Ireland is not a cheap destination, but it is not as expensive as its reputation suggests — particularly outside Dublin and the peak summer months. A mid-range budget of €150–200 per person per day (sharing a double room) is realistic for a comfortable self-drive trip including car hire, B&B accommodation, meals out and attraction entry. Budget travellers in hostels can manage €80–100. Those staying in 4-star hotels and eating well should allow €250–350.
The biggest variable is timing. Hotel rates in Killarney, Doolin and Galway in July and August are 40–60% higher than September for the same room. The cost of a shoulder-season trip (May or September) is lower on almost every line item — accommodation, car hire, ferries and tours all have better availability and lower prices outside peak.
The second biggest variable is how many paid attractions you include. Ireland has more outstanding free experiences than most countries — the Wild Atlantic Way, the Wicklow Mountains, the Giant's Causeway itself, most beaches and headlands — so a low-cost trip can still hit the highlights.
Highlights
- Car hire: from €35/day booked in advance; full coverage (CDW + SCDW) adds €15–25/day — always take it
- Fuel: petrol/diesel at approximately €1.75–1.90/litre; a 1,000km trip costs roughly €100–130 depending on vehicle
- Accommodation: hostel dorm €25–40pp; B&B double €80–130; 3★ hotel €110–170; 4★ hotel €160–280; peak summer adds 40–60%
- Food: café breakfast €8–14; pub lunch €14–22; restaurant dinner (main course) €18–35; tasting menu €65–120
- Attractions: many are free; OPW Heritage Card (€40 adults) covers 10+ major heritage sites and pays for itself across a typical Ancient East route
- Ferries and island trips: Aran Islands return €30–35; Skellig Michael boat tour €130–140; Rathlin Island return £16; Spike Island €28
- Total 7-day estimate: budget €700–900pp; mid-range €1,100–1,500pp; comfortable €1,800–2,500pp (excluding flights)
Attractions in this guide
Local tips
- →Buy the OPW Heritage Card (€40 adults, €90 family) at your first OPW site — it covers Newgrange, Rock of Cashel, Kilkenny Castle, Trim Castle, Cahir Castle and a dozen more
- →Eating lunch rather than dinner at good restaurants cuts costs sharply — the same kitchens often offer lunch menus at €15–20 vs €35–45 at dinner
- →Supermarket forecourts (Tesco, Lidl, SuperValu) sell fuel 5–8 cent per litre cheaper than rural or motorway stations — fill up in towns
- →Airbnb and self-catering cottages offer excellent value for families or groups — a 3-bedroom cottage often costs less than two hotel rooms
- →September prices are 20–30% lower than August on accommodation across the west coast, with no meaningful drop in weather quality
- →Most of Ireland's best experiences are free: Wild Atlantic Way, Wicklow Mountains, Giant's Causeway access, beaches, cliff walks and the Dingle Peninsula drive cost nothing
Ready to go?
Plan your Ireland trip
Best time to visit
Shoulder season (May, September) for best value
Getting there
Car hire is the dominant cost on a self-drive trip. Book well in advance — last-minute hire in peak season is expensive and availability is poor. Always take the collision damage waiver; basic policies carry a €2,000+ excess that you do not want to discover on a narrow Connemara road.
Region
Ireland · Planning
Attractions covered
6 in this guide
