How To Travel

The Ultimate Ireland and Scotland Road Trip Guide

The Ultimate Ireland and Scotland Road Trip Guide

Recently updated on January 24th, 2025 at 07:09 pm

Everything you need to know to be confident on an Ireland or Scotland road trip 

Self-driven tourism offers freedom and cost-effective travel, but some people are nervous about taking the wheel. Here are some tips and tricks we’ve collected from past travelers to help you feel prepared for driving in Ireland and Scotland.

A good Self-Drive itinerary or customized trip should hit a perfect combination of independence and structure. Plus, driving offers you the chance to see places off the beaten path, choose your own timing, and add in a few of the hidden gems people recommend along your journey. 

“Overall, self-drive is the most cost-effective travel style and offers you the most amount of freedom while in Ireland or Scotland” says Brian, a veteran traveler. For many people, the biggest roadblock in booking a self-drive trip is apprehension about one thing: The driving part.   

Based on the most common questions we’ve heard about driving in Ireland and Scotland, we reached out to a few past guests and members of the Brendan team to get some insights on what they learned from their time driving abroad, and here’s some of the wisdom they shared for those about to drive in Ireland or Scotland for the first time:

Driving in Ireland & Scotland: Know Before You Go 

    • Look at a Map 

    • Write out directions 

    • Save your addresses 

It’s the oldest trick in the road trip book: Try to know where you’re going before you get there.  

Sounds simple enough, but this crucial first step tends to get skipped when people get too excited. If you want to feel comfortable driving in Ireland and Scotland, take a moment, look at a map and familiarize yourself with where you’re going

Before you get behind the wheel, look up and review the route you’ll be driving on a map, plot it out, even write it down, turn by turn if you need to. It will help your brain feel a sense of familiarity.  

Be sure to download virtual maps before you start your drive to minimize data usage and maintain accessibility. 

“You can also input directions into your phone while you’re at a hotel or airport while you’re connected to Wi-Fi,” says Josh, a Brendan contact center manager after a self-drive in Ireland. “It’ll keep giving you directions even if you don’t have a data plan.”  

Car driving in Ireland _ credit tourism Ireland
Car driving in Ireland, credit tourism Ireland

Driving on the other side of the car  

    • The steering wheel is on the right side of the vehicle 

    • The accelerator is still aligned with your right foot 

    • The rear-view mirror is to the driver’s left 

 It’s not just the road on the opposite side – everything in the car is also switched, meaning when you get out of the car, you’re stepping onto the sidewalk.  

But one thing that you won’t have to orient to is the transmission – Brendan Vacations reserves automatic vehicles (not stick shift) for our guests by default, so no need to worry about which foot to use for the clutch or reaching for a gear shift.  

“Your right foot is on the accelerator. Your right foot is by your right front wheel. Orient yourself off your right foot,” says Patrick, who took a self-drive trip in Scotland and London.  

Getting your bearings while driving: Start small and slow 

If you haven’t driven in Ireland or Scotland before, there’s no need to stress about getting behind the wheel as soon as you arrive. On most Brendan bookings, we’ll schedule the car pickup for the day you leave your starting city, after spending a night or two in town. 

Once you pick up your car, you’ll be heading away from the city. You’ll have time to get comfortable and stay out of traffic while getting used to things.  

“I would say it’s natural to be nervous but once you’re out in the countryside you’ll get the hang of it,” says Stephanie, who drove in Ireland and Northern Ireland. “And of course, stay calm and follow the signs of the road.” 

Wild Atlantic Way Sign_Credit Tourism Ireland
Wild Atlantic Way Sign_Credit Tourism Ireland

Expect the Unexpected

Even the most well-planned, thought-out vacation is bound to have at least a few delays, regardless of the travel style.  

“Don’t always expect things to go to plan,” says Kaitlyn, who took a self-drive trip in Scotland. “Always allow for more time instead of less.” 

Give yourself extra time beyond what the GPS estimates for your drive. Aim for a buffer of at least fifteen minutes to check in before any scheduled activities. This includes picking up your rental car from the depot. 

What to expect with parking 

Parking can be challenging, no matter where you are in the world. 

“You never know if parking may not be as accessible in some areas over others,” warns Kaitlyn. 

Many cities and towns in Ireland and Scotland, due to the nature of growing over have limited parking options. Rather than looking for a space right next to your destination, think ahead and try to locate places nearby the area you are exploring and leave the car parked for as long as possible. Remember, most cities are walkable, and attractions are often situated within easy reach of each other. 

“I’d also say you want to stay near town centres where you can park in the afternoon and then not have to drive to dinner or the pub in the evening, as you can then just walk it,” suggests Brian, who has several self-drive trips under his belt. 

Now that you’ve heard from other Brendan Vacations guests, it’s time to get ready for your own Self-Drive trip. If you have a good tip or trick to share for a first time driving in Ireland or Scotland, let us know! 

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