Planning my first trip to Ireland. What is it like crossing from the south to the north (UK)?

Question

Do you need a passport? Do you just drive across or should you plan for an hour to be processed? What else should I be aware of?

Answer 1

The only difference is the petrol is extortionate in the North!

Just keep driving, signs change to miles and roads change names

Example the M1 becomes the N1, then the A1

Answer 2

Whilst waiting to be frisked by soldiers with sub-machine guns at the border checkpoint, just keep an eye out for men in black berets and balaclavas planting suspicious packages. When asked to state your religion, plead the 5th amendment. And, whatever you do, don't mention the peace process!

Answer 3

All you'll notice is the road signs change (they use miles in the north) and the quality of the roads worsens. You won't even see a sign welcoming you to Northern Ireland.

Answer 4

Went over twice in one day (once each direction) on the Dublin - Belfast train. No border patrols, no passport checks, no delays.

Answer 5

nothing really

you wouldn't actually know it's happened if you weren't aware.

Answer 6

No you don't need a passport for Ireland and you won't know when you pass from North to South of the border unless you are especially looking for, it is pretty notional these days.

Answer 7

It's like crossing the street.  You don't need a passport, you just drive over.

Answer 8

You just drive across.  When you notice the speed signs changing to mph instead of kmph, and the roads getting slightly better, you know you're over the border.

Answer 9

Well first no country exists called  southern Ireland. The country is called the Republic not the south. The south is a geographical area of the country, that is all.

When passing from the republic to the North, some of the border crossings are manned by UK military, some are not. They are usual very friendly & just a couple of short questions.

Answer 10

the border controls that once existed when i was a child are now a distant memory.  My own father manned the border between the republic and northern ireland during the troubles for a number of years but that has all been done away with.  

If you blink you will miss the fact you have actually entered the north

Answer 11

quite tedious and noneventful

Answer 12

You should have no problem crossing...Especially since there is no border anymore.

Cheers

Answer 13

It's a non-event.