What scams or tourist traps should I know about before visiting Dublin?
Dublin's problems are the standard big city set rather than anything elaborate. Distraction theft is the main one: a bump, a spilled drink or a map thrust at you in Temple Bar, on O'Connell Street or on a crowded Luas while a second person lifts a phone or wallet. At cash machines, decline offers of help, shield the keypad and prefer a machine inside a bank during opening hours. Use taxi ranks or an app and check the roof sign and driver identification, which protects against the unlicensed car and the creative route. Buy tickets for sold out events only through official channels, as printed and forwarded tickets are resold more than once. If you are a victim, report it to the Gardai: the Irish Tourist Assistance Service then helps visitors with the practical fallout.
Useful pages: Money and tipping in Ireland · Shopping in Ireland · Packing checklist · Travel notices · Healthcare and emergencies · Irish weather · Festivals and events · Dublin · Ireland dos and don'ts · Solo travel in Ireland · First time visitor tips
Sources
- An Garda Síochána and the Irish Tourist Assistance Service: visitor safety and help after crime, garda.ie
More in Money and practicalities
- Do I need euros and pounds on the same Ireland trip?
- Are cards accepted in small Irish towns and rural pubs, or do I still need cash?
- Can I claim a VAT refund on shopping when I leave Ireland?
- What will a pint, a pub lunch and a modest dinner typically cost in Ireland?
- What plug adapter do I need in Ireland, and will my phone charger work?