Camper van holidays in Ireland

Driving laws

Everyone in your camper van must wear a seat belt at all times.

It's against the law to drive under the influence of alcohol or drugs.

It's against the law to drive while using your mobile phone.

Toll roads

There are no tolled roads in Northern Ireland.

There are tolled roads in the Republic of Ireland. Generally, you can pay at the toll booth on the road using either coins or a debit/credit card.

The M50 eFlow Barrier System is an exception. This is a barrier-free toll system on the M50 ring road around Dublin. You must pay the toll before 8pm the next day and can do so online or in branded Payzone outlets.

Service stations

There are plenty of service stations, particularly on main routes.

Simply fill up at the pump and go inside the station to pay. Most service stations accept credit cards and cash. Some will have self-service pumps, so you can just pay and go.

Signposts

In the Republic of Ireland, road signs show distances and speed limits in kilometres.

In Northern Ireland, road signs show distances and speed limits in miles.

Dos and don'ts

Don't pitch up anywhere on site. Most campsites have dedicated pitches and will allocate you a spot.

Do dispose of your rubbish and recycling in the correct bins on site.

Don't let children wander around the campsite unsupervised.

Do observe quiet times on campsites, such as late at night and early in the morning.

Gas and electricity

Bring an adequate supply of gas for your visit to avoid difficulty with replenishing the stock. Ensure appliances are installed and maintained correctly. Ensure there is adequate ventilation in your camper van and use a carbon monoxide alarm.

Most campsites offer between 6 and 10 amps. The blue Euro male/female connection is standard.

Other queries

Check-in and check-out times vary between campsites. Check directly with the campsite before you travel.

Each campsite has its own rules about allowing pets or not. EU Member State citizens can bring their pet cat or dog if they have an EU Pet Passport. For more information, see our page about bringing your pet to Ireland.

Rest areas

Motorways have pull-in areas for short rest stops.

Smaller countryside and coastal roads also have rest areas where you can pull in, stretch your legs and enjoy the view.

Parking up for the night

Your final destination for the day should always be an authorised place to stay.

Book parking spaces in advance during the high season (July-August).

Disabled parking spaces

If you have an EU Parking Permit for People with Disabilities, you can use this in any vehicle in which you're travelling. UK Blue Badges and Australian and New Zealand Disability Parking Permits can also be used on the island of Ireland.