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Frequently Asked Questions

Get the answers to the most common travel questions.

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Before You Book

Many people like to visit Europe in the summer when the weather tends to be warmer and drier and there is more daylight. However, it is worth bearing in mind that the prices are lower in the autumn, winter, and spring. Airfares will cost less and with fewer people on vacation, popular attractions will be less crowded – and some may appreciate the cooler weather. Winter travel has its own delights: Christmas markets have been growing in popularity in Ireland and Britian, and holiday decorations make our destinations sparkle. In addition, if you’d like to see the Northern Lights in Iceland, late fall to early spring would be the time.  
You can easily check dates, prices, and book on our website at www.cietours.com, or call our reservations team directly at (800) 243-8687. You can also contact your local travel agent to book any CIE Tours vacation. We accept most major credit cards as well as debit cards. Your online transactions are secure, and all payment details are entered on a secure page and transmitted over Secure Sockets Layer (SSL). As an additional security measure, we require CVV2/CVC2 verification on all credit card and debit card transactions. 
Yes. CIE Tours’ Travel Protection Plan, offered through Trip Mate to U.S. guests, is intended to safeguard your travel investment and your well‐being while on vacation. Policy coverage only becomes effective upon receipt by CIE Tours of the premium, which is required within 14 days of trip deposit.  Your final documents will contain your plan number to reference at www.tripmate.com. This benefit covers only those travel arrangements purchased from CIE Tours. For more information, visit www.cietours.com/trip-protection. 
Our standard tours have about 35 guests traveling on coaches that hold a maximum of 44. We also have Small Group Departures with no more than 26 guests on a full-sized coach.  Look for the “SG” notation on the calendar page found on cietours.com after clicking “Dates & Prices” to find a departure date that works for you. 
Most of our coaches are equipped with emergency restrooms. However, for safety reasons they cannot be used when the coach is in motion. The coach makes frequent rest/bathroom stops, at two-hour intervals or less, for the comfort of all passengers.
CIE Tours guided coach vacations are recommended for ages 8 and older. Those aged 8 to 17 are charged 90% of the full adult rate and must travel with an adult. Unaccompanied travelers must be at least 18 years of age.  Children of any age are permitted on custom groups, private driver tours or self-drive vacations. 
Our coaches are not handicap accessible, so you must be able to get on and off the coach unaided by CIE Tours staff and be able to rotate seats on the coach. If you need extra walking assistance, you may bring a walker or a lightweight, fully collapsible wheelchair that can be stowed in the luggage compartment. You must advise us in advance during the booking process that you will be using a wheelchair or other medical equipment and must also travel with a companion who can push the wheelchair. 
After the stress of organizing a wedding, many newly married couples choose our tours as they are happy to have their honeymoon planned for them. Some enjoy the camaraderie of a group trip, and those looking for a more romantic option might consider a self-drive trip or private driver tour. 
CIE Tours predominantly uses 4 or 5-star hotels, which include some castle properties. All hotels feature a dining room, lounge, bar, and comfortable guest rooms.  Many have leisure and spa facilities, and some are in historic or unique settings. We choose hotels either in central locations or scenic regions, depending on location. We clearly identify all accommodations used on each tour and our website contains photos and detailed descriptions of all featured hotels.
You can request to have a Twin (two separate single beds) or a Double (usually one queen sized bed). Please note that room type assigned upon arrival is subject to each hotel’s discretion and availability.  No more than three people can share a hotel room on our guided coach tours and these triples are limited to a maximum of one per departure and may not be available in all destinations.    A triple room will usually have a double and one twin bed (two beds total). Please note there is no reduction in cost for a third person sharing a room with two others.  For comfort, we suggest that three adults take two separate rooms.
We do not offer the option of a sharing service for passengers traveling solo. Note that all prices on our website are per person, double occupancy.  A single room supplement which affords you the privacy of your own room is clearly listed under the tour price listed on our website. 
Due to the cooler climate in Ireland, Britain and Iceland, most hotels do not have, or need, air-conditioning.  In Italy and Spain, all hotels are air-conditioned. 
A full hot breakfast with a wide variety of selections is included at your hotel each morning.   Lunch is sometimes included, but more often you will be at leisure to go where you like.  Many dinners are included where you will eat with your group either in the hotel or at a local restaurant.  All included dinners are three-course meals with a choice of appetizer, entrée and dessert, with tea or coffee included.   Most hotels and restaurants feature a good assortment of poultry, meat, fish and vegetarian options and you will be given choices at all meals.  For lunches or dinners where you will be dining independently, your Tour Director can give you tips on options in your location.  Your itinerary will clearly note which meals are included on each day.  
All our tours include some activities each day to maximize your touring time. However, on days when you are staying in the same hotel for two or more consecutive nights, if you want to take a day off from the scheduled itinerary to play golf, shop, explore or simply relax, just tell your Tour Director that you won’t be participating with the group that day. 
One of the benefits of booking airfare with CIE Tours is that complimentary group transfers are provided on the first and last day of all tours. Transfer information is provided with your tour itinerary.  If you have booked your own flights, ask your travel agent or our contact center about airport transfers available through CIE Tours for an additional fee. 
Small groups provide all the wonderful features of our regular guided vacations, with one key difference: we limit the trip to 26 guests.  We use the same large luxury coach with panoramic views from every seat, the same expertly designed itineraries, and the same insider access, just with fewer people. 
The Edinburgh Military Tattoo is a spectacular pageant of musicians and performers held each August against the dramatic backdrop of the Edinburgh Castle Esplanade.  All tours that include an Edinburgh hotel stay during Tattoo season include tickets for reserved seating at this world-famous event. 
If you have dietary restrictions, please notify us at least four weeks in advance of departure by sending an email to [email protected] or by contacting your travel agent.  While hotels throughout Europe offer a wide variety of foods, we cannot guarantee all requests and it is a good idea to double check once you are in your tour hotel. 
Our All-In Inclusive Advantage means that we include all the necessary ingredients for a successful tour. Many competitors charge additional fees for sightseeing and dinner/shows which can add up. Great hotel accommodations, full breakfast every day, most dinners, some lunches, special evening entertainment, pre-paid admission fees to attractions and the services of an expert Tour Director are all included.  

Before You Travel

Your deluxe travel pack, including documents, will be delivered to you, your travel agent or group leader approximately 3 weeks before your departure.  By default, all group documents are shipped together and sent to one address.  There is a $25 charge for each additional address requested.  Your documents include the vouchers for the tour and other services, an itinerary, hotel list and our Go-To-Guide booklet. Treat your tour vouchers as you would money, as they are non-refundable. You will need to present the relevant voucher in return for services such as Hop-on, Hop-off bus tours.
We suggest dressing in layers so you can add and subtract items as temperatures fluctuate and be sure to have comfortable walking shoes.  Casual attire is appropriate for all instances with the exception of guests on our Irish Heritage tour who will enjoy a more formal evening at Dromoland Castle.  For that event, the dress code is "smart casual" (no jeans, leisure wear, or informal open-toed shoes).  For your convenience, we have created a printable packing checklist with our recommendations. Visit www.cietours.com/packing-checklist.
On coach tours, you are permitted one piece of luggage and one carry-on bag per person. Porterage between the coach and your hotel room for one piece of luggage per person is included in the cost of all coach tours and these bags will be stored under the coach during transit.  Travelers are responsible for transporting their carry-on bag between the coach and hotel each day.  Luggage should not exceed 30 x 20 x 10 inches and weight should be under 50 lbs.; carry-on must be soft sided, without wheels, and must be small enough to fit under the coach seat. Self-drive clients need to consider the limited trunk capacity, and that soft-sided luggage is easier to stow in the car. Airlines have their own regulations, and some carriers charge for checked baggage. 
You will need a valid passport with an expiration at least 6 months after your travel dates. For specific details by country on other travel documents needed, please reference the Go-to-Guide that will be sent to you in advance. 
Since most components of your guided vacation are included in one up-front price, your only out-of-pocket expenses will be for those meals that are not included on the daily itinerary, for wine or cocktails when they are not included, or for shopping.  Also, it is customary to tip your guide and driver at the end of the tour (please see the question on tipping guidelines for more information).  We recommend either bringing a small amount of local currency with you or using a cash machine/ATM once in country.  Most stores and restaurants accept credit and debit cards but note that American Express and Discover are not widely accepted - - either VISA or Mastercard is best.
The appropriate plug adapter (3-prong for Ireland and Britain and 2-prong for Italy and Iceland) will be included in the CIE Tours travel pack that we send you before you depart. Hotels provide a shaver outlet in the bathroom and usually have a hair dryer and iron in the room (or will supply them on request). If your appliance needs a converter, you will need to bring your own.   More information is in your Go-To Guide booklet, sent with your travel documents.
Check-in time varies between noon and 3:00 pm, depending on the individual hotel. If you arrive in the early part of the day, this can mean a wait at the hotel. Many hotels offer a checked luggage area so you may enjoy this time by taking a walk, having a snack, or doing some exploring.  Another option is to book a pre-night so that you can check into your room no matter how early you arrive and then rest prior to starting your day.
Your Tour Director will provide you with a schedule for each day, but in general the tour day begins between 8:00 – 9:00pm and arrival at the hotel for that evening is usually between 4:00pm and 6:00pm. We generally incorporate a sightseeing feature each morning and afternoon. You’ll have comfortable assigned seats which will rotate each day to give everyone a chance to sit towards the front of the motorcoach.  There are breaks at two-hour intervals or less so that you get a chance to stretch your legs, purchase a snack or lunch, take photos, or use a restroom. Our comfortable coaches feature oversized windows, reclining seats, overhead storage, USB charging ports and free Wi-Fi. Always wear your seat belts and stay seated while the motorcoach is moving; it’s the law. If you suffer from motion sickness, you should bring medication with you. 
Morning departure time depends on the itinerary to be covered on any particular day. In Britain the tour day begins between 8:00am to 8:30am, while in Ireland the day usually begins between 8:30am and 9:00am. Arrival back to the hotel, or at the next hotel is usually between 4:00pm and 5:00pm. Our coaches make frequent stops for sightseeing, smoking, lunches, snacks and bathroom breaks. You will have breaks at least every two hours.
There is no need to buy foreign currency before your trip. It’s best to wait until you arrive to withdraw money from an ATM which are at all international airports and in most towns.  If you can, avoid having to exchange your home currency for local currency at currency exchange shops, which can have poor exchange rates and high fees.

On the Road

If the delay occurs while you are still in North America, call 1-800-243-8687 to advise us of your approximate time of arrival and we will alert our local team. Outside of North America, call 001-973-292-3899. If you are scheduled to take our group transfer and you miss it, we recommend that you take a cab from the airport to the first hotel where you will meet the tour. If you are delayed longer than a day, you should make your way to the relevant hotel on the tour. A cab or public transport may be the most suitable method of getting to the next hotel which may be a distance from your arrival airport. Any additional expenses for transportation or accommodation to catch up with the tour will be at your own expense but may be covered by travel protection. We regret that we cannot issue any refunds or credits for any missed portions of the tour.
If you become ill on a tour or have an emergency at home, advise your Tour Director immediately. We can facilitate medical assistance, and we can assist with return flight changes. With more than 90 years of experience, we are highly skilled at handling every type of emergency while ensuring limited disruption to other passengers.  If you test positive for COVID-19 while traveling with us, you will need to comply with the rules of the country you are in and will not be able to continue to travel with the group.  If stipulated by the local government, you may need to isolate yourself in that country for a required number of days. Any costs incurred will be your responsibility; therefore, CIE Tours highly recommends the purchase of travel protection prior to the start of your vacation that includes Trip Interruption, Travel Delay and Emergency Evacuation/Repatriation and Medical Expenses.
VAT (Value Added Tax) is included in the selling price of all goods in our European destinations.  Non-European Union resident purchasing goods to take home may claim a VAT refund for goods of a certain value once the relevant forms have been completed at time of purchase. This can save you up to 20%, depending on products purchased. 
Many of the hotels on your tour have wonderful leisure facilities and spas. You have some free time most days so be sure to pack swimsuit and workout clothes. 
Most small medical devices, for example C-PAP machines, are permitted on tour. If you travel with a C-PAP machine, be aware that distilled water is not always readily available in stores. Some, but not all, pharmacies stock supplies. Bring distilled water with you or contact one of the hotels and arrange this directly with them.
If you need to bring insulin, please be sure to bring a box to store it in together with freezable ice packs. Hotels can store the insulin for you and can freeze the ice packs to help you keep it cold when traveling on the coach. If you take prescription drugs, ensure that you have an ample supply for the duration of your trip and always keep them with you. Any medication must be in its labeled container when going through airport security and customs. 
Free Wi-Fi aboard coaches* enables you to keep in contact and share your travels with friends and family back home. Most hotels will offer internet services, some in guest rooms and some in the lobby only. As some hotels charge for Wi-Fi, you should check rates with the front desk in your hotel.   Check with your mobile carrier to understand your international calling and texting plan options and switch off roaming on your cell phone to avoid unnecessary charges. In Europe, pre-paid calling cards offer excellent rates and are on sale in many stores. You can also buy a simple mobile phone with pre-paid minutes. In some parts of Europe, you may experience poor mobile phone or Wi-Fi signals. *Note: Wi-Fi cannot be guaranteed for custom group travel. 
Tipping for tour staff is not included, but our tour crews go out of their way to make sure each experience during your vacation is nothing short of exceptional and appreciate recognition for their service. You are welcome to present individual tips to your tour staff in an envelope at the end your vacation, payable in local currency. Below are suggested minimum tipping amounts, per person/per day based on whether you are traveling on a standard motorcoach departure, small group departure or with a private driver. When enjoying a private tour, or in some cases when traveling on a guided coach vacation in Ireland you will have a combination Driver/Guide. In all other situations, you will have a 2-person crew of a Tour Director and a Driver. Ireland: 
  • Driver/Guide (1-person crew) €10 per person, per day; for small group departures, €13 per person, per day 
  • Tour Director (part of 2-person crew) €7 per person, per day; for small group departures, €8 per person, per day 
  • Driver (part of 2-person crew) €7 per person, per day; for small group departures, €8 per person, per day 
  • Guide for walking or city tour €2 per person, per day 
  • Private Driver for chauffeur vehicles €25 per person, per day 
England, Scotland or Wales: 
  • Tour Director (part of 2-person crew) £7 per person, per day; for small group departures, £8 per person, per day 
  • Driver (part of 2-person crew) £7 per person, per day; for small group departures, £8 per person, per day 
  • Guide for walking or city tour £2 per person, per day 
  • Private Driver for chauffeur vehicles £20 per person, per day 
Iceland: 
  • Tour Director (part of 2-person crew) $7 per person, per day; for small group departures, $8 per person, per day 
  • Driver (part of 2-person crew) $7 per person, per day; for small group departures, $8 per person, per day 
  • Private Driver for chauffeur vehicles $25 per person, per day 
Italy: 
  • Tour Director (part of 2-person crew) €7 per person, per day; for small group departures, €8 per person, per day 
  • Driver (part of 2-person crew) €7 per person, per day; for small group departures, €8 per person, per day 
  • Guide for walking or city tour €2 per person, per day 
Many of our tours incorporate walking tours in interesting locations; these are leisurely paced guided walks. You will have free time when you arrive at a hotel in the afternoon when you can take a walk on your own or use the hotel’s fitness or spa facilities. Pack comfortable shoes with non-slip soles as many historic places have uneven paving. 
Most hotels feature laundry and dry-cleaning services that can be used when you stay in the same property for two nights. However, they do not offer self-service facilities. Check with the hotel's website to see exactly what services they can offer. 
Many hotels in Europe do not provide washcloths so it is a good idea to bring some with you. Guest rooms have TVs and hair dryers; some also offer an iron and ironing board. Hotels also provide a shaver outlet in the bathroom. For exact information, please check the hotel’s website. 
CIE Tours could not exist without our great local Tour Directors – they are the envy of the travel industry. From the moment you land, your Tour Director is there to welcome you, handle your luggage, drive you from place to place and provide daily commentary. Tour Directors help make history and culture come alive and create a superb experience with daily doses of humor, information, and assistance. 
Once you meet your Tour Director, you don’t have to handle your suitcase for the rest of your journey! At every hotel, your primary suitcase is delivered to your bedroom door and collected before departure and any gratuities for the bell staff are included in the cost of your tour.  Remember, on coach tours, you are permitted only one piece of luggage and one carry-on bag per person. Travelers are responsible for transporting their carry-on bag between the coach and hotel each day.  
Hotel meals and most restaurants include a service charge in your bill.  Ask if it has been included and if not, it’s at your discretion with a suggested amount of 10% to 15%. Tipping is not common in pubs or bars; however, if you have been given great service, a tip is always a nice way to show your appreciation. 

Custom Group Vacations

All tours include coach transportation with a driver/guide throughout, hotels and breakfasts. Then you can choose whatever sightseeing, meals, and entertainment that appeal to you and your group. 
Because you can –
  • Design any itinerary for any season
  • Benefit from CIE Tours’ competitive rates which are passed along to you
  • Include special interest features not offered on scheduled tours
  • Travel on your own exclusive coach
  • Offer the tour as a fundraiser for your local church or organization
Custom group tours must have a minimum of 10 passengers.
Yes, you'll have the support of a regional Business Development Manager as well as complimentary flyers.
Once your group is confirmed, you will be sent a link for a flyer request form. Simply fill out the form and a flyer will be created and sent back to you for review. Turnaround time is typically 3 to 5 business days.
We can provide a custom URL for group leaders to book passengers directly online or you may share this link with your group travelers to book it themselves.  We find most agents and group leaders handle the bookings for all passengers.
From your group summary page, you will find a list of all the group passengers and can access them individually by clicking the link to their reservation.
CIE Tours does not provide child car seats or booster seats.  You are required to bring your own child car seat or booster seat when traveling with a child.  Please be sure to check the local guidelines regarding age and weight requirements based on your destination.

Travel Documents

You will receive your travel documents approximately 21 days prior to your tour departure date provided that full payment has been received. This includes the vouchers for tours and other services, an itinerary, hotel list and our Go-To-Guide booklet in PDF format. You have prepaid for your tour vouchers, so treat them as you would money as they are non-refundable. You will need to present the relevant voucher in return for services such as hop-on, hop-off bus tours.
CIE Tours' All-In Inclusive Advantage means that all travelers get a deluxe travel pack including a backpack, travel adapter, water bottle, Go-To-Guide booklet, luggage straps, and luggage tags. 
Yes, we are happy to email you a copy of your documents.
Yes, documents can be mailed to different addresses for a nominal fee of $25 for each additional address. To request this service, contact your travel agent or send an email to [email protected] for individual bookings and to [email protected] for group bookings.

Travel Protection

Your vacation is an important investment. The CIE Tours’ Plan for individual travelers permits you to cancel your trip up to 24 hours prior to your scheduled departure for a specified reason for cash reimbursement and up to 24 hours before your scheduled departure for any reason not otherwise specified for reimbursement in the form of travel vouchers. The plan also protects you and your belongings while on your trip. For more information, contact your travel agent or CIE Tours' contact center, or visit www.cietours.com/trip-protection.
Yes, CIE Tours offers a custom insurance plan for groups of 10 or more. Please visit www.cietours.com/trip-protection for more information or contact your travel agent or the CIE Tours Groups department at [email protected]

Airline Reservations

Book your flight together with your vacation and you’ll enjoy negotiated rates, guaranteed pricing, assigned seats, included checked baggage and complimentary round-trip transfers between your airport and hotel.
Wheelchairs can be requested when making your reservation or by sending an email to [email protected].
You may check in for your flight online 24 hours prior to your departure date. Online check-in typically closes 2 or 3 hours before the flight departs.  For group travel, advance check-in is not available and instead all members of a group block will check in at the airport on the day of departure. 
You should plan to arrive for your flight a minimum of 2 hours before a domestic flight and 3 hours before an international flight. This allows you time to check in and pass through security to the boarding area.
Most of CIE Tours' negotiated fares allow for mileage accrual.
CIE Tours' negotiated fares do not allow for payment with frequent flyer miles.
Special meals can be requested when making your reservation or by sending an email to [email protected].
Most airlines offer reserved seat selection prior to departure, but seats are never guaranteed by the airline. Airlines may reassign seats for operational reasons. Passengers are encouraged to reconfirm their seat assignments and any other special requests directly with their airline before departure.  Passengers traveling with a group block will not have assigned seats until the day of departure.
Most airlines require tickets to be paid in full at the time of final payment of your vacation. Occasionally, due to specially negotiated rates or airfare associated with a promotion, payment is required within 24 hours of making the reservation.
TSA Pre✓® provides expedited security screening benefits for flights departing from U.S. airports. Global Entry provides the TSA Pre✓ benefits plus expedited US customs screening for international air travelers when entering the United States. Travelers interested in Global Entry must apply through the Trusted Traveler Program website. Global Entry, NEXUS, and SENTRI are programs of U.S. Customs and Border Protection. These programs offer travel benefits to pre-screened members. If you join Global Entry, NEXUS, or SENTRI, use your membership number as a “known traveler number” in airline reservations to receive TSA Pre✓.
Code sharing is a marketing arrangement in which an airline places its designator code on a flight operated by another airline and sells tickets for that flight. When flights are code share, it may or may not be possible to assign seats.
Bulkheads are seats that have a wall in front and usually separate the different cabins of the plane. These seats cannot be assigned by the air department. 
Should your luggage be delayed by your airline, it is the airline’s responsibility to ensure that it is delivered to you while you are traveling. Please complete a claim form at the airline desk upon arrival. You may wish to provide a copy of your hotel list so the baggage will be delivered directly to you.

Private Driver Vacations

With a CIE Tours private driver vacation, we’ll customize the perfect itinerary for up to 9 people complete with a knowledgeable driver who knows the local history and has plenty of insider stories to share. We can design a custom package for Ireland, England, Wales, Scotland, Iceland, or Italy or you can choose from one of our curated private driver itineraries and leave the details to us.
Our luxury specialists work with you to ensure a personally crafted vacation encompassing recommended routes, hotels, and activities to suit your personal tastes. This, accompanied by our long-standing relationships with valued partners, ensures a memorable and stress-free experience. Our driver/guides relish the opportunity to unfold the hidden beauties of their homeland, taking guests beyond the surface for a truly immersive experience.
Absolutely! Our team regularly creates custom castle vacations and itineraries.
We require a minimum of 3 consecutive days with a driver and 3 nights of accommodation per destination to be booked through CIE Tours.
Private Driver vacations are for guests who are looking for a more personal and heightened experience and prefer a more customized itinerary. Some considerations include those who are hesitant about driving on the “wrong” side of the road on a self-drive tour, guests who are participating in ancestry searches, and leisure enthusiasts including golfers, foodies and much more!
Ireland, England, Wales, Scotland and Iceland and Italy.
Private Driver vacations are for 1-9 passengers only. 10+ passengers are considered a Group and handled by our specialized Groups department.
We can typically book 18 months to 8 weeks in advance. Lead times will vary throughout the year, depending on departure date and available inventory.  All bookings are customized and will be confirmed on a case-by-case basis to ensure we can assign drivers and confirm hotels.
All accommodations and driver’s services (includes gasoline, tolls, parking, driver’s meals and accommodations) are included, as are breakfast daily (except for the day of arrival), private transfers to and from the airport, and sightseeing and admission costs where applicable.
The package price does not include gratuities, flights and any meals that are not specifically mentioned in the itinerary. 
  • Ireland - €25 per person, per day 
  • England, Scotland or Wales - £20 per person, per day 
  • Iceland - $25 per person, per day 
  • Italy - €25 per person, per day 
Unfortunately, gratuities cannot be prepaid.
No there is no age limit: We cater to infants and elderly. We can arrange a baby seat, crib in the hotel room, wheelchair accessibility and any other needs. 

Independent Adventures

Independent Adventures are for those traveling to Ireland who’d like to have the full CIE Tours experience from the privacy of their own car. With our Classic Itineraries collection, you can follow one of our pre-set tours in your own rental car. Or we can help you plan a custom self-drive trip complete with rental car, accommodations, and attractions. Whatever you choose, you’ll be treated like a CIE Tours guest, and have the advantage of getting the competitive pricing we can access thanks to our long-established relationships with hospitality providers. For details on self-drive vacations, please call us at (800) 243-8687.
At this time independent vacations are only available in Ireland; however, we offer custom private driver options that can take you throughout Scotland, England, Wales, Iceland and Italy in addition to Ireland.
As many or as few as you would like; you can rent a minivan to accommodate up to 7 people or book multiple cars to accommodate your party size.  
 
Through our Classic Itineraries collection, several of our Ireland tours have been turned into self-drive vacations with all the planning done for you.
A self-drive or private driver vacation is perfect for families with children! We are happy to request car seats and boosters for you from the car rental company. You will pay for these extras when you pick up the car.
Depending on your travel style, you’ll stay in either pre-selected hotels or stay in your choice of accommodations including hotels, B&Bs, castles and manors. 
 
B&B is a bed and breakfast accommodation in Ireland. These are usually family homes or private residences with around 6 bedrooms; all rooms include a private bath and breakfast is included in the morning.  
 
Once you have paid for your self-drive vacation you can visit http://www.reserveabandb.com to select your accommodations 
 
A minimum 3-night stay is required. If staying in Dublin only and a rental car is not purchased, a minimum of 6 nights is required.
CIE Tours enjoys a decade long relationship with Hertz, a premier car rental company in Ireland. 
 
Absolutely, this is very common; however, there may be a surcharge from the car rental company. 
 
In Ireland they drive on the left side of the road.
GPS is included in the CIE Tours contract with our car rental partner.
The minimum age for drivers is 23 years old. Only vehicles in groups B&E will be allowed for rental. There will also be a daily surcharge for young drivers: €26 daily. The maximum age is 79 years old, this will require a letter from your doctor stating full health issued 1 month prior, along with a letter from your insurance company that says that there have been no accidents in the past 5 years. 
 
You can pick up and drop off the vehicles from several locations. These include Dublin Airport, Dublin Downtown, Shannon Airport, Cork Airport, Belfast International Airport, Belfast City Airport, Waterford Airport, Wexford, Knock Airport, Sligo Airport, Kerry Airport and Derry. 
 
Yes, an additional driver can be added for an additional charge. This is paid directly to Hertz at time of pickup.
No, but a driver must have one year’s driving experience and produce a valid driver’s license issued in their state/country of residence and reflecting no driving infractions. 
 
Our car rental prices include Hertz Super Collision Damage Waiver (SCDW). This will protect you from possible CDW deductible charges of €1,200 – 2,500 but does not include damage to tires/wheels or lost keys. Gas, parking fees and tolls are paid locally and are not included in the package.

Group Travel

Depending on your budget and your interests, any group of 10 or more travelers can take one of our pre-set itineraries either by joining a larger group on a scheduled coach tour (Shared Group Vacation) or by reserving a published date exclusively for your group (Private Group Vacation).  For something more custom, we can craft the perfect itinerary to suit your needs, interests, and schedule.  Our dedicated travel experts can ensure your planning goes smoothly, help answer questions from your group, and keep every detail organized.  
The minimum size for a group is 10 people and the sky is the limit when customizing a group. We primarily use 48-seat coaches. For comfort we prefer to operate with 40 to 44 passengers. If you want to reserve an exclusive departure at our published rates, we require 36 passengers. For fewer than 36 passengers, a supplement will apply to have an exclusive coach. 
Depending on group size, a free spot or spots on the tour may be offered.
Many travelers realize that they have more fun with a group, especially when all arrangements are handled for them. Is there a special family event to celebrate? Are you a member of a church, club, pub, or sporting association? Once you get a core group, we will work with you on the travel program and assist with sales flyers and information.
Our highly trained custom group department is happy to tailor an itinerary to your specifications – taking budget, length of tour and inclusions into consideration.

Explore our destinations

  • Blarney Castle
  • Cliffs of Moher
  • Giant’s Causeway
  • Galway
  • Dublin
  • Killarney
  • Guinness Storehouse
  • Brú na Boinne Visitor Center
  • Ring of Kerry

Pubs are about more than just Irish beer and whiskey—people come to enjoy music, laughs, and the legendary Irish wit.

  • Highlands
  • Loch Ness
  • St Andrews
  • Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo
  • Isle of Skye
  • Blair Athol Distillery
  • Glencoe Mountains
  • Loch Lomond
  • Edinburgh Castle

Head off the beaten path to see the treasures on Scotland's rugged islands on Scottish Isles & Glens

  • Tower of London
  • Stratford-upon-Avon
  • Cardiff Castle
  • Lake District
  • Stonehenge
  • Canterbury Cathedral
  • Cavern Club
  • Cotswolds
  • Windsor Castle

See castles and cathedrals, Oxford and Cambridge, the Lake District and Liverpool as you circle England on the English Odyssey.

  • Colosseum
  • Vatican
  • Roman Forum
  • Accademia
  • Isle of Capri
  • Sorrento
  • Venice Gondola Ride
  • Bologna
  • Sistine Chapel

Every region in Italy has their own unique way to enjoy pasta—and there are more than 600 different pasta shapes to try.

  • Blue Lagoon
  • Golden Circle
  • Reynisfjara Beach
  • Skaftafell National Park
  • Seljalandsfoss Waterfall
  • Northern Lights
  • Lava Center
  • Secret Lagoon
  • Strokkur Geysir

Blame the Vikings for the lack of trees in Iceland's stunning landscapes. They deforested much of the country when they arrived here in the 700s.

  • Trinity College
  • Urquhart Castle
  • Dingle Peninsula
  • Louvre
  • Trafalgar Square
  • Conwy
  • York Minster
  • Westminster Abbey
  • Waterford Crystal

The McCarthy family built the legendary Blarney castle, with its stone that gives those who kiss it the gift of eloquence.

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