A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Dublin vs. Santo Domingo for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Dublin or Santo Domingo?

Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Dublin or Santo Domingo, this travel comparison, which includes costs, can help. The overall cost of travel is usually a consideration when deciding where to go next, and the cost comparison down below can help you decide based on the average prices from other travelers along with your own travel budget.

Where Should I go: Dublin or Santo Domingo?

Dublin

Dublin is the vibrant and fun capital city of Ireland and home to over a third of the country's population. There are almost 2 million people in the metropolitan area. It's also the most common entry point into the country for visitors. Once you arrive, its a good idea to head over to the main tourist office in St. Andrew's Church off Grafton Street. They can give you maps and information to make sure your trip is efficient and fun. Many people enjoy seeing what remains of the Georgian architecture throughout the city. Much of the city is also modernist in style with many blocks made up of offices.

Santo Domingo

Santo Domingo, the capital of the Dominican Republic, is a vibrant city that seamlessly blends history, culture, and modernity. Known for being the oldest continuously inhabited European settlement in the Americas, Santo Domingo offers a wealth of experiences that cater to every type of traveler.

Traveling to Santo Domingo on a budget is entirely achievable with some strategic planning. Accommodations range from luxury hotels to budget-friendly hostels and guesthouses. The Zona Colonial, the historic district, offers several affordable lodging options that provide easy access to major attractions. Hostels offer comfortable accommodations and a chance to meet fellow travelers, too. Eating on a budget is also feasible in Santo Domingo. Local eateries, known as "comedores," serve traditional Dominican dishes at reasonable prices.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Walking Tours in Ireland, The Best Luxury Tours to Ireland, The Best Adventure Tours to Dominican Republic, and The Best Adventure Tours to Dominican Republic.


Which place is cheaper, Santo Domingo or Dublin?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.

The average daily cost (per person) in Dublin is €179, while the average daily cost in Santo Domingo is €83. These costs include accommodation (assuming double occupancy, so the traveler is sharing the room), food, transportation, and entertainment. While every person is different, these costs are an average of past travelers in each destination. What follows is a categorical breakdown of travel costs for Dublin and Santo Domingo in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Dublin 68
    Santo Domingo 33
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Dublin 136
    Santo Domingo 66
Compare Hotels in Dublin and Santo Domingo

Looking for a hotel in Dublin or Santo Domingo? Prices vary by location, date, season, and the level of luxury. See below for options and compare which is best for your budget and travel style.

Hotels in Dublin


Hotels in Santo Domingo


Kayak helps you find the best prices for hotels, flights, and rental cars for destinations around the world. Compare prices for multiple destinations when planning your next trip.


Our Analysis
We've analyzed the average and typical hotel prices based on guest reviews, star ratings, and hotel amenities here: Dublin Hotel Prices and Santo Domingo Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Dublin 19
    Santo Domingo 3.84
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Dublin

Below are a few samples from actual travelers for transportation costs in Dublin:


  • Rental Car for a Day
    15

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Dublin

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Dublin:

  • One-Way Bus Transfer from/to Dublin Airport: $12
  • Dublin DUB Airport to City Centre Private Transfer: $36
  • Airport Transfer and Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Ticket: $43
  • Dublin Cruise Ship Shore Excursion|Hop-on Hop-off & Rail Transfer: $44
  • Private Dublin Arrival Transfer - Airport to Hotel / Accommodation: $66
  • Dublin Airport (DUB) Private Transfer to Dublin City Centre: $82
  • Driven by Excellence , Defined by Prestige Wheels Transfers: $94
  • Private Sedan (4 seats) Transfer from Dublin Airport to Dublin City Center: $105
  • Departure Transfer: Dublin to Dublin Airport DUB in Business Car: $119
  • Private Transfer: Dublin to Dublin Airport DUB in Business Car: $119
  • Departure Transfer Dublin to Dublin Airport by Van or Minibus: $127
  • Arrival Transfer Dublin Airport to Dublin City by Van or Minibus: $127

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Santo Domingo

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Santo Domingo:

  • La Romana Airport (LRM) to Santo Domingo hotels - Arrival Private Transfer: $63
  • Private Airport Transfer (SDQ) to Santo Domingo / Punta Cana: $11
  • Private Santo Domingo Airport (SDQ) Transfers To Pedernales & Barahona Hotels: $160
  • Private Transfer From La Romana Cruise Port to Las Americas Inter. Airport: $150
  • Private Transfer From Las Americas Inter. Airport to La Romana Cruise Port: $150
  • Private Transfer From Santo Domingo City to Resort Casa de Campo: $175
  • Private Transfer Santo Domingo Airport SDQ to Santo Domingo Port: $55
  • Private Transfer Santo Domingo Port to Santo Domingo Airport SDQ: $55
  • Private Transfer between Santo Domingo Airport and Punta Cana: $155
  • Private Transfer from Int Las Americas Airport (SDQ): $27
  • Private Transfer from Las americas Airport to Punta Cana : $90
  • Private Transfer from Santo Domingo Airport to Bayahibe: $105

Is it cheaper to fly into Dublin or Santo Domingo?

Prices for flights to both Santo Domingo and Dublin change regularly based on dates and travel demand. We suggest you find the best prices for your next trip on Kayak, because you can compare the cost of flights across multiple airlines for your prefered dates.





Food
  • Food Meals for one day
    Dublin 85
    Santo Domingo 45
Typical Food Prices in Dublin

Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Dublin:


  • Lunch Lynam's Pub
    3.95

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Dublin

Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Dublin.

  • Street Food Tour with Local Guide: $32
  • Food on Foot: Dublin Street Food Tour with Local Guide: $33
  • Dublin Irish House Party Live Show, Dinner Option Available: $36
  • Belvedere Irish Night Show, Dance and Traditional 3-Course Dinner: $59
  • Dublin Holiday Donut Adventure & Walking Food Tour: $70
  • Grand Canal Cruise with Dinner: $82
  • Irish Dinner & Dance Show at Johnnie Fox’s: $88
  • Ultimate Dublin Food Tour: $93
  • Delicious Walking Food Tour: $94
  • Delicious Dublin Food Tour: $96
  • Skip the Line: Irish Night Show Including 4-Course Dinner Ticket: $102
  • Howth Coastal Craft Beer and Seafood Tour: $116

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Dublin 25
    Santo Domingo 12
Typical Entertainment Prices in Dublin

Here are a few typical costs in Dublin for activities, ticket prices, and tours that come from previous visitors:


  • Wild Wicklow Tour
    26
  • Guinness Brewery for Two
    27
  • St Pauls Cathedral
    4.50
  • Dublin Writer's Museum
    6.30

Tours and Activities in Dublin

Here are a few actual costs in Dublin for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:

  • Self Guided Tours Dublin With 100 Captivating Audio Stories: $3.59
  • Historic Landmarks Walking Tour: $4.70
  • Dublin Scavenger Hunt and Highlights Self-Guided Tour: $5.88
  • Dublin Ghost Hunt Exploration Game and Tour: $6.00
  • Ardgillan Castle Entry Ticket: $7.05
  • Interactive Guided Tour of Printing History: $7.21
  • Dublin Walking Tour with Audioguide on Your Smartphone: $8.40
  • Dublin Downtown Smartphone Guided GPS Audio Walking Tour: $9.75
  • The Mystical Hill of Tara: A Self-Guided Audio Tour: $9.99
  • Self-Guided Audio Tour of Scenic Coastal Dublin (Dun Laoghaire): $10
  • A Self Guided Walking Tour of Dublin's Docklands: $12
  • Dublin Highlights Self Guided Scavenger Hunt and Tour: $12

Typical Entertainment Prices in Santo Domingo

Some typical examples of activities, tours, and entrance ticket prices in Santo Domingo are as follows:


  • Snorkeling Tour
    35

Tours and Activities in Santo Domingo

Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Santo Domingo are as follows:

  • Taínos 4D Experience Discover the Legacy of the Caribbean: $6.00
  • Ron Barcelo Anejo Experience Factory Tour: $20
  • Colonial Zone Bike Tour: $45
  • Panoramic City Tour: $46
  • Santo Domingo Small Group Walking Tour: Beer and Specialty Coffee: $59
  • Iconic Highlights and historical Tour in Santo Domingo: $75
  • Santo Domingo City Tour with Pickup Included From Santo Domingo: $75
  • Half Day Santo Domingo Tour: Three Eyes Park to Colon Lighthouse: $80
  • Full Day Tour to Santo Domingo from Punta Cana with Lunch: $80
  • Santo Domingo Walking Tour for the Whole Family : $88
  • Santo Domingo Cultural Tour: $89
  • Full-Day Santo Domingo City Tour from Punta Cana: $89

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Dublin 17
    Santo Domingo 6.31

Sample the Local Flavors in Dublin

Also in Dublin, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:

  • Generation Pub Crawl: $16
  • Teeling Whiskey Distillery Tour & Tasting: $24
  • The Black Experience Pub Tour: $24
  • Pearse Lyons Whiskey Distillery Experience: $26
  • Pearse Lyons Whiskey Distillery: Trilogy Experience: $26
  • City Pub Crawl Experience: $29
  • Jameson Whiskey Distillery Tour with Tastings: $36
  • Dublin Jameson Distillery Bow St. Tour and Tasting 45 mins: $37
  • Dublin Jameson Distillery Guided tour and Tasting in French: $37
  • Pub Crawl Walking Tour Through the Heart of Irelands Capital: $38
  • Jameson Distillery Secret Whiskey Tasting Experience: $47
  • Gin Tasting Masterclass In Stillgarden Distillery: $48


When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Dublin and Santo Domingo, we can see that Dublin is more expensive. And not only is Santo Domingo much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Dublin is in Europe and Santo Domingo is in Caribbean Islands, this is one of the main reasons why the costs are so different, as different regions of the world tend to have overall different travel costs. So, traveling to Santo Domingo would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Santo Domingo and be able to afford a more luxurious travel style by staying in nicer hotels, eating at more expensive restaurants, taking tours, and experiencing more activities. The same level of travel in Dublin would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Dublin than you might in Santo Domingo.

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Dublin Expensive? and Is Santo Domingo Expensive?.


Which is Bigger, Dublin or Santo Domingo?

Santo Domingo has a larger population, and is about 2 times larger than the population of Dublin. When comparing the sizes of Dublin and Santo Domingo, keep in mind that a larger population does not always imply the destination has more attractions or better activities. So, always research the type of place that you want to visit along with the activities and attractions that interest you.