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Now that you’ve finally booked that trip to Ireland you’ve been dreaming about for so long, you need to start planning what you’re going to take with you. I’ve created a list of essentials that may not feature on your usual vacation packing list. These are the items that I regularly use when I travel around Ireland, so I thought I would share them with you.
Tips
Check out my other travel tip posts:
- If you are aiming to travel light, especially if you are travelling with hand luggage only or are backpacking, then check out my post on How to Pack an Extra Light Toiletry Bag.
- If you are flying on a long haul flight, then read my post about What I Pack in My Hand Luggage for a Comfortable Long Haul Flight.
- If you are travelling to Ireland during the winter, then read my post on How to Stay Warm on a Winter Vacation.
- Whether you are trying to sleep on the plane, bus, train or an uncomfortable hotel room, read my Secrets to Sleeping Well Whilst Travelling.
- Here are my top tips for How to Deal with Laundry While on Holiday.
- If you have IBS, then read about My Tips for Travelling with IBS.
GADGETS
Noise Cancelling Headphones
If you need to take a long flight to get to Ireland, then noise cancelling headphones, or at the very least some earplugs, will make your trip much more comfortable. If you find it difficult to get the ear plugs to stay in your ears, you may prefer using the silicone earplugs. I never realised just how loud the plane engines and passengers were, and its effect on me until my husband lent me his noise cancelling headphones. Firstly, they make it so much easier to hear the movies. With the usual crappy headset that you’re given on the plane, I usually have to crank the sound all the way up to be able to hear what the characters are saying over the drone of the engines (and I have perfect hearing!). But with the noise cancelling headphones I can listen to the movie at a normal volume. It also significantly improves the movie experience because I can hear the conversations and the sound effects much more clearly.
Secondly, even when you’re not watching movies, these are perfect to wear throughout your flight with the noise cancelling function turned on to cancel out the surrounding sounds. When I take them off to go to the bathroom, I am always surprised at just how loud it is inside the plane and how much noise the headphones are blocking. I find that it helps me to feel much more relaxed on the plane and I’m even able to get some sleep (and I can’t usually sleep on planes), and I don’t feel as tired when I step off the plane.
Bose noise cancelling headphones are considered the best and their user reviews support this, however, they are very expensive. If you’re looking for something more affordable, then try the Sony noise cancelling headphones. They also get excellent reviews but are much cheaper. Both models feature active noise cancelling and the necessary airplane connections.
Guide Books in Ebook Format
Guide books really come in handy when planning your trip, but they can be rather bulky, heavy and annoying to travel with. However, both Rick Steves Ireland and Lonely Planet Ireland come in kindle format, making them really easy travelling companions that you can view on your kindle, phone or tablet. Not sure which guide book to buy? Read this handy guide to discover which is the best Irish guide book for you.
Ireland Maps
Renting a GPS from the rental car companies is expensive. Alternatively, you could use your phone to navigate by using Google’s free Offline Maps. Google Offline Maps allows you to access free maps for navigating that can be used offline i.e. you don’t need WiFi, data, or roaming to be able to use them. Follow this detailed guide on how to use Googles Offline Maps.
Using your phone as a GPS will drain your battery quickly, so make sure you travel with a portable charger so you don’t get stranded. For easy navigating I also recommend you purchase a car phone mount holder.
And finally, you could also purchase an Irish road map. At least it’s reliable and won’t run out of battery or malfunction like the electronic options!
Adaptor Plug
In Ireland the standard voltage is 230V and the standard frequency is 50Hz. They use a three pronged plug like in the UK, but these are not the type of plugs that the rest of Europe use. So unless you’re from the UK, you’re going to need a good travel adaptor. Your better off purchasing a worldwide adaptor that can be used in Ireland as well other countries. At least this way you can potentially get some further use out of it on future vacations as it can be used in over 150 countries and also comes with two USB ports. If you’re taking a number of electronics with you, then I would recommend purchasing a couple of these adaptors.
Portable Battery Charger
Unfortunately most electronics like smart phones have a really short battery life and can become flat before the end of the day. That’s why this portable battery charger is an essential item when you’re travelling. This handy little portable battery charger can charge your phone, tablet, and any other USB chargeable device. If you’re planning on using your phone to navigate, then your going to need one of these as this can really drain your battery. Also, if you’re planning on driving around the Irish countryside, then for safety reasons you want to ensure that you have enough charge on your phone to make an emergency call.
