Everything You Need to Know Before Travelling to Ireland
Dear Student,
Congratulations on choosing ISE Dublin for your English language journey. This guide brings together everything you need to prepare for your arrival in Ireland — from travel documents and packing, to accommodation, transport, healthcare and your responsibilities as an international student.
Reading it carefully before you travel will help you settle into life in Dublin quickly and confidently. Once you arrive, our Student Support Team will be on hand to help throughout your studies.
Safe travels, and see you soon!
ISE Dublin
Keep all important documents in your hand luggage, not in checked baggage.
Save electronic copies of all key documents to cloud storage (Google Drive, OneDrive, iCloud or Dropbox) in case anything is lost or stolen in transit.
| Season Average Temperature | |
|---|---|
| Spring (March–May) | 8–15°C |
| Summer (June–August) | 15–22°C |
| Autumn (September–November) | 8–16°C |
| Winter (December–February) | 2–8°C |
Follow signs for Immigration (Passport Control). Non-EU/EEA/Swiss travellers must speak with an Immigration Officer. Remain calm and answer honestly — you may be asked about your school, accommodation, length of stay and funds. Keep your passport, Letter of Acceptance, accommodation confirmation, insurance and proof of funds easily accessible (not in checked luggage).
After Immigration, collect luggage at Baggage Reclaim (check screens for your carousel) and proceed through Customs — most students take the green exit.
| Option | Journey Time | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Aircoach | 30–45 min | 24-hour coach service |
| Dublin Express | ~30 min | Frequent direct routes |
| Dublin Bus | Varies | Most economical option |
| Taxi (licensed only) | 25–40 min | €30–€45 fare |
An exciting week with a few important tasks — our team supports you every step of the way.
Please arrive on time and bring your passport.
| Accommodation Type | Average Monthly Cost |
|---|---|
| Shared Room | €300 – €1,100 |
| Single Room | €900 – €1,600 |
| Studio Apartment | From €1,700 |
| www.daft.ie | Ireland's largest property site — rooms, apartments & houses |
| www.rent.ie | Rental listings throughout Ireland |
| https://hostingpower.ie/ | Host family accommodation |
Avoid Accommodation Scams: Never pay before viewing the property. Speak to current tenants, read contracts carefully, and compare prices. Be wary of anyone who refuses to meet in person, claims to be overseas, or pressures you to pay quickly. Contact Student Support before transferring money if unsure.
| Expense | Estimated Cost |
|---|---|
| Shared Accommodation | €300 – €1,100 |
| Groceries | €250 – €400 |
| Public Transport | €80 – €140 |
| Mobile Phone | €20 – €30 |
| Social Activities | €100 – €250 |
These figures are estimates only and will vary according to your lifestyle. Save money by cooking at home, shopping at Aldi/Lidl, using your Student Leap Card, compare prices before making larger purchases. Keep track of your monthly spending using a budgeting app.
Good to Know: Many museums and national galleries in Dublin offer free admission, making them a great way to explore the city without spending money.
There are many cafés, supermarkets and restaurants within walking distance of our Harcourt Street campus. Many restaurants also offer student discounts or affordable lunch menus.
| Budget Lunch (€6–10) | Student-Friendly Lunch (€10–15) |
|---|---|
| Tesco Meal Deal | Boojum €3.50–€5.00 |
| Centra Deli | Sprout & Co. |
| Spar Meal Deal | Yeeros |
| Average takeaway dinner: €15–€20 | |
| Average coffee: €3.50–€5.00 | |
| Service | Coverage |
|---|---|
| Dublin Bus | Hundreds of routes across the city; selected 24-hour routes |
| Luas (tram) | Green Line stops at Harcourt, near ISE; Red Line to Tallaght/Saggart |
| DART | Coastal train — Howth, Clontarf, Blackrock, Dun Laoghaire, Bray |
| Commuter Rail | Connects Kildare, Wicklow, Meath & Louth |
Having an Irish mobile number will make everyday life much easier. Most employers, banks and public services will ask for an Irish contact number. Fortunately, getting connected is quick and affordable.
Most international students choose Prepay (Pay As You Go) mobile plans for €20–€30/month, including data, calls, texts and EU roaming. There are no long-term contracts, no credit checks, no cancellation fees. You simply top up your account each month. Available at the airport, Tesco, Spar, Centra and mobile stores. Popular providers: Three, Vodafone, Eir, Tesco Mobile.
Typical Monthly Cost: Most students spend between €20 and €30 per month.
These plans usually include: Unlimited data (subject to fair usage policies), Unlimited Irish calls, Unlimited Irish text messages and EU roaming
| Three | https://www.three.ie |
| Vodafone | https://n.vodafone.ie |
| Eir | https://www.eir.ie |
| Tesco Mobile | https://www.tescomobile.ie |
| Step | What You Need to Do |
|---|---|
| PPS Number | Apply online (Dept. of Social Protection) with passport, proof of address & evidence of need |
| Bank Account | ISE provides a bank letter in week 1 — recommended partner: AIB Bank |
| Revenue Registration | Register online once employed, so tax is deducted correctly |
The Personal Public Service (PPS) Number is your Irish tax identification number. If you intend to work in Ireland, you will need a PPS Number. Without one, your employer may deduct emergency tax from your salary.
Applications are completed online through the Department of Social Protection. You will normally be asked to provide:
Once approved, your PPS Number will be issued by the Department of Social Protection.
Opening a Bank Account: Although some employers may pay wages into international bank accounts, opening an Irish bank account is strongly recommended. ISE Dublin works with: Allied Irish Banks (AIB)
61 Richmond Street South
Saint Kevin's
Dublin 2
D02 H282
During your first week at school, ISE Dublin will provide an official bank letter confirming your enrolment. You should then contact the bank to arrange an appointment. Please remember that banks may ask for additional identification documents depending on your individual circumstances.
Once you have secured a job, you should register with Revenue, Ireland's tax authority. This allows your employer to deduct the correct amount of tax from your salary. Registration is completed online through the Revenue service.
If you need assistance, our Student Support Team will be happy to guide you through the process.
If you work in Ireland, you are protected by Irish employment law. You should always:
If you have concerns about your employment or believe you are being treated unfairly, please speak to the ISE Student Support Team. We can help direct you to the appropriate support services.
Minor illness → Pharmacy (Boots, Hickey's, McCabes, Lloyds) for
advice & medication
Symptoms persist → Book a GP appointment → Specialist care needed → GP provides
a Referral Letter.
| Service | Typical Cost |
|---|---|
| Private GP consultation | €60 – €80 |
| Dental examination | €60 – €90 |
| Dental cleaning | €70 – €120 |
Usually covered:
Usually NOT covered:
Non-EEA students on ILEP programmes must maintain at least 85% attendance — this cannot be corrected later by extending your course. Poor attendance can affect your immigration status. Always inform the school promptly if you can't attend class.
| Google Maps | Navigation & journey planning |
| TFI Live | Real-time public transport info |
| Leap Top-Up | Manage your Student Leap Card |
| Stay in touch with friends, family & ISE | |
| Revolut | Manage money & international transfers |
| Daft.ie | Find accommodation |
| Transport | transportforireland.ie • about.leapcard.ie |
| Accommodation | daft.ie • rent.ie • hostingpower.ie |
| Banking | aib.ie |
| Government | revenue.ie • gov.ie • irishimmigration.ie • citizensinformation.ie |
| Healthcare | hse.ie |
| Service | Contact |
|---|---|
| Emergency Services (Police, Fire, Ambulance) | 112 / 999 |
| ISE Dublin Reception | +353 1 621 9039 |
| Student Support | +353 89 275 0192 – cmd@iseireland.ie |