Driving a Campervan in Ireland: Left-Side Driving, Narrow Roads and Tolls

Quick summary: Driving a campervan in Ireland is a joy once you’re used to it. You drive on the left, overtake on the right, and meet plenty of roundabouts. Motorways between cities are fast and easy, but rural and coastal roads can be narrow, winding and walled, with tractors, cyclists and livestock around blind bends. Some motorways have tolls, including Dublin’s M50, which uses a barrier-free system. Plan shorter days than the map suggests in your campervan or motorhome.

At a glance
Side	Drive on the left, overtake on the right
Units	Kilometers in the Republic; miles in Northern Ireland
Rural roads	Narrow, winding, often walled
Hazards	Tractors, livestock, cyclists, sudden rain
Tolls	On several motorways; Dublin’s M50 is barrier-free
Tours	Coastal tours

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What are Irish roads like?

Road	What to expect
Motorways (M)	Fast, wide and easy, some with tolls
National roads (N)	Main routes between towns, mostly good
Regional roads (R)	Narrower, often winding
Local roads (L)	Single-track lanes with stone walls or hedges

How does the M50 toll work?

Dublin’s M50 ring road has a barrier-free toll, with no booths to stop at. You pay online or by phone by the deadline shown on the signs. Ask your rental company whether it handles the toll for you, as many do. Other motorways have toll plazas where you pay as you pass.

What hazards should you expect?

Slow-moving farm machinery, livestock on rural roads, cyclists and walkers on narrow lanes, and sudden heavy rain. In winter, roads can be icy. Slow down on blind bends and be ready to pull in to let others pass.

How should an RV handle narrow roads?

Keep left, use gateways and passing places to let oncoming traffic through, and reverse to a wider spot if needed. On popular routes like the Ring of Kerry, many drivers follow the same direction as tour coaches to avoid meeting them on tight bends. Some mountain passes, such as the Conor Pass, are unsuitable for large vehicles.

What about fuel and parking?

Fuel stations can be sparse in rural areas, so top up when you can. Most campervans use diesel. In towns and cities, park only in designated spaces; illegal parking can lead to clamping or towing.

What changes in Northern Ireland?

Distances and speed limits switch to miles and miles per hour, and currency changes to pounds. See crossing into Northern Ireland.

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Frequently Asked Questions