Travel Ireland on a budget doesn’t have to cost an arm and a leg, as the Emerald Isle can actually prove to be extremely budget-friendly.
Planning that once-in-a-lifetime trip to Ireland can be a daunting task, especially when you see the cost of your plans mount up. From the cost of accommodation to the price of travel, the price of attractions to the money you’ll need for food and drink.
There is no need to fear, however, as you can actually enjoy a truly memorable trip around Ireland without breaking the bank. Yes, really! You can see everything you want and more and still have some money left to get some presents for your friends and family at home.
So, if you’re wondering where to start, you’ve come to the right place. We are here to fill you in on five ways to travel Ireland on a budget.
#5. Make use of Public Transport – A Great Budget-Friendly Option
When it comes to ways to travel Ireland on a budget, one of the most obvious choices is to make use of public transport. Ireland is relatively well-serviced by busses and trains, especially in the more urban towns and cities. So, you can make the most of this to save some money during your visit.
Dublin, in particular, is very well serviced by an extensive public transport system, including the DART, the LUAS, and the Dublin Bus. This will allow you to travel around the inner city and to the outskirts of the county for a very minimal fee. A LEAP Card is also a great way to save some money on transport in Dublin.
Aside from the capital, you can generally travel between Ireland’s main cities by train pretty easily. Then, once you reach your new destination, you can make use of local bus services to travel out to smaller towns and more rural areas.
#4. Book a Group Tour – Make Some Friends and Save Some Money
Not only will booking a group tour help you save money on your trip to Ireland, but it will also save you valuable time planning as your route is virtually fully mapped out for you.
Group tours are a great way to see the major attractions within a certain amount of time. Plus, they save you the hassle of having to sort out your own means of travel.
Many Irish tour companies will have deals with attractions, restaurants, and hotels around the country that will allow you to get a special discounted rate for being part of the tour.
#3. Hire a Car – Embark on an Epic Irish Road Trip
One of the most common ways to travel Ireland on a budget is by taking to the open road. There are plenty of car hire companies that offer reasonable hire prices, depending on what you’re looking to hire.
So, you’ll have plenty of choices when it comes to hiring a car, which means you can negotiate the best deal. Just bear in mind that you must ensure you are legally insured to drive on Irish roads before you take off.
Unlike a group tour, hiring a car allows you to take the wheel (literally) of your own journey. So, you can pretty much go where the wind takes you and discover some off-the-beaten-track hidden gems.
When it comes to places to sleep, there are plenty of great campsites and hostels that offer up budget accommodation and parking spaces to park your hire car overnight.
#2. Backpacking – A Great Way to Get Out in Nature
For us, one of the best ways to see the Emerald Isle on a budget is by backpacking Ireland. If you choose this method, we highly recommend you plan your route before setting off so you have a rough plan of where you’re going and how you’re going to get there.
In contrast to many other countries around the world, Ireland is relatively small in size. So, it is entirely possible to backpack around the entire island with a limited budget and tight time constraints.
Backpacking Ireland is sure to be a truly memorable experience and something we would highly recommend you do with a group of friends.
#1. Hire a Campervan – The Ultimate Way to Travel Ireland
Topping our list of ways to travel Ireland on a budget is by hiring a campervan. In contrast to a car, travelling Ireland via campervan provides you with your very own place to hit the hay after a busy day of travelling and exploring, thus saving you money on accommodation costs.
The initial cost of hiring the campervan will be the biggest expense of your trip. Still, it will work out much cheaper than booking hotel rooms in each new location you visit.
Similar to hiring a car, travelling Ireland by campervan allows you to be the pilot of your own adventure, meaning you don’t have to stick to a pre-planned structure. Instead, enabling you to get off the beaten track and experience Ireland like a local.
