How to Visit Ireland on a Budget
Read our guide on how to visit Ireland on a budget and save money along the way. Here are our helpful tips for planning an affordable trip to Ireland.
Let's face it. Visiting Ireland on a budget is not easy.
The Emerald Isle is one of the most expensive countries we've ever been to, and finding ways to lower your expenses is essential to keep your budget at bay.
And the ever-increasing prices of accommodation, gas, tours, and food are making the planning part harder than ever.
On the other hand, expensive countries usually give you plenty of room to cut down your expenses. And Ireland is no exception.
Therefore, even backpackers and budget travelers can visit Ireland without sacrificing their life savings and keep trip costs down.
Unfortunately, you will need to make compromises, that's for sure.
On the other hand, we are living examples that you can still enjoy your time in Ireland, even with a lower amount of money to spend.
The most important thing you should keep in your mind is that this is still your vacation.
Therefore, it's good to spend money on things that matter to you the most.
If you really don't like staying in dormitories but don't mind preparing your own meals, these are the areas you should focus on.
So, here are our tips on how you can travel around Ireland on a budget.
Save Money for the Trip
As we've mentioned earlier in this post, a trip to Ireland can cost you a lot of money. And spending hundreds of euros every day is not fun, at least for us.
For starters, working with a bigger budget might be a good idea.
Honestly, traveling on €50 a day in Ireland sounds like a great idea until you realize that this roughly is how much you spend on a bed in a dormitory in Dublin.
And only a fraction of visitors is willing to opt for hitchhiking and couchsurfing.
Therefore, it's essential to create a realistic travel budget before you go.
Moreover, there are many ways to save money for travel making your entire experience less stressful and much more enjoyable.
Finding a balance between expenses and your travel budget is the key to success.
In this way, you don't have to feel guilty about booking a tour to Skellig Michael or Doolin Cave.
Remember that saving money is always a sensible thing to do, but it shouldn't be the main objective of your vacation.
Book Early
As usual, book early. There is no way around it. Booking your accommodation and renting a car in advance should save you a lot of money.
Our trip to Ireland was another spontaneous decision, and while it was a wonderful experience, our wallet didn't share our enthusiasm by the end of the trip.
Every seasoned traveler knows that booking early is one of the best ways to find great deals on hotels and cars, especially if you want to travel in the peak season.
So, the only question remains, when is the ideal time to book a hotel or rent a car to get the best deals?
Unfortunately, there is no definitive answer to this question as it depends on many factors.
The rule of thumb is that you should book at least a few weeks in advance when visiting outside the peak season.
However, if you decide to visit Ireland between June and September, you might need to book even a few months in advance to secure the best deals.
Travel Resources
We use Booking.com to find the best deals on hotels and Rentalcars.com to find cheap rental cars.
Plan Your Trip
Hand in hand with making reservations comes the planning part.
If you have enough time to prepare for your trip carefully, you will save time and money once you arrive at your destination.
Ireland is packed with many beautiful and magical places and amazing sights that are worth visiting.
Old Head of Kinsale, Malin Head, Clonmacnoise Monastery, and Glenveagh National Park are stunning places to visit.
But connecting the dots on the map and not missing out on interesting places and experiences while on the road can be challenging.
While we love to figure out things on the road, creating a perfect Ireland itinerary from the comfort of your home will save you time and money.
It might sound obvious, but starting with a plan is a great way to reduce your expenses.
The main drawback is that there is less room for spontaneity, but you can't have it all.
As we mentioned above, our trip decisions were very spontaneous and rewarding. However, it significantly increased our travel budget.
Travel in a Group
Whether you travel as a couple, with your family, or with friends, it's always cheaper than solo travel.
The message is very clear. It saves money.
As everyone shares the cost of lodging, transport, and food, the advantages of group travel are substantial.
This travel advice is mostly aimed at solo travelers looking for a great way to reduce travel costs.
Travel in Off-Season
Hands down, summer is the busiest time to visit Ireland. It's also the most expensive time of the year to explore the country.
The prices for accommodation and rental cars skyrocket during this period due to high demand.
And no budget-sensitive traveler should visit the island in summer.
While summer is often considered the best time to visit Ireland, it's mostly for visitors who don't mind paying extra for the good-weather experience.
Similarly, try to avoid national holidays and major events.
Things slow down during the spring and autumn, making it an excellent alternative to the busy summer season.
And then there's the off-season itself. Irish winter might be foggy, cloudy, and rainy, but it's definitely a cheap(ish) time to visit Ireland.
Just make sure you know what to pack for Ireland.
Do you remember when we talked about making reservations in advance earlier in this post?
Visiting Ireland outside the main season might allow you to find great last minute deals.
You might even be able to check the weather forecast first to plan your trip accordingly, as even winter might bring stretches of nice weather.
Just be careful with this strategy, as winter still has weekends, holidays, events, etc.
Rent a Car
Sometimes, renting a car will potentially save you a lot of time and money.
While we love using public transport to reduce our expenses, Ireland is one of those countries that are perfect for a road trip.
And there is no road trip without a car.
Seriously, Ireland's cities are lovely, but it was the stunning countryside that enchanted us from the first moment.
Moreover, some top places in Ireland, such as the Ring of Kerry, Dingle Peninsula, or Beara Peninsula, are on every itinerary.
Simply put, to get the most out of these areas, you should definitely have a car.
You will also be able to visit less-traveled places such as Fanad Head, Mizen Head, or Sheep's Head.
And then there's the Wild Atlantic Way which is a chapter on its own.
At first, renting a car in Ireland might seem like an expensive thing to do.
However, it might be, in the end, a cheaper way to see the top attractions in the countryside than other modes of transport.
Use Public Transport
If you find driving in Ireland too intimidating or just want to spend a few days in Dublin and then visit a few other towns, you might consider using public transport instead.
Getting to Limerick, Galway, or Cork from Dublin is fairly easy. And even charming towns such as Kinsale or Cobh can be visited by bus.
Therefore, getting around Ireland by bus or train is not a bad idea, especially if you don't have time for a road trip.
Public transport in Ireland is relatively cheap (especially buses) and helps solo travelers reduce the cost of travel.
Lastly, don't forget that you don't need a car to visit top places outside the cities.
Tours to the Cliffs of Moher or Ring of Kerry are very popular and still relatively affordable.
Travel Resources
Here you can check popular tours for inspiration, such as Cliffs of Moher and Galway Tour from Dublin or Ring of Kerry Tour from Cork.
Save on Eating Out
Eating out every day while on vacation is tempting. Unfortunately, the food costs really add up if you eat out every day.
Food is expensive in Ireland, but making your own meals is still cheaper than eating out every day.
And to put it bluntly, Irish cuisine is probably not the main reason why you want to visit the Emerald Isle.
Luckily, there are many grocery stores (Aldi, Lidl, Tesco) along the way that will allow you to keep your budget relatively low.
You might argue that preparing your own meal on vacation is not fun. However, this article is not about having fun but about finding ways to make your trip more affordable.
More importantly, the main idea is not to eat out every day, as we also like to try new meals in new destinations.
Obviously, you need to search for accommodations with a kitchen if you want to cook.
Luckily, even the cheap hostels have shared kitchens, which is great as you will be able not only to save on food but also accommodation.
Another good news is that plenty of the B&Bs we stayed in had breakfast included in the price.
The small downside is that after having a full Irish breakfast for a few days in a row, you will probably start looking for lighter and healthier alternatives.
Lastly, you can always find cheap eats and pubs even in Dublin, which is far from a budget-friendly destination.
Just don't forget that even though Ireland is known for beer and whiskey, alcohol is also quite expensive.
Stay Longer
Ireland is a relatively small and compact country that is easily explored, even if you include Northern Ireland in your travel plans.
Flying in and out of Ireland can be expensive, so unless you can find cheap flight tickets, it really makes sense to go for an extended period to get the most out of your trip.
With a similar size to our home country, we knew right from the start that we would need at least fourteen days to drive around the entire island.
Obviously, the length of your trip depends on your preferences and travel style.
But our point is that it's cheaper to take a single 14-day trip instead of two 7-day trips.
As we already hinted at the beginning of this section, including Northern Ireland in your itinerary makes sense.
Just the coastal drive that features places such as Giant's Causeway, Mussenden Temple, Dunluce Castle, or Castle Ward is simply breathtaking.
Add cities such as Derry or Belfast, and you won't definitely leave disappointed. But back to the point.
Even though you will spend more days in the country, which is pricier, two separate trips would be even more expensive.
Visit Free Attractions
While everyone wants to see the Cliffs of Moher, Kilkenny Castle, or the Book of Kells at Trinity College Dublin, there are tons of free attractions scattered across Ireland.
Regardless of whether you're in a city or the countryside, there is always a place without an entry fee.
For instance, there is no admission to Trinity College grounds, and you can visit the nearby National Museum of Ireland for free.
In Cork, Fitzgerald's Park, Cork Public Museum, and Crawford Art Gallery are free.
In Galway, you can see the Salthill Promenade, visit the Galway Market or enjoy a traditional music session for free.
And once you leave the cities, there are even more free things to do in Ireland.
The countryside is packed with scenic drives, cliffs, castle ruins, abbeys, stone circles, and national parks.
Killary Harbour, Poulnabrone Dolmen, or Burren National Park have no admission.
Simply put, before visiting a new destination, always try to look up free things to do.
While some of the tips you will find are not that great, you will always discover at least one or two interesting places or activities on the list.
Don't overdo it, though. For example, there is an entry fee to Bru na Boinne.
However, it's one of the most remarkable places we've ever been to, and it makes no sense to miss out on this experience even though there is an admission.
Unfortunately, be prepared that the most famous Ireland castles, such as the Rock of Cashel, Powerscourt, or Blarney Castle, have admission fee.
Start Hiking
Hiking is not only a great way to stay fit and active while traveling but also one of the best ways to save money.
Connemara National Park and the Wicklow Mountains were among our favorite places we've seen in Ireland.
As there were no entry fees to Ireland's national parks, we were able to explore and save money.
Hikes such as Spinc Trail or Diamond Hill were worth doing and showed us Ireland from yet another perspective.
There are many hikes and walks in Ireland that have no admission, so it's only up to you which places catch your interest.
Moreover, hikes such as Queen Maeve's Grave, Dunmore Head, or Slieve League offer not only a great way to save money but also escape crowds.
Travel Insurance
We never leave home without travel insurance that was designed to cover our expenses if something goes wrong during the trip.
Travel insurance protects against theft, flight delays, injury, illness, cancellations, and much more.
World Nomads provides travel insurance for travelers to cover their trip essentials, including sports and adventure activities.
SafetyWing is affordable travel insurance for backpackers, long-term travelers, and digital nomads.
Travel smarter and safer!
Stay in the Countryside
Traditional green rolling hills and stunning coastal drives, as you often see in the pictures, can only be found in Ireland outside the cities.
What's even more important is that the countryside is definitely cheaper than the cities, which are often packed with expensive temptations.
Exploring the night scene at Dublin's Temple Bar will definitely cost way more than watching a sunset at Sally Gap or Ballycroy National Park.
Don't worry that you will get bored in the countryside, as there are plenty of activities free of charge.
And places such as Glendalough, Skellig Ring, or Sky Road should be on your list.
More importantly, we quickly found out that one of the main advantages of staying outside the cities was cheaper accommodation.
Having a car is a must in this case, but it's definitely worth it.
Ireland's countryside is packed with B&Bs, which often offer one of the best values for the money you can find.
Honestly, these little family-owned accommodations often have excellent ratings and provide a great way to cut down on accommodation costs.
And there is something about the true Irish countryside that's so hard to describe but makes you want to stay longer.
Travel Resources
Here you can find links to all the travel resources we use and which you might find helpful when planning your next holiday.
Accommodation: When looking for accommodation, we usually search hotels via Booking.com or Hostelworld.
Tours: Although we love to travel independently, some places are better to visit with a guided tour.
We prefer GetYourGuide for its easy-to-use interface and solid reputation. Another great alternative is Viator.
Rental Cars: When going on a road trip, we always use Rentalcars.com, a reliable site for booking a rental car in advance.
Flight Tickets: When looking for flight tickets, you can search Skyscanner to find the best price.
Travel Insurance: World Nomads and SafetyWing cover against risks of travel.
