Ireland, the Emerald Isle, captivates visitors with its dramatic coastlines, ancient castles, vibrant cities, and legendary hospitality. From the rugged Cliffs of Moher to the lively pubs of Dublin, Ireland offers a perfect blend of natural beauty, rich history, and Celtic culture that enchants travelers year-round.
Local currency: Euro (€) in Republic of Ireland; British Pound Sterling (£) in Northern Ireland.
Daily budget by traveller style
Typical per-person daily spend in Ireland.
Cost breakdown
Typical price ranges across major spending categories.
Accommodation
- Hostel
- €20-35/night dorm
- Budget
- €50-80/night guesthouse or B&B
- Midrange
- €100-180/night 3-star hotel
- Luxury
- €250-1000+/night castle or 5-star hotel
Food
- Street
- €3-6 sausage roll, pastry, or takeaway snack
- Local
- €8-15 pub lunch or casual cafe
- Midrange
- €25-50 dinner for one with a glass of wine
- Fine
- €80-150+/person at Michelin-starred restaurants
Transport
- Bus
- €2-3.30 Dublin bus fare; €10-20 intercity Bus Éireann
- Taxi
- €8-15 city taxi ride; €25-35 airport to Dublin city
- Airport
- €7-8 Airlink Express from Dublin Airport to city centre
- Daytrip
- €15-35 day return rail ticket Dublin-Kilkenny or Dublin-Galway
Activities
- Museum
- Free at National Museum; €8-18 at paid attractions
- Sites
- €7-10 major heritage sites (Rock of Cashel, Newgrange)
- Tour
- €35-65 day tours to Cliffs of Moher or Newgrange
- Excursion
- €25-40 Aran Islands ferry or Skellig Michael boat trip
Trip budgets by length
What a typical trip to Ireland costs end-to-end.
Budget traveller
€350-490/week (hostel, self-catering, free attractions)
Midrange traveller
€1050-1750/week (guesthouse, restaurant meals, paid attractions)
Luxury traveller
€2800-7000+/week (castle hotels, fine dining, private tours)
Money-saving tips
Practical ways to stretch your budget further.
Buy a Leap Card for Dublin public transport — gives 30% discount on fares versus cash; available from convenience stores
Supermarket lunch from Lidl, Aldi, or Dunnes Stores dramatically cuts food costs compared to cafes
Book intercity bus or train tickets online in advance for savings of 30-50% on walk-up fares
Heritage Ireland Card (€40) gives unlimited access to over 30 OPW-managed sites for a year — excellent value if visiting multiple heritage sites
Stay in B&Bs outside city centres — Irish B&Bs offer excellent breakfasts included and personal service at better prices than city hotels
Free things to do
Memorable experiences that cost nothing.
National Museum of Ireland (Archaeology and Natural History)
World-class collections of Irish archaeological treasures including the Ardagh Chalice and bog bodies, completely free to enter on Kildare Street in Dublin.
National Gallery of Ireland
Ireland's national art collection with works by Caravaggio, Vermeer, and major Irish artists including Jack B. Yeats, free admission in Merrion Square, Dublin.
St. Stephen's Green
Dublin's most beloved public park in the heart of the city with gardens, lake, bandstand, and memorials — perfect for picnics and people-watching.
Glendalough Valley Walk
The stunning valley floor walk and upper lake loop in the Wicklow Mountains is free to explore (only parking is charged); one of Ireland's most beautiful landscapes.
Chester Beatty Library, Dublin Castle
Extraordinary collection of manuscripts, prints, and decorative arts from across the world — voted Europe's best museum and completely free.
Ha'penny Bridge and Liffey Quays Walk
Dublin's iconic 1816 pedestrian bridge and the colorful Georgian buildings along the River Liffey quays make for a beautiful free self-guided walk.
Cliffs of Moher Coastal Walk (outside paid area)
The full cliff walk from Doolin to Liscannor uses public rights of way and is free; only the visitor centre area requires a ticket.
Connemara National Park Visitor Trail
Free access to the walking trails of Connemara National Park near Letterfrack including Diamond Hill approaches from the visitor centre car park.