Budget Tour In Ireland | How To Save Money In Ireland
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Many people dream of visiting Ireland, but it is often seen as expensive. However, there are ways to enjoy Ireland on a budget. The information for you to help to know how to save money “Budget Tour In Ireland | How To Save Money in Ireland”
We will explore how to reduce the cost of accommodation, food, and activities. But don’t worry, saving money doesn’t mean missing out on the fun. Ireland offers plenty of free outdoor activities, attractions and lively pub chats that won’t break the bank.
So, let’s dive in and start saving…
Money-saving tips for Ireland
Before we jump into the big stuff, here are a few things to think about when planning your budget trip to Ireland. Generally, it is true cities are more expensive than rural areas, and the bigger the city, the more expensive it is.
Also, places that are dedicated to tourists are more expensive.
If you see an American flag outside a pub, expect high prices inside! I’ve noticed this in my time in Dublin, especially in places like Temple Bar.
Cooking your own food is much cheaper than eating out all the time.
It’s okay to eat out occasionally to experience local cuisine, but you don’t have to do it every meal. Also, dinner is usually more expensive than lunch.
Another tip is to keep transportation in mind, especially in cities. Check the public transport schedule as it does not run 24/7. After 11pm, you may have to walk or take a taxi. If you plan to stay out late, it might be worth paying a bit more for a central location to save on transport costs in the long run.
Finding Budget Accommodation in Ireland
Accommodation is usually the biggest expense for people visiting Ireland. In Dublin, the average hotel price per night is €160, and if you are there for a few nights it can really add up! This price is for hotels only, not BnBs or AirBnBs. So, let’s talk about my favorite money-saving tip when traveling: AirBnb!
Using filters to find the best deal on AirBnB
So, when you’re searching for Dublin and your favorite dates on Airbnb, how do you know which ones are relevant? Luckily, AirBnB has a great customization feature on its site that lets you choose exactly what you want.
Here’s what you can do- First open Google Maps and know the place you want to visit. Let’s say you are planning to stay in Dublin. Find the city center on Google Maps. O’Connell Street is the main street and Grafton Street is the largest pedestrian shopping area. So, focus your search on this area.
Then, use the map search on AirBnB to see where your accommodation is located That way, you won’t have any unpleasant surprises when you arrive!
Let’s talk about setting your budget. First, use the price filter. Check the bar to set your top budget and you’ll get a list of properties in that price range. If you can’t find one within your budget, you’ll need to adjust or look a little further out of town.
Now, let’s use all the filters. There is a hidden filter that you need to find. Click on “More Filters”, then look in the Amenities section and select “Kitchen”. Having access to a kitchen means you can cook your own meals in Ireland, saving you a lot of money every day.
Next, embrace the experience. Cheap Airbnbs often offer only one private room in a home. Some people may not like it, but I think it’s great. This gives you the chance to meet locals and get insider tips about the area. You can even invite your host to join you for dinner and chat with a local in their home. It’s an experience you can’t put a price on!
I recommend making sure to have a kitchen. Click here to search for Airbnbs in Ireland.
Hostels are a real alternative to hotels
You may think of hostels as crowded dorm rooms, but listen up! Yes, hostels often have large dorms with 8, 12 or even 16 beds, but you can get a bed for as little as €20 per night!
Hostels are very common in Ireland and popular with solo travelers and backpackers. I’ve been to a few, and there are some great ones across Ireland, especially those run by Ann Oise. These are mostly youth hostels but are affordable and usually have large kitchens that everyone uses in the evenings.
Private rooms in hostels are usually much cheaper than hotel rooms, ranging from €90 to €200 depending on the size and time of year. For the best deals, I recommend checking HostelWorld where you can see prices, photos and reviews before booking.
Staying in a hostel with kids can be fun. Although hostels are often popular with younger people and can be a bit lively, they generally have a friendly atmosphere in Ireland. Despite being called a youth hostel, people of all ages are welcome. Just double check that kids are allowed, but many hostels offer family rooms at reasonable prices.
If you’re visiting Ireland on a budget, hostels can be a highlight for the kids, offering a chance to make new friends.
Camping life
If hostels are too expensive for you, or if you enjoy the outdoors, camping in Ireland is a great option. Even if it’s raining a lot, you’ll be fine with the right equipment.
Wild camping in Ireland can be difficult. Unlike some other countries, you cannot camp on private land unless it is in a national park in Ireland. But even then, camping is not allowed in parks except Wicklow Mountains National Park.
Camping in Glendalough
You cannot camp at Glendalough as it is a special place with lots of history and tourists. But there are many other places in Wicklow where you can camp!
Ordnance Survey Ireland has compiled a list of places where you can camp in the wild, so you don’t get into trouble. Just be smart, especially in the mountains, and tidy up after yourself. But remember, campfires are not allowed!
Camping on private land in Ireland
If you want to camp on someone’s private land, you need to ask for permission. Sometimes, that means knocking on doors and asking farmers if it’s OK But they can say no, because they have the right to decide who camps on their land. It’s usually easier to stick to the mountain or get permission first to avoid trouble.
Campsite in Ireland
When I go camping, I like to mix it up by spending one night camping in the woods and another night at a proper campsite. That way, I can still have the fun of camping, but also shower!
If you’re interested in campsites, we already have a guide to the best campsites in Ireland You can also find some fancy camping sites called glamping, but they are usually more expensive, like Airbnb.
Eating out on a budget in Ireland
The second biggest expense when traveling is food. Having a kitchen in your place can save you money, but don’t feel limited by it! Hotels and B&Bs often include a good breakfast, so if you eat well in the morning and have some snacks, you can explore all day without spending too much on food.
Shopping options
If you cook in Ireland, you get a taste of local life, which is pretty neat! Even if hitting the supermarket isn’t in your plans, it’s a fun way to experience Irish living.
To meet locals and find fresh produce, look online for nearby farmers markets. In Dublin, Moore Street has street vendors with fruit and vegetables, while in Cork, the English Market offers fresh-caught fish!
Instead of supermarket meat, try a local butcher for good prices and cooking tips.
Budget supermarket
For even more savings, check out budget supermarkets such as Lidl and Aldi They are a German chain but also carry many Irish products. They are much cheaper than other stores and perfect for on-the-go snacks!
You might not see many familiar brand names, but that’s why they’re so cheap! Whether you like Aldi or Lidl, it’s all good! Although they are often located outside of city centers, large towns and cities usually have at least one central store. And don’t forget, Google Maps can help you find them!
Early birds and pre-theatre meals
If you’re too tired to cook after a day of exploring, don’t worry! Many restaurants offer an early-bird menu, also known as a pre-theatre dinner.
These menus are available until 7 or 7:30pm and often include a set menu at a great price. You can usually get a two or three-course meal for €30 or less.
Drinks are not included, but be sure to ask for tap water instead of bottled water to avoid extra charges. Tap water in Ireland is safe and free in most places.
Look for signs advertising early bird menus outside restaurants. If you don’t see one, you can ask the staff before you go or check the restaurant’s website for details.
Deli counter of dreams
Here’s one last tip on eating on a budget in Ireland- learn from college students. You’ll often see paper-wrapped sandwiches and rolls from small shops in the morning and the rest of the day.
What are their go-to snacks? In most cases, it is a chicken fillet roll. These sandwiches are a favorite of young Irish people. They are comfortable, cheap, and really satisfying.
Almost every small store (similar to 7/11 in the US), such as Centra, Londis, Applegreen, and Texaco, has a deli counter. They offer both hot and cold food at reasonable prices, perfect for a quick meal on the go!
Here’s how to order chicken fillet rolls like a pro…
It is a popular choice for many Irish people. You get a 12-inch baguette filled with a chicken fillet (called a “fill-it” in Ireland) and usually up to three salads. They will ask if you want plain chicken or spicy chicken, but the spice is usually just black pepper.
I like to add some coleslaw and cheese to mine, though some may disagree with that choice. But don’t worry, the folks at Deli have heard it all and won’t judge you. You really can’t go wrong!
These rolls usually cost between 3 and 6 euros, which is pretty good for what you get!
Drinking on the cheap
Let’s talk about drinking in pubs in Ireland. It can be expensive, especially in some places.
First, Templebar. If you’re watching your wallet, avoid this area of Dublin. If the pub is cobblestoned outside, you’re probably still in Templebar, and a pint of beer will set you back at least €6, maybe even €7 or €8.
It is a tourist spot, no doubt. It’s lively and fun, but mostly for tourists. You’ll notice there aren’t many locals except for the musicians and the bar staff. That tells you something!
Dublin is Ireland’s largest city, so it’s no surprise that it’s the most expensive. But we’ve got a guide to Dublin’s cheapest pints, and you won’t find any of them in Templebar!
Getting around Ireland on a budget
Ireland has a good public transport system. Trains can be fast but expensive. Buses are generally cheaper, but they have some drawbacks.
If you are traveling alone or with another person, public transportation may work well for you. But if you’re in a group, renting a car can be a good option, especially if bus tickets add up. We will talk more about that later.
Travelling Ireland by bus
Traveling around Ireland by bus is quite easy, especially within cities. To travel from Dublin to other cities, there are various bus companies to choose from.
If you are going from Dublin to Belfast or Cork, it is better to use Aircoach. They have multiple buses per day, starting at €20 for adults and €12 for children. Citylink is another option for traveling west to places like Galway, with fares starting at €12 for adults and €9 for children.
Although Bus Eireann is the main national bus company, private companies such as Aircoach and Citylink often offer more direct routes between major cities. The Bus Éireann route may take longer but allows you to explore the countryside.
For travel between smaller towns and villages, bus services can be limited, especially in more remote areas. Bus Éireann operates in many smaller towns, but availability varies by region. Checking the Bus Éireann website by county can help you find available services.
Cheap car rental in Ireland
Renting a car may seem expensive, but if you split the cost between four people traveling from Dublin to Cork, it’s a total of €80!
Finding cheap car rentals used to be difficult, but now you can compare prices from all rental companies using websites like Kayak.com. I did a quick search and found the car for as low as €109 for a week in July!
Remember, those super cheap cars are very small, so if you need more space, you may have to pay a bit more for a mid-sized car, which can be around €200 to €300 for a week in July.
When you add the cost for four adults traveling by bus, it’s already €80. Car rental can be lower if there are two or more people!
From my experience, I always rent from a company called eGerent. Their cars are incredibly cheap, usually less than 4 euros per day, and they are almost brand new! I had no problems with them.
About insurance?
I know what you’re thinking – the price they advertise doesn’t include all the extras they’ll try to sell you. Well, I’ve got you covered, too. They will try to sell you all types of insurance at high daily rates.
I have something called “Extra Insurance”. It cost me about €80 for the whole year, and it basically covers any damage to the rental car while I’m driving it. I’m with AIG, but I can’t say how good they are because I haven’t had to use it yet.
The downside is that if something happens, you have to pay for the repairs up front and then the insurance company reimburses you later. But it saves you a lot compared to the high daily premiums other car insurers charge!
Don’t pay for a GPS unit in a rental car!
Many rental companies will try to sell you a GPS unit for the car. But don’t fall for it! I regularly rent cars once I’m in Ireland, and I rarely need to rent a GPS unit as most cars already have one built-in.
Even if the car doesn’t have a built-in GPS, did you know that you can use Google Maps on your phone offline? Google has a helpful guide on how to do this.
This is really handy, especially in remote areas of Ireland where you may not have a phone signal.
If you’re looking for ideas for your Ireland trip, we’ve got a great Wild Atlantic Way travel guide you can check out for a little inspiration.
Having fun for free
Now that you’ve decided where you’ll stay, how you’ll get there, and what you’ll eat, it’s time to think about what activities you’ll do! Lucky for you, Ireland has some really great freebies!
First off, visiting the state-owned museum is free! That means there are plenty of them, especially in Dublin! If you see “National” in the name, it’s probably free! National Museum, National Archeology Museum, National Art Museum—all free!
Follow the brown road signs
In Ireland, we use brown signs to mark historic places and places of interest. Keep an eye out for them as you drive, especially on smaller roads.
Even big attractions like the Cliffs of Moher or the Rock of Cashel use these signs, so you’ll see them on your way there. However, you may also discover some hidden gems along the way!
Off the beaten track
For example, I found Castle Roche in County Louth following these signs. This led me to a beautiful 13th century castle!
These heritage sites are often on private land, so if you need to cross a field, be respectful and try to get permission.
Warning: following these signs may make your drive longer! You may end up on narrow streets with little parking, but that’s all part of the adventure!
The Airbnb Experience
Airbnb offers some amazing experiences at great prices. You can do anything from guided tours to cooking classes. There is something for every budget!
Your Irish Adventure Tour
Oisin, from Your Irish Adventure, runs tours around Dublin, a popular one where he takes you to Dublin’s best pubs and takes your picture! Check out his pub and photo tour here!
Discount entry
Check your ticket if you are going to paid attractions. Sometimes there is a discount for other attractions in the back!
Support local businesses!
In Cashel, if you spend €15 in the city, you get free entry to the Rock of Cashel. This is a way to encourage tourists to explore the city as well as the castle!