Ah, the M50! This freeway runs around Dublin, the Irish capital. It is also often travellers’ first contact with Irish traffic. If you’re not used to driving on Irish roads, it can be a little intimidating. Don’t panic, here are a few tips to help you navigate the M50 safely and with ease.
First of all, remember that the Irish drive on the left. It may seem obvious, but it’s essential to keep it in mind, especially if you come from a country where people drive on the right.
If you rent a car in Ireland, the steering wheel will be on the right. This means that everything from windscreen wipers to indicators will be reversed compared with a vehicle designed for right-hand drive. Take a moment to familiarize yourself with the controls before starting.
Like any freeway, the M50 can be busy, especially at rush hour. Keep a safe distance from the vehicle in front of you and stay aware of your surroundings.
The toll system is fully electronic, with no barriers. To pay the M50 toll, you have two options:
You can register for the eFlow system. This will enable you to pay your toll online, before 8.00 pm the day after you pass through. The rate is €2.70 per passage for private cars.
You can also take out a monthly or annual subscription, which entitles you to a discount. You can pay your toll afterwards. This will cost you €3.20 per pass, plus €3.50 processing fee. You can pay by credit card, by telephone or at an authorized sales outlet.
If you do not pay your toll, you will receive a request for payment by post. If you do not pay the payment request within 28 days, additional charges will be added.
Here are the steps to follow to pay your M50 toll:
If you wish to pay your toll afterwards, you can do so as follows:
Here are the M50 toll rates:
Tolls are payable for all vehicles, including rental cars, motorcycles and bicycles. Emergency vehicles and public transport vehicles are exempt from tolls.
Always observe speed limits. On the M50, they generally vary between 80 and 100 km/h. Speed cameras are frequent, so better safe than sorry.
The speed limit on the M50 is 119 km/h (74 mph). This limit applies to all vehicles, including passenger cars, light commercial vehicles and heavy-duty vehicles.
There are a few exceptions to this limit. Always obey the road signs.
Important: speed on the M50 is monitored by surveillance cameras. If you’re caught exceeding the speed limit, you’ll be fined… and of course you’ll have to pay it, even if you’ve just hired a car!
Before you set off, consult a GPS or map to find your way out. The M50 is well signposted, but it’s always good to know where you’re going to avoid last-minute stress.
Our tip: don’t hesitate to use your smartphone’s flat rate (making sure that your flat rate doesn’t cause your bill to skyrocket). Navigation services such as Google Map are just the thing to help you get around the M50 easily and make sure you don’t miss the exit!
There are several service areas along the M50. If you need to refuel or take a break, plan ahead so you know where to stop. Service stations on the M50 are open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
You’ll find service stations for all the major brands, as well as independent service stations.
Most M50 stations offer toilets, food and beverage vending machines, and souvenir stores. Some also offer fast-food services and children’s play areas.
There are also two rest areas along the M50. These rest areas feature toilets, picnic tables and litter garbage cans.
Here are some of the most popular service stations and rest areas on the M50:
By following these tips, you should be able to enjoy a relaxed ride on the M50. Ireland is a beautiful country with so much to offer, so make the most of every moment on the road to discover its wonders.
Have a good trip!
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