Ireland is a country that was made for road trips. It’s clean, green, and there’s stunning scenery waiting for you around every corner. Chill Insurance is all about keeping people safe while they’re having a good time. They’ve released an ebook to help travellers learn everything they need to know about #HiddenDrives throughout Ireland.
While there’s no question that a road trip in Ireland will be an amazing experience, you’ll also want to ensure you stay safe- particularly if you’ll be driving in an unfamiliar car and on the opposite side of the road.
Here are some tips for taking a driving tour in Ireland:
Get enough sleep
Driving can be challenging in Ireland if you’re not from there. You may be out of your comfort zone if you’re driving a manual car and on the opposite side of the road, and many streets are very narrow.
For this reason, it’s crucial that you’re getting enough sleep. Go to bed early the night before and if possible, allow yourself to wake up naturally. This is especially important if you’ll be doing a long drive, since your brain tends to fall back on habit when you’re tired- and you may find yourself drifting over to the wrong side of the road.
Take lots of breaks
In Ireland you’ll be tempted to stop every five minutes anyway, since the scenery is begging to be photographed. Get out of the car and grab some fresh air at least once every hour. Buy a cup of coffee, go for a quick walk, or even just circle the car a few times and stretch out your legs. Give yourself longer than you’ll need so you’re not rushing and you can take your time.
Ask for help
Ireland can be a confusing place to drive. If you do get lost, don’t hesitate to pull over and ask for help. The locals are some of the friendliest around, and they’ll help you get where you need to go. It’s better to stop early and correct yourself than to wait too long and need to travel backwards for an hour or two.
Take insurance
Whether you’re used to driving on the left or not, it’s important to make sure you’re covered. While your hire car may include insurance, it may also have a large excess. Instead, consider getting excess insurance so you won’t need to worry about any scratches or dents along the way.
Plan your trip
While Ireland is an incredible country to visit, there are so many great sights to see that you’ll need to plan your trip well. Check out Chill’s e-book so you’ll know some of the best scenic drives in the country, and do some planning before you arrive so you can see everything you want to see in one trip.
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