VAN-COMPARATOR Guide
The Wild Atlantic Way by campervan: the full itinerary
The Wild Atlantic Way by campervan: 2,500 km of Irish coast from Donegal to Cork, 10–14 days, the best sections, left-hand driving and the complete budget.
2,500 km of signposted road along Ireland's west coast, from Donegal to County Cork: the Wild Atlantic Way is one of the world's great coastal routes, and the campervan is its natural vehicle. Here is how to take it on without drowning in kilometres.
The honest format: 10–14 days, or one section
Driving the whole thing takes at least two weeks at a sustained pace. Most travellers pick a section:
- The south-west (7–10 days): start from Cork — the Beara peninsula, the Ring of Kerry, Dingle, the Cliffs of Moher. The most spectacular.
- The mid-west (5–7 days): Galway, Connemara, wild Mayo.
- The north (5–7 days): Sligo, Donegal and Slieve League, among Europe's highest cliffs — the best-kept-secret section.
From Dublin, allow three hours of driving to reach Galway or Cork; renting directly in Cork saves half a day on the southern section.
Driving and vehicle
You drive on the left, wheel on the right, and the coastal roads (the famous "R" roads) are narrow, winding and shared with tractors and sheep. A van under 6.5 m is the ideal format; large A-classes turn certain passages (Slea Head, Healy Pass) into an ordeal. Plan short stages: 150 km a day is already a good rhythm here. A standard licence covers anything under 3.5 t.
Nights, weather, season
Wild camping is not a right in Ireland — private land almost everywhere — but coastal campsites (€25–40) and pubs that host motorhomes in exchange for dinner keep the logistics simple and sociable. The weather changes four times a day: that is the deal, and it is what makes the light. May, June and September offer the best mix of quiet roads, long days and prices — expect €90–150 per day for a summer campervan, noticeably less in shoulder season.
Before you go
Check the included mileage (the full route tops 3,000 km with connections), bedding and heating — Atlantic evenings are cool even in August. Our departure checklist covers it all. Compare available campervans in Ireland on Van-Comparator: one search, every platform, the real total price.