Ireland
Physical Leap cards, licensed taxi apps and direct intercity bookings
The Republic of Ireland uses euros, but Northern Ireland is part of the United Kingdom, uses sterling and may require a UK visa or Electronic Travel Authorisation even when you cross by land.
The essentials
What to know before you go to Ireland
Cards and contactless payment are widely accepted, yet a physical card, PIN and modest euro cash remain sensible backups. Core Dublin public transport still relies on a physical Leap Card or operator-specific tickets because general bank-card tapping is planned for 2028. Taxi apps dispatch licensed taxis rather than ordinary private cars. Compare the displayed fare and separate app fees, and remember that every taxi must accept cash and card.
If driving, keep left, confirm how the rental company handles tolls and pay any self-managed M50 toll through eFlow by 8pm the following day. Save tickets and accommodation details offline, check Met Éireann warnings before exposed trips, and call 112 or 999 in an emergency.
Ride Hailing
FreenowEssential
Broad Irish app coverage for booking licensed taxis in Dublin and major regional cities and towns.
Bolt
Licensed-taxi booking alternative with service in Dublin and numerous towns and counties across Ireland.
Uber
Irish Uber service that books licensed taxis and offers a fixed-price taxi option on eligible trips.
Driver Check
Official NTA tool for verifying Irish taxi, vehicle and driver licence details and reporting a mismatch.
Food Delivery
Just Eat IrelandEssential
Irish restaurant and takeaway marketplace with address-based coverage in cities, towns and regional areas.
Deliveroo
Restaurant, takeaway and grocery delivery platform with its strongest usefulness in Irish urban areas.
Uber Eats
Widely available Irish food-delivery option whose restaurants and couriers vary with the precise address.
Navigation
Google MapsEssential
General Irish mapping, Eircode search, driving directions and public-transport planning with offline road maps.
Transit
TFI LiveEssential
Official national journey planner and live departures for TFI bus, tram and rail services.
Leap Top UpEssential
Official NFC app for checking and topping up a physical TFI Leap Card and viewing its recent use and fare caps.
TFI Go
Mobile tickets for participating Bus Éireann, TFI Local Link and selected commercial bus operators.
Language
Google Translate
Optional text, camera and conversation help for visitors who need support communicating in English.
Intercity Transport
Irish RailEssential
Official rail planning, live departures and booking access for Irish InterCity and other rail services.
Irish Citylink
Direct coach booking, stored tickets and vehicle tracking for Citylink's Irish routes, including Galway links.
Restaurants
OpenTable
Restaurant discovery and reservation management with useful coverage in Dublin and other Irish destinations.
Utilities
Met ÉireannEssential
Official Irish forecasts, rain radar and selectable county weather-warning notifications.
Also covered
Internet in Ireland
Mobile internet eSIM Best option when traveling
Guac
RecommendedReliable mobile internet at better prices than most travel eSIMs, with polished iOS and Android apps and support for making and receiving phone calls.
Airalo
One of the biggest travel eSIM brands, with a very large destination catalog.
Holafly
Known for unlimited-data plans in many destinations, at a higher price per gigabyte.
Buying a local SIM card No ID registration needed
- A standard prepaid SIM normally does not require formal identity registration.
- Typical prepaid offers include around 10 GB; compare the current validity and price before buying.
- Buy at an official carrier counter at the airport or at an official city store, and test the SIM before leaving.
- Local eSIM is available and follows the same identity rules as a physical SIM.
EU roaming does not always include the UK or Northern Ireland; check the plan before crossing the border.
Local carriers
Three Ireland
Best choice for broad coverage, including rural areas.
Vodafone Ireland
A solid alternative; compare current prepaid offers before buying.
eir
Strong in major cities, with weaker rural coverage.
Tesco Mobile
A solid alternative; compare current prepaid offers before buying.
GoMo
A solid alternative; compare current prepaid offers before buying.
Lycamobile
A solid alternative; compare current prepaid offers before buying.
Frequently asked questions
What are the must-have apps for traveling in Ireland?
The essential apps for Ireland are Freenow, Just Eat Ireland, Google Maps, TFI Live, Leap Top Up.
How many travel apps does Ireland have?
We've curated 16 apps across 9 categories for traveling in Ireland, including 7 essential apps.
What is the best ride hailing app in Ireland?
Freenow. Broad Irish app coverage for booking licensed taxis in Dublin and major regional cities and towns.
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