How to Find the Best Student Accommodation in Dublin, Ireland (2024)

After the initial excitement of being accepted to your Dublin university (or to your study abroad program!) wears off, the flood of logistical questions and lists of what you need to plan for seems to creep up all at once. The biggest question for most of us is: where am I going to find student accommodation in Dublin?

It is both exciting and a little nerve-wracking to think of moving to a new city. Luckily, Dublin is a very welcoming, wonderful place to live! But there is still a lot of planning that will need to go into your move.

Doing my own search for where to live in Dublin I felt overwhelmed at all the options, especially as an international student moving halfway across the world.

I definitely underestimated Dublin at first. It’s a big European city, and that means plenty of options in many different neighborhoods. Pretty confusing at first.

I wanted the most straightforward, easy to move into and affordable option. Which I ultimately found, but not after hours of research that I hope to save YOU from!

JUMP TO…

• Is It Safe to Live in Dublin?
• Where Do Most Students Live in Dublin?
• What Is the Cost of Rent in Dublin?
• What Is the Average Cost of Student Accommodation in Dublin?
• How Big Is Student Housing in Dublin?
• How Does It Work to Rent Student Accommodation in Dublin?
• Where to Find the Best Student Accommodation in Dublin
• Tips for Finding Cheap Student Accommodation in Dublin

Is It Safe to Live in Dublin as a Student?

From my own experience as a young female moving to Dublin on my own, yes I felt completely safe living in Dublin.

According to World Scholars Hub, Ireland is the #7 safest country to study abroad in 2022.

Dublin is still a big city, which means things like petty crime and theft are fairly common. However, as a whole, I felt much safer in Dublin than in my home – Los Angeles. The people in Dublin are typically friendly and welcoming and never made me feel uncomfortable.

Where Are the Safest Neighborhoods for Students in Dublin?

I typically stayed on the south side of River Laffey; walking from my student apartment (near the Guinness Factory) to and around the city center always felt safe to me. The further away from the city center and north, not so much. With the exception of Phoenix Park and some nicer neighborhoods.

Directly north of the river from Trinity College is crowded and safe as well. Though watch out for theft in the crowded and touristy parts of Dublin.

The areas around the universities in Dublin (with the exception of Trinity College because it is directly in the middle of the city) are typically surrounded by more suburban neighborhoods and family homes and thus very safe neighborhoods for students.

Avoid Ireland’s most crime-ridden district around the Pearse Street Garda station in Dublin’s south inner city. As well as Tallaght & Blanchardstown (right below Tallaght), also known to be less safe.

Tips for Staying Safe as a Student Living in Dublin

Unfortunately, there will always be people looking to take advantage of the anonymity a big city provides. So stay aware of your surroundings and use common sense on which situations and places to avoid.

Try to find student accommodation that is in a safe neighborhood and has security or someone on-site through the night.

Try to always stick with a friend or a group when possible, especially at night. After dark, it is always best to walk home with a big group or to opt for a taxi instead of walking.

Where Do Students Stay in Dublin?

Since there are so many schools in the area, you can find students living all over Dublin city and the surrounding areas. Students can live on their college or university’s campus, but university student housing often goes quickly and can be more pricey due to its convenience. 

Finding student accommodation off-campus is typically what most students in Dublin end up doing. Many students in Ireland live at home during their college years as well.

Best Neighborhoods for Students to Live in Dublin

Most students who go to Trinity College Dublin live around the city center or just outside of it. This is probably where you will find the highest concentration of international students as well. Most Irish students stay at home while they study, but international students tend to want to experience city life and be around more of the action.

 

Students at Dublin City University often live in the Glasnevin District. The rent is considerably cheaper since you are further from the city.

University College Dublin students more often live on-campus or commute from the city center.

Looking for more information on international living in Dublin? Click below!

What Is the Cost of Rent in Dublin?

The average cost of rent in Dublin is approximately €2,156/month (or about €539/week). A one-bedroom apartment in Dublin typically ranges from around €1,800 to €2,400. A two-bedroom apartment in Dublin can get up into the €4,000 range.

While this is pretty pricey, that represents the average of all Dublin accommodations and can obviously range depending on the neighborhood, and if you are living with roommates or not. Rent in Dublin’s city center will be more expensive than renting further away.

What Is the Average Cost of Student Accommodation in Dublin?

Student accommodation can range anywhere from €180 to €300+ per week. It all depends on where you want to be located in the city, if you are open to sharing a room, and what amenities you want to have included.

Student accommodation can actually be much cheaper than the average rent in Dublin. That is mostly due to the fact that students are typically looking for lower-range properties. They are more often open to compromising the quality of their property and location, and they more often share a room with other students. 

Is Student Accommodation Expensive in Dublin?

Student accommodation can be very expensive in Dublin, especially for international students moving to Dublin from more affordable countries.

 

Some areas will be more expensive for students than others. North Dublin is the cheapest location to live in, but the neighborhoods tend to not be as nice. South County is the most expensive place to live, but it has nicer neighborhoods and more upscale homes.

If you are open to shared rentals, you can find some flexibility in what is offered. You will be able to find rooms or properties that have shared living spaces but your own bedroom and bathroom, for example.

(Psst! Already looking forward to spring break in Ireland? 👉 Check this out!)

How Big Is Student Accommodation in Dublin?

Not very big! 

My stay in Dublin had a 4ft double bed, one tall closet, a desk, and really not much space for anything else. That is pretty common in most apartments in Dublin that I visited.

However, I really didn’t mind the small bedroom space at all. Our shared living space (kitchen and living room) was comfortable and there was plenty of space in the study rooms and common spaces.

Plus, if you are studying abroad you really don’t want to be in your room too much anyway, you should be out exploring your new city! 

How Does It Work to Rent Student Accommodation in Dublin?

This depends on where you find your housing from. If you are renting from a homestay or more personal accommodation, you might be able to negotiate some flexibility in your agreement and when you pay. Some places let you pay monthly, but many places that accommodate students expect the full price upfront.

Some places may expect a guarantor as well. This is someone who agrees to pay the full amount of rent in the case that you can not. For most students, this would be your parents. Make sure to check your lease agreement for this clause.

Be prepared to have your passport, proof of your student status, and potentially your Irish visa ready in case the property requests it.

Be prepared to put down a deposit as well. It will most likely be refunded at the end of your stay but covers any potential damages to the property.

Do Dublin Student Accommodations Have Flexible Leases?

Yes! Dublin does have one thing going for it, flexibility with rental lengths. Since there are so many international students, most housing options will allow for week-by-week rentals, by semester, by year, just for summer, or even day-by-day in some cases.

Private Student Accommodation Dublin

Completely private student accommodation is hard to come by in Dublin. It will certainly be much more expensive to live in a private room. Many places allow you to have a private room (and even a private bathroom), but a shared common space.

Can I Live in Student Accommodation If I’m Not a Student?

Typically, no, student accommodation is reserved for students studying in Dublin. Each private accommodation will have different rules, but it is most common to find that you must be at least 17 years old and enrolled in a college or university.

Student housing is most often temporary and typically has short-term leases that aren’t conducive for non-students anyway.

Where to Find Student Accommodation in Dublin

There are many options for students to find accommodation that fits their needs and price range in Dublin. Here are a few of the best options to look into.

Best Student Accommodation in Dublin

1. Aparto

The rent starts at around €240/week for the year and €270/week for the semester. They have 5 properties around Dublin, and typically have great amenities such as study spaces, outdoor and fitness areas, and utilities included.

I stayed at the Binary Hub while living in Dublin and absolutely loved it! I ended up going with the Binary Hub because I was looking for something already furnished that I could easily move into, something that had all amenities and needs included so I didn’t have to figure out any extra bills, and ideally I wanted somewhere that would help me make friends right away. I got all of this and so much more from the Binary Hub!

The convenience of having everything included was worth the slightly higher price for me. I didn’t even know I wanted study space, laundry onsite, or a gym included, but these were some of my favorite aspects of the physical space! Beyond that, I made some of my closest friends there that I still keep in touch with and try to see from time to time. 

Especially when first moving to a new country, it is huge to make friends and feel comfortable right away! The Binary Hub hosted a good amount of social events, such as beer and board games night or movie night.

The majority of the people living there are young and international, so there is fun energy all the time. The staff is amazing at keeping this energy going and always being a friendly face to come home to.

I could rave on and on about living at the Binary Hub, I highly recommend checking out their properties. Especially if you are an international student or just studying abroad in Dublin for a short amount of time, living somewhere like this that helps you make the most of your stay is honestly priceless! 

2. Yugo

Yugo owns multiple student accommodation properties (~7 in Dublin). The properties are scattered throughout and on the outskirts of the city center, meaning they are all in fantastic locations with access to the universities, nightlife, and fun things to do.

Their properties are typically in the €200-€300/week range and come with a variety of amenities from included utilities/WiFi, on-site laundry and staff, shared common room and study space, gym, cinema, and even gaming areas.

3. Blackhall Place

Located near Phoenix Park just north of the River Liffey, Blackhall Place offers a choice of twin and single rooms in shared apartments with rooms that include all bills, Wi-Fi, and contents insurance.

Blackhall offers a study area, lounge, courtyard, residents’ events, and more. Prices start as low as €224/week.

4. Heyday

This new student accommodation in Dublin offers great rooms along with an onsite cafe, cinema, gym, and a courtyard. At the heart of Dublin’s city center, the location is perfect for those studying at Trinity College Dublin or who want to experience the best of the city life.

Prices start as low as €268/week.

Where Else Can You Find Cheap Accommodation in Dublin

Option 1: Search Facebook groups such as Dublin Rent a Room with 55K members or Dublin Student Accommodation with 5K members. People will post if they are looking for someone to live with, or if they have an opening that they need to fill. 

Option 2: Check University Living.

This site provides options for students, especially international, for places to rent in big cities across the world. It gets a 4.8 rating from users, and it has a convenient feature to search for options near your university. Some of these options start around €130. But again, be careful to do your own research when using this site.

Option 3: International Student Accommodation (ISA)

This site lets you pick between an apartment or homestay and a single, twin, or double bed. They have sites in and around the city center and boast properties that are fully equipped, including utilities.

Most of these stays are pretty basic and do not have many additional amenities included. They do have a lower price point than some of the other student accommodation options, starting around €175/week.

Option 3: Consider a homestay, or living with an Irish local.

I had two friends do this and both had a blast! They were lucky and lived with some very friendly locals that took them to explore on the weekends and introduced them to some unique situations (one friend went to an Irish matchmaking party in the country!).

Homestays can be a great way to get a deeper cultural view of Ireland.

Option 4: Check through your university’s website. Trinity College, for example, has a student accommodation resource page.

Option 5: Search through general rental websites, especially if you are moving with friends you could rent with. Popular sites in Dublin include: Rentberry, Rent.ie, or Daft.ie.

Tips for Finding Cheap Student Accommodation in Dublin

When you are considering accommodation in Dublin, you will have a much easier time if you are flexible with your expectations. Something to keep in mind is that it is typically cheaper to rent for the full year than a semester.

Looking for resources to use for your next trip or move abroad?
CLICK HERE for my favorite travel and expat tools!

You will also have an easier time finding more affordable housing if you are open to sharing a room, having a smaller space, or having fewer amenities.

There are plenty of options if you can think outside of the box and get creative with where and how you search for your housing. With any of these options please be careful, use your best judgment when working with people you meet online, and be aware that there are many scams surrounding housing.

I know how stressful looking for somewhere to live can be, especially when you are going somewhere entirely foreign. Wherever you end up picking, just remember that you will soon be surrounded by friendly faces and lots of live music and laughter!

Dublin has been one of my favorite places to live, for so many reasons, and I’m sure it will soon feel the same for you.

Good luck with your housing search and don’t hesitate to reach out with any questions you may have. Sláinte!

 

 

Related Posts:
Cost of Living in Ireland vs the U.S.
How to Find a Job in Ireland for Expats
Picking a Dublin University

☘️FAQs About Ireland☘️

✈️ 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.