In planning mode - how much budget should I keep in mind for Ireland - any experiences?
When I travelled through Ireland, my biggest expenses were food and drinks. A stew in a Dublin pub cost €15, and dinners in Galway were €25 with a pint. Intercity buses like Dublin-Cork cost €20, and local buses €2.50. Tips of 10% were expected. My daily spend averaged €80, though nights out with live music easily hit €100. For planning, I’d say €75 daily covers meals, transport, and tips, but set aside extra if you enjoy pub culture - it adds up fast.
Meals: €12-15 pub, €25 in restaurants. Transport: €2.50 city buses, €15-25 intercity. Tips: 10%. A safe daily figure is €70-80 for meals, transport, and tips. Add €10-20 more if you plan regular pub nights. Ireland is beautiful but not cheap, especially in Dublin. For a month, budget around €2,200 for food, rides, and tips alone.
I spent about €85 per day in Ireland. Pub lunches were €12, dinners €20-25, and drinks €6 each. Intercity buses averaged €18, and local buses €2.50. Tips were 10%. At this budget, I could eat out, enjoy a pint most evenings, and take a few day trips like Cliffs of Moher tours (€35). €85 daily feels like the sweet spot for a comfortable month-long trip without luxury hotels.
Ireland is tough on the wallet. Pub meals cost €12-15, and restaurants €20-25 per plate. Transport adds up, with buses €2.50 per ride and intercity trips €15-25. Tips are 10%. On a strict budget, €60 daily is possible by staying in hostels, cooking your own food, and sticking to buses. Pints cost €6-7, so nights out raise costs fast. For a month, Ireland is pricier than many parts of Europe but manageable if you plan carefully.