[robimahanta]

A note about Fast Track Immigration in India:

A noteworthy development in international travel across India is the introduction of Fast Track Immigration gates. I have utilized this service at Bangalore (since January 2025) and Kochi, and it significantly improves the experience for frequent international travelers.
The process eliminates the need for passport stamping during entry and exit—travelers simply scan their boarding pass, passport, facial recognition, and fingerprint. The most substantial advantage is the time saved by avoiding unnecessary questioning at immigration counters. This system was already well-established in Delhi by mid-2024, and its expansion to other major airports is a welcome change.



Arrival in London & Transit to Dublin

Upon arriving at Gatwick Airport, I had a brief stop for a traditional fish and chips dinner before boarding a Ryanair flight to Dublin. While cost-effective, Ryanair truly redefines the concept of budget airlines.

Ryan Air flight Boeing 737-8



Fish and Chips



Came across a lovely RS3, wish they launch it in India soon



On arrival in Dublin, I took the Airport Express bus to the city center, ensuring a seamless transfer.



Dublin

The itinerary in Dublin focused on visiting some of the most iconic distilleries and breweries. The city is not too big and it is very easy to walk around.

Guinness storehouse area



Some views inside





View from the top



Teeling Distillery



Jameson




The evening concluded with a dinner at FX Buckley in the Temple Bar area, known for its lively atmosphere and excellent dining options.

Temple Bar area vibe



A candid image of a guy probably questioning life decisions



The amazing FX Buckley



A lovely steak



Some random Dublin views

[robimahanta]

Exploring Ireland: 600 km Road Trip

The following morning, I rented a Toyota Yaris from Dublin city center and embarked on a 600 km round trip to explore the Irish countryside. Key destinations included:

Glendalough – A picturesque valley with historic monastic sites and some amazing walking trails

























Cliffs of Moher – One of Ireland’s most breathtaking natural landscapes








Gleninagh Quay – A scenic coastal spot with tranquil views near Galway







The Yaris proved to be an excellent choice for navigating Ireland’s diverse road conditions, providing both efficiency and comfort.

Cruising along some scenic roads





Lost my away and entered some Jurassic park like scene



Lovely random castles and scenery





Came across the Tullamore Distillery on my return to Dublin



Yaris gave terrific mileage as expected

[robimahanta]

Return to London

After returning to London, I was upgraded to a Peugeot 3008 GT Hybrid as my rental vehicle. The interior design of the Peugeot felt futuristic and shared similarities with the Mahindra BE6, though the material quality in the Peugeot was noticeably superior. It was shod with Michelin E-Primacy 19 inch 225 section tyres.

During the day, I had work commitments that required extensive travel along the M25 motorway. The vehicle performed well, offering a balance of efficiency and driving comfort.















In the evening, I took advantage of my free time to attend the Formula 1 2025 livery launch event at the O2 Arena. They had performances by Machine Gun Kelly, Take That etc. It was good to see Hamilton in Ferrari racing suit. Among the livery launches, Aston, VCarb, Ferrari and Mclaren had some amazing display. The booing of Horner, FIA and Max was really sad. But I guess it is expected for a event in UK. Apart from the British drivers, Fernando and Sainz got the loudest cheers.

Some pictures from the event,







MGK performance



Enzo Tribute



Livery launches

























All the 2025 cars





I didn't carry any camera for this trip, all images are with the phone.

[Aditya]

Thread moved out from the Assembly Line. Thanks for sharing!

[mystiikmonk]

Lovely travelogue. I have never driven outside of India, but looking at all your trips, I wish to do one soon. May I ask how we learn about all the rules and regulations around driving, parking, etc., in some other country? I always get nervous and end up taking a taxi.

[sainyamk95]

Great thread and photos, robimahanta! I'm yet to go for a proper road trip in the south from here in Belfast, and your travelogue has got me pumped up for it, hopefully soon enough

The F175 event was fun mostly because of Jack Whitehall. And I actually enjoyed the booing of FIA because it showed that their actions regarding swearing and penalties are bringing them disrepute among the growing fanbase, not so much of Red Bull though.

Did you manage to go for the F1 Exhibition in London too? I visited it during a day trip there last weekend and it was even better than I expected! I could not have imagined being as close to the cars in my life and it was certainly a dream come true!

[rev8]

Beautiful pictures! I too am doing road trips in the Scottish highlands and Ireland next month so definitely taking some cues from your itinerary.

+1 to the question on rules etc. Any issues that you encountered?

[coolclouds]

Originally Posted by robimahanta

Exploring Ireland: 600 km Road Trip

Hi!

I'm looking to hire a car for 30 days. Any advise on hiring a self drive car in Dublin city? Most of the cars I saw are in airport.

Also, any advises while taking a self drive car?

Thanks!
J