{"id":3952,"date":"2022-01-15T21:31:05","date_gmt":"2022-01-15T21:31:05","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/toptendublin.com\/?p=3952"},"modified":"2023-07-02T09:45:38","modified_gmt":"2023-07-02T09:45:38","slug":"dublin-on-a-budget","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/toptendublin.com\/dublin-on-a-budget\/","title":{"rendered":"Dublin On A Budget – Save Money in Ireland’s Capital"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

The Dublin on a Budget Guide<\/strong> is the essential guide to saving money in Ireland\u2019s capital, a city known for being expensive. Tips on saving money on transport, accommodation, food, and entertainment. Here's the ultimate guide to things to do in Dublin for free, nearly free, and downright reasonably priced.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Budget Guide to Dublin is a detailed guide to Dublin by a local. I spent many years living overseas and when I come back to Ireland\u2019s capital city, I\u2019m regularly shocked at the costs of everything. There\u2019s no denying that it\u2019s an expensive city. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

I can\u2019t tell you if the best things in life are free or not. But what I can tell you is that Dublin offers plenty of options for the budget traveler. You just need to know where to look. I\u2019ll take the guesswork out of it. Find out how to make the most of your trip to Ireland\u2019s capital without breaking the bank.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Cost comparison: Dublin vs other European Cities<\/p>\n\n\n

\n\n\n\n\n\tPrice Levels Comparison Chart<\/title>\n\t<script type=\"text\/javascript\" src=\"https:\/\/www.gstatic.com\/charts\/loader.js\"><\/script>\n\t<script type=\"text\/javascript\">\n\t\tgoogle.charts.load('current', {'packages':['corechart']});\n\t\tgoogle.charts.setOnLoadCallback(drawChart);\n\t\tfunction drawChart() {\n\t\t\tvar data = google.visualization.arrayToDataTable([\n\t\t\t\t['Category', 'Dublin', 'Amsterdam', 'London', 'Barcelona', 'Paris', 'Sofia'],\n\t\t\t\t['Accommodation', 129, 129, 137, 121, 138, 68],\n\t\t\t\t['Food and non-alcoholic beverages', 117, 98, 96, 95, 109, 56],\n\t\t\t\t['Alcoholic beverages and tobacco', 87, 83, 78, 83, 88, 54],\n\t\t\t\t['Transport', 120, 93, 113, 96, 99, 51],\n\t\t\t\t['Communication', 94, 93, 89, 85, 87, 59],\n\t\t\t\t['Recreation and culture', 98, 101, 108, 93, 94, 52],\n\t\t\t\t['Restaurants and hotels', 133, 107, 118, 107, 116, 61]\n\t\t\t]);\n\n\t\t\tvar options = {\n\t\t\t\ttitle: 'Price Levels Comparison Chart',\n\t\t\t\tlegend: { position: 'top' },\n\t\t\t\thAxis: { title: 'Category' },\n\t\t\t\tvAxis: { title: '' }\n\t\t\t};\n\n\t\t\tvar chart = new google.visualization.ColumnChart(document.getElementById('chart_div'));\n\t\t\tchart.draw(data, options);\n\t\t}\n\t<\/script>\n<\/head>\n<body>\n\t<div id=\"chart_div\" style=\"width: 100%; height: 500px;\"><\/div>\n<\/body>\n<\/html>\n\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"where-to-stay-in-dublin-on-a-budget\">Where to stay in Dublin on a budget<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>If you\u2019re planning on staying in a hotel, know that Dublin is the 7th <a rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" aria-label=\"7th most expensive holiday destination (opens in a new tab)\" href=\"https:\/\/www.statista.com\/statistics\/789158\/average-price-expensive-worldwide-destination-per-night-per-person\/\" target=\"_blank\">most expensive holiday destination<\/a> in the world, based on the average price per night per person<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Even more expensive than London, Oslo, and San Francisco, the city has catapulted itself into the rich league. Speaking as a local, it\u2019s undeserved. The prices merely reflect the lack of accommodation options. However, that\u2019s the way it is, so let\u2019s look at finding the best options. Then you can enjoy the many interesting things to do in the city.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>The best value hotels in Dublin<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>I picked 5-10 of the most popular hotels in price ranges: below \u20ac75, \u20ac75-125 and \u20ac125 – 200. I checked their prices for 2 random weeks throughout the year through the <strong>top hotel booking engines<\/strong> on the internet (<a rel=\"nofollow\" href=\"http:\/\/hotels.com\/\">Hotels.com<\/a>, <a rel=\"nofollow\" href=\"http:\/\/agoda.com\/\">Agoda.com<\/a>, <a rel=\"nofollow\" href=\"http:\/\/booking.com\/\">Booking.com<\/a>, Expedia com)<\/p>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\">\n<p>Dublin is the 7th most expensive holiday destination in the world<\/p>\n<cite>Statista.com<\/cite><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<p>The cheapest was <a rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\/\/toptendublin.com\/get\/agoda\" target=\"_blank\">Agoda<\/a>, but not by much. Agoda is the clear winner in Asia but in Europe, the website competes with a slightly more sophisticated market. Booking and Expedia have almost identical pricing structures. Agoda wins by \u20ac10 or \u20ac20 for a week\u2019s rental (which is a tiny amount in comparison to the cost of hotels in Dublin). <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>However, for some results, Agoda throws up bargains that far outdo the others. Check with this website first and if you can\u2019t find what you\u2019re looking for, look at the other hotel search engines. Check the <strong>Top Secret Hotels deals<\/strong> before deciding!<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>There are other sites apart from the ones listed below, but they pretty much cover the same accommodation options. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Google Your Hotel<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>If you search for the name of a hotel in Google, the right-hand side information panel will also you to compare hotel search websites. Key in your dates to get an idea of the pricing. But always check directly with whichever site you choose.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>If you want to spend a bit more for a fantastic view, check out our picks of <a href=\"https:\/\/toptendublin.com\/best-hotels-views\/\" data-type=\"post\" data-id=\"4400\">Dublin hotels with the best views<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"731\" height=\"1024\" src=\"https:\/\/toptendublin.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/busker-in-merchants-arch-temple-bar-dublin-731x1024-1.jpg\" alt=\"busker in merchants arch temple bar dublin 731x1024\" class=\"wp-image-3968\" srcset=\"https:\/\/toptendublin.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/busker-in-merchants-arch-temple-bar-dublin-731x1024-1.jpg 731w, https:\/\/toptendublin.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/busker-in-merchants-arch-temple-bar-dublin-731x1024-1-214x300.jpg 214w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 731px) 100vw, 731px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">A busker in Merchant's Arch, Temple Bar Area<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"cheap-eats-dublin-food-and-drink-on-a-budget\">Cheap eats Dublin – Food and Drink on a budget<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cIreland\u2019s food is taking over the world\u201d, said nobody, ever. Traditional Irish food is actually pretty darn good. However, Ireland and Dublin are not known for their culinary traditions. Irish beers punch above their weight on the world stage, but you won\u2019t find Irish restaurants in every city in the world. Or any city outside of Ireland, for that matter. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Hundreds of years of subsisting on potatoes (thanks to colonial rule) means that any semblance of a national cuisine was wiped out when the English colonized Ireland.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>But Ireland's culinary scene is changing for the better. One of Dublin's coastal restaurants has won the award for <a rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" aria-label=\"Best Seafood Restaurant in the World (opens in a new tab)\" href=\"https:\/\/www.independent.ie\/life\/food-drink\/irish-restaurant-named-best-seafood-restaurant-in-the-world-for-the-fourth-consecutive-year-38298965.html\" target=\"_blank\">Best Seafood Restaurant in the World<\/a>. Four years in a row. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>That's great, you say, now tell me where the <a href=\"https:\/\/toptendublin.com\/cheap-eats-dublin\/\" data-type=\"post\" data-id=\"3987\">cheap eats<\/a> and <a href=\"https:\/\/toptendublin.com\/best-ethnic-restaurants\/\" data-type=\"post\" data-id=\"4041\">ethnic eateries<\/a> can be found.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Fish & chips is one of Dublin's best-loved cheap fast food treats. Check out this list of the <a href=\"https:\/\/toptendublin.com\/best-fish-chips-chipper\/\" data-type=\"post\" data-id=\"4078\">best chippers in the city<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/firsttable.com\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">FirstTable.com<\/a>, the website that lets you book the first table of the night at a heavily discounted price, is a great option for early eaters. You can often get <strong>50% off regular meal prices<\/strong> but these discounts generally finish around 18:30. For early birds only but a great way to sample some of the best restaurants in the city for cheap.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"the-best-value-3-course-meal-in-dublin\"><strong>The best value 3-course meal in Dublin<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Want to eat a chef-prepared three-course meal every day of the week for \u20ac10?<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>It\u2019s a little-known secret so keep it quiet. The Schools of Culinary Arts and Food Technology and Hospitality Management and Tourism in the Dublin Institute of Technology (DIT) Cathal Brugha Street have two restaurants: <strong>The Blue Room<\/strong> and <strong>The Green Room<\/strong>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>These are training restaurants and the primary aim is the education of the students. However, the food prepared is offered to the public at an incredible price. Eat amazing meals prepared by the star chefs of the future for a bargain price.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Cash only accepted. Book in advance.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"the-cheapest-lunch-places-in-dublin\">The cheapest Lunch places in Dublin<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Pho Viet<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/goo.gl\/maps\/QQoafUnnTNXUiDkw8\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">162 Parnell St, Rotunda<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>With delicious Goi Cuon starters for less than \u20ac5 and Prawn Noodle Soup for \u20ac13, Pho Viet is a great choice for <a href=\"https:\/\/toptendublin.com\/cheap-eats-dublin\/\" data-type=\"post\" data-id=\"3987\">fast, cheap, and delicious food<\/a> in Dublin\u2019s city centre. Situated on the less-touristy Parnell st, it\u2019s only a short walk from O\u2019Connell St or Henry St. One of the <a href=\"https:\/\/toptendublin.com\/best-ethnic-restaurants\/\" data-type=\"post\" data-id=\"4041\">best Asian restaurants<\/a> in the city.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>The Ramen Bar<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/goo.gl\/maps\/HC7q2Jx8TLBNbWESA\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">51 William St S<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Located in one of the hipper (read: expensive) places in the city on South William Street, the <a href=\"http:\/\/theramenbar.ie\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" aria-label=\"Ramen Bar (opens in a new tab)\">Ramen Bar<\/a> is a fairly new addition to Dublin. Ramen bar is a very cool space of nooks and crannies, with low lighting, this is a great spot for lunch or even a date. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Lunch dishes (which are big and filling) are typically around the \u20ac12 mark with starters running at half that price.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>The Rustic Stone<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/goo.gl\/maps\/P7cY8V3WtgLqRP3G8\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">17 South Great George's Street<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Rustic, run by one of Ireland's best-known chefs, Dylan McGrath, is not a “cheap” place but you can always find special offers for excellent value meals. Check Thetaste.ie website and Groupon for offers. Don't miss it. And try the steak!<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>The Fumbally<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/goo.gl\/maps\/m7QeL44WZRTVAooT9\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Fumbally Ln, The Liberties<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>It doesn\u2019t look like a bargain place but you can fill up in <a rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" aria-label=\"The Fumbally (opens in a new tab)\" href=\"https:\/\/thefumbally.ie\/\" target=\"_blank\">The Fumbally<\/a> for between \u20ac7 and \u20ac15. Pulled porchetta (delicious) for less than \u20ac8, falafel wraps for \u20ac7, meat & fish specials for less than \u20ac15. Try a bunch of small plates of food. Each one costs between \u20ac3 and \u20ac6.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>10 Thousand World Buffet<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/goo.gl\/maps\/cBgJzjsYcWACJ3HVA\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">46-49 O'Connell Street Upper<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>An almost identical copy of the Dragon Buffet, <a rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" aria-label=\"10 Thousand World (opens in a new tab)\" href=\"http:\/\/tenthousandworldbuffet.com\/\" target=\"_blank\">10 Thousand World<\/a> is not too far from Henry street and can be found on the other side of the road from the Savoy cinema on O\u2019Connell St. Chinese and western food by the bucket load. If you\u2019re looking for a cheap and fast option for less than \u20ac10, this is a good bet. Save your gourmet food exploring for dinner time.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Ikea<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/goo.gl\/maps\/zWbDs4HzNZgqGNDL6\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">11 St Margaret's Rd, Balcurris<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Ikea? Yep. Here's something that only local Dubliners know about. The flatpack store has one of the <a rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" aria-label=\"cheapest restaurants (opens in a new tab)\" href=\"https:\/\/www.ikea.com\/ie\/en\/campaigns\/ikea-food-pubd6e61051\" target=\"_blank\">cheapest restaurants<\/a> in the country. The only problem is that you'll have to trek out to Ballymun for lunch. But if you have transport, it's easy to take a detour from your Botanic Gardens visit or even on the way to the Airport. There's a kid's menu, coffee dock, and bistro.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Bang Bang<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/goo.gl\/maps\/a6EpMYvSMjqzidKh8\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">59A Leinster St N, Phibsborough<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Cheap eats in Phisboro don't come much better than Bang Bang. The delicious Brunch Burger with bacon, organic egg, Edam, and relish comes in at a bargain \u20ac7. Open from 10 am to 4 pm every day (except Sunday) and worth the trip if you're not near <a rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\/\/nomadflag.com\/hipster-guide-dublin\/\" target=\"_blank\">Dublin's hippest suburb<\/a>. They also serve excellent coffee from <a href=\"https:\/\/toptendublin.com\/coffee-roasters-dublin\/#silverskin-coffee-roaster\">Silverskin Coffee Roasters<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1000\" height=\"750\" src=\"https:\/\/toptendublin.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/dublin-city-and-liffey-river.jpg\" alt=\"dublin city and liffey river\" class=\"wp-image-3967\" srcset=\"https:\/\/toptendublin.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/dublin-city-and-liffey-river.jpg 1000w, https:\/\/toptendublin.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/dublin-city-and-liffey-river-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/toptendublin.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/dublin-city-and-liffey-river-768x576.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px\" \/><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"breakfast\">Breakfast<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Dubliners generally eat a big breakfast. Continental-style croissants or bread and coffee are just for the visitors in hotels. Irish people go big at breakfast time. This is changing a little with the faster pace of life. Muesli bars (ugh) as a breakfast-on-the-go option have exploded in popularity but ask anyone in Dublin what their favourite breakfast is and they\u2019ll unanimously mention the \u201cIrish Breakfast\u201d.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>If you\u2019re looking for a meal that keeps you going all day, this is the one. Hotels will charge you an arm and a leg for one of these but you can get an Irish brekkie for cheap in many places around town. Standards vary, of course, but here are some of the best at the best prices. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>What is an Irish Breakfast?<\/strong> A traditional Irish breakfast consists of Rashers (bacon), eggs, sausages, black pudding (dried pig\u2019s blood with bits of oats or barley in it – delicious), white pudding, Heinz beans, mushrooms, tea (or coffee). It\u2019s a high-fat, calorie-laden meal that would keep an army marching. Just the thing you need for walking Dublin\u2019s streets. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>The LovinSpoon<\/strong>, 13 Frederick St N – A greasy spoon style cafe in the less-frequented north part of Dublin\u2019s inner city. Cheap and cheerful.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Goose on the Loose<\/strong>, Kevin St Lower – Cosy restaurant near the student hub of Kevin St Lower. Cheap and cheerful.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>The Kilkenny Caf\u00e9<\/strong>, 15 Nassau St – Hidden inside the Kilkenny Shop, this caf\u00e9 is a great place to get a quick and inexpensive Full Irish or any other kind of breakfast. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Grove Road<\/strong>, 1 Rathmines Rd Lower – Lovely little cafe by the Grand Canal, Grove Road serves up muesli and coffee, bacon and avocado toast, and pretty much whatever the <a rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" aria-label=\"local hipsters (opens in a new tab)\" href=\"http:\/\/nomadflag.com\/hipster-guide-dublin\/\" target=\"_blank\">local hipsters<\/a> want.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>And some Dublin cafes and eateries offer <a rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\/\/toptendublin.com\/dublin-all-day-breakfast\/\" target=\"_blank\">all-day breakfasts<\/a>, so you can eat your black pudding and eggs any time. And if you're looking for pastries and breads, check out the <a href=\"https:\/\/toptendublin.com\/best-bakeries\/\" data-type=\"post\" data-id=\"4156\">best bakeries in Dublin<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"coffee\">Coffee<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Despite being one of the top tea-drinking nations in the world, coffee is a big thing for the Irish. <a href=\"https:\/\/toptendublin.com\/coffee-roasters-dublin\/\">Dubliners have taken to coffee<\/a> like a duck to water. And they\u2019re enthusiastic about trying new places and new brews. You\u2019ll find new cafes everywhere. It\u2019s hard to keep track of them, but track we must. Because you don\u2019t want a lovely new Dublin coffee shop with delicious bean brews to go unnoticed. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Coffee in Dublin is priced according to the bean, decor, rent of the premises, and the perceived spending powers of the customers. (I just made all of those criteria up – but could be true).<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The following are <strong>independent coffee shops<\/strong>. Chain coffee shops are all at similar prices (mid-price range) and as far as I\u2019m concerned, offer much lower quality coffee than the indies.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Cracked Nut<\/strong>, 71 Camden Street Lower – One of the cheapest places in Dublin to get a caffeine fix. Delicious coffee too. Might make the <a href=\"https:\/\/nomadflag.com\/best-cafes-dublin\/\" data-type=\"post\" data-id=\"2008\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Coffee Top 10<\/a> soon. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Kaph<\/strong>, 31 Drury Street – Super trendy (still) independent cafe in Drury Street (Dublin 2). Inexpensive<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong><a rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" aria-label=\"Coffee Angel (opens in a new tab)\" href=\"http:\/\/nomadflag.com\/top-ten-cafes-dublin\/#coffee-angel\" target=\"_blank\">Coffee Angel<\/a><\/strong> (multiple locations) – Surprisingly cheap brew of coffee from one of the main dealers of caffeine beverages in Dublin.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Nick\u2019s Coffee Company<\/strong>, 22 Ranelagh, Rathmines – Despite the location in Dubin\u2019s trendy (and expensive) Ranelagh, <a rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" aria-label=\"Nick's Coffee (opens in a new tab)\" href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/nickscoffeeco\" target=\"_blank\">Nick's Coffee<\/a> is inexpensive. But that doesn\u2019t mean it\u2019s low quality. Nick's is a tiny place that looks like it was built in a weekend. But they know their beans and people love the place. Currently, \u20ac1.30 for an espresso. Beat that!<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/nomadflag.com\/top-ten-cafes-dublin\/#butlers\"><strong>Butler\u2019s Irish Chocolate Cafe<\/strong><\/a> (multiple locations) – The only coffee chain I patronise. Unlike the Starbucks, Nero, and Costa chains, Butlers use tasty beans that aren\u2019t burnt. Great value brews in an unpretentious setting. They also offer a loyalty card. And bonus, you get free chocolate with every coffee. So if you\u2019re looking for a small snack with your coffee, this is the place to go. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong><a rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" aria-label=\"3FE (opens in a new tab)\" href=\"http:\/\/nomadflag.com\/top-ten-cafes-dublin\/#3fe\" target=\"_blank\">3FE<\/a><\/strong>, 32-34 Grand Canal Street Lower – Award-winning barista coffee in Dublin\u2019s Docklands. Caters to the higher-earning tech crowd.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>And if you're interested in grinding and serving your own beans, this list of the <a href=\"https:\/\/toptendublin.com\/coffee-roasters-dublin\/\" data-type=\"post\" data-id=\"3873\">best coffee roasters in Dublin<\/a> is all you need.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Bubble tea is another trend in beverages that's here to stay. The Taiwanese tapioca ball cold tea drink can be found in numerous <a href=\"https:\/\/toptendublin.com\/best-bubble-tea\/\" data-type=\"post\" data-id=\"4103\">bubble tea stores around the city<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"grocery-shopping\">Grocery Shopping<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>If you like to cook for yourself and you have your own apartment or an Airbnb, Aldi and Lidl are good options for supplies. The food is actually pretty good quality despite appearances. However, both stores stock a limited range of products and if you want anything really special, you\u2019ll need to go to Dunnes Stores or Marks & Spencer. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"insider-tip\">🛒 <strong>Insider Tip: <\/strong>Marks & Spencer is probably the most expensive supermarket in the country but you can pick up amazing bargains if you know where to look. Every day at around 4 pm they heavily <strong>discount gourmet food products<\/strong>. If you happen to be around the <strong>O\u2019Connell street<\/strong> area (or <strong>Grafton Street<\/strong>) at that time and are planning a party or even just a nice evening meal, head to Marks & Spencer\u2019s supermarket. Stock up on quality items at a fraction of the price. They often offer discounts on wine if you buy 6 at a time.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Looking for inexpensive but quality groceries with an exotic touch? The <strong>Asia Market<\/strong> on Drury Street is a great choice. It's one of the original Asian food stores in the city and the best.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>And don't forget to visit one of Dublin's many <a href=\"https:\/\/toptendublin.com\/butchers\/\" data-type=\"post\" data-id=\"4120\">local butchers<\/a>. You get what you pay for but it doesn't have to be expensive. Ask your butcher for great-tasting, inexpensive cuts that the supermarkets don't offer.<\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1000\" height=\"750\" src=\"https:\/\/toptendublin.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/asia-market-budget-food-store-dublin.jpg\" alt=\"asia market budget food store dublin\" class=\"wp-image-3966\" srcset=\"https:\/\/toptendublin.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/asia-market-budget-food-store-dublin.jpg 1000w, https:\/\/toptendublin.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/asia-market-budget-food-store-dublin-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/toptendublin.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/asia-market-budget-food-store-dublin-768x576.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px\" \/><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"drinking-in-dublin\">Drinking in Dublin<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Despite the Irish being known as drinkers, and Dublin having the reputation as stag weekend central, drinking in Dublin is expensive and limited to the hours before 11 pm, in general. The Irish are actually the <a rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" aria-label=\"28th biggest consumers of alcohol (opens in a new tab)\" href=\"https:\/\/ourworldindata.org\/alcohol-consumption\" target=\"_blank\">28th biggest consumers of alcohol<\/a> in the world, not the 1st, as many people believe.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Avoid the <a rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" aria-label=\"Temple Bar area (opens in a new tab)\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Temple_Bar,_Dublin\" target=\"_blank\">Temple Bar area<\/a> (where tourists and their money part ways) and the bars on <strong>Dawson Street<\/strong> if you\u2019re on a budget. Both areas have some good pubs but the prices are inflated. The most popular places in Temple Bar tend to increase prices incrementally as the night progresses (and as clients get drunker). <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Dicey\u2019s Garden on Harcourt Street is very popular, especially with students and budget-conscious Brazilians. The place packs out early on certain nights thanks to \u20ac2 drink prices. Tempting, right? My advice is to visit early, have a couple of drinks and ridiculously cheap food, and then move on to somewhere better (pretty much anywhere).<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"travel-transport\">Travel & Transport<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Dublin does not have a transport network on the level of most other major European cities. Walking if often the best option for getting around. There\u2019s no metro or subway like in London, Paris, and New York. The light rail (tram) system is pretty efficient but limited in scope. <strong>Taxis can be expensive <\/strong>and the weather can often be too bad to cycle. So if you don\u2019t fancy walking, you\u2019re left with the bus service. Luckily, buses are much better than they used to be. Buses have wifi and are generally very clean. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"get-a-leap-card\">Get a Leap Card<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>If you\u2019re in town for a while, get a <a rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" aria-label=\"Leap Card (opens in a new tab)\" href=\"https:\/\/www.leapcard.ie\" target=\"_blank\">Leap Card<\/a> and save money on trips. You can pick up a card from newsagents and corner stores. Look out for the green Leap Card sign outside. <strong>The card costs around \u20ac5<\/strong> but it will save you plenty of money on every journey. It also cuts out the need to carry coins.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>So you\u2019ve got your LeapCard. One mistake people make is just pressing their card against the automatic card register on your right as you enter the bus. This will charge you the full price. If you\u2019re not going a long distance, tell the bus driver your destination stop (or street) and they will charge accordingly. You then press your LeapCard against the scan machine beside the driver\u2019s cabin. You might save \u20ac0.40 here and there but it all adds up, right?<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>You can use your card on the LUAS (tram system) which serves both the North and South sides of the city.<\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1000\" height=\"669\" src=\"https:\/\/toptendublin.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/dublin-bike-transport.jpg\" alt=\"dublin bike transport\" class=\"wp-image-3964\" srcset=\"https:\/\/toptendublin.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/dublin-bike-transport.jpg 1000w, https:\/\/toptendublin.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/dublin-bike-transport-300x201.jpg 300w, https:\/\/toptendublin.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/dublin-bike-transport-768x514.jpg 768w, https:\/\/toptendublin.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/dublin-bike-transport-600x400.jpg 600w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px\" \/><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"getting-to-and-from-the-airport\">Getting to and from the Airport<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>The cheapest option is the <a href=\"https:\/\/dodublin.ie\/airport-transfers\/airlink-express\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" aria-label=\"Airlink Bus (opens in a new tab)\">Airlink Bus<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>One-way tickets<\/strong> cost \u20ac6 and <strong>return tickets<\/strong> go for \u20ac11. Buses run every 10 minutes from 04:45 (06:30 on Sunday) to 00:30. That covers the vast majority of flight departures and arrivals.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Make sure that you print out the ticket. Drives will not accept smartphone images of your ticket. <strong>Print out the ticket<\/strong> before you fly into Dublin or use the printing services at the <a href=\"https:\/\/toptendublin.com\/luggage-storage-dublin\/\" data-type=\"post\" data-id=\"4232\">Left Luggage<\/a> or Bag Wrapping services in Dublin airport. Connect to the free Wifi at the airport and email your ticket to the customer service reps who will print out the ticket for you. Expect to pay around \u20ac0.50 for a single sheet printout.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>For comparison, a taxi from the airport to the city centre costs around \u20ac25. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"taxis\">Taxis<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>For Taxis, the newest and best option is <a rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\/\/toptendublin.com\/get\/bolt\" target=\"_blank\">Bolt<\/a> taxi. Another option is FREE NOW (formerly known as My Taxi), a taxi app that works with registered taxi drivers. This is different than the rideshare business model which helps mostly private car owners connect with passengers. Free Now is Ireland's largest taxi app.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Watch out for the FREE NOW Exec option, which is more expensive, and doesn\u2019t really give you an advantage. Wait for the regular taxis. If you want to compare prices, hail a regular taxi on the street and ask the estimated price to your destination. Then compare with the app. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Google Maps can also estimate fare costs if you enter your location and destination and select the <a href=\"https:\/\/toptendublin.com\/travel-in-dublin\/\" data-type=\"post\" data-id=\"4138\">public transport option<\/a>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Check VoucherCloud for MyTaxi promo codes or set up a Google Alert for notifications of discount codes. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Uber also has a presence in Ireland but it\u2019s a low-key affair. Don\u2019t expect the availability of drivers that New York, London, or San Fransisco offer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Taxis work on a metered system and there are strict controls in place to ensure that people are not overcharged. Unscrupulous drivers sometimes take visitors on long detours to increase the fare but this is becoming less common thanks to GPS and maps on smartphones. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>A handy top is to <strong>load up your destination route on your Maps app<\/strong> and if your driver varies wildly from the suggested route, query it. If you don\u2019t get a satisfactory answer, try mentioning the Consumer Affairs or Transport of Ireland organisations ( companies that receive and deal with complaints from consumers).<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Maximum Metered Taxi Fares in Ireland<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-table\"><table><tbody><tr><td>\n<strong>Time Periods<\/strong>\n<\/td><td>\n<strong>Initial Charge for first 500m or 85 seconds)<\/strong>\n<\/td><td>\n<strong>Charge for the next 14.5km (or 41 mins)<\/strong>\n<\/td><td>\n<strong>Charge after 15km<\/strong>\n<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>\nBetween 08:00h and 20:00h Monday to Saturday, except public holidays\n<\/td><td>\n\u20ac3.80\n<\/td><td>\n\u20ac1.14 per km or \u20ac0.40 per minute up to \u20ac20.40\n<\/td><td>\n\u20ac1.50 per km or \u20ac0.53 per minute\n<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>\nBetween 20:00h and 08:00h Monday to Saturday, and all day on Sundays and public holidays\n<\/td><td>\n\u20ac4.20\n<\/td><td>\n\u20ac1.45 per km or \u20ac0.51 per minute up to total \u20ac25.40\n<\/td><td>\n\u20ac1.80 per km or \u20ac0.64 per minute\n<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>Watch out for extra charges if you order a taxi by phone. It\u2019s usually \u20ac2 and might be added at the end.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"dublin-discounts\">Dublin Discounts<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>For discounts on meals out, your best bets are Groupon and <a rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"http:\/\/thetaste.ie\" target=\"_blank\">TheTaste.ie<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Promo codes or discount codes<\/strong>, whatever you choose to call them, can save you a lot of money. And Ireland has no shortage of handy websites that publish links to all the discount codes you\u2019d ever need. The best of these are:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul>\n<li><a rel=\"noreferrer noopener nofollow\" aria-label=\"Money Guide Ireland (opens in a new tab)\" href=\"http:\/\/www.moneyguideireland.com\/category\/vouchers\" target=\"_blank\">Money Guide Ireland<\/a> is A guide to finance and money in Ireland and is focused on residents and long term visitors. But the voucher page is updated fairly regularly.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a rel=\"noreferrer noopener nofollow\" aria-label=\"VoucherCloud.ie (opens in a new tab)\" href=\"https:\/\/www.vouchercloud.ie\/\" target=\"_blank\">VoucherCloud.ie<\/a> finds the discounts that other websites and hotel aggregators offer. It's a handy way of getting an overview of what's on offer. Search by category and location to find your travel-related discounts. You can also create alerts and download the app for discounts on the go.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>The <strong>Bargain Alerts forum<\/strong> on <a rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" aria-label=\" (opens in a new tab)\" href=\"https:\/\/www.boards.ie\/search\/submit\/?forum=346\" target=\"_blank\">Boards.ie<\/a> is a goldmine of crowd-sourced discounts. Sort by “newest first” to get the latest posts. Users suggest bargains and discounts and other forum users can \u201cupvote\u201d the suggestions, query them, or dismiss them. You can get a good idea of what works and what doesn\u2019t by browsing Bargain Alerts.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"free-and-cheap-things-to-do\">Free and Cheap Things to do<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>If you like museums, you\u2019re in luck. Dublin is bursting with them and many of the best museums in the city are free to enter. The beautiful <strong>Irish Museum of Modern Art<\/strong> and the <strong>National Gallery<\/strong> are free. <a rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" aria-label=\"The National Museum of Ireland (opens in a new tab)\" href=\"https:\/\/www.museum.ie\" target=\"_blank\">The National Museum of Ireland<\/a>, which comprises four sites, including the best know in Kildare St, which dates from 1877, is free to the public. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Check the <a href=\"https:\/\/toptendublin.com\/get\/dublinpass\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Dublin Pass<\/a> for discounts on tours and museums<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"museums\">Museums<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>There are <a rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" aria-label=\"over 40 museums (opens in a new tab)\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Category:Museums_in_Dublin_(city)\" target=\"_blank\">over 40 museums<\/a> in Dublin city. Many are free to enter.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>The Chester Beatty<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The <a rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" aria-label=\"Chester Beatty (opens in a new tab)\" href=\"https:\/\/chesterbeatty.ie\/\" target=\"_blank\">Chester Beatty<\/a> is one of the <strong>best small museums in the world<\/strong>. That\u2019s not just my opinion. The entire collection of fascinating world art, books, and artifacts was a gift to the Irish state by Beatty, one of the world's greatest collectors.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Free to enter and well worth your time.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>There\u2019s also a lovely cafe called the <strong>Silk Road Cafe<\/strong> (Beatty was particularly interested in the countries that line the Silk Road) selling delicious food on the ground floor of the building. On nice days, there\u2019s a well-maintained garden in the grounds of <strong>Dublin Castle<\/strong> right outside the entrance. Take the opportunity to grab a coffee and stroll in the gardens. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Dublin Writers Museum<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>This might sound a bit stiff, and the place could do with a little renovation, but it\u2019s a top spot to learn about great Irish writers. Of which there were many. Joyce, Wilde, Beckett, Swift, and Bernard Shaw.  You won\u2019t find it on most <em>Top 10 museums in Dublin<\/em> lists, but it\u2019s well worth a look. It costs \u20ac7.50 to enter (a bargain) but Groupon sometimes offers <a href=\"https:\/\/toptendublin.com\/get\/groupon\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">special deals<\/a> which will save you at least 50% of the cost of entry.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>National Library<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The <a rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" aria-label=\"National Library of Ireland (opens in a new tab)\" href=\"https:\/\/www.nli.ie\/en\/list\/current-events.aspx\" target=\"_blank\">National Library of Ireland<\/a> on Kildare Street offers free public tours and access to an extensive library of newspapers, manuscripts, and photo archives. It\u2019s a place to get lost in the recent history of the country. The stories you\u2019ll find here won\u2019t appear in any guidebook. The library has a nice, bright caf\u00e9 and a genealogy service for anyone researching their Irish heritage. Neither of those things is free, though.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Huge Lane Gallery<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The <a href=\"https:\/\/hughlane.ie\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Hugh Lane Gallery<\/a> is one of the best galleries in town. The gallery offers a constantly moving calendar of exhibitions, talks, lectures, and film screenings. Francis Bacon\u2019s studio (yes, the whole studio) moved from London to the gallery after the death of the Irish artist.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>The Book of Kells – Trinity College Dublin, College Green.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Trinity College's Old Library hosts the Book of Kells, which every visitor to the city should see. The library is an absolutely beautiful place full of history and, well, books but it's the atmosphere you'll go for. And of course, to see the 1200-year-old bible. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Tickets for adults cost \u20ac11 to \u20ac14 depending on the time of day – off-peak times are the first and last couple of hours of the opening times (9:30 am to 5 pm). Students and staff of the university college get in for free (just in case you happen to know any faculty staff or alumni).<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"walking-walking-tours\">Walking & Walking Tours<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Free walking tours have become very popular in cities all over the world in the last 10 years. Dublin is no exception. There are around 20 different tour operators offering free guided walks around the city, so there's plenty of choices.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>How does it work? The idea is you donate some cash to the tour leader and that keeps him stocked up on rain gear and corny jokes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul>\n<li><a rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" aria-label=\"New Europe Tours (opens in a new tab)\" href=\"https:\/\/www.neweuropetours.eu\/dublin-walking-tours\/\" target=\"_blank\">New Europe Tours<\/a> – Filter by “free tours”.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" aria-label=\"Dublin Free Walking Tour (opens in a new tab)\" href=\"https:\/\/www.dublinfreewalkingtour.ie\/\" target=\"_blank\">Dublin Free Walking Tour<\/a> needs no explanation.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" aria-label=\"Generation Tours (opens in a new tab)\" href=\"https:\/\/www.generationtours.com\/dublin\" target=\"_blank\">Generation Tours<\/a> is one of the longest-running tours in Dublin and focuses on a younger crowd.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" aria-label=\"FreeTour.com (opens in a new tab)\" href=\"https:\/\/www.freetour.com\/dublin\" target=\"_blank\">FreeTour.com<\/a> is an aggregator website that lets you filter by time of day among other things.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>If you have some cash to splash on a paid tour, try the <a rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" aria-label=\"Dublin Literary Pub Crawl (opens in a new tab)\" href=\"http:\/\/www.dublinpubcrawl.com\/\" target=\"_blank\">Dublin Literary Pub Crawl<\/a>. It\u2019s a different slant on the sightseeing walks and appeals to people that like <a href=\"https:\/\/toptendublin.com\/best-pubs-fireplaces-dublin\/\" data-type=\"post\" data-id=\"4266\">real pubs<\/a> and people that like books. The website is stuck in 1995 but you can still buy tickets on there (just don\u2019t attempt to do so with a mobile phone). Tickets cost \u20ac15. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Howth Head<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>You'll need to a train to get there (although the journey can be done by bike or car) but once you've reached this little oasis in North Dublin, you'll have spectacular views and access to a beautiful peninsula walk. There's no charge to walk around Howth Head and when the sun is shining (it sometimes happens), it's a beautiful place to be. Grab some food and picnic along the route while gazing across the Irish Sea.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>A train from <strong>Pearse St. Station<\/strong> will bring you to <strong>Howth Village<\/strong> (a beautiful spot in it's own right – check out the restaurants if you're feeling flush), which leads to the trail.<\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"768\" height=\"1024\" src=\"https:\/\/toptendublin.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/howth-head-dublin-768x1024-1.jpg\" alt=\"howth head dublin 768x1024\" class=\"wp-image-3961\" srcset=\"https:\/\/toptendublin.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/howth-head-dublin-768x1024-1.jpg 768w, https:\/\/toptendublin.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/howth-head-dublin-768x1024-1-225x300.jpg 225w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 768px) 100vw, 768px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Howth Head in Summer<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n<p><strong>Wander around Temple Bar<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The Temple Bar area is a tourist trap most of the time, but it's also a colourful place. There are lots to see that won't cost you a penny. Check out the musicians, murals, artwork, and markets that pop up around the streets of this popular Dublin district. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Take a stroll down Henrietta Street<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>A centuries-old place that looks like something from a movie set, Henrietta St is a beautiful example of an inner-city street of Georgian red-brick houses. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"visit-dublin-s-beautiful-parks-gardens\">Visit Dublin's Beautiful Parks & Gardens<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>St Stephen\u2019s Green <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>This city centre green area happens to be right in the centre of the hotel, museum, and arts districts, in Dublin\u2019s Georgian district (I just gave it that name, it\u2019s not actually called the Georgian district so don\u2019t look for it on Google).<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>On a sunny day (yes, it happens sometimes) the park fills with the beautiful people of the city that come out to bask in the rays of sunshine they haven\u2019t seen since their last holiday in Spain. But everyone\u2019s in a good mood and there\u2019s a lively atmosphere. Apart from the locals, there are ex-locals like <strong>Oscar Wilde<\/strong>, <strong>Sir Arthur Guinness<\/strong> (founder of Guinness, in case you hadn\u2019t guessed), and <strong>WB Yeats<\/strong>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The latter, in case you don\u2019t know him, is one of the most important figures in Irish literature. In all literature in fact. WB Yeats' memorial garden in the park, the duck ponds, and the beautifully manicured lawns and plants are well worth a visit. And it\u2019s free.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Phoenix park <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The largest inner city enclosed park in Europe is also the home of a massive group of deer that are more or less free to roam the park. Where else in Europe are there wild deer in the middle of a city?<br>You can also tour the home (official residence) of the Irish President. But <a rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" aria-label=\"tours of Aras an Uachtar\u00e1in (opens in a new tab)\" href=\"https:\/\/president.ie\/en\/explore-visit\/tours-visits\" target=\"_blank\">tours of Aras an Uachtar\u00e1in<\/a> only happen on Saturday so make sure you get your timing right.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Botanic Gardens<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Visit the National Botanic Gardens in Glasnevin and lose yourself among plants and trees from Ireland and around the world. The perfectly manicured gardens contain lakes and paths through 300 endangered species of plants from around the world, and six extinct species (outside of protected gardens). This free oasis of botany only 3km from the centre of Dublin also provides tours, an exhibition centre, and a cafe to visitors. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The gardens are generally open between the hours of 9 am and 5pm with some changes for weekends and winter. Check the website for <a rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" aria-label=\"up to date opening hours (opens in a new tab)\" href=\"http:\/\/botanicgardens.ie\/\" target=\"_blank\">up to date opening hours<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"768\" height=\"1024\" src=\"https:\/\/toptendublin.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/dublins-botanical-gardens-768x1024-1.jpg\" alt=\"dublins botanical gardens 768x1024\" class=\"wp-image-3960\" srcset=\"https:\/\/toptendublin.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/dublins-botanical-gardens-768x1024-1.jpg 768w, https:\/\/toptendublin.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/dublins-botanical-gardens-768x1024-1-225x300.jpg 225w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 768px) 100vw, 768px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">National Botanical Gardens in Glasnevin, Dublin<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"dublin-pass\">The Dublin Pass<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>The <a href=\"https:\/\/toptendublin.com\/get\/dublinpass\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Dublin Pass<\/a> can be a money-saver, despite the price tag of \u20ac59.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Let\u2019s say you\u2019re planning on doing the <strong>Dublin Hop On Hop Off Tour<\/strong>, the <strong>Guinness Storehouse<\/strong>, and <strong>The Jameson Distillery<\/strong>. These three activities alone add up to more than the price of the Dublin Pass. But you also get free access to Dublin Zoo, the Irish Rock \u2018n Roll Museum Experience, The Little Museum of Dublin, and lots of other popular attractions. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>If you plan on visiting 4 to 5 of Dublin\u2019s most popular paid attractions, the Dublin Pass is worth the money.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"is-dublin-expensive\">Is Dublin expensive?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Dublin can be an expensive place to hang out. It\u2019s one of the most expensive cities in Europe so if you\u2019re planning a visit and you\u2019re on a budget, you need all the information and planning you can handle.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Compared to London, Dublin is 11% cheaper (to live), according to the crowd-sourced prices of everyday things at Expatistan. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>According to <a href=\"https:\/\/www.numbeo.com\/cost-of-living\/in\/Dublin\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" aria-label=\"Numbeo (opens in a new tab)\">Numbeo<\/a>, Dublin is 22% cheaper than New York for living. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Reddit forums are full of comments about how expensive the city is<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"378\" src=\"https:\/\/toptendublin.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/dublin-prices-on-dublin-reddit-forum-1024x378-1.png\" alt=\"dublin prices on dublin reddit forum 1024x378\" class=\"wp-image-3959\" srcset=\"https:\/\/toptendublin.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/dublin-prices-on-dublin-reddit-forum-1024x378-1.png 1024w, https:\/\/toptendublin.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/dublin-prices-on-dublin-reddit-forum-1024x378-1-300x111.png 300w, https:\/\/toptendublin.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/dublin-prices-on-dublin-reddit-forum-1024x378-1-768x284.png 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Dublin Reddit Subreddit<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>But what does that mean for the visitor? Well, accommodation will be the biggest expense (unless you plan on hitting the bars every night).<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"dublin-on-a-budget-for-long-stay-travellers-and-expats\">Dublin on a budget For Long Stay Travellers and Expats<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>If you plan to rent an apartment in Ireland, you\u2019ll be paying for the electricity, phone, gas, and other expenses. Head to <a href=\"http:\/\/bonkers.ie\">bonkers.ie<\/a> to <strong>compare monthly costs on everything<\/strong>. The phone companies change their pricing on a regular basis so you really need to take a good look at this. Some do good deals on Internet + landline + cable + mobile phone.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Get a bike<\/strong>. This will save you so much money in the long run. Ireland is a soggy place to live but invest in some rain gear and a positive attitude and you\u2019ll be fine. The thing to remember as you cycle through puddles every day is that you\u2019re <strong>saving a lot of cash<\/strong> compared to the chumps sitting in their cars going nowhere. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>One of the main social issues affecting the lives of thousands of people in Dublin is the housing crisis. Put simply, there aren't many <a href=\"https:\/\/toptendublin.com\/best-neighbourhoods-for-expats\/\" data-type=\"post\" data-id=\"4202\">suburbs to live in Dublin<\/a> for people with low to medium levels of income. As a result, individuals and families have had to live far outside the capital, share with other people, or move back with their parents. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The problems also affect migrant workers and long-term visitors. Where to live? Unless you\u2019ve got plenty of capital, this isn\u2019t something you can solve quickly. And if you\u2019re reading this guide, it\u2019s unlikely you\u2019ve got plenty of cash to splash on a fancy Dublin pad. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Daft.ie<\/strong> and <strong>Myhome.ie<\/strong> are the big players in the <strong>long term accommodation space<\/strong>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:50px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"frequently-asked-questions\">Frequently Asked Questions<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Is Dublin expensive for tourists?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Yes, Dublin is an expensive city. It's one of the most expensive capital cities in the world, especially for <a href=\"https:\/\/toptendublin.com\/24-hours-dublin-culture\/\" data-type=\"post\" data-id=\"4301\">short-term visitors<\/a> and tourists.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Is Dublin expensive to drink?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>It depends on which part of the city and which pubs or restaurants you drink in. Temple Bar pubs charge up to \u20ac6 for a pint of beer. Many traditional pubs charge around \u20ac4. Wine and spirits are more expensive in general. According to <a href=\"https:\/\/www.numbeo.com\/cost-of-living\/country_result.jsp?country=Ireland\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" aria-label=\"Numbeo (opens in a new tab)\">Numbeo<\/a>, the average cost of a pint of local beer in Dublin is \u20ac5<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>How much do you tip in Dublin?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Tipping is Dublin or anywhere in Ireland is not codified like it it is in the United States. It's optional and depends on the situation. If you are returned some change in the form of coins at a bar, it's customary to leave the coins. In restaurants, leave up to 10% for the wait staff. Taxi drivers do not expect a tip.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>What is the cheapest time of year to fly to Ireland?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>February is the cheapest time of year to fly into Dublin airport. The weather is often at it's coldest during this month. March (because of St. Patrick's day), June, and July are the most expensive months.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>How much does it cost to stay in a hotel in Dublin?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>According to Failte Ireland, the Irish Tourism Board, Dublin is a <a rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" aria-label=\"medium-priced city destination (opens in a new tab)\" href=\"http:\/\/www.failteireland.ie\/FailteIreland\/media\/WebsiteStructure\/Documents\/3_Research_Insights\/Failte-Ireland-Analysis-of-Visitor-Accommodation-in-Dublin-(For-Web).pdf?ext=.pdf\" target=\"_blank\">medium-priced city destination<\/a> in Europe. The <a rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" aria-label=\"average price (opens in a new tab)\" href=\"https:\/\/www.irishtimes.com\/business\/transport-and-tourism\/average-cost-of-an-irish-hotel-room-in-now-nearly-150-per-night-1.3669170\" target=\"_blank\">average price<\/a> for a hotel night stay in Ireland is almost \u20ac150. Dublin's hotel prices are higher than the nationwide average. The average price for a <a href=\"http:\/\/insideairbnb.com\/dublin\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" aria-label=\"Dublin Airbnb property (opens in a new tab)\">Dublin Airbnb property<\/a> in the city is \u20ac178.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>How much to budget for a trip to Dublin?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u20ac50-70 a day for backpackers. \u20ac100-130 a day for people that prefer 3-star hotels and the occasional meal in a nice restaurant.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Is Dublin an expensive place to live?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Dublin is one of the most expensive cities in Europe and is 11% cheaper than London for locals or long term residents.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:50px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:100px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"600\" height=\"900\" src=\"https:\/\/toptendublin.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/dublin-on-a-budget.jpg\" alt=\"dublin on a budget\" class=\"wp-image-3957\" srcset=\"https:\/\/toptendublin.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/dublin-on-a-budget.jpg 600w, https:\/\/toptendublin.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/dublin-on-a-budget-200x300.jpg 200w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 600px) 100vw, 600px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Dublin on a Budget | Save money in Ireland's Capital City<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns has-2-columns is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-1 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\"><div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"600\" height=\"900\" src=\"https:\/\/toptendublin.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/Dublin-On-A-Budget-Tourism-in-Dublin-for-Cheap.jpg\" alt=\"dublin on a budget tourism in dublin for cheap\" class=\"wp-image-3956\" srcset=\"https:\/\/toptendublin.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/Dublin-On-A-Budget-Tourism-in-Dublin-for-Cheap.jpg 600w, https:\/\/toptendublin.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/Dublin-On-A-Budget-Tourism-in-Dublin-for-Cheap-200x300.jpg 200w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 600px) 100vw, 600px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">How to Do Dublin On A Budget | Cheap Dublin Guide<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\"><div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"600\" height=\"900\" src=\"https:\/\/toptendublin.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/dublin-city-on-a-budget-affordable-dublin.jpg\" alt=\"dublin city on a budget affordable dublin\" class=\"wp-image-3955\" srcset=\"https:\/\/toptendublin.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/dublin-city-on-a-budget-affordable-dublin.jpg 600w, https:\/\/toptendublin.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/dublin-city-on-a-budget-affordable-dublin-200x300.jpg 200w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 600px) 100vw, 600px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Affordable Dublin – How To Visit Dublin For Cheap<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>The Dublin on a Budget Guide is the essential guide to saving money in Ireland\u2019s capital, a city known for being expensive. Tips on saving money on transport, accommodation, food, and entertainment. Here’s the ultimate guide to things to do in Dublin for free, nearly free, and downright reasonably priced. The Budget Guide to Dublin is a […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":3969,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_seopress_robots_primary_cat":"none","_seopress_titles_title":"Dublin On A Budget - Save Money in Ireland's Capital","_seopress_titles_desc":"The Dublin on a Budget Guide is the essential guide to saving money in Ireland\u2019s capital. Tips on saving money on transport, accommodation, & food","_seopress_robots_index":"","_uag_custom_page_level_css":"","_genesis_hide_title":false,"_genesis_hide_breadcrumbs":false,"_genesis_hide_singular_image":false,"_genesis_hide_footer_widgets":false,"_genesis_custom_body_class":"","_genesis_custom_post_class":"","_genesis_layout":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[13,17],"tags":[],"uagb_featured_image_src":{"full":["https:\/\/toptendublin.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/dublin-on-a-budget-save-money.jpg",1200,800,false],"thumbnail":["https:\/\/toptendublin.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/dublin-on-a-budget-save-money-150x150.jpg",150,150,true],"medium":["https:\/\/toptendublin.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/dublin-on-a-budget-save-money-300x200.jpg",300,200,true],"medium_large":["https:\/\/toptendublin.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/dublin-on-a-budget-save-money-768x512.jpg",768,512,true],"large":["https:\/\/toptendublin.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/dublin-on-a-budget-save-money-1024x683.jpg",1024,683,true],"1536x1536":["https:\/\/toptendublin.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/dublin-on-a-budget-save-money.jpg",1200,800,false],"2048x2048":["https:\/\/toptendublin.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/dublin-on-a-budget-save-money.jpg",1200,800,false],"featured-content-lg":["https:\/\/toptendublin.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/dublin-on-a-budget-save-money-1200x600.jpg",1200,600,true],"featured-content-sm":["https:\/\/toptendublin.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/dublin-on-a-budget-save-money-600x400.jpg",600,400,true],"featured-content-th":["https:\/\/toptendublin.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/dublin-on-a-budget-save-money-600x600.jpg",600,600,true],"portfolio-thumbnail":["https:\/\/toptendublin.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/dublin-on-a-budget-save-money-348x240.jpg",348,240,true]},"uagb_author_info":{"display_name":"Keith","author_link":"https:\/\/toptendublin.com\/author\/adminttd\/"},"uagb_comment_info":0,"uagb_excerpt":"The Dublin on a Budget Guide is the essential guide to saving money in Ireland\u2019s capital, a city known for being expensive. Tips on saving money on transport, accommodation, food, and entertainment. Here's the ultimate guide to things to do in Dublin for free, nearly free, and downright reasonably priced. The Budget Guide to Dublin is a…","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/toptendublin.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3952"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/toptendublin.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/toptendublin.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/toptendublin.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/toptendublin.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=3952"}],"version-history":[{"count":25,"href":"https:\/\/toptendublin.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3952\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":4483,"href":"https:\/\/toptendublin.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3952\/revisions\/4483"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/toptendublin.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/3969"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/toptendublin.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=3952"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/toptendublin.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=3952"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/toptendublin.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=3952"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}