Complete Guide to Visiting Ireland on a Budget

Ireland is a top bucket list destination for many travelers but it’s also consistently listed as one of the most expensive countries in the world to visit. Just Googling some hotels and airfare and adding up the cost can immediately make you say, “no thanks” to your visit. However, it doesn’t have to be that way.

In fact, I visited Ireland for a week for just $1,100 per person for our airfare, hotels, rental car, meals, and entertainment. Spending less than half per person than the average cost as a mid-budget traveler. And no, as a 30-something there was no couch surfing or hostels involved.

Though my own trip to Ireland and my experience budget travel hacking around the world I learned a lot about ways to save money. There are so many sneaky and easy ways to save that are totally doable for the average traveler. All to say you can visit Ireland on a budget. You just need some guidance to make it happen.

In this helpful guide you’ll find a complete breakdown of how to save on your airfare, dining, hotels, experiences, and getting around, too. I’ve included easy changes you can make but also some points and miles recommendations for airfare and hotels. So if you have travel points, like bank cards, you’ll be able to find the best ways to transfer them for the highest value to save on your trip.

Happy travels and enjoy visiting Ireland on a budget!

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Estimated budget to visit Ireland

Travel budgets vary based on the experience you want, but careful planning and leveraging points and miles can stretch your budget further.

For instance, my husband and I spent 7 days in Ireland for just $1,100 per person. This included meals, activities, a rental car, hotels, Airbnbs, and even our airfare. That’s far below the typical cost for an Ireland trip, but with budget travel hacks, I found savings you won’t see in most “average trip cost” calculators.

Of course, your total will depend on your trip’s specifics. If you’re planning a road trip, consider gas prices and car rentals. On the other hand, staying in Dublin for a week may mean higher hotel costs, but you won’t need a rental car.

My advice? Decide on two things: your maximum trip budget and the type of experience you want. Run some initial numbers and see how they align. If you need to make your trip more affordable, consider using travel points to reduce the cost of hotels and airfare.

Getting to Ireland cheaply

For most travelers from the U.S., your journey will start in Dublin. Fortunately, Dublin’s airport is well-connected, with daily flights from many major (and some mid-size) airports. And it’s one of the cheapest European cities to fly into, especially from larger hubs.

If you can take a positioning flight, you can often find tickets for under $450 from cities like Chicago, Boston, or New York. Even from mid-size airports, fares can hover around $550, especially in the off-season.

Flexibility is key when looking for affordable flights. Traveling in the off-season (October–March) will give you the best deals. Google Flights is great for tracking prices and finding the cheapest travel days using the calendar tool.

For finding amazing flight deals to Ireland (and beyond), I recommend a Thrifty Traveler Premium subscription. I used mine to score $180 round-trip tickets with a mistake fare from Chicago to Dublin!

How to fly to Ireland using points and miles

If you want to fly to Ireland for nearly free, travel points are your best friend. With transferable points, you can book on a variety of airlines, even those not based in the U.S. Thanks to airline alliances, you can transfer your bank points to many programs that may offer better redemptions than U.S. airlines.

For instance, you could fly Delta but transfer your points to Air France. Since they’re both part of SkyTeam, you can book shared award space, giving you cheaper options with the points you already have.

If you’re new to this, I highly recommend trying Point.Me. This tool helps you find the best use of your points for any destination, worldwide. It’s especially helpful if you’re flying from a smaller airport—you can search for better deals via a positioning flight.

Getting around Ireland

How you get around depends on your itinerary. If you’re sticking to major cities, public transportation is a solid option and can save you money. But many Ireland itineraries take you off the beaten path, making a rental car necessary.

While public transport saves money, I found that renting a car ended up cheaper than relying solely on train travel. Why? Staying in the countryside, where accommodations are cheaper, offset the extra cost of the car.

How much is a rental car in Ireland

As to how much a rental car is there are some factors to consider:

• Rental car prices change with demand in Ireland, making the summer months the most expensive time to rent a car.
• In addition, those who can drive a manual can oftentimes save up to 50% on your overall rental cost.
• If you’re willing to rent from European companies, like Sixt, you might see more savings than US-based companies.
• And if you have a travel rewards card with primary rental car coverage you can opt to forgo to additional insurance and save more money, too.

All these factors make it hard to give an estimate. But on average your daily rental car fee is about $31, or $210 for the week. Not bad!

Tips for saving on your rental car

First, I recommend comparing your best rates with Autoslash, which adds any memberships and credit cards to help you find the best car rental deal. It’s free and my favorite way to save on rental cars.

Also, be sure to book a refundable rate and monitor it for a better price. Oftentimes booking early locks you in to one of the best prices but I’ve also found that last-minute deals can be just as good.

Finally, keep in mind that some booking platforms give you better deals (even than Autoslash will show) when you log-in to your account or you book via their app.

Where to stay on a budget in Ireland

Accommodations in Ireland can get pricey. Hotels range from $150–$350+ a night for a private room with a bathroom. To save money you can opt for B&Bs with shared amenities—usually in someone’s home.

Personally, I found that booking Airbnbs was the easiest way to have your own space while saving upwards of 50%+ on nightly rates. This works in both major cities and the countryside, making it the simplest way to stretch your budget.

Using points for hotels in Ireland

One of the best ways to save thousands on accommodations is by using points for your hotel nights. I love using the Awayz tool to find award hotels. You can add your credit card programs and hotel loyalty points, along with your destination and dates, to see all available award hotels and get the best value.

One of my best savings on my trip to Ireland was using 15,000 World of Hyatt points a night to stay at the Hyatt Centric The Liberties in Dublin. This hotel was going for $450 a night but instead we paid $0 just by transferring Chase points.

If you’re not familiar with how to use points for hotels, it’s easier than you might think! Many credit cards offer the ability to earn points through everyday spending, which you can then transfer to hotel loyalty programs. For example, Chase allows you to transfer points to World of Hyatt for free stays that start at just 5,000 points a night.

If you’re starting from scratch, consider opening a card with a generous sign-up bonus. Many cards offer welcome bonuses after meeting a minimum spend in the first few months. These bonuses can be enough to cover several nights at a hotel in Ireland, significantly lowering your out-of-pocket costs.

Saving money on top Ireland experiences

When visiting Ireland on a budget, one of the biggest costs can be guided tours. To save money, see if you can DIY some experiences and still enjoy them fully.

For example, instead of a $55 guided tour to the Cliffs of Moher from Galway, you can pre-book a ticket for just €7. While going on your own requires more planning, a rental car, and maybe less in-depth information, the savings (and flexibility) are worth it.

Eating in Ireland on a budget

For mid-range travelers, eating well in Ireland doesn’t have to be expensive. A great strategy is to stay at hotels or B&Bs that offer complimentary breakfast. Irish breakfasts are hearty and can easily sustain you through lunch, helping you skip a meal and save.

When dining out, take advantage of lunch specials, typically available between 12 PM and 3 PM. These menus offer the same high-quality dishes as dinner but at a lower price, usually around €10-€15 per person.

In the evenings, casual dining and pub food are both delicious and budget-friendly. Not to mention huge Irish portions! A typical plate of fish and chips at a local pub might cost around €15, while a hearty shepherd’s pie could be found for €13-€18.

But I found that non-Irish restaurants serving gyros, pizza, Thai food and more were often cheaper than the pub food options. Mixing traditional Irish meals with some other cuisines can save you some money along the way.

Travel tips for saving money in Ireland

Visiting Ireland on a budget is possible with a few smart strategies. Here are some practical tips to help you stretch your travel budget without compromising on your experience.

Use Public Transportation
While renting a car is ideal for exploring rural areas, using public transportation in cities like Dublin and Galway is efficient and cost-effective. Buses and trains can take you to major tourist destinations for a fraction of the cost of car rentals and fuel. Look into multi-day bus or train passes if you plan to stay in one area.

Take Advantage of Free Attractions
Ireland is full of free or low-cost attractions. This is especially true of less popular experiences, like oyster farm tours or the Kerry Cliffs . Plus, many museums and galleries also offer free entry, especially in Dublin.

Skip the Guided Tours
Many top sites in Ireland, such as Trinity College and the Giant’s Causeway, are easy to explore on your own. Self-guided visits can save you the cost of guided tours, which often range from €30-€70 per person.

Save on Accommodation with Midweek Stays
Hotels in Ireland tend to be more expensive on weekends, especially in tourist-heavy areas. If your schedule allows, try to book your stay during the week, when room rates can be significantly lower.

Get Off the Beaten Path
The less touristy a destination is, the cheaper it tends to be. Instead of sticking to the most popular spots like Dublin or Galway, consider exploring smaller towns and rural areas. Places like the Dingle Peninsula offer stunning views, rich history, and lower costs for accommodations and food. By venturing away from major tourist hubs, you’ll often find more authentic experiences and lower prices.

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