Dublin, Ireland on a Budget

Dublin Ireland’s capital city, boasts a plethora of shops, sights, history and nightlife destinations. Check out the Kildare Street Dublin City Hotel for an affordable family stay in the city. The location offers walkable access to many of the city’s top spots without positioning guests at the center of the hustle and bustle.

Head into the city and begin the day with breakfast at Queen of Tarts on Cow’s Lane along Dame Street and fuel up with smoked Irish salmon and eggs for $7.95, or a hearty bacon breakfast for $9.95. Try the homemade cakes, muffins and, of course, tarts.

While strolling Temple Bar Square, check out Eager Beaver, Harlequin and the Nine Crows boutique for unique and affordable vintage finds. Stop in the Badass Café for a mix of modern and traditional Irish fare along with live stand-up comedy for all ages.

Although the city is easily walkable, take advantage of Dublin’s hop-on, hop-off tour to get a feel for the area while exploring the city. Tickets range between €17–20 for one- or two-day admission. Bus tickets allow for unlimited rides throughout the day, touring the city for 90 minutes at a time.

Photo: Lucian Milasan | Dreamstime.com

Buses depart every 15 minutes and stop at some of Dublin’s many top locations, including the Guinness Storehouse, Dublin Castle, St. Patrick’s Cathedral, Phoenix Park and the Dublin Zoo.

The Guinness Storehouse tour is €20 per person, where visitors can explore the building at their own pace, view video tutorials of the Guinness brewing process and finish off with a complimentary pint on the final floor. Offering much more than a pint of beer, the Guinness tour details the importance of the storehouse through history and its incredible impact on the city. Learn how one family provided jobs for nearly half of the city during the booming early years of Guinness.

While in the city, explore the many historic sites, from the Molly Malone Statue to the Trinity College Library, between stops in the local shops, cafés and restaurants.

Get out of the city for the day on an Irish daytour bus or Paddywagon for less than €60 per person. Tours include early morning pickup and a full long day of top sites in a range of route options from the Cliffs of Moher, Belfast, Northern Ireland, Giant’s Causeway, Cork and the Blarney Stone among many others.

Looking to explore more of Ireland  after Dublin? Rent a car and book your stay on the outskirts of the city. Portland House Bed and Breakfast provides easy access to the city by cab, public transportation or on foot and even offers parking for your rental car.