Is Dublin, Ireland Expensive? How to Save Money (2024)
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Ireland is an incredible country with many fantastic cities, wonderful countryside scenery, and friendly people. Whether you’re traveling to Ireland just to visit, or you’re considering moving to Dublin, you are probably wondering… is Dublin, Ireland expensive?Dublin, on average, is considered an expensive city. However, that perception varies depending on your country of origin and means of living. Either way, there are still ways to make your time in Dublin more affordable.
As someone who spent time living in Dublin, here is a break-down of prices and how to save money in this lovely city.
Is Ireland Expensive?
Ireland is considered expensive by many people. It’s the second most expensive country in Western Europe (and #9 in the world) to live in and is on the pricier side for tourists as well.
Dublin is a huge part of the reason that Ireland as a whole is so expensive. The Irish countryside and smaller towns are not nearly as expensive as Dublin and the other bigger cities such as Galway and Cork.
Is Dublin Expensive?
Yes, Dublin is an expensive city both for tourists and expats. It is one of the most expensive cities in Europe.
The average cost of visiting Dublin for a day ranges from €80-€230 per person.
The average cost of living in Ireland for one person per month is €2,500+ (including rent).
Why Is It So Expensive in Dublin?
For starters, Ireland is an island. The reason that Ireland is more expensive than many other parts of mainland Europe is that they import a lot of their products which drives up average prices. Beyond imported goods driving prices up, the country also has reasonably high taxes.
Dublin, in particular, is more expensive because it’s the capital city and has a large influx of both tourists and people who want to live in the city. In certain areas of Dublin, prices are largely inflated due to high tourism rates and can add up quickly.
Is a Flight to Dublin, Ireland Expensive?
Depending on where you are coming from, flying to Dublin doesn’t have to be expensive. From mainland Europe, the average cost of a roundtrip flight from London can be as low as €26, and flying from mainland Europe can cost anywhere from €40-€200.
Flights to Dublin start to get more expensive the further away you get. Here are a few other average roundtrip flight ranges:
• Los Angeles to Dublin: €550-€1,000+
• New York to Dublin: €500-€800+
• Tokyo to Dublin: €700-€1,200+
• Sydney to Dublin: €900-€1,500+
Where Can You Find Budget Flights to Dublin, Ireland?
The cheapest time to fly to Dublin is typically in January. Flying on a Tuesday or Wednesday (sometimes Saturday) can also save you money.
Ryanair is typically the cheapest airline flying into Dublin, but depending on your country of origin it may or may not stop there.
I highly recommend signing up for Going (formerly Scott’s Cheap Flights) if you haven’t already. It’s a FREE email list that sends you alerts when there are huge flight deals or price drops (mistake fares, etc.) from your home airport.
It sends random worldwide deals, so it’s best for those who have flexibility in when you can travel to Dublin and plenty of time to wait for flight deals.
>>> Sign up for Going for FREE here
Otherwise, I also use Skyscanner or Expedia to find the cheapest flights. Both are simple flight search engines, but I find Skyscanner typically pulls the best deals.
Cost of a Meal in Dublin
A meal in Dublin ranges from about €8-10 for fast food and €12-18+ for a meal at an average restaurant. Breakfast and lunch tend to be cheaper (TIP: look for lunch deals to save money).
Entrees at a nicer restaurant can range from €20-50.
Some of my favorite budget-friendly (but still exceptionally delicious) restaurants:
- Mad Yolks (breakfast/brunch)
- BrewDog Outpost Dublin
- Han Sung Asian Market (Korean)
- DiFontaine’s Pizzeria
- Temple Bar Food Market
If you’re on a tight budget, try to cook some of your meals or find cheaper options at grocery stores like ALDI or LIDL.
Tipping Etiquette
If you go out to eat, you will want to factor in a tip as well. Tipping is customary in restaurants, with around 10-15% of the bill considered standard.
Pubs appreciate small change, or a modest tip, especially if you receive table service. For hotels, tipping hotel staff for specific services, like porters or housekeeping, is common, with a few euros per service appreciated.
Tipping taxi drivers is usual but not obligatory, often involving rounding up the fare or adding 10% for exceptional service. Tour guides may receive around 10% of the tour cost for a job well done.
In coffee shops, rounding up the bill or leaving small change is a nice gesture, and for hairdressers and spas, a tip of 10-15% is customary.
Always check for included service charges on bills to avoid double-tipping.
How Much Is a Pint in Dublin? (Is Alcohol Expensive?)
The average cost of a pint of Guinness in Dublin is usually €6-€8 and some places in the Temple Bar area charge tourists up to €8.10 or more.
Rumor has it that The Snug on Stephen Street has the cheapest pint of Guinness – under €5!
Drinks, in general, are not cheap in Dublin, and a night out can end up costing you 10s of Euros before you even realize it.
Stay out of the touristy Temple Bar area to find less expensive options. And look out for the bars and nightclubs that have drink deals happening where you can get a beer or wine for as low as €2!
🍺 For my favorite Dublin pubs, nightclubs, and pub crawls, CLICK HERE.
Is Accommodation Expensive in Dublin?
Accommodation can also be fairly expensive in Dublin – sorry to be the bearer of continuous bad news! If you need a budget option, your best bet for the cheapest option will be to look into hostels and/or to stay outside of the city center.
The best areas to stay in or around the city center are around the Temple Bar area, near Trinity College, Grafton Street, or St. Stephen’s Green.
Portobello is also a good area a little south of the city center but it’s becoming very trendy and popular with the locals. Just keep in mind that anything around the city centre will likely be a more expensive place to stay.
Dundrum to the south or Drumcondra to the north are quieter areas that might have options for cheaper accommodation.
Average Price of Hotels in Dublin
The average price of a hotel room in Dublin ranges from €150-€300 per night. There are plenty of options for great hotels across Dublin that will suit your needs from a basic place to sleep up to 5-star options with Michelin-star restaurants onsite and fancy spas.
A 3-star hotel typically ranges from €120-€230/night
❗The cheapest and best-rated 3-star hotels:
Kennedy’s Pub Drumcondra
Wynn’s Hotel
A 4-star hotel typically ranges from €170-€300/night
❗The cheapest and best-rated 4-star hotels:
Iveagh Gardens
Hilton Garden Inn Dublin Custom House
A 5-star hotel typically ranges from €200-€500/night
❗The cheapest and best-rated 5-star hotels:
Dylan Hotel
The Westbury
Average Price of Vacation Homes in Dublin
The average price of a vacation home rental in Dublin is about €170-€400 per night, though some of the ones on the pricier end can sleep more than 4, so if you have a large family this might be a cheaper way to stay in Dublin.
I typically use Vrbo to find vacation homes in Dublin. It’s similar to Airbnb, but they do exclusively vacation rentals. I prefer to check Vrbo first because they exclusively offer entire places to yourself (whereas Airbnb often has shared rooms available).
In Dublin especially, there tend to be more options available on Vrbo. Plus, Vrbo tends to be cheaper because Airbnb charges 14% to the guest for the booking cost, whereas Vrbo only charges 6-12% to the guests.
>>> CLICK HERE to search for rentals in Dublin
Average Price of Hostels in Dublin
Staying in a hostel will by far be the best way to visit Dublin on a budget. A hostel dorm bed averages around €30-€45 per night.
Not only are hostels affordable but you will be able to meet other travelers – which is my favorite part of staying in a hostel!
I always use Hostelworld whenever I book a hostel stay. They are reliable, easy to work with and book through, and provide the most accurate details for each property.
>>> CLICK HERE to search for hostels in Dublin
Cost of Transportation in Dublin
There are a few ways to get around Dublin. The cheapest is obviously to walk. The city is very walkable and safe and if you stay in the city center you should be able to walk pretty much everywhere you want to go within 10-30 minutes.
Otherwise, you can rent a bike, use public transportation, or take a taxi.
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P.S. If you’re heading to the Cliffs of Moher from Dublin, check out these tours that can save you money by bundling the transportation and ticket price! >>> CLICK HERE
Biking in Dublin
Renting a bike in Dublin is fairly simple and affordable. There are bike stations distributed throughout Central Dublin and a 3-day unlimited pass starts at just €5.
Dublin Public Transportation Cost and Information
Dublin has very decent and affordable public transportation. There are buses, the tram network (LUAS), and the commuter rail system (DART).
Buses in Dublin:
The buses in Dublin service Central Dublin, as well as many suburbs in the Greater Dublin Area. The main provider is Dublin Bus, but some private operators such as Go-Ahead Ireland or Bus Eireann also run bus routes in the city as well as longer routes.
Aircoach and Dublin Bus run routes to the airport. A single-way ticket from the airport to the city center on Aircoach is priced starting at €7.
Dublin Trains and Tram:
The DART and LUAS are both options for quick transportation around and outside of the Dublin city center. Fares range from €2 up to €4 one-way, depending on how far you’re going.
If you’re visiting Dublin you should look into using a Visitor Leap Card, which allows you to travel for 1 day (€8), 3 days (€16), or 7 days (€32) on the bus, trains, and trams.
If you live in Dublin, you should certainly get the normal Leap Card, which gives you 31% off your travel.
Public transportation ends at certain times each day, typically around midnight. If you’re out late at the pubs, you might end up needing a taxi home.
Taxi Costs in Dublin
The cost of a taxi in Ireland mainly depends on what part of Ireland you are in and how long your trip will be. Private cars for hire (Uber, etc.) are not allowed in Dublin, so if you use your Uber app you will simply be calling a regular taxi.
Hailing a taxi in Dublin will start at €4.10 and includes the first kilometer. Each kilometer after that is charged €1.03 and the per km far goes up with longer distances.
The average cost of a taxi from the Dublin Airport into the city center will average about €25-40, though it varies depending on demand and price surges.
*NOTE: I do NOT recommend renting a car if you plan on staying within the city of Dubin or the other main cities.
It’s easy enough to walk or take a taxi anywhere you want to go (and the buses and trains connect the major cities), having a rental car will just be difficult and expensive to park.
I do, however, recommend renting a car in Ireland if you plan on visiting any of the natural attractions and sights in the countryside or want to explore the areas between the cities.
(Info on driving in Ireland HERE)
Prices of Activities and Attractions in Dublin
There are plenty of incredible things to do in Dublin, so of course, you will want to budget some of your money for activities and attractions.
While there are many free things to do, such as visiting the parks and some museums or wandering around the streets to soak in the lively atmosphere, there are a few paid attractions that are worth doing too.
For example, here are the prices of some of the top attractions in Dublin:
- Guinness Storehouse Tour – ~€30 (READ: Is the Guinness tour worth doing?)
- Book of Kells AND Dublin Castle – ~€60
- Traditional Irish Music & Dance Show + Dinner – ~€60
- Cliffs of Moher Day Tour – ~€80
RELATED POSTS:
Is the Guinness Tour Worth Doing?
Best Things to Do in Dublin at Night
Top 25 Half-Day Tours From Dublin
Beautiful Churches and Cathedrals to See in Dublin
How Expensive is a Weekend in Dublin, Ireland?
On average, a weekend in Dublin could range anywhere from €300 to €900.
The cost of a weekend in Dublin will depend on your style of travel and what interests you have. Your biggest cost when visiting the Irish capital will likely be your hotel rooms.
For a budget weekend in Dublin, perhaps with cooking breakfast during your stay and limiting to a drink or two instead of a full night out, you could probably expect to spend around €100 per day.
If you are extremely frugal you might be able to do less than that, and if you want to see some attractions and do a little more during your weekend that cost might look more like €150 per day.
Otherwise, if you are staying at a nicer place and not as concerned about limiting what you do each day, you might expect to pay closer to €270 per day.
Looking for resources to use for your next trip or move abroad?
CLICK HERE for my favorite travel and expat tools!
Is Dublin More Expensive Than London?
The cost of living in Dublin is about 15-20% LESS expensive than in London. It’s also a bit cheaper to visit Dublin than London as well. Accommodation, food, and spending costs tend to be lower in Dublin, making it more affordable than staying in London.
Is Dublin More Expensive Than Paris?
The cost of living in Dublin is 11-14% MORE expensive than in Paris. However, it’s a bit more expensive to VISIT Paris than it is to visit Dublin. Food tends to be more expensive in Dublin, but accommodation, transportation, entertainment, and alcohol are more expensive in Paris than in Dublin.
What is the Cost of Living in Dublin?
A single person’s estimated monthly costs in Dublin are about €1,100, before factoring in rent.
The average salary in Dublin is approximately €3,600 per month (net) or roughly $4,000 USD.
Depending on how frugal or extravagant your day-to-day living is, you may be able to live in Dublin for cheaper or end up spending more.
Cost of Rent in Dublin
In Dublin, the average cost of rent is approximately €2,300 per month.
A one-bedroom apartment in Dublin typically ranges from around €2,000 to €2,500. A two-bedroom apartment in Dublin can get up into the €4,000 range.
Utilities for one person cost roughly €250+/month.
Cheapest and Most Expensive Neighborhoods in Dublin
Dublin is separated into two halves by the River Liffey and has a few distinct neighborhoods. Smithfield or Rathmines are some of the cheapest neighborhoods and great places for expats. Rathmines in particular is popular with young families and students because it’s affordable while still having thrift shops, cute cafes, and pubs.
The Docklands and Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown are some of the most expensive places to live in Dublin.
To search for rental prices and what is available, try out one of the popular sites in Dublin such as: Rentberry, Rent.ie, or Daft.ie.
How Expensive Are Groceries in Dublin?
The average single person spends about €150-300 per month on groceries in Dublin. There are plenty of supermarkets and convenience stores in Dublin and shopping at a grocery store is certainly more cost-effective than dining out in Dublin.
Is Dublin Expensive for Students?
Students in Dublin might have a little more luck with finding more affordable housing. Student accommodation tends to be a little bit cheaper, but many students share space with other students.
When I lived in Dublin as a student I paid about €270 per week (~€1,080/month) at the Binary Hub where I had a private bed and bathroom in a 5-bedroom apartment with shared living space, but all of my utilities were included plus plenty of amenities provided.
⭐️ A Few More Insider Tips to Save Money in Dublin ⭐️
While I’ve mentioned a few ways to save throughout this article, here are a few more tips I picked up while living in Dublin:
- Free Attractions: Take advantage of the many free attractions, like St. Stephen’s Green or the National Museum of Ireland. They offer a great experience without costing a dime.
- Free Walking Tours: Many hostels and some hotels offer free walking tours (tipping your guide is common).
- Lunch Deals: Opt for lunch specials at restaurants instead of dinner. You’ll often get the same quality at a lower price. Try local pubs or cafes for affordable and hearty meals.
- Save While Shopping: Non-EU visitors in Dublin have the opportunity to reclaim the value-added tax (VAT) of 21% on many purchases. With a sales tax applied to nearly all items, you could potentially save up to a fifth of your expenses.
- Student and Tourist Cards: If you’re a student or a frequent traveler, consider getting a student or tourist card for discounts on attractions, transport, and even some restaurants.
- Local Markets: Check out local markets for fresh and affordable produce. It’s not just a budget-saver; it’s a great way to experience Dublin’s local vibe.
- Off-Peak Accommodations: Travel during the off-peak season, and you’ll find better deals on accommodations. Plus, fewer crowds mean a more relaxed experience.
- Explore Neighborhoods: Venture beyond the city center. Places like Smithfield or Rathmines offer a more local experience with reasonably priced eateries and shops.
- Pack a Picnic: Enjoy the beautiful parks and save money by packing a picnic.
SUMMARY: Is Dublin Expensive
Is Dublin, Ireland expensive for tourists or to live in? While it’s a bit of a subjective question, largely the answer is yes, it is expensive.
Dublin prices for things like food, attractions, and accommodation come in a range from more budget-friendly to luxury and everything in between.
There are plenty of ways to have a budget trip to Ireland and to make choices that keep your costs down. However, visiting or moving to Dublin will take a bit of budgeting and planning. Save this guide as a reference for your next trip to Dublin for tips on ways to save!
Related Posts:
Where to Stay in Dublin
Living in Dublin: A Guide for Expats
45 Romantic Things to Do in Dublin For Couples
☘️ Ireland FAQs ☘️
✈️ Where Can You Find the BEST Flight Deals to Ireland?
1. Scott’s Cheap Flights – FREE flight deals alert, works best if you can be flexible
2. Skyscanner – FREE search engine, great for budget flights + deal
❗Is Travel Insurance Required in Ireland?
No, it’s not.
However, it’s always recommended to have travel insurance any time you travel in case of injury, accident, lost luggage, missed flight, etc. The best and most affordable travel/expat insurance is Safety Wing.
>>>CLICK HERE FOR INFO
☔️ When Is the Best Time to Visit Ireland?
Summer (June-August) – is the warmest and rains the least but you will have the most crowds.
Spring (March-May) or Fall (September-November) – are cooler and have more rain but you will beat the crowds and see some incredible wildflowers (spring)/greenery (fall).
🏠 Where Should You Stay in Ireland?
Hotels, hostels, vacation rentals, and house sitting are all available in Ireland for accommodation. My top recommendations for each are:
• Booking.com
• Hostelworld
• Vrbo (usually better options than Airbnb in Ireland)
• Trusted Housesitters (watch a home/pets in return for a FREE place to stay)
☘️ Where Can You Find Tours?
I found incredible tours in Ireland >>>HERE for private and guided group tours of both the most popular attractions and ones that fit your specific interests.
🚘 Should You Rent a Car in Ireland?
I always tell my friends and family to rent a car in Ireland so that they don’t miss out on the gorgeous scenery and wonderful things to do in between the big cities! However, if you plan to stay only in the cities, then you should be fine getting by with buses and walking.
>>> What to know about driving in Ireland
>>> The best car rental in Ireland
🍻 Make sure to try out the pubs! Even if you don’t drink, the atmosphere, live music, and friendly people are very uniquely Irish.
