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Planning a trip to Europe and wondering if Ireland is expensive? Here’s everything you need to know!
Ireland is a wonderful place to visit, from its charming pubs to its rolling green scenery. The most popular time to visit Ireland is during the summer months from June to August, when the weather is warm and the days are long. Unfortunately, the warmer weather and extra daylight comes at a cost; this is the most expensive time to visit Ireland.
I moved to Ireland in 2020 and lived in both Wicklow and Cork for a cumulative three years. When I first arrived, I was surprised by how expensive it was; at that time, it felt like nearly everything from rent to food to gas was astronomically expensive compared to what I was used to in the US.
During my time in Ireland, I eventually adjusted to the prices. I also spent a lot of time traveling around, exploring high and low. As a budget traveler myself, I wanted to share my insight into the prices that you can expect when in Ireland and answer a common travelers’ query: is Ireland expensive?
Table of Contents
So, Is Ireland Expensive?
How Much Does It Cost To Spend A Week In Ireland?
Tips for Visiting Ireland on a Budget
FAQs
Conclusion
So, Is Ireland Expensive?
Yes, I would personally consider Ireland to be a decently expensive destination to visit, especially during the peak season from June to August. Having lived in Ireland and coming from the US, I was always surprised by how rare a true “deal” is in Ireland.
Still, I would argue that the prices are fair; rarely will a restaurant, activity, or charge feel extreme to me (though I never got used to the gas prices). Although Ireland is expensive, it’s usually not significantly more expensive than France, the Netherlands, or the United Kingdom. I also wouldn’t consider Ireland to be substantially more expensive than US destinations like Pennsylvania or Colorado – and it’s cheaper than New York City or San Francisco.
So, if you’re considering a trip to Europe, be aware that Ireland is not a particularly budget-friendly option. For destinations less likely to break the bank, consider a trip to the Azores, Portugal; Naples, Italy; or lesser known parts of Greece.
Budget Travel in Ireland
Although it can be challenging to travel in Ireland on a budget, it is possible – especially if you’re able to be strategic.
No matter how you slice it, your two biggest expenses will probably be your transportation and your accommodations. This is partly due to dynamic pricing, which allows vendors (or, more specifically, the aggregator sites’ algorithms) to vary their prices based on supply, demand, and other factors.
So, budget travelers will probably want to plan to travel outside of the peak season, drive a little further to and from their hotel each day, and opt towards cheaper restaurants and eateries. Of course, if you have a friend to stay with – do!
Gas Prices in Ireland
Be aware that gas prices in Ireland, while comparable to most of Europe, are higher than prices in the US. The cost to fill the tank of a very small car in Ireland is typically around $75 to $90 (€70 to €85), a lot when compared to the $20 to $30 (€19 to €28) you might pay in the US to fill the tank of a much larger (and far less fuel efficient) car.
A gallon of gas in Ireland is usually around $7 to $8 (€6.50 to €7.50). There’s not much you can do about the price of petrol in Ireland, but I made it a separate line item in my budget below so that travelers can plan accordingly.
Electric cars are starting to pop up in Ireland, but charging stations are not yet universally available and much of the country is very rural. So, I would not recommend that you rent an electric vehicle for a road trip around the country at this time.
How Much Does It Cost To Spend A Week In Ireland?
There’s no way to reliably determine how much it will cost to spend a week in Ireland without knowing when you plan to travel. While groceries and activity costs are stable throughout the year, car rentals and hotel prices surge during the on season. Flights to Europe are similarly higher in the summer months.
For a 7 day, 6 night trip in July, I estimate that a single, budget-conscious traveler will spend about $3,019 (€2,823) in total.
Here’s a breakdown of the total cost:
👉 Flights (round trip New York City to Dublin): $600 (€561)
👉 Budget-Conscious Hotels for 6 nights: $1225 (€1145) total
$450 (€421) for two nights in Dublin at Point A Hotel Dublin Parnell Street
$400 (€) for two nights in Galway at The Snug Townhouse
$375 (€) for two nights in Cork at Gabriel House Guesthouse
👉 Daily Meals: $300 (€) per person (assuming breakfasts are included, €15 for lunch, and €25 for dinner)
👉 Two nights out in a pub: $56 (€52) per person, assuming four pints each night
👉 Activities: $260 (€245) per person (assuming €35 per person per day for activities)
👉 Car rental (7 days): $250 (€235) from Budget, a reputable company. Booked through Rental Cars.
👉 Gas/petrol (7 days): $78 (€73) assuming 1,000 kilometers driven in an economy car (Renault Clio)
👉 Incidentals, travel insurance, etc.: $250 (€235) per traveler
Approximate Round Trip Airfare Costs to Dublin
A round trip flight from New York to Dublin is generally about $700 or €650 during the peak season. Tickets during the shoulder or off season can often be found for about $450 or €420, especially if you buy on a sale or in advance.
Flights from other destinations in the US are often more expensive, as the flights have to cover more distance. Typical high season tickets from San Francisco to Dublin range from $850 to $1,000 or €800 to €925, with low season fares as low as $450 or €420.
For the best flight deals, always start looking as early as possible and book when prices drop. Aer Lingus is my favorite airline for travel between Ireland and the US, but there are plenty of other budget airlines to choose from. You can even sometimes find flights with (extendable) layovers in Iceland!
Average Hotel Costs
As noted in previous sections, the average cost of a hotel in Ireland will depend dramatically on when you plan to travel. While you can probably easily find a B&B room in a decent spot for €80 in February, the same room could be $164 (€175) in July.
Hotel Alternatives
I would personally stay away from Airbnbs in Ireland unless you find a great price or a spot with really good reviews. While decent Airbnbs do exist in Ireland, they’re often less comfortable than a similarly priced apartment on Booking.com.
If you’re a young traveler, I would strongly suggest you consider staying in a hostel when visiting Irish cities. By sharing a room, you can save significantly on your overall accommodation costs. I’ve stayed at Jacobs Inn, a pod-style hostel in Dublin just a short walk from Temple Bar and thought it was very comfortable and centrally located.
More adventurous travelers might consider car camping for a few nights while in Ireland. It requires a bit more preparation (tent, sleeping bags, and other gear), but you can potentially save hundreds of euros by skipping the hotels and hostels entirely. If you go this route, I’d recommend that you book a place to stay every few nights so that you have a place to shower and wash your clothes.
How much do meals cost in Ireland?
There are very few budget-friendly restaurants in Ireland, so you should expect to pay at least $16 (€15) for meals in most pubs and mid range eateries. There are a few more budget-friendly spots in Ireland like my local favorite, Cafe Gusto, in Cork.
You can also check for JD Wetherspoon pubs wherever you are; this British chain is famous for very affordable meals and drinks. The Linen Weaver in Cork is unlikely to win any awards for its food, but you can get a burger and a beer for $13 (€12) and a full Irish breakfast with unlimited coffee is only $11 (€10).
One of the cheapest meals you can find is the meal deal from Tesco, which is about $4.50 (€5) for a cold sandwich, a side (like potato chips), and a bottled drink. Otherwise, cooking and preparing meals in your hotel is the best way to save on food while in Ireland.
Tips for Visiting Ireland on a Budget
Although Ireland is a fairly expensive travel destination – as destinations in Europe go, anyway – it is possible to visit on a budget. Here are some of my top tips for saving on your next Irish vacation.
1. Visit in the Off or Shoulder Season
Understanding Ireland’s seasonality is the key to planning a successful trip on a budget. Even the savviest travelers will probably struggle to save when visiting Ireland from June to August, when prices for hotels and rental cars are high.
You’ll have the best chance of experiencing good weather and lower prices if you visit during the shoulder seasons, either April to May or September to October. For the lowest possible prices, consider visiting in the winter months from November to March. Keep in mind that the winter in Ireland is very cold with little sunlight, so you’ll want to plan accordingly.
2. Plan Lots of Free Activities
One way to save big on your Irish trip is to limit your activities to those that are mostly free or cheap. The most obvious free (or very cheap) activity is hiking or walking outdoors, from Glendalough to free walking tours to Gougane Barra near Cork.
Luckily, there are free museums and attractions throughout Ireland, so it shouldn’t be hard to find low cost activities. From the Crawford Museum in Cork to the General Post Office in Dublin, you can wander around some of the top places in Ireland for completely free.
There are also plenty of free ruins, forts, and castles to visit – I like to find them just by looking on Google Maps wherever I happen to be. You can find them by looking at the map for small icons with a camera (as though indicating a viewpoint or photo spot).
3. Book in Advance
As a traveler who places a premium on flexibility in my travel plans, I have often struggled with the Irish culture around reserving in advance. Put simply, you’ll have more options if you book your trip in advance (two or three months is a good timeline). By booking in advance, you can usually save a bit on your plans – especially for any activity or service that uses dynamic pricing (think: hostels, hotels, flights, and rental cars).
Another advantage of booking early is that you’re less likely to be in an urgent situation while you’re traveling. I’ve spent hundreds of euros on things like last minute buses or expensive printing services that could’ve been prevented if I’d planned ahead.
Of course, you can’t anticipate every possible situation, but being prepared in advance gives you a chance to make decisions and price comparisons while you still have options.
4. Go Camping
As mentioned above, the costs of hotels and accommodations in Ireland can quickly skyrocket. One option for a completely free (or very cheap) accommodation is a campsite – especially during the warmer summer months.
There are very few established campsites in Ireland, so you’ll probably need to wild camp most nights. This involves finding a secluded spot somewhere in the countryside and pitching a tent (then leave no trace when packing up in the morning). If possible, I usually ask a local farmer if they know of a spot, and typically they’ll try to help me find something suitable.
One of my favorite places to camp in Ireland is behind Carhoo Bay Beach in County Kerry on the Dingle Peninsula.
5. Shop Around for a Deal on Your Car Rental
If you choose to drive, your rental car will probably be one of your largest travel expenses. For that reason, it’s a good idea to really shop around before you commit to one company.
There are a few local companies that advertise heavily in Ireland travel Facebook Groups, but I’ve found the best prices using aggregators like Expedia, Kayak, and Rental Cars. I recommend checking all three and comparing prices before booking.
Rental car companies probably hate this, but I’ll often book multiple cars to lock in prices (be sure you don’t have to put down a credit card before doing this!!). Start booking rental cars as early as possible in your trip planning process because a last minute rental can easily go for over $1,000.
I’ve had the best experiences with rental cars from Sixt, Alamo, GoCar, and Enterprise when in Ireland. Hertz tends to charge a last minute fee that they refuse to remove, and I’ve been too nervous to rent from the “very budget” companies like EuropCar or CarHire.
Collision Damage Waivers in Ireland: If you want to use your credit card’s collision damage waiver, you’ll need a letter from them before you travel that states that your policy covers Ireland. I’ve had to call to get this letter while in Ireland before and it was a huge hassle, so definitely do this step before you leave home. You can show them the letter on your phone or print it out.
6. Be Flexible When Making Your Itinerary (and Travel Slowly)
Another way that you can potentially save on your Irish vacation is to be as flexible as possible during the planning process. If you start to price out activities and realize that it’s cheaper/better to stay far outside of the center of Galway then in town, you might be better off modifying your itinerary and driving into the countryside for the evenings.
It can be tempting to try to see everything when you visit Ireland, causing you to drive all over the country in an attempt to see all of the highlights. I’d recommend that you slow down a bit and consider that the journey/pace of Ireland is part of the experience.
Traveling a bit more slowly can allow time to see hidden spots, take locals’ advice, and generally avoid expensive cross-country drives and bus rides. Locals are unlikely to recommend very expensive restaurants or activities.
6. Cook Your Own Meals
While restaurants in Ireland can quickly get expensive, groceries have remained reasonable (though they’re still not cheap). Accordingly, you can definitely save some money on your visit by preparing some of your own meals in your hotel or Airbnb.
A quick cold sandwich, premade salad, or ramen noodles (I like the Samyang brand) can be a great way to save while in Ireland. You can also buy reasonably cheap sandwiches from the delis inside Centra or other shops if you’d like a hot version.
Along the same lines, always check to see if your hotel or B&B serves breakfast in the morning. If they do, try to be sure to take advantage of it so that you don’t end up buying breakfast in town later on in the morning.
FAQs: Is Ireland Expensive?
Planning your Irish vacation and still have questions about what kinds of prices you can expect? Keep reading for the answers to common queries from other travelers.
Is Ireland expensive as a tourist?
In general, yes – Ireland is a fairly expensive place to visit as a tourist. Between the sky-high costs of accommodations and rental cars in the summer and the high overall prices in western Europe, a trip to Ireland can end up being rather expensive. However, Ireland is a cheaper destination than Sweden, Norway, or even London.
Is it cheaper to live in Ireland or the US?
Anecdotally, I would say that it’s similarly expensive to live in the US and Ireland. The biggest difference between the two countries is the wages; US waves are significantly higher than Irish wages. However, the cost of healthcare is significantly lower in Ireland, where a doctor’s appointment without insurance is typically about $53 (€50).
Why is Ireland so costly?
There are a few factors driving Ireland’s high prices. Perhaps most importantly, Ireland is an island, so everything that cannot be produced locally must be imported (and relatively little can be produced locally). Additionally, Ireland is separated from mainland Europe by the UK, which is not part of the EU, which adds to the distance that goods need to travel before reaching Ireland.
How much is a meal in Ireland?
An average meal in Ireland runs about $19 (€18) for an entree, with pints costing about $6.50 to $7.50 (€6 to €7) each (more in Dublin). You can buy a simple sandwich for about $10 (€9) from a cafe or deli, with options that are closer to $13 (€12) for more premium options. A sandwich, chips, and a drink meal deal from Tesco or another grocery shop is about $5 (€5).
Conclusion: Is Ireland Expensive?
As wonderful as Ireland is to visit, it can be an expensive destination, especially during the summer months. The best way to save on your Irish adventure is to travel outside of the peak season of June to August, instead opting for the shoulder seasons of April, May, September, and October.
It’s also a good idea to price shop your rental car and hotel as early as possible, then lock in the price ahead of time. Rental cars and hotels are both subject to dynamic pricing, so the costs are likely to surge right around the time of your trip.
Don’t worry, with a little planning and travel savvy, you can definitely visit Ireland on a budget and still have a great time! The key is to be as flexible as possible during the planning stages, then book in any activities and costs early (keeping careful track of cancellation dates) so that you can lock in early deals and prices.
