Northern Ireland

Capital: Belfast 
Population:  1.811 million
Currency: Pound sterling (GBP)
Languages: English
Drives on the: Left
Time zone: GMT (UTC 0)

U.S. citizens must have a passport which is valid for the duration of your stay, though we strongly recommend it be valid for at least six months after your return date. U.S. passport holders do not need a visa to enter the United Kingdom for stays up to 90 days. See the U.S. Dept. of State website for more information.

If you do not hold a U.S. passport, you are responsible for obtaining any necessary visas and meeting all entry requirements. If a visa is required, we recommend using a fee-based visa service, such as our preferred provider VisaHQ.

More information about passports & visas.

There are no health precautions or requirements to enter Northern Ireland. Food and tap water are safe to consume. 

Center for Disease Control
World Health Organization

The weather in Northern Ireland is notoriously unpredictable. It is not uncommon to experience a variety of meteorological conditions within a single hour. As with much of Ireland & Great Britain, the province is particularly susceptible to rain. 

In restaurants and taxis, tip anywhere from 10-15% (12.5% is the norm). Some establishments include a service charge on the bill, so be sure to check first. Tipping at counter-service establishments, such as pubs, is optional, but always appreciated. 

ATMs are widely available in large towns and major credit cards are accepted by most hotels, shops and restaurants. 

Always notify your bank prior to departure to avoid any problems using your credit or debit card abroad.

Some of the most popular items sold in Northern Ireland are Bushmills Irish Whiskey, Belleek Pottery, Steensons Jewelry & Bog Standard Candles. 

240 volts. You will need a voltage converter and plug adapter in order to use U.S. appliances. We recommend getting a universal adapter and converter kit. View more information about electrical standards around the world. 

Want to take your cell phone, tablet or laptop, but not sure how to get cell service or wifi? See our blog posts on using your cell phone abroad and the top 5 ways to get Internet abroad.