Planning a Motorcycle Trip in Ireland: Getting There, Bookings and Sample Itineraries

Planning a motorcycle trip to Ireland comes down to four decisions: how you get a bike onto the island, how many days you have, whether Northern Ireland is on the route, and what to book ahead. US citizens don't need a visa for the Republic or Northern Ireland. Crossing into Northern Ireland does mean a UK Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA), at £20. This page covers those logistics and gives itinerary frames for 3, 7 and 14 days.

Part of our motorcycle touring destinations series. For the routes themselves, the road rules and rainfall by month, read our guide to motorcycle touring in Ireland.

Key takeaways- Passport valid to your return date; no visa for US citizens.- Get a UK ETA if you will ride into Northern Ireland, even from the Republic: £20, valid two years.- Six ferry ports serve the island; Cork and Rosslare take sailings from the UK and Europe.- Island ferries peak from June to August, and some don't run outside it.

Step 1: Decide how you get a bike

We could not confirm from a primary source whether a US car license covers motorcycles in Ireland. Ask the rental company and the Irish licensing service before you book.

Step 2: Choose your arrival port

Tourism Ireland lists six ferry ports:

If you arrive at Belfast or Larne you start in Northern Ireland, so you need the UK ETA before you sail.

Step 3: Sort documents before you book

• Passport valid up to the return date of your trip.
• UK ETA if Northern Ireland is anywhere on the route. It costs £20, covers multiple trips for two years or until your passport expires, and is tied to that passport.
• License, plus an International Driving Permit if your rental asks for one. AAA issues IDPs for $20.
• Insurance: confirm cover with your insurer or rental company, including the Green Book question.

Step 4: Pick an itinerary length

These frames use distances from our sources. Daily stages are for you to set; plan around your own pace and the weather.

3 days: the Ring of Kerry and Kerry roads

Base in Killarney and ride the 179 km (111 mi) Ring of Kerry loop. Spend the other days on shorter Kerry loops, and keep one day spare for rain. For which way round to ride, see the Ireland touring guide.

7 days: one section of the Wild Atlantic Way

The Wild Atlantic Way covers 2,500 km of coast, from Donegal to Kinsale in Cork. A week fits one or two sections, such as Kerry up to Clare. Tourism Ireland lists the Tarbert–Killimer crossing among its popular ferry journeys; check whether it fits your route.

10–14 days: west coast plus the Causeway Coast

Ride a longer stretch of the Wild Atlantic Way north, then cross into Northern Ireland for the Causeway Coastal Route. Tourism Ireland's trip idea runs it from Belfast to Derry~Londonderry in 92 miles over 6 days. Remember the ETA, and that speeds switch to mph in the north.

Step 5: Book ahead in summer

Island ferries peak from June to August, and some services may not run outside those months. Tourism Ireland advises booking ahead and checking with the operator before you travel, since weather often affects sailings. Cars may not be allowed on ferries to some offshore islands, so ask about motorcycles too.

For rooms, book the nights you can't move first: ferry nights and the first and last night near your port or rental base.

Budget items to plan for

We have no sourced figures for rental, ferry or room prices; get quotes for your dates. Fixed costs we could confirm:

What to pack

Plan for rain at any time of year; the west averages 1,000 to 1,400 mm a year. Full riding gear and a rain layer go first. Leather Collection's motorcycle riding gear covers cowhide jackets, pants, chaps, gloves and boots, made to order with custom sizes. Our motorcycle trip packing list covers the rest.

Comparing destinations? See our guide to motorcycle touring in Europe for Schengen and EES rules on the continent, or a summer trip to Alaska.

FAQ

What is a good motorcycle route around Ireland?

Most trips build on the Wild Atlantic Way and the Ring of Kerry. Add the Causeway Coastal Route if you go north. Route details are in the Ireland touring guide linked above.

How many days do you need for a motorcycle trip in Ireland?

Three days covers Kerry; a week covers a section of the Wild Atlantic Way; two weeks lets you add Northern Ireland. The whole Wild Atlantic Way is 2,500 km, so riding all of it takes longer.

Do I need an ETA to ride from Ireland into Northern Ireland?

Yes, if you're from a country that doesn't need a UK visa, such as the US. It applies even when you cross from the Republic.