Ireland on a budget is… complicated. After (quite successfully) catching up with other developed nations on prosperity bets, the Irish themselves have gotten used (almost) to high prices for everything. Hey, we can pay for it now, right?
On the other hand, tourists become almost apoplectic when calculating the restaurant bill, especially if they have to convert it into dollars. So is a low budget trip to and through Ireland still possible?
It is, but only if you’re prepared to cut corners and do without the trimmings.
Coming to Ireland
Getting there is the first problem, and it will more than likely take a large chunk of your overall budget.
Unless you work the cost of your passage on a Panamanian vagrant ship through Lagos and Murmansk, as a visitor from abroad you will have no choice but to fly. Expensive but not necessarily expensive if you choose the right airline.
If you’re coming from continental Europe and feeling really adventurous, consider hopping on a long-distance truck and paying for the ferry fare as a foot passenger. It could be safer, so cheap, and certainly faster for a single flight. If you are a group, traveling by ferry with your own car is another option.
Traveling around Ireland
A car is ideal, there is no competition. But unless you bring your own vehicle, you will have to rent a car in Ireland. So other alternatives might be less expensive, but how easy is it to get around Ireland without a car?
Hitchhiking is cheaper but also dangerous. You might be picked up by a driver at the low end of driving skills, someone looking for pay-in-kind (usually the sexual kind), or a plain old psycho.
If you are prepared to cover short distances only, consider walking around Ireland. Or, for the more energetic willing to brave the traffic, cycling in Ireland is another low-cost option (if you bring your own bike, bike rental can be almost as expensive as car rental).
Accommodations in Ireland
Unless you are prepared to sleep poorly (which we would not advise under any circumstances), you will have to spend some money here.
Perhaps the cheapest option at first glance is a tent. But you must remember that camping in Ireland is only allowed with the express consent of the land owner. And if the land is owned by the state, this consent simply does not exist. Pitching your tent in an unauthorized area is illegal, no discussion needed. The question remains, though, how likely is it to get trapped in some remote areas.
So if you consider hiring a pitch and carrying your gear, simply starting to ring in a hostel or youth hostel may start to sound more sensible. Depending on the size of the room, additional amenities, and location, a bed will cost you from € 12 a night, rarely less. Compare if you can, generally the closer to the city center and / or train and bus stations, the more expensive hostels are. Hostels at critical travel points can be as expensive as Bed & Breakfast accommodation.
Irish food and drink
Self-catering and “on the run” is the motto, spiced up with a keen eye for a bargain.
Visit the nearest Starbucks for a coffee and a croissant and you will get at least € 5 out of pocket. The same money will buy you more than one day’s worth of rations at any Aldi, Lidl or SuperValu (in Northern Ireland add Asda). And a pretty good spread on any deli counter.
Note that alcohol is extremely expensive in Ireland (slightly less in Northern Ireland), don’t fall into the trap of spending more on a night out at the pub than you reckoned you would see fueled up during the week. The best pubs in Dublin aren’t the best money-saving idea, seriously.
Things to do and see in Ireland
The Irish tourism industry lives up to the world standard and can extort the best of them from visitors. From the downright ridiculous parking charges at the Cliffs of Moher to creating the impression that you have to pay to visit Glendalough or Tara, your wallet is in jeopardy all the time.
But the good news is that there are plenty of free attractions in Ireland and places to save costs in Dublin.
Your realistic Irish budget per day
Well, it all depends. But with a bit of luck, if you leave the main season, stay in a hostel and use the power of the pedal, you can get as low as € 20 per day. Obviously the extra embellishments will be added. But by sticking to the basics, you can still see Ireland on a budget.
