An Irish road trip doesn't have to break the bank. With smart planning, you can experience the best of Ireland while keeping costs reasonable. Here's our comprehensive guide to budget-friendly road tripping.
Realistic Budget Expectations
Daily Spending (Per Person)
| Category | Budget | Mid-Range | Comfortable |
|---|---|---|---|
| Accommodation | €15-25 | €40-60 | €80-120 |
| Food | €25-35 | €40-60 | €70-100 |
| Fuel (share of car) | €15-20 | €15-20 | €15-20 |
| Activities | €10-20 | €25-40 | €50-80 |
| Daily Total | €65-100 | €120-180 | €215-320 |
Weekly Budget Summary
| Style | Per Person | Per Couple |
|---|---|---|
| Budget | €450-700 | €600-900 |
| Mid-Range | €850-1,250 | €1,200-1,800 |
| Comfortable | €1,500-2,200 | €2,000-3,000 |
Excludes car rental and flights
Saving on Accommodation
Hostels
- Cost: €15-30/night for dorms
- Private rooms available at many (€50-80)
- Kitchen facilities save money on food
- Great for solo travellers and socialising
Recommended: Hostelling International Ireland for quality and locations
Camping
- Cost: €20-35/night for powered sites
- Wild camping is legal in some areas (check locally)
- Many campsites have cooking facilities
- Beautiful locations, especially on the Wild Atlantic Way
B&Bs and Guesthouses
- Cost: €40-70 per person sharing
- Breakfast included (saves €10-15)
- Local knowledge and hospitality included
- Book directly for best rates (skip booking.com fees)
Budget Tips for Accommodation
- Book ahead in summer: Prices rise and availability drops
- Stay outside popular areas: 10 minutes away can halve prices
- Midweek is cheaper: Sunday-Thursday rates are often lower
- Extended stays: Many offer weekly discounts
- Use Airbnb filters: "Superhost" listings with kitchens
Saving on Food
Self-Catering
The biggest money-saver for road trippers:
Supermarket Costs:
- Bread: €1.50-2.50
- Cheese: €3-5
- Sandwich fillings: €2-4
- Fruit: €2-3
- Total picnic lunch: €8-12 (vs €15-20 at a café)
Best supermarkets for value:
- Aldi and Lidl (cheapest)
- Tesco (good range, loyalty discounts)
- SuperValu (local products, slightly pricier)
Eating Out Affordably
Lunch specials: Many restaurants offer 2-3 course lunches for €12-18 (same food, lower prices than dinner)
Pub food: Substantial meals for €12-16:
- Fish and chips
- Irish stew
- Burgers and sandwiches
- Carvery roasts (incredible value)
Early bird menus: 5-7pm offers often save 20-30%
Takeaway: Fish and chips from a chipper costs €8-12
Money-Saving Food Tips
- Breakfast included: Choose accommodation with breakfast
- Picnic lunches: Buy supplies, eat at scenic viewpoints
- Cook dinner: Self-catering accommodation pays off
- Coffee costs add up: Limit café coffee to treats
- Water bottles: Tap water is safe and free
Saving on Fuel
Driving Efficiently
- Steady speeds save fuel (80-100 km/h optimal)
- Avoid aggressive acceleration
- Check tyre pressures regularly
- Remove roof boxes when not needed
Finding Cheap Fuel
- Supermarket stations: 5-10 cents cheaper
- Compare with apps like Pumps.ie
- Fill up before entering remote areas
- Avoid motorway stations (premium pricing)
Route Planning
- Direct routes use less fuel (but may miss scenery)
- Consider fuel cost in detour decisions
- Share driving to keep everyone alert and efficient
See our Fuel Guide for more details.
Saving on Attractions
Free Attractions
Ireland has incredible free experiences:
Natural Sites:
- Cliffs of Moher - Free access (parking charged)
- Beaches throughout the country
- Mountain walks and hikes
- Scenic viewpoints on all routes
Historic Sites:
- Many castles are free to view externally
- Church ruins and graveyards
- Neolithic sites like Poulnabrone Dolmen
Towns and Cities:
- Walking tours (tip-based)
- Markets and festivals
- Traditional music in pubs (no cover charge)
Heritage Card
If you're visiting multiple OPW heritage sites, the Heritage Card offers unlimited access for one year:
- Cost: €40 adult, €30 senior, €10 child
- Includes: 45+ sites including Kilmainham Gaol, Rock of Cashel, Clonmacnoise
- Break-even: 4-5 sites makes it worthwhile
Discount Strategies
- Book online in advance: Many attractions offer 10-20% off
- Family tickets: Usually cheaper than individual
- Student/senior discounts: Bring ID
- Combo tickets: Some attractions bundle together
- Local tourism offices: Sometimes have discount vouchers
Saving on Car Rental
Booking Smart
- Book 2-3 months ahead: Prices rise closer to date
- Compare widely: Use comparison sites, then check direct
- Airport vs city: City pickup often cheaper
- Smaller cars: Better fuel economy and lower rates
Avoiding Extra Costs
- Bring your own GPS: Use phone navigation
- Decline unnecessary insurance: If you have coverage
- Skip the extras: Child seats, additional drivers—only if needed
- Return with full tank: Rental company fuel charges are steep
See our Car Rental Guide for comprehensive advice.
Consider Car Sharing
If you're based in Dublin and only need a car for day trips, GoCar.ie can be more economical than traditional rental. You pay by the hour or day, with insurance included.
Budget tip: Use promo code 31k65h when registering with GoCar to get €25 off your first trip.
Free and Cheap Experiences by Route
Wild Atlantic Way - Clare
- Cliffs of Moher coastal walk (free)
- The Burren landscape (free)
- Traditional music sessions (free, buy a drink)
- Doolin coastal walk (free)
Wicklow Mountains
- Glendalough Upper Lake walk (free, parking €4)
- Wicklow Way hiking (free)
- Sally Gap scenic drive (free)
- Powerscourt Waterfall (€6.50)
Boyne Valley
- Hill of Tara (free, heritage site)
- Trim Castle exterior (free)
- Newgrange exterior viewing (free)
- Battle of the Boyne site (free grounds)
Timing Your Trip
Off-Season Advantages (Oct-Apr)
- Accommodation: 20-40% cheaper
- Attractions: Less crowded
- Car rental: Significantly lower rates
- Weather: Unpredictable but often fine
Shoulder Season Sweet Spot (May, Sept)
- Better weather than winter
- Lower prices than summer
- Fewer crowds at popular sites
- Good availability
Peak Season Reality (Jun-Aug)
- Book everything in advance
- Expect highest prices
- Best weather (usually)
- Longest daylight hours
Money Management Tips
Currency
- Ireland uses Euro (€)
- Northern Ireland uses British Pounds (£)
- ATMs are widely available
- Credit cards accepted almost everywhere
Avoiding Fees
- Use cards with no foreign transaction fees
- Withdraw larger amounts less often (ATM fees)
- Always pay in local currency when given the choice
- Avoid currency exchange bureaux (poor rates)
Budgeting
- Set a daily spending limit
- Track expenses with an app
- Keep some cash for small purchases
- Budget a contingency (10-15% buffer)
Sample Budget Itinerary
7-Day Budget Trip (€500-600 per person)
Day 1-2: Dublin (hostel, free walking tour, picnic lunch) Day 3-4: Wicklow/Glendalough (camping, hiking, self-catered) Day 5-6: Galway & Cliffs (hostel, pub food, music sessions) Day 7: Return to Dublin (picnic, free sightseeing)
Breakdown:
- Accommodation: €180 (mix of hostel/camping)
- Food: €175 (mostly self-catered + some pub meals)
- Fuel: €70 (share of 1,000km)
- Car rental share: €100 (€300 split 3 ways)
- Attractions: €50 (selected paid sites)
The Bottom Line
Ireland is absolutely doable on a budget. The best experiences—stunning landscapes, friendly locals, traditional music, dramatic coastlines—are largely free. Where you spend is a choice: splurge on a memorable meal, save on accommodation, or vice versa.
The key is planning ahead, being flexible, and remembering that the journey itself is the destination.