Budget & Costs
Ireland is not a budget destination — the island is one of the more expensive destinations in Western Europe, comparable to Scandinavia. But with the right strategy, an Ireland vacation can be wonderfully managed on a moderate budget. The currency is the Euro (€) in the Republic of Ireland and the Pound Sterling (£) in Northern Ireland.
💰 Daily Budgets per Person (excluding accommodation)
| Budget | Amount | What's Included? |
|---|---|---|
| Backpacker | 40–60 € | Hostel breakfast, pub lunch, supermarket dinner, 2-3 pints, bus |
| Mid-range | 80–120 € | B&B with full Irish breakfast, restaurant lunch, pub dinner, admissions, car rental share |
| Comfort | 150–250 € | Boutique hotel, restaurants, all admissions, car rental, whiskey tasting |
Price Examples
- Pint of Guinness: 5.50–7.00 € (Dublin more expensive, countryside cheaper)
- Fish & Chips: 10–14 €
- Full Irish Breakfast (at B&B): usually included
- Pub Lunch: 12–18 €
- Restaurant Dinner: 25–45 € per person
- Car Rental: from 35 €/day (small car, off-season)
- B&B Double Room: 80–140 € (depending on region and season)
- Hostel Dorm: 20–35 € per night
- Cliffs of Moher Admission: 8 € (parking fee)
- Guinness Storehouse: 26 €
Money-Saving Tips: The Irish B&B (Bed and Breakfast) is the secret weapon for budget-conscious travelers: A double room costs 80–120 € and includes a gigantic full Irish breakfast that keeps you full until the afternoon. Pubs often offer affordable lunch menus (carvery lunch from 10 €). Tap water is drinkable and free. Many of Ireland's most beautiful experiences — hiking, coasts, village pubs — cost nothing at all.
