased at any bank in Ireland including those at airports, which are open for all flight arrivals. ATM's are located throughout Ireland and will be accepted if they have the Plus or Cirrus logo on the card and gives you the best rate of exchange without charging you a fee. Most credit cards except for Discover are widely accepted throughiut Ireland.

Road Signs

Below we have illustrated some of the road signs you will encounter while driving around Ireland. Road Narrows Right Turn Ahead Bridge Ahead 4 Road Junction Speed Limit 30 mph No Parking Roundabout Stop Sign Traffic Lights Dangerous Bends Minor Road Merging End of Speed Limit Zone

17. When can we get the list of the B&B homes that accept open vouchers?
A We usually send B & B listings with the travel documents about 30 days prior to departure. However you may look up the following web sites to see a limited listings on-line. www.tandctrade.com

18. What's the time difference between Ireland and the US?

Ireland is on Greenwich mean time( GMT) which is one hour behind Central European time and 5 hours ahead of US Eastern standard time. Daylight    savings time operates in Ireland and the hour changes on or close to the same date as in the U.S.

19- What do I need to check before I depart on my vacation?

a. Give your contact address and telpehone numbers to friends,family or neighbors.
b. Ensire that you have all your travel documents, travelers checks, money, airline tickets, passport and travel insurance policy if purchased from Caddie Tours
c. Complete the baggage tags  with your name and address and affix to each piece to eaxh piece of luggage.
d. Check your locks and don't pack valuable items in your luggage.

20. What are the incentives for shopping in Ireland?

Ireland offers the vistor a wide variety of attractive locally produced goods and souvenirs of many types. Woollen Goods, tweeds, cashmere, Handcraft items, jewelry, china and handcut crystal are probably the most popular features. Major stores can arrange to ship goods home for you, but you are liable for import duty. Duty Free shops are available at all International Irish and British Airports. 

Refunds of VAT(valued added tax) are available to visitors to Ireland for purchases which are taken out of the country. Tax is included in the  selling price shown and refunds can save you from 10% to 20% depending on the products purchased. A number of different VAT refund schemes are available. When shopping, make sure the store completes the appropriate forms for you. On the day of departure, after checking in for your flight, go to the Tax Free Desk where you will receive a tax refund in cash or credit to your charge card, less a handling fee.