Dublin is the most visited city of Ireland and probably for some, the only one. It is not always easy to travel on a budget but it’s possible. Here are some tips from us for you on how to keep your wallet in your pocket (mostly):
EAT
Make a choice between eating and having drinks.. no just kidding!
First tip is to avoid the city centre and in general don’t go to Temple bar. Although it’s a nice place to eat, it’s busy and expensive. The food costs an arm and a leg, is not necessarily the nicest dish you can have and they will charge you a service fee which you of course do not want. Early bird menus are quite frequent in Dublin and almost every restaurant has them. Make sure you find some of those places if you really want to eat out (Which we think you should. There is nothing better than an Irish stew). Many grab and go places offer lunch deals which give you a drink, a sandwich and a small snack. They keep you filled up and are inexpensive. Why not grabbing your dinner at Tesco and have a nice picnic in St Stephen’s Green or simply stay at a hostel where food is included. Get creative!
SLEEP
Booking early is key if you’d like to stay for low money in a nice hotel. Hotels offer early bird rates. Hostels are located throughout the city and offer bike rentals, luggage depot, meals and a bed of course. Couchsurfing is also something the Irish like to do. If you don’t mind sleeping in someone’s living room, this is a great way to get in touch with people and eventually get some tips about the city. If you’re really adventurous, you might want to bring your tent but be prepared: it might get wet!
STAY
The most important is of course on how to see as much of the city as possible without spending a fortune. Many attractions require an admission fee but some don’t. Among those are the Museum of Modern Art, the National Gallery of Ireland, the National Museum of Archaeology, the Natural History Museum and some others. Trinity College is always worth a stroll. Beautiful buildings, many people and lots to look at and explore. Make sure you see all four squares. Besides, Trinity College is home to the oldest Rugby club in the world and if you’re lucky, you might be able to spot a game or two. On Fridays, if the weather is nice, students get out of their dorms and sit on the fields, having a drink and enjoying the sun. Feel free to buy some beer at the store and join them on the grass. Churches always require an admission fee which is used for the maintenance of the church and Dublin Castle can also not be entered without paying but that’s why we suggest you leave the city for a day and go to beautiful Howth, located at the coast side of Dublin or Dun Laoghaire to have a walk past the beach. One sight worth paying a small entrance fee for is Kilmainham Gaol, you will love it.
