By Elizabeth B
The Republic of Ireland is on the bucket list of millions of travelers worldwide, and it’s not hard to see why.
This blog post contains affiliate links, and I may earn compensation when you click on the links at no additional cost to you.
Beautiful green hills, stunning scenery, quaint little towns, and, of course, some of the friendliest people in the world.
There are ancient heritage sites, famous museums and libraries, and many activities to explore.
What’s not to love?!
However, if you’re thinking about traveling to Ireland solo, you might have a few questions.
How safe is Ireland? Is traveling solo to Ireland a wise thing to do? Is traveling solo perceived as odd in Ireland? Will there be help available should you need it as a solo traveler in Ireland?
This article aims to answer these questions and more by providing you with our top tips for solo travel to Ireland.
Is Ireland Safe as a Solo Travel Destination?
Ireland is a safe country.
In terms of European countries, it ranks among the safest. Currently holding an 83 in safety as of March 2025 (based on the safety index listed here), the country is considered safe and friendly.
Of course, there are some general rules to follow to avoid making yourself a target while on vacation.
Ireland is full of beautiful, remote countryside and bustling towns and cities. You’re bound to have a better time if you feel comfortable and not worried about your safety while you’re busy sightseeing, be it on public transportation or by rental car.
If you're thinking of planning a solo trip to Ireland, check out these top tips and considerations.
General Safety Tips for Travel to Ireland
– Don’t check valuables in your luggage. Jewelry, pocket watches, prized possessions, and the like are best kept at home.
Most locations in Ireland are casual, so there is no need to dress opulently. Any essential items, such as medication, cash, and other important documents, should be stowed in your carry-on.
– Read up about your destination before you depart. Find out about the area you’re staying in and its surroundings. If there are any places you’re not sure about, you can avoid making plans there or walking through the area at night.
– The most common crime reported by tourists is pickpocketing. This is a highly opportunistic crime and relies on crowds of people moving, usually in different directions.
The thief will use sleight of hand and maybe even distraction techniques to slip into your pocket and empty it. Luckily, pickpocketing is an easy crime to avoid. Simply empty your pockets before entering a crowd, and place your belongings in a crossbody bag or purse, keeping your hands in your own pockets.
Get WiFi in Ireland with WiFicandy – take 10% off with code IOB10
Is Temple Bar Safe for Solo Tourists?
Despite one-off reports of violent crime, Temple Bar is a safe place to visit.
With it’s cute cobble-stoned paths and iconic pubs and cafes, it's definitely not an area that you should miss on your visit to Ireland, especially not due to safety concerns.
Exercise the same caution in Temple Bar as you do elsewhere, and you will have a great time!
Six Gadgets to Purchase for Safety
1. Use a Crossbody bag: this is an essential for every traveler. A small handbag or travel pouch worn under a coat is useful for cash, passports, and other essential documents, such as visas or receipts.
You are unlikely to have this stolen or interfered with so close to your body.
2. Mobile Phone: keeping your phone charged and ready means you can relax and enjoy your vacation safely, knowing that help is just a call away! Remember, in Ireland, the equivalent of 911 is 999.
In addition, take note of the phone numbers and Eircode of hotels, bed and breakfasts, and other important locations, and keep them on paper along with your passport.
By clicking on the Amazon links below, I may earn a small commission from the Amazon Associates Program, but only if you decide to buy something on the site. However, you will not incur any additional costs by doing so.
3. Extra Batteries for Extra Peace of Mind: pack a USB-charged power bank in your handbag and always have enough power to take a photograph, send a message, or contact your host.
4. Luggage Locks: small locks attached to your luggage may ensure your bag is not tampered with, but they could also draw attention to the suitcase and its contents.
The best advice remains not to check anything valuable.
5. Air Tags: to avoid your checked bag being lost en route to your destination, Air Tag it! Air Tags are also perfect for when it makes sense to leave your luggage with a concierge while you explore the city and wait for check-in.
6. RFID Wallet: if you take your financial safety very seriously, consider traveling with an RFID wallet.
These cool pouches protect your cards by blocking the electromagnetic signals essential for communication between devices. Blocking the radio frequencies means your personal information is safe from theft.
Other safety tips include not conducting any private business on a public WI-FI network. Answering emails and completing some work is inevitable while on vacation, but online banking or any financial actions should be avoided until you’re on a private network.
Planning on working with sensitive information? Go one step further with a VPN.
Safety Tips for Female Solo Travelers Making their Way Around the Country
Ireland is a relatively safe country for women and girls.
Still, as a solo female traveler, you may have other concerns to consider, especially if it is your first time abroad. Here are some things to consider that are among our top tips for solo travel to Ireland.
- Have a general idea of your direction before you begin to wander. Check walking distances and times, and stick to busy routes through towns and cities. Keep your head up, make eye contact, and don’t look too vulnerable, like rooting around in a large bag or endlessly checking maps on your phone.
Crime rates in Ireland are low, but they increase at night, usually linked to alcohol consumption. If you plan on having a bar crawl, a couple of pints, and a live music session in a pub, take extra care to ensure your safety throughout.
- Although in Ireland “a stranger is just a friend you haven’t met yet,” and the Irish can be very friendly to strangers, do not leave yourself open to being taken advantage of. Like all tourist towns and cities, patrons may have less-than-honest plans.
- Don’t accept alcoholic beverages from strangers, unless you’re comfortable doing so. It is best practice to order your own drinks directly from the bar. Getting into a round system (where you take turns buying a round of drinks for everyone at the table) with a group of strangers is not recommended; it opens the door for exploitation.
- Be sure to have a plan for your return after a night out. Arrange a designated driver in advance, or have a taxi app like Free Now downloaded and already connected to your phone. Carry the address and contact details of your hotel or bed and breakfast. You’ll find local taxi drivers advertised at your hotel, so pick up their cards. The Uber app can be used in Ireland, but a regular taxi driver will appear, not an Uber driver.
Photo: Yuting Gao, Pexels. - Don’t carry a lot of cash. Instead bring credit cards, most notably those that are affiliated with MasterCard or Visa. American Express cards are not accepted widely in Ireland. Be sure to use credit cards that do not charge costly foreign transaction fees.
- Music sessions in the pub can turn into “lock-ins,” where patrons inside continue to drink while those outside are denied entry. Ireland is well known for its after-hours drinking, and nobody can predict when it might happen or plan for the lock-in.In the event of being caught up in a lock-in, please make the most of it! Some of the most memorable nights when traveling in Ireland are off the cuff and unplanned. You can always ask to be let out!
Photo: fxquadro. - If you find yourself in Dublin city and requiring assistance, there is a tourist information center on O'Connell Street which is open 24 hours a day. Here you can request help, information and directions, and if you need to report a crime, the Garda Station is connected to the kiosk.
As you can see, Ireland is a safe destination for solo travel. With just a couple of smart gadgets, a little research, and a loose plan for your time, you can enjoy the craic and all that Ireland has to offer…safely!
Let us know after reading this blog post if these top tips for solo travel to Ireland would make you want to visit the Emerald Isle by yourself.
