Take advantage of free attractions
While many great attractions, theatre and concert tickets in Dublin do cost a fair amount of money, there’s also a number of excellent attractions that don’t cost a cent. Just mix those with the ones that do have an entrance fee and you’ll have a full itinerary on a budget:
- Museums & Galleries: The National Museum of Ireland, National Gallery, and Irish Museum of Modern Art (IMMA) all offer free admission.
- Trinity College Dublin Grounds: While the Book of Kells exhibit has an entry fee, you can stroll through the historic college grounds for free.
- St. Stephen’s Green, Marrion Square Park & Phoenix Park: Relax, people-watch, or picnic in these iconic city parks.
- The Chester Beatty Library: A hidden gem tucked behind Dublin Castle. Explore a world-class collection of manuscripts and artwork from all around the world for free!
- Dublin Castle Grounds: While visiting the insides of the castle costs a small entrance fee (8-12 Euros for adults), you can walk the castle’s gounds and gardens for free. And if you’re visiting during Christmas season, the Christmas market and the entrance to a part of Dublin Castle’s rooms is also free of charge.
Look for discount passes, student deals and sales
Even when attractions do have an entrance fee or when you want to visit a play or a concert, there are still ways to save some money. If you’re a student, you can for example often rely on student discounts. Just remember to bring your student ID. If you plan to visit several paid attractions, you can also save money with the Dublin Pass. Further, many attractions offer family discounts and if you’re good at planning ahead, make sure to keep an eye out for theatre and concert ticket sales. More spontaneous visitors might also get a good deal at the ticket offices for performances on the same day.
Some more tips to save on your entertainment during the trip:
- matinee performances are often cheaper than those at prime time
- visit Comedy & Open Mic Nights for fun evenings that are easier on your budget
- look for pubs that offer live music and listen to the many great buskers on Dublin’s streets
Walk the city (or take free walking tours)
When visiting Dublin, you will soon find out that it is a compact and pretty walkable city. Many attractions are in the inner city and can be reached on foot. If you have to get further out, you can use public transport – use a Leap Visitor Card for cheaper fares – or one of our city sightseeing busses, which gets you around the whole city and the ticket is valid all day. There are also free, mostly tip-based, walking tours led by passionate local guides, which give you insight into the city’s history and culture.
Eat & drink like a local
Dining out in Dublin can be expensive, but there are still plenty of ways to eat well on a budget:
- Pick up affordable sandwiches or snacks from places like Spar, Centra, or Lidl
- Use Early Bird Menues offered by many restaurants before 6:30 pm
- Choose restaurants further from the city center
- Visit food markets like Temple Bar Food Market (Saturdays) or Eatyard for budget-friendly street food and local treats
- Get some takeaway food for a picnic in a park or to eat on the go
- Use the Too Good To Go app to save money and save food
If you’re looking for a pint and some live music your first idea might be Temple Bar. And while there certainly are reasons to visit the rather touristy quarter – even for locals – the drinks are much more expensive there than in other pubs. While prices for a pint in Temple Bar can go up to almost 11 Euros, you’ll pay 6 Euros only a few streets away. Interesting options for bars in the inner city might be J. Grogan, The Cobblestone or P. Duggan’s.
Save on accommodation and travel off-peak
Most of your money for Dublin trip will go to the accommodation. But also here are ways to save money. When staying in the city centre, opt for a hostel or try local guest houses and B&Bs, rather than big hotels. During the summer months, also some student accommodations open their housing for tourists at great prices. Apart from that, there are of course seasons that are more expensive than others, like the summers or dates around St. Patrick’s day or other big events in the city.Save money with our tips for a budget-friendly visit to Dublin
Dublin is always worth a visit! But it’s even better when your bank balance isn’t suffering afterwards. With a bit of planning and an eye for deals, the history, food, music and charm of Ireland’s capital can be enjoyed on a budget. We’re sure that with our tips, you’ll find plenty of ways to make your trip memorable without breaking the bank.Image sources:
Title: Photo by carmen dominguez on Unsplash
1: Photo by Philipp Knape on Unsplash
2: Photo by Samuel Bryngelsson on Unsplash
3: Photo by Carlos Torres on Unsplash
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