Book Your Own Flight

Book your flight on your own. Keep your eye on rates, pick the schedule you desire and pay when you’re ready. Use frequent flyer miles or discounts you may have earned in the past. Remember to double-check your itinerary before purchasing a flight to make sure you have the correct arrival and departure airports, as many of our tours require an arrival into Dublin and departure from Shannon. Most flights to Ireland require overnight travel, departing the night before your scheduled tour start date.

Visit these helpful links to get started with booking your own ticket:

Aer Lingus

Continental Airlines

US Airways

Expedia

Travelocity

Kayak

Cheap Tickets

Leave it up to Tenon Tours!

All flights purchased through Tenon Tours require full payment at the time of confirmation and incur a ticketing fee. Your rate will be quoted at current online prices. Rates are not locked in until payment has been received in full and all travelers' passenger forms have been received. All flights, unless otherwise informed, will be e-ticketed, requiring only a voucher to be printed prior to departure. This e-ticket will be issued approximately one week prior to travel.

Which airports do I need to arrive and depart from? Does my flight need to arrive or depart at any specific time?

Overnight flights must depart the day before you are scheduled to start your tour in Ireland.

Arrivals and departures do NOT have to be scheduled for any specific time. Tenon Tours will arrange your transfer no matter when you land or take off.

Should I pre-book my B&B room?

It is advisable to pre-book your first and last night’s accommodation in advance. Rooms in Dublin City and County can be difficult to find unless an accommodation is pre-booked. If visiting the capital city, we strongly advise pre-booking all accommodations well in advance. Never count on finding rooms on short notice in Dublin. The website for all participating B&B’s is http://www.reserveabandb.com This site is for voucher use ONLY.

What if I can't find a B&B with availability?

Should problems arise finding accommodation when in Ireland, contact any Tourist Information Office or seek advice from your host/hostess at Town & Country Homes. She/he will assist in booking subsequent night/nights for the cost of a telephone call.

Do I have to make a deposit in order to pre-book a room?

There is no charge to pre-book your rooms online, however a credit card will be required in the case of no-shows or late cancellations. Your host/hostess may also require a valid credit card at time of booking as a guarantee to hold the room(s) if you contact them directly. This system is put in place to ensure that clients are not pre-booking multiple homes.

What is meant by an ensuite room?

An ensuite room is a room with its own private facilities such as shower/bath, toilet and hand basin.

What are the check-in/check-out times?

Reservations should be made by 6:00 pm. Check-in times are normally between 2:00 pm and 6:00 pm unless otherwise agreed with your host/hostess. Please note that late arrival, estimated after 6:00 pm, is by special agreement with each home. Check out should be no later than 11:00 am.

Are the properties inspected by Town & Country Homes?

All our homes are approved to Fáilte Ireland and Northern Ireland Tourist Board standards (The official Irish Tourist Boards).

What is the advantage to using these vouchers?

Using vouchers means you can purchase a packaged vacation that is cost effective, your accommodation is pre-paid and you avoid having to carry cash to settle accommodation costs, but you are free to take your trip day-by-day for maximum flexibility.

Are there any extra charges to pay at the B&B?

A room supplement for Dublin city and county of 7.50 Euro (approximately $12) per room per night applies for the months of June, July, August and September. This charge is paid directly to the accommodation provider and is not included upon payment to Tenon Tours.

Are the vouchers refundable?

Vouchers are refundable if you are not able to find availability or if you find alternate accommodations. They must be returned to our office within 30 days of the end of your tour. A full refund will be made less a $15 per voucher administration fee.

What if I pick-up my car before the time on my confirmation?

If you do arrive to pick-up your car before your confirmation time and a car is available they will let you pick it up early. If you do pick-up the car early your return time will then change on the day you need to drop it off.

Are the pedals set up the same on the manual cars as in the U.S.?

The pedals are set up the same, though everything else in the car is reversed as the drivers side is on the right on each vehicle.

Why are automatic cars so much more expensive?

You will notice that there is an increased rate for automatic vehicles due to the demand of these cars, mainly by international visitors not used to driving on the opposite side of the road or driving a manual.

What is included in my car quote?

Your car quote includes all compulsory insurances - Collision Damage Waiver insurance (CDW with an excess), protection insurance, sales tax at 13;5%, unlimited free mileage, third party liability insurance, single driver, airport surcharge, free road map of Ireland and 24 hour peace of mind break down coverage. We highly recommend that you read through all of the terms and conditions of the car rental so you are familiar with what is included and what is not, as they will present you with several options upon pick-up (increased insurance, GPS, etc.).

Can I rent a GPS navigation system?

A navigation unit is highly suggested. Tenon Tours does have GPS units for rent with discounted rates for Tenon Tours travelers. We will ship it to your home prior to departure, all of the information needed will come with your equipment. For more information on pricing and rates please visit http://www.tenontours.com/ireland-uk-phone-gps/. If you did not rent one from Tenon Tours directly you may rent a GPS from the rental company upon pick-up of your car (normally around 15 euros per day).

M50 motorway toll

a. Toll Booths replaced by new barrier free tolling system.

Customers should be aware that there is no longer a cash payment facility at the tolling point on the M50 motorway (Dublin's Ringroad). Drivers of all vehicles using the section of the M50 between Junction 6 (N3 Blanchardstown) and Junction 7 (N4 Lucan) are liable to pay a toll.

b. How much is the Toll?

Cars cost €3. Passenger vehicles with seating for more than 8 people cost €3.80 Tolls must be paid by 8pm on the day following the journey. Failure to pay a toll will result in additional charges. All unpaid tolls and violation charges relating to car hire vehicles will be referred by the authorities to the car rental company who will process payment through customer's credit cards. The car rental company will not accept liability for violation charges arising from unpaid tolls and these will be included in charges passed on to customers. An administration fee may also apply.

c. Where can I pay?

There are various ways to make this payment, all of your options will be given to you upon pick-up of your car.

Self-Drive Hints

You may think that the main thing you need to keep in mind when driving in Ireland is to stay on the left (a.k.a. "wrong") side of the road. That's important, true, but there are a few other things to remember when you're doing a road trip in the Republic of Ireland or Northern Ireland.

Automatic vs Manual Many overseas rental agencies charge a premium for automatic cars. If you're used to driving an automatic at home, you may not want to try to save a few bucks by renting a standard. You'll have enough on your mind without worrying about stalling the engine on Ireland's hilly roads. Ignore this advice, and you too may end up with a frustrated passenger yelling from the backseat, "Clutch! Use the clutch!" Or you may develop your own version of Irish driving mantra, invented such as when the car starts wandering toward the shoulder every time you change gears: "When you shift, you drift."

Park the cell phone. In both the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland, driving while using a handheld cell phone is illegal, and fines are steep.

Remember that every drive takes longer than you'd think. When passing through towns, major highways often morph into traffic-clogged two-lane streets. And farm vehicles are allowed just about anywhere, including most four-lane roads. So the 400-kilometre drive from Belfast to Cork takes close to six hours. On the bright side, most of the scenery you could be crawling past is awfully pretty.

Rent a monster car at your peril. Roads are narrow (particularly those marked "R" on Republic of Ireland maps), and they're often lined with parked cars or dense hedges. If you enjoy having side mirrors, forgo the SUV.

Learn to handle roundabouts. They can be terrifying, but you can't escape them. Just remember that traffic already in the roundabout, and traffic approaching from the right inside the roundabout, has right of way.

Budget wisely for gas. You think your gas prices are high? Check the latest prices before you go at aaireland.ie/petrolprices.

Look before you pump. Diesel is more widely available in Ireland than in Canada. Make sure you're pumping the right fuel before popping that nozzle in the tank.

Don't rush! Ireland, like good whiskey, is best savoured slowly. Allow yourself time to get lost, and you're almost certain to discover a special castle, pub or golf course far off the beaten track.

Your travel insurance is based on the the price of your trip and the ages of the people in your party. The best coverage (including pre-existing conditions) will be available when you pay for your insurance in full within 15 days of booking travel. Land insurance coverage will be automatically added to your Tenon invoice unless you opt out when booking.