Ireland & Iceland — The Green Isle and the Land of Ice
Ireland & Iceland travel guide for UK working holidaymakers. Dublin is just 1 hour away, Reykjavík 3 hours. Everything you need to know about the Cliffs of Moher, the Golden Circle, the Northern Lights, and more.
KRW amounts shown next to GBP prices use the ECB reference rate £1 = ₩2,007 as of 27 Mar 2026. They are reference figures only and may differ from your actual bank, card, or remittance rate.
Ireland is right next door to the UK, and Iceland is just a 3-hour flight. Both countries have jaw-dropping nature, and they're destinations you'd struggle to visit this easily if you weren't on a UK working holiday.
Getting There from London
| Destination | Airlines | Flight Time | Price Range |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dublin | Ryanair, Aer Lingus | 1h 15m | £20~50 (approx. ₩40,147~₩100,369) |
| Reykjavík | easyJet, PLAY, Icelandair | 3h | £50~150 (approx. ₩100,369~₩301,106) |
| Cork | Ryanair | 1h 20m | £20~50 (approx. ₩40,147~₩100,369) |
| Edinburgh → Reykjavík | easyJet | 2h 45m | £40~120 (approx. ₩80,295~₩240,884) |
ℹ️ Entering Ireland
- Ireland is not part of the Schengen Area — there's a separate immigration check
- South Korean passport holders can enter Ireland visa-free for up to 90 days
- The UK and Ireland have a CTA (Common Travel Area) agreement, so travel between them is relatively straightforward
- However, non-UK/Irish nationals still need to carry their passport (CTA free movement doesn't apply to you)
- Northern Ireland (Belfast) is part of the UK, so there's no separate immigration check
Ireland
Dublin
The city of Guinness, literature, and live music. Compact enough to explore on foot.
Must-See Spots
| Attraction | Admission | Tips |
|---|---|---|
| Temple Bar area | Free | Dublin's buzzing heart. Packed with live music pubs. Pints are pricey here though (€7~8) |
| Guinness Storehouse | €26 | The history and brewing process of Guinness. Includes a pint with panoramic views at the Gravity Bar on top |
| Trinity College (Book of Kells) | €18 | 8th-century manuscript + the Old Library (Instagram-famous). Book online in advance |
| Phoenix Park | Free | One of Europe's largest urban parks. Home to wild deer |
| Kilmainham Gaol | €8 | Irish independence history. Guided tours only — booking essential |
| St. Stephen's Green | Free | City-centre park. Great for a lunchtime picnic on a nice day |
Howth Day Trip
- 25 minutes from Dublin on the DART train (€3.60)
- Cliff Walk takes about 2 hours — stunning ocean views
- Fish & Chips at the harbour (€10~14)
- Half a day is plenty. The easiest day trip from Dublin
Galway
A bohemian city on Ireland's west coast. Street music, colourful streets, and the most authentically Irish vibe you'll find.
- Quay Street / Latin Quarter — live music pubs, restaurants, art shops
- Spanish Arch — the city's landmark. Lovely riverside walk
- Aran Islands — 1.5-hour ferry from Galway. Islands where traditional Irish life is still alive. Doable as a day trip (~€30 return)
- Dublin → Galway: Bus Éireann/CityLink 2.5 hours (€15~25) or train 2.5 hours (€20~40)
Cliffs of Moher
The highlight of any Ireland trip. 214-metre Atlantic cliffs stretching for 8 km.
- Admission: €8 (includes the visitor centre)
- Day tours from Galway: €25~40 (bus + guide)
- Day tours from Dublin exist too, but it's 3.5 hours each way — pretty tight
- Galway 1 night + Cliffs of Moher combo is the way to go
- It gets very windy, so bring a windproof jacket. Watch your step near the edges
💡 Wild Atlantic Way
The Cliffs of Moher are part of the Wild Atlantic Way — a 2,500 km driving route along Ireland's west coast. If you have a rental car, you can drive Galway → Cliffs of Moher → Dingle Peninsula → Ring of Kerry over 3~5 days. One of the best coastal drives in Europe.
- Car rental: from €30~60/day at Dublin Airport
- Ireland drives on the left (same as the UK) — if you've driven in the UK, you'll adjust easily
Irish Food
| Food | Price | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Irish Stew | €12~16 | Lamb + potato + veg stew. A winter must |
| Fish & Chips | €10~14 | Best at Howth harbour |
| Full Irish Breakfast | €10~14 | Bacon, sausage, egg, black pudding, tomato, toast |
| Guinness | €5.50~7/pint | The ultimate pint at Dublin's Gravity Bar |
| Soda Bread | €2~3 | Irish-style soda bread. Best with butter |
| Oysters | €12~18/half dozen | Galway is the oyster capital of Ireland |
Iceland
Basics
- Schengen member — South Korean passport holders can visit visa-free (Schengen 90-day rule applies)
- Currency — Icelandic króna (ISK). Card payments accepted virtually everywhere
- Prices — Very expensive. More expensive than the UK. Restaurant mains £20~35 (approx. ₩40,147~₩70,258), a beer £8~12 (approx. ₩16,059~₩24,088)
- Weather — Even summer (June–Aug) is only 10~15°C. Winter hovers around 0°C. Very windy
- Rental car recommended — Public transport is almost non-existent outside Reykjavík, so a car gives you the most freedom
Reykjavík
The world's northernmost capital. A small city of 130,000, but full of character.
| Attraction | Admission | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Hallgrímskirkja | Free (tower ISK 1,200/~€8) | Reykjavík's landmark. The tower viewpoint is worth it |
| Harpa Concert Hall | Free (exterior/lobby) | Stunning glass architecture. Right by the harbour |
| Sun Voyager sculpture | Free | Viking ship sculpture. Great sunset photo spot |
| Laugavegur street | Free | Main shopping street. Cafés, pubs, souvenir shops |
| National Gallery | ISK 2,200 (~€15) | Icelandic art history |
Golden Circle
Iceland's highlight route, easily doable as a day trip from Reykjavík. About 300 km total.
| Attraction | Admission | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Þingvellir (Thingvellir) | Parking ISK 750 | UNESCO World Heritage Site. Where the North American and Eurasian tectonic plates meet. Birthplace of Iceland's parliament |
| Geysir | Free | Geothermal area. Strokkur erupts every 5~10 minutes |
| Gullfoss | Free | One of Iceland's most powerful waterfalls. Rainbows are common |
- Rental car — £50~80 (approx. ₩100,369~₩160,590)/day (compact). The Golden Circle doesn't require 4WD — a regular car is fine
- Tours — If you don't have a car, take a tour. £50~80 (approx. ₩100,369~₩160,590)/person (transport + guide)
Blue Lagoon
The famous milky-blue geothermal spa. 50-minute drive from Reykjavík.
- Price — from ISK 9,990 (~€70). That's the Comfort package. Premium costs more
- You must book online in advance — walk-ins are almost never available
- It's close to Keflavík Airport, so visiting on your arrival or departure day is a smart move
- Alternative: Sky Lagoon — closer to central Reykjavík (15-min drive), cheaper at ISK 6,990+ (~€48+), less crowded, and has ocean views
💡 Saving Money in Iceland
Iceland is expensive, but there are ways to keep costs down.
- Bónus supermarket — look for the pig logo. The cheapest supermarket in Iceland. Buying groceries and cooking your own meals is the single best way to save on food
- Hot dogs — Bæjarins Beztu Pylsur (Reykjavík's legendary hot dog stand). ISK 590 (~$5). Even Bill Clinton ate here
- Tap water — Iceland's tap water is some of the purest in the world. Never buy bottled water
- Free hot springs — Beyond Blue Lagoon, there are free natural hot springs scattered around (Secret Lagoon is ISK 3,500)
- Hostel kitchens — Cook at your hostel in Reykjavík like you would at home
Northern Lights (Aurora Borealis)
- Season — October to March (when nights are long and dark)
- Near Reykjavík — You need to get 30 min to 1 hour outside the city to escape light pollution
- Aurora tours — £50~80 (approx. ₩100,369~₩160,590). They head out on clear nights based on forecasts. Many offer a free re-tour if you don't see anything
- App — Use "My Aurora Forecast" to check aurora activity
- Winter in Iceland — You can see the Northern Lights, but daylight hours are only 4~5 hours. Watch out for icy roads
⚠️ Winter Driving in Iceland
From November to March, Icelandic roads can be icy and blizzard-prone. A 4WD is essential, always check road conditions on road.is, and make sure you have full insurance coverage. If you're not a confident driver, tours are a safer bet than renting a car in winter.
Suggested Itineraries
Ireland: 2 Nights / 3 Days — Dublin + Cliffs of Moher
| Day | Plan |
|---|---|
| Day 1 | London → Dublin (1h flight). Trinity College, Temple Bar, Guinness Storehouse. Evening: live music pub |
| Day 2 | Head to Galway (2.5h bus). Explore Galway's Latin Quarter. Cliffs of Moher day tour or afternoon visit. Stay overnight in Galway |
| Day 3 | Morning stroll in Galway. Head back to Dublin. Howth day trip or city sightseeing. Evening: fly home |
Iceland: 3 Nights / 4 Days
| Day | Plan |
|---|---|
| Day 1 | Arrive. Blue Lagoon (near the airport — perfect for arrival day). Head to Reykjavík. Walk along Laugavegur street |
| Day 2 | Golden Circle tour (Þingvellir → Geysir → Gullfoss). Full-day trip |
| Day 3 | South Coast (Seljalandsfoss waterfall, Skógafoss waterfall, Reynisfjara black sand beach). By tour or rental car |
| Day 4 | Reykjavík city sightseeing. Hallgrímskirkja, Harpa, hot dog. Afternoon: depart |
Ireland + Iceland Combined: 5 Nights / 6 Days
Dublin 2 nights → Reykjavík 3 nights. There are direct flights from Dublin to Reykjavík (Icelandair/PLAY, 3 hours, €60~150).
Budget Breakdown
Ireland: 2 Nights / 3 Days (per person)
| Category | Budget | Mid-Range |
|---|---|---|
| Flights (return) | £40~70 (approx. ₩80,295~₩140,516) | £60~100 (approx. ₩120,442~₩200,737) |
| Accommodation (2 nights) | £40~60 (approx. ₩80,295~₩120,442) (hostel) | £80~120 (approx. ₩160,590~₩240,884) (hotel) |
| Food (3 days) | £35~50 (approx. ₩70,258~₩100,369) | £60~90 (approx. ₩120,442~₩180,663) |
| Attractions/admission | £20~40 (approx. ₩40,147~₩80,295) | £30~50 (approx. ₩60,221~₩100,369) |
| Local transport | £20~40 (approx. ₩40,147~₩80,295) | £30~50 (approx. ₩60,221~₩100,369) |
| Total | £155~260 (approx. ₩311,142~₩521,916) | £260~410 (approx. ₩521,916~₩823,022) |
Iceland: 3 Nights / 4 Days (per person)
| Category | Budget | Mid-Range |
|---|---|---|
| Flights (return) | £100~200 (approx. ₩200,737~₩401,474) | £150~250 (approx. ₩301,106~₩501,843) |
| Accommodation (3 nights) | £80~120 (approx. ₩160,590~₩240,884) (hostel) | £150~250 (approx. ₩301,106~₩501,843) (hotel) |
| Food (3 days) | £40~60 (approx. ₩80,295~₩120,442) (self-catering) | £80~130 (approx. ₩160,590~₩260,958) (eating out) |
| Attractions/tours | £100~150 (approx. ₩200,737~₩301,106) | £150~250 (approx. ₩301,106~₩501,843) |
| Car rental or tours | £80~150 (approx. ₩160,590~₩301,106) | £120~200 (approx. ₩240,884~₩401,474) |
| Total | £400~680 (approx. ₩802,948~₩1,365,012) | £650~1,080 (approx. ₩1,304,791~₩2,167,960) |
ℹ️ Is Iceland Worth the Cost?
Iceland is one of the most expensive countries in Europe. But the landscapes are genuinely unlike anything else on Earth. It absolutely belongs on your "once in a lifetime" list. While you're on a UK working holiday, Reykjavík is just a 3-hour flight away — that kind of access might not come around again.
Ireland is close and easy; Iceland is farther but absolutely overwhelming. Both are at their most accessible while you're on a UK working holiday. Ireland works for a quick weekend trip; Iceland deserves a proper break with a few days off.