Is Ireland Expensive?

Is Ireland expensive to visit?

Considered a popular destination, Ireland is a moderately priced country for travelers. When compared to the rest of Europe, which is known to be an expensive region, it is a moderately priced country to visit. It ranks in the top 50% of countries in Europe for its travel costs, and this places it in line with destinations such as Portugal and Belgium.

As this is a fairly popular country to visit, you'll find a number of great places in Ireland at a variety of price ranges. The most expensive destinations are Howth, Dublin, and Killarney. If you're looking for lower cost destinations, you can visit Kilkenny, Cork, and Limerick.


Average daily price of selected cities in Ireland, by affordability
City Average Daily Cost
Killarney $225
Dublin $201
Howth $188
Kinsale $185
Galway $172
Dingle $168
Connemara $162
Limerick $149
Cork $138
Kilkenny $123


Kilkenny Castle, Ireland

How expensive is Ireland?

Travelers spend an average of $190 per day when visiting Ireland (U.S. Dollars). This is according to our calculations which come from the expenses of previous visitors. While this is an average cost, prices can vary by travel style, the length of your trip, and other factors. However, you can keep close to this average, or even travel cheaper if you stay at moderately priced hotels, eat at affordable restaurants, and take public transportation when possible. See more travel costs for Ireland here.

How expensive is a one week trip to Ireland?

Based on our calculations from previous travelers, a one week trip to Ireland will cost around $1,331 per person. This amount includes sightseeing activities, hotels, restaurants, local transportation, and other travel expenses. For two people, a one week trip would cost $2,663.

How expensive is a two week trip to Ireland?

On average, a two week trip to Ireland costs about $2,663 per person. This is based on the previous expenses of actual travelers, and includes accommodation, food, activities, local transportation, and more. For two people, a two week trip costs $5,325.

How expensive is a month long trip to Ireland?

A one month trip to Ireland costs about $5,706 per person on average, based on the previous expenses of other travelers. This includes accommodation, sightseeting activities, transportation, food, and nightlife. For two people, a one month trip costs $11,411.



Galway, Ireland

Is it expensive to backpack in Ireland?

With more than 60 hostels around the country, Ireland is a popular backpacker destination for travelers looking to stay on a tight budget and have a fun time along the way. Hostels here cost an average of $29 per night for a bed in a hostel dorm. (See hostel prices in Ireland here.) Many backpackers head to Dublin, Galway, and Dingle. Typically, the most expensive hostels are in Galway, which average $37 a night. On the other hand, the cheapest hostels are in Dublin which average $26 per night.

Here are a few sample prices from popular hostels in Ireland.

  • $22 for a dorm bed at Latroupe Jacobs Inn in Dublin
  • $26 for a dorm bed at The Dawson Hostel Galway in Galway
  • $25 for a dorm bed at The Hideout Hostel in Dingle

Where to find affordable hostels in Ireland
City Number of Hostels Average Price for a Dorm
Dublin 17 $26
Galway 8 $37
Dingle 6 $27

Are hotels expensive in Ireland?

When it comes to hotel prices in Ireland, they are evenly priced compared to other countries in the world. On average, you can expect to spend about $150 per night for a comfortable room. It's essential to note that within Ireland, certain cities such as Howth command a higher average price, reaching $223 per night. On the flip side, there are also more budget-friendly alternatives like Dublin, where hotel prices average $161 per night.


Where to find affordable hotels in Ireland
City Average Hotel Price
Howth $223
Kinsale $221
Cork $176
Limerick $174
Dingle $173
Galway $170
Killarney $169
Kilkenny $166
Dublin $161

Sir Harry's Mall, Limerick
Overall Rating 8.9


Dublin, Ireland

How expensive are sightseeing activities in Ireland?

In Ireland, the cost of activities and things to do can vary by the type of activity, its length, and the location. To provide an estimate of what to expect during your visit, below are several popular activities that are common in the country. On average, previous travelers have spent around $22 per day on sightseeing and entertainment.

  • Discover Connemara Tour by Electric Fat Tyre Bike: $299
  • Forks, Focail and Folklore - Storytelling Tour via eBike: $87
  • Taste of Connemara Tour by Electric Fat Tyre Bike: $209
  • Surf Lesson Experience in Strandhill: $74
  • Hurling Experience in Kavanaghs Bar, Freshford, Kilkenny: $34
  • Self Drive Boat Tours of Cork Harbour. Be your own captain!: $96
  • Self Guided Bike Tour on the Limerick Greenway: $17
  • Dublin Historical and Heritage Tour by Bike: $113

Is food expensive in Ireland?

In Ireland, the cost of food can vary by the type of restaurant and food options available. To save money, eat at less expensive restaurants, try street food, or cook your own meals when possible. On average, previous travelers have spent around $76 per day on food, per person.

  • Dublin: Golden Ticket Tour Walking Food Tour: $90
  • Killarney Food Tour: $169
  • Delicious Dublin Coolest Neighborhood Food Tour: $107
  • Cork: Local Market Food Tour with 6 tastings, Stout & Whiskey: $110
  • NO DIET CLUB - Best Food Tour in Dublin !: $70
  • Cork Sweet Treats Food Tour: Donuts, Sweet Treats, and More: $70


Muckross House, Killarney, Ireland

Is transportation expensive in Ireland?

Local transportation in Ireland can vary in price depending on the type of transit used. Generally, other travelers have spent $28 on local transportation per person per day. To save money, take public transit whenever possible, as it will almost always be cheaper than a taxi or private driver.

Expenses for intercity transportation within Ireland can vary based on the type of transportation used and the distance traveled. On average, previous travelers have spent $81 per person per day for intercity transit. To save money, it's advisable to choose long-distance buses or trains over air travel. This is generally a more cost-effective choice despite the potential increase in travel time.

More for Ireland

If you're planning a trip to Ireland, check out these other informative travel guides.



We've been gathering travel costs from tens of thousands of actual travelers since 2010, and we use the data to calculate average daily travel costs for destinations around the world. We also systematically analyze the prices of hotels, hostels, and tours from travel providers such as Kayak, HostelWorld, TourRadar, Viator, and others. This combination of expenses from actual travelers, combined with pricing data from major travel companies, gives us a uniqe insight into the overall cost of travel for thousands of cities in countries around the world. You can see more here: How it Works.



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