Chauffeur/Taxi

Taxis can be found in all but the smallest of towns. The best source of information about taxis is at your hotel or B&B. The best place to get a taxi is at the airport, train and bus stations or at taxi ranks. Hackney cars are a different type of cab. They usually do not have a sign on top and are not licensed to work from ranks or airports, train and bus stations. You have to call their offices to order a hackney. Hackney cars are usually less expensive than taxis. Taxis are metered, and the fare is calculated from this. Hackney cars are not metered so it is advisable to ask how much the fare is before you use one. Again, your hotel or B&B will have all the information you need.

Documentation; Visa, Passport & Drivers License
A valid US passport is required to visit both the Republic and Northern Ireland . To drive a car, you need also a valid US drivers license.

Documentation; Passport & Drivers license:
A valid US passport is required to visit both the Republic and Northern Ireland . To drive a car, you need also a valid US drivers license.

• Pets
Pets entering Ireland from North America are quarantined for a peroid of six months. More information on the website Pet Travel Scheme .
per E-mail: pets@ahvg.maff.gsi.gov.uk
per Fax: 0044 20 7904 6834,
address: Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food 1a Page Street , London SW1P 4PQ

• Tax Refunds
Visitiors from the US are eligible to receive a refund of Value Added Tax on goods purchased. The price of the most goods includes value added tax (VAT), so when you are shopping be sure to ask for a tax-free shopping form with each purchase and present these forms, along with your receipts to either 'Global Tax Free Shopping' or 'Tax Back' at the airport prior to your departure. Visitors from the US can take home US$ 400 worth of goods per person including 200 cigarettes or 50 cigars, 1 liter of spirits or 2 liters of wine.

• Health Insurance
The Irish National Health Plan does not cover US visitors. Ask your insurance agent before you travel if your health plan is valid in Ireland .

• Time
Time is 5 hours ahead of Eastern time.

• Health Care
The standard of the health care in Ireland is in accordance with the European standard. When you are searching for a doctor or a hospital you can get information in every tourist office. If you want to know where the next doctor or hospital is you can visit the website www. oasis.gov.ie

In the last few years Ireland set up a handicapped accessible tourism. Many Hotels and B&Bs are appropriately equipped.
The Look4 Group can give you more information concerning your accommodation, as well as information about Irish heritage sights, for example Dublin Castle which provides special facilities for handicapped.

• Tipping
Many hotels and restaurants add a service charge of around 15% to guests' final invoice. However, this is not universal. When service is not included in your bill, a tip of 15% is appropriate. Taxi drivers should be tipped 10% of the fare and porters about 75 Cents per bag. In Pubs tipping lounge staff is at the customer's discretion.