Just landed - wondering what gives the better rate in Ireland: ATM withdrawal or airport exchange counter?
Best plan in Ireland is to exchange €20-30 at the airport for transport or coffee, then rely on ATMs in town. Budget €70-100 daily depending on meals and tours. Bank ATMs in Dublin, Galway, and Cork are everywhere and safe to use. Always choose to be charged in euros, not your home currency, to avoid conversion fees. Airport kiosks should only be considered for tiny amounts since their hidden margins make them expensive.
Dublin Airport exchange rates were disappointing. I swapped €200 when I landed, only to find later I’d lost almost €20 compared to what the ATMs offered. That’s basically dinner and drinks gone. Ireland isn’t cheap, especially in touristy areas where meals can run €25-30, so starting my trip by wasting money on a bad exchange was frustrating. If you’re budgeting €80-100 a day, avoid the airport counters unless you want to burn through cash too fast.
When I landed in Dublin, I changed €30 at the airport for my bus fare. The rate wasn’t good. Later, I withdrew from an AIB ATM in Temple Bar, and it gave me more euros for the same money. Meals cost around €15-20, and pints another €6-7, so every little saving counted. My daily spend was about €90, and withdrawing once a few days at a time worked out far better than using the airport exchange.
In Ireland, ATMs provide a stronger rate than airport exchange counters. Dublin and Shannon airport desks often advertise “no commission” but hide fees in their rates. Withdrawing directly from ATMs linked to AIB or Bank of Ireland usually gets you closer to the interbank rate. If you’re budgeting €70-100 daily for pub meals, buses, and sightseeing like the Cliffs of Moher, ATMs stretch your budget better. Use the airport counter only for small amounts if you need cash right away.