Land of fairy-tales and legends, Ireland is a dream destination for many budget travelers. Ireland’s beautiful countryside, its rich history and culture, and most of all the friendly Irish people make the Emerald Isle a destination one simply must add to their itinerary of the perfect trip to Europe.
Ireland isn’t a cheap travel destination, but we all know magic comes at a cost. How much you ask? Just look below to discover Ireland travel costs for the Irish cities popular with travelers, like Cork, Dublin (capital), Galway, and Kilkenny.
Located on the coast of the Atlantic Ocean, Cork is Ireland’s third-largest city. When you visit Ireland, you can stop in Cork to kiss the nearby famous Blarney stone, or to enjoy the city’s animated pubs. Another traveler favorite is taking the ferry to the fort on Spike Island.
How much does it cost to visit Cork?
Without taking into account the accommodation, you should expect to spend around € 35 per day while visiting Cork. More detailed information about the daily travel costs is available below.
You can’t plan a visit to Ireland without including a stop in Dublin. The lively Eire capital city is the first place I have ever visited in Ireland. And before that, I had thought that I would only truly feel at home in Romania. However, in an evening when I was in a bar, listening to some warm-hearted live Irish music, I felt the same way I feel when I breathe the air of the mountain forests at home.
Dubliners are friendly and good-humored people who will make everyone feel at home in their city. After a few pints of beer or some lovely whiskey, they’ll have you joining in to sing and dance like the Irish in no time.
How much does it cost to visit Dublin?
Dublin is one of the most expensive destinations in Ireland (and Europe), with average daily costs of € 40 for a budget traveler on the Emerald Isle. That is without including the accommodation in the capital of the Irish Free State. Below, you can see the daily expenses of a visit to Dublin broken down.
Dublin accommodation costs
Hotel or hostel for one person
€ 20 – 148
Typical double room
€ 41 – 296
Dublin food and drinks costs
Meal in an inexpensive restaurant
€ 12 – 20
Meal in a mid-range restaurant
€ 25 – 40
Local beer (0.5 liters, draught)
€ 5 – 6
Water (0.33 liter, bottle) Tap water is safe to drink in Dublin, however.
The Dublin Pass includes free access to more than 30 popular Dublin attractions and landmarks, plus free access to a hop-on-hop-off bus tour.
Ireland travel costs in Galway
Galway
Galway is another popular Eire coastal city and college town. Though small, there’s a lot to see in Galway. It’s got a beautiful historic center, old churches, and animated markets. And, like any other Irish city, its pubs are amazing!
How much does it cost to visit Galway?
A visit to Galway costs about the same as one to Dublin. Therefore, expect to pay around € 40 on daily travel expenses, without accommodation. For more detailed information regarding the travel costs for Galway, look below.
Galway travel tip From Galway, you can go visit the Cliffs of Moher and the Aran Islands.
Ireland travel costs in Kilkenny
Kilkenny
Kilkenny is a well-known Irish medieval town, known worldwide for being the birthplace of Kilkenny beer. However, Kilkenny has more to offer than beer: it’s also a city of craftspeople. Its streets are packed with artisans exposing and selling their pottery, jewelry, and other types of handmade art.
How much does it cost to visit Kilkenny?
After visiting Dublin and Galway, you’ll probably want to rest in a more budget-friendly destination in Ireland. A visit to Kilkenny will get you to spend € 31 daily to explore the city. You can find below more detailed information regarding Kilkenny’s travel costs.
Kilkenny accommodation costs
Hotel or hostel for one person
€ 15 – 69
Typical double room
€ 31 – 138
Kilkenny food and drinks costs
Meal in an inexpensive restaurant
€ 10 – 20
Meal in a mid-range restaurant
€ 13 – 33
Local beer (0.5 liters, draught)
€ 3 – 5
Water (0.33 liter, bottle)
€ 1 – 2
Ireland travel costs for eating in Kilkenny
Kilkenny fares and public transport
One-way public transportation ticket
€ 5
Taxi (price per kilometer)
€ 0.60 – 2.50
Gasoline (1 liter)
€ 1.19 – 1.50
Ireland travel costs for getting around Kilkenny
Kilkenny visiting costs – Top attractions in Kilkenny
Food, drinks, and transportation costs via Numbeo.com
Tap water safety researched separately via Google answers for each city.
Top attractions selected using TripAdvisor. Each attraction name is a link to the official website page of that attraction, if available
Ticket costs / free access information via the official websites of the attractions. I mentioned the cost of a regular adult ticket, for permanent exhibitions. Discounts and temporary exhibition prices are available on their official websites.
City pass information about prices and what each includes is from the official website for each travel pass. A link is available for each pass to easily find more information and/or to purchase a pass.
