Quick Comparison
| Feature | UK | Republic of Ireland |
|---|---|---|
| Currency | GBP £ | EUR € |
| Visa | UK ETA / Schengen separate | Schengen / Irish visa |
| Population | 67 million | 5 million |
| Capital | London | Dublin |
| Driving side | Left | Left |
| Language | English | English (some Gaelic) |
| Compactness | Big — long drives | Small — easy to circumnavigate |
| Best for first visit | London/England | Dublin + Wild Atlantic Way |
Cost
- UK — Generally more expensive, especially London
- Ireland — Dublin similar to London prices; rural Ireland cheaper
- Hotels: £100-200 mid-range UK; €100-200 Ireland
- Pints: £4-7 UK; €5-7 Ireland
- Pub meal: £10-16 UK; €15-22 Ireland
- Train: UK better network; Ireland's trains more limited
Attractions
UK strengths: royal heritage (Windsor, Tower of London, Edinburgh Castle), world-class museums (mostly free), London's diversity, Lake District + Highlands, footy.
Ireland strengths: Wild Atlantic Way coast (400km of cliffs + beaches), Cliffs of Moher, Connemara, friendlier vibe, traditional music, ancient ruins (Newgrange older than the pyramids).
Weather
- Both — wet, mild, unpredictable
- UK — typically slightly drier than Ireland
- Ireland — wetter west coast, drier east
- Best months for both: May-September
- Avoid: January-February (dark, cold)
Combine Them?
- Easy: London-Dublin flights £30-80, 1 hour, 30+ daily
- Ferry option: Holyhead-Dublin (3.5 hr, £80-120 with car) or Liverpool-Belfast
- Suggested 2-week split: 1 week UK (London + Cotswolds + Bath) + 1 week Ireland (Dublin + Galway + Cliffs of Moher)
- Suggested 3-week: 10 days UK + 10 days Ireland
- EU regulations: The Common Travel Area allows free movement between UK & Ireland for British/Irish citizens. Other nationalities need separate visas/ETAs.
🇮🇪 Northern Ireland trick: NI is part of the UK (use £, UK ETA). Republic of Ireland is separate (€, Schengen visa or Irish ETA from 2026). Belfast → Dublin = ~2-hour bus, no border check.