6 Day Ireland Budget Breakdown: How Much Does a Trip to Dublin Cost?

If you’re planning a trip to Dublin and you’re unsure of how much to budget, you’re in the right place. Welcome to The Thought Card, a blog and podcast empowering you to make informed financial decisions so that you can travel more, pay off debt and build wealth. Woohoo!

One of the things that I do regularly on my blog is detail all of my expenses at each destination I visit so that other travelers can create a realistic travel budget that covers all of their expenses.

Your Ireland trip costs may look a lot different from mines but use this Dublin cost breakdown as a guide – think of it as a starting point. Since I’ve visited Dublin recently, you’re getting information from someone who has been there. My hope is that you can cut your research time in half with all this information and get excited about heading to Emerald Isle – the country with the greenest countryside I’ve ever seen! 

How much does it cost to visit Dublin for a week?

How expensive is it to visit Ireland?

Let’s dive into the nitty-gritty details.

6 Day Dublin Cost Breakdown

Total Airfare from NYC to Dublin: $334.86 USD

I booked my round-trip flight from New York City to Dublin eight months before departure with Delta Air Lines. As a Platinum Delta SkyMiles credit card member, my first checked bag was free.

During the flight, we were given complimentary food and drinks as well as an eye mask and headphones.

Total Lodging: $195.85 USD

I booked 5 nights at Abbey Court Hostel and stayed in a 4-bed female dorm with an ensuite bathroom. On average I spent 40,00 € per night. My room was clean and comfortable and the ensuite bathroom was compact. Although linens were provided (sheets and a thick blanket), towels were not – so don’t forget to bring yours. There were also storage cages underneath the bunk beds and each bed had a personal light and two outlet plugs. Overall I had a great time at Abbey and I would stay again next time I’m in Dublin.

Abbey Court Hostel is centrally located right next to O’Connell’s Street, one of the main streets in Dublin. The hostel is only a few minutes away from Temple Bar and attractions like the Spire, Trinity College and more. You can even walk to Guinness Storehouse which takes approximately 30 minutes.

Abbey Court Hostel’s hallways are decorated with colorful wall art from cartoon characters to world leaders like Hillary Clinton and President Barack Obama. My favorites were the illustrations of hip-hop legends Biggie Smalls and Tupac Shakur.

For financially savvy travelers looking for a great value, Abbey Court offers free breakfast which includes toast, cheese, cereal, coffee, fruit, and mini pancakes.

However, if you prefer to stay at a hotel in Dublin, there are plenty of options to choose from. 

Total Transportation Cost: $32.96 USD

From Dublin Airport, I took the Dublin Aircoach (Route 700) to the city center. You can also take the public bus (No. 17) or the Airlink Express Bus.

Right outside the airport terminals (exit baggage claim and follow the signs), Aircoach was easy to find, however, you’ll need cash to purchase your ticket at the counter.

Depending on where you’re getting off, prices range from 6,00-7,00 € for adults one-way or 10,00-12,00 € for adults round-trip.

Since I was staying at Abbey Court Hostel, I got off at O’Connell Street, right near the Spire. My round-trip tickets from Dublin Airport to the city center cost 12,00 €.

Although WiFi is complimentary on the Dublin Aircoach bus, there were no outlets to charge electronics.

I also spent $19 USD to get from the JFK airport to Grand Central Terminal in New York City. 

Dublin Total Food & Drink Costs: $116 USD

I spent a total of $116 on food and drinks during my 6-day trip to Dublin. 

What’s the average meal cost in Dublin? How much to budget for food in Dublin?

I suggest budgeting between $10-$15 USD for lunch and $15-$20 USD for dinner so roughly about 9,00-18,00 € per meal. 

How much does the average pint of Guinness cost in Dublin?

The average pint in Dublin costs 5,50 € or $7 USD.

Be aware that some touristy spots, especially in Temple Bar, raise prices throughout the night. It’s best to avoid these places especially if you’re on a tight budget.

Total Activities Cost: $168 USD

There are plenty of fun things to do in Dublin – here’s how much I spent on activities. 

• Natural History Museum: Free
• Free Dublin walking tour with FreeTours.com: 10,00 € in tips (optional)
• Premium Irish Whiskey Tour at Irish Whiskey Museum: 20,00 €
• Guinness Storehouse: 20,00 €
• Wild Rover Belfast Titanic and Giant’s Causeway Tour: 60,00 €
• Cliffs of Moher and Galway City Tour: 40,00 €

Gifts/Souvenirs: $40 USD

• (2) Guinness Pint Glasses: 11,00 €
• (2) Bushmills Whiskey (Duty-free): 26,00 €

Final Thoughts

How much does it cost to go to Ireland? How expensive is Dublin?

Overall I spent $888 USD during my 6 day trip to Dublin, Ireland. Although my stay wasn’t luxurious (I stayed at a hostel), I didn’t necessarily travel on the cheap either. I partied some nights and did plenty of day trips which included one day trip to the Cliffs of Moher and Galway and another to Belfast and Giants Causeway. 

• Airfare: $335 USD
• Hostel: $196 USD
• Transportation: $33 USD
• Food: $116 USD
• Activities: $168 USD
• Souvenirs: $40 USD 

Total cost for 6 day trip to Ireland: $888

Bus tours were the most expensive activities in my Ireland budget but they were well worth it because they saved me from itemizing expenses like gas and a car rental. Nevertheless there are a ton of free things to do in Dublin so you can offset your expenses by joining free walking tours, visiting the National museums or parks like St Stephen’s Green.

Groceries also helped me save on snacks for day trips and kept my alcohol costs low.

If you decide to visit Northern Ireland, don’t forget that British Sterling is the official currency (£) and not Euros.

Helpful Tip: I recommend carrying a small amount of cash with you during your trip to Dublin since some establishments only accept cash. If you don’t have a chance to exchange Euros at your local bank at home, for the best exchange rates withdraw cash from any ATM at the airport.

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