Ireland motorway and toll roads: A guide for UK drivers

8th Oct 2024

Millions of Brits every year travel to Ireland, but for those looking to drive, it is important to be aware of the toll roads.

Despite its close proximity to the UK, Ireland has some different road laws, similar to ones seen when driving in Europe.

Here, we outline how the toll roads work and how to pay for them when you are in Ireland.

Can you drive to Ireland?

Yes, you can drive from the UK to Ireland. However, you will need to book a ferry that can take you and your vehicle across the Irish Sea.

Ferries from the UK to Ireland:

From Cairnryan to Belfast, Northern Ireland
From Cairnryan to Larne, Northern Ireland
From Liverpool to Belfast, Northern Ireland
From Liverpool to Dublin
From Holyhead to Dublin
From Fishguard to Rosslare
From Pembroke to Rosslare

For drivers in the Isle of Man, they can also get a ferry to either Belfast or Dublin. However, these are only available once or twice a week.

Other crossings are available most days of the week.

Rules of the road in Ireland

Driving in Ireland has a variety of different rules when compared to driving in the United Kingdom.

The Republic of Ireland has some notable differences, even though both countries drive on the left side of the road.

The majority of road signs in the UK are in English, with some bilingual signs in Wales.

Meanwhile over the Irish Sea, road signs are in both English and Gaelic in some areas.

In the UK, speed limits are in miles per hour (mph). In Ireland, they are measured in kilometres per hour (kph).

However, most traffic laws around seat belts, drink driving, speeding, etc, are similar – but the punishment varies.

Vehicles must have insurance and have been taxed by the owner.

Like the UK, there are toll roads and congestion zones that drives needs to be aware of.

Are there toll roads in Ireland?

Yes, there are 11 toll roads in the Republic of Ireland, and drivers will need to pay to use these roads.

Irish toll roads:

M50
M1 (Gormanston – Monasterboice)
M3 (Clonee – Kell)
M4 (Kilcock – Enfield – Kinnegad)
N6 (Galway – Ballinasloe)
M7/M8 (Portlaoise – Castletown/Portlaoise – Cullahill)
N8 (Rathcormac – Fermoy Bypass)
N25 (Waterford City Bypass)
East – link Bridge
Dublin Tunnel
Limerick Tunnel

They all come with their own fees, and drivers from the UK should visit etoll.ie before setting off on their journey.

Ten of the toll roads use toll plazas and barriers where drivers can pay in cash and debit/credit card on arrival.

The M50 toll road is the only one where drivers are not required to stop. This toll uses video and sensor capture systems to take note of a vehicle’s registration number.

Drivers who use the M50 can pay at Payzone outlets across the country or online at etoll.ie.

Price for Irish toll roads

Below is a table showing the cost for driving a motor car on an Irish toll road:

Toll road	Price
M1 Motorway (Gormanston to Monasterboice)	€2.30
M3 Clonee - Kells (Clonee - Dunshaughlin)	€1.70
M3 Clonee - Kells (Navan - Kells)	€1.70
M4 Kilcock - Enfield - Kinnegad Motorway	€3.40
N6 Galway – Ballinasloe	€2.30
M7/M8 Portlaoise - Castletown / Portlaoise – Cullahill	€2.30
N8 Rathcormac - Fermoy Bypass	€2.30
Dublin Tunnel N/S (Between 6am to 10am Monday to Friday)	€12.00
Dublin Tunnel N/S (All other times)	€3.50
Limerick Tunnel	€2.30
N25 Waterford City Bypass	€2.30
The East Link Toll Bridge	€2.20
M50 Barrier Free Tolling	€2.50 to €3.70

How to pay tolls in Ireland?

The majority of Ireland’s toll roads can be paid for at toll plazas at the barriers with either cash or via debit/credit cards.

However, the M50 toll is barrier-free zone and uses a video and sensor system to record a vehicle's registration number.

Drivers can pay for the M50 toll online at eflow.ie, by calling 0818 50 10 50, or at any Payzone outlet.

Visitors to Ireland who will be using the M50 can also sign up for a temporary eFlow account.

Fines for not paying at a roll road in Ireland can lead to a fine up to €5,000 and a prison sentence up to six months.

Can you pay tolls in Ireland with a debit card?

Yes, for ten of the eleven toll roads in Ireland, drivers can pay with a debit card at the toll booth.

Drivers can also use a credit card or pay with cash.

How much is the M50 toll in Ireland?

Here is the pricing structure for drivers looking to use the M50 toll road in Ireland.

Vehicle category	Tag account vehicle	Video account vehicle	Other vehicles (unregistered)
Motor Cars and public service vehicles with seating for up to 8 passengers	€2.50	€3.10	€3.70
Goods vehicles with an unladen weight not exceeding 2,000kg Buses or coaches with seating for more than 8 passengers	€3.50	€4.10	€4.70
Goods vehicles with an unladen weight exceeding 2,000kg but not exceeding 10,000kg	€5.10	€5.70	€6.30
Goods vehicles with an unladen weight exceeding 10,000kg	€6.30	€6.90	€7.50

However, this can be paid for using a toll tag, known as an eToll.

By using a tag, drivers will never have to worry about missing payments or having the right change as they approach a toll booth.

Drivers can apply for a tag online at eToll.ie, which will be delivered by post. It can be installed behind the rear-view mirror.

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