Frequently Asked Questions About Private Boyne Valley Tours

These notes answer some of the questions guests most often ask when planning a private day tour of the Boyne Valley and the wider Ireland’s Ancient East. You can jump to a topic below or read the page from beginning to end. When you are ready to plan your day, visit Private Tours or send us an inquiry.

Megalithic art at Fourknocks, a quieter site that pairs well with the principal monuments of the Boyne Valley.

What can I expect from a private Boyne Valley tour?

You will spend the day with your own professional driver-guide and private vehicle. A standard tour lasts approximately eight hours, from pickup to return. The experience is relaxed and personal, with time for conversation, questions and adjustments during the day. You can spend longer at a place that particularly interests you, shorten a walk or adapt the itinerary when the weather changes. Tours can also be extended beyond the standard eight hours for an additional hourly fee.

Most tours begin in Dublin and travel into County Meath to explore Newgrange, the Hill of Tara and other historic sites throughout the Boyne Valley. If you would prefer mountain scenery and monastic lakes, a private tour of County Wicklow is also available.

How much does a private tour cost, and what is included?

The standard private day tour costs €675 plus booking fees for up to six guests. Pricing is per vehicle rather than per person. The price includes a private driver-guide who is fully licensed and police vetted, an air-conditioned vehicle, fuel, road tolls, parking charges, bottled water and hand sanitizer.

Food and beverages are not included in the tour price. If Newgrange and Knowth are part of your itinerary, we arrange and secure the required timed tickets in advance and add the admission fees during the booking process, so your places are confirmed before the day of your tour.

Tours can be extended beyond the standard eight hours for an additional hourly fee. Contact us if you would like a longer day or a custom itinerary.

Knowth from above, showing the great mound, outdoor megalithic art and surrounding satellite tombs.

How do visits to Newgrange and Knowth work?

Brú na Bóinne is a UNESCO World Heritage Site featuring the 5,000-year-old passage tombs of Newgrange and Knowth. Access is strictly controlled and visitor numbers are limited, so we secure tickets in advance to ensure your access. All visitors join the official shared tours operated by the Office of Public Works and led by on-site guides. Tours begin at the Brú na Bóinne Visitor Center and continue to the monuments by shuttle bus. Private guides are not permitted to conduct tours at the monuments themselves.

Your driver-guide will provide background and historical context before your visit, then personally guide you at the other sites included in your itinerary, such as the Hill of Tara, Monasterboice or Dowth.

During the main visitor season, a full visit to Newgrange and Knowth takes approximately three hours. Knowth is generally closed during the winter, when a Newgrange-only visit typically lasts around two hours. Access to the chamber at Newgrange involves a narrow passage and low light, so please let us know in advance if this may be difficult for anyone in your party.

Admission is only guaranteed once timed tickets have been secured. Popular dates can sell out, particularly during the summer, so early booking is recommended. More detailed information is available at Newgrange.com and on our pages about Newgrange and Knowth.

How is the rest of the day planned?

The Boyne Valley contains far more than can comfortably be visited in a single day. Popular additions to a Brú na Bóinne visit include the Hill of Tara, Monasterboice, Hill of Slane, Dowth, Fourknocks, Trim Castle, Mellifont Abbey, Bective Abbey and the Battle of the Boyne site at Oldbridge.

Because it is a private tour, the itinerary can be customized at the time of booking or on the day itself. We will help you create a balanced day based on your interests, ticket times and preferred pace. The plan can also be adjusted to suit weather conditions. Browse our places to visit page for more ideas.

A custom bespoke tour can be arranged if you have a particular theme or route in mind; contact us to discuss options and pricing. We can also create an ancestry tour, visiting places your ancestors lived, or incorporate other family heritage requests when discussed in advance.

Trim Castle provides a striking medieval contrast to the Neolithic monuments of Brú na Bóinne.

Guests looking for a different landscape can choose a private Wicklow tour, featuring Glendalough and the scenic roads of the Wicklow Mountains.

Glendalough in County Wicklow offers a scenic alternative to a day in the Boyne Valley.

Where do you pick up guests?

We collect guests from your accommodation (hotel, guest house, Airbnb or private residence) in Dublin, in County Meath (Trim, Navan and Kells), and in County Louth (Drogheda and Dundalk). Dublin Airport pickup may also be arranged in advance.

Cruise ship passengers can be met at Dublin Port or Dún Laoghaire Harbor. The itinerary will be planned around the ship’s schedule, allowing a suitable margin for your return. Visit our cruise excursions page for more information.

Lunch is not included in the tour price. Depending on the day’s route, options often include the café at the Brú na Bóinne Visitor Center or Maguires café on the Hill of Tara for a light lunch, Dolly’s Pantry for a home-cooked meal, or the Conyngham Arms in Slane for a fuller lunch in a restored 18th-century coaching inn. Your guide can recommend a suitable stop and allow time for a comfortable break.

What should I know about walking, weather, families and luggage?

Historic sites may include gravel paths, grass, steps, slopes, uneven surfaces and exposed hilltops. Wear suitable shoes for walking on grass or uneven ground, layered clothing and a rain jacket. Umbrellas can be supplied if needed.

The weather in Ireland is mild, moist and changeable, with frequent rain. Many winters have little or no snow, although some winters bring a cold spell with snow lying for a week or two. The average winter high is about 47°F (8°C), but on some days the temperature may not rise above 35°F or 37°F (2°C or 3°C). In summer, temperatures may rise well above the 67°F (19°C) average high, and 77°F (25°C) is not unusual. Tours normally continue in typical Irish rain, although severe weather or an official site closure may require the itinerary to be adjusted.

Children are welcome, and the private format makes it easier to set a pace that suits the whole family. Please provide the ages of any children and details of required seating when making your inquiry.

We can accommodate luggage when you are transferring between accommodations. To ensure that we provide a suitable vehicle, please tell us how many bags you will have if you are changing hotels or flying on the same day.

Please also let us know about any mobility considerations or other requirements before booking. We can then recommend suitable sites and adapt the pace where possible.

Cancellation information is available on our terms and conditions page, and you can learn more about your guide on the about page. When you are ready to plan your tour, send us your preferred date, group size, pickup location and must-see places.