Can I go to Ireland for three weeks on a shoestring?

Alexis · Member

Can I go to Ireland for three weeks on a shoestring?

Michele Erdvig · Host

Alexis,

Welcome to my forum! Of course it is possible to travel around Ireland on a shoestring budget. The big plus is your free week in Killarney. That will give you money to spend on the other weeks. Although I am sure you will want to budget for a night out to thank your friend for their hospitality.

B&Bs will probably run around 45 euro (you will pay a single supplement). Hostels will be cheaper. At B&Bs a full Irish breakfast can keep you going for most of the day. For lunch you have two options:

1. Purchase a sandwich and snacks at the supermarket. (5 euro).

2. Have a large lunch (half the cost of dinner) and have your smallest meal (snacks & sandwich) for dinner. (Large lunch 10 euro.)

Look into getting a pass for the bus and train: http://www.cie.ie/home/

Buy a Heritage Card for sightseeing admissions: http://www.heritageireland.ie/en/

Will you need $10,000 for three weeks? No. Can you do it on $1,000 a week? Yes, if you are very careful and plan, plan, plan right now.

Please look at my Money, Budgeting, and Transport page for tips.

Michele

Michele Erdvig · Host

Alexis,

Another quick note. The exchange rate is much better now than earlier this year. Your dollar will go farther.

Michele

Alexis · Member

Hello Michele!

So sorry for the delay in responding!

Thank you so very much for this caring, helpful response! I'm getting more excited about making it all work out!
I will definitely check out those links on your site as well. I've looked at a lot of it but I'll take some good notes this time.

A few more quick questions:

1. Seeing as I will only fly into Dublin, spend one night then onto Killarney the next day, can you recommend the closest, least expensive hotel to the airport? I've looked around a bit but they all seem quite expensive and I can't tell what is the closest and easiest. And I read what you wrote about B&B's being outside in the suburbs, but I do have a ride from the airport, so a B & B might not be out of the question? I can't tell if it's too much to ask someone to drive me to a B&B in the suburbs? And then I'll have to get to Heuston the next morning too.

2. I know I'll need to book this first night right now, but the other B&Bs in Galway etc. I feel I can book once I'm there since I'll have that week in Killarney. Yes? Or do I need to pre-book everything now?

3. I'm thinking the weather will be mostly nice but I'll have to prepare for rain too of course. Being that I'll be traveling around a lot, I'm hoping to be able to pack light. And I'll hopefully be renting bicycles to get around in the smaller cities as well. Should I prepare for rain a few times a week? Every afternoon? Once a week? I'm going for almost the entire month of Sept. I don't know if this is anything you can even tell me, but it doesn't hurt to ask!

You are wonderful. I apologize again if this is a waste of your time because I haven't studied your website well enough. I'll do that I promise! :)

And is there something I can do for YOU? I'm quite resourceful. :)

All my best and many thanks,
Alexis

youngka · Guru

Hi Alexis! This is a wonderful forum and a lot of people are here to help make your trip a good one. I was glad to hear Michele saying the Euro is lower than the first of the year, that will help you, for sure. My husband and I went in 2006 for $3,000 for two weeks and that included air fare from Portland, Oregon, car rental picked up in Shannon where we landed, food, souveniers and so forth. It was about the same price for 2007. As for 2008 in March, we stayed for 4 weeks, knowing it would cost us more we didn't want to add it up smile

. I bought our trip plan from an Ireland Travel Agent, I made up the Itinerary myself in March '08. It is nice that Michele can do itineraries also. Big help....
There are so many options for staying a week in self catering places -- ours ran about 300E in 2008 March. Some of them are sure nice. In actuality you are renting a place of about 700 sq ft or more. A house with everything you need, which will help with your food consumption. Good luck and keep the questions coming! Youngka

Andi · Senior Member

Youngka, when you say you traveled for 2 weeks on $3,000 including airfare, do you mean $3,000 per person? If you mean $3,000 total you certainly have traveled inexpensively as airfare from the Pacific Northwest alone is about $2,000 for 2 people.

Alexis, I think you can wait to book your accommodations, especially if you are not set on particular places. Places listed in guidebooks or on sites like this are more likely to be booked up. If you're not renting a car (difficult on your budget) you might want to call ahead 1-2 days so you're not trying to find a place on foot. You can even call just the morning before your arrival, if you plan to arrive in the late afternoon or evening. There are many booklets available from tourist offices listing B&Bs. A tourist office will usually book a place for you, although you can easily do it yourself with a phone card.

My experience of weather in Ireland is that it is very unpredictable, and you need to be prepared for rain at any time. It may not rain for a week, or it may rain every day. You never know. A good rain jacket with a hood is great. Two pairs of shoes suitable for walking or bike riding are handy in case one pair gets soaking wet. It can get chilly and I usually pack some warm clothes for layering. For instance, a longsleeved microfiber or cotton shirt, a light fleece pullover or jacket and a wool or fleece vest for over the jacket. Also, a pair of microfiber, khaki or twill pants is a lot lighter than a pair of jeans and dries a lot quicker in the event of rain.

If you're serious about renting a bike, it would be a good idea to do a search and see where rentals are available, just to save time looking when you get there. I know from experience that bike riding is a great way to sightsee around the west part of Ireland. Some hostels rent bikes (you don't have to stay there), and probably also some bike shops.

I agree with Michele that you can load up on food at breakfast, and then try to eat from markets when possible. Restaurant costs can really add up, especially if you enjoy wine with dinner! Ethnic restaurants like pizzerias, Italian, Indian or Asian seem to be less expensive than good Irish fare.

Although you don't have much time left, the more you find out and plan, the more you'll enjoy yourself when you arrive in Ireland. Your friends in Killarney should be a wonderful source of info. You may want to invest in a guidebook or two.

Have a grea trip!

Michele Erdvig · Host

Alexis,

There are quite a few airport hotels. Many of them have free shuttles to and from the airport so that may be your best plan of action. Unless you stay at a hostel in Dublin I doubt if you can get out of paying in the range of 75 and up for a hotel room. See list below:

Airport Hotels

Airport View: http://www.airportview-guesthouse.com/ (no shuttle)

Ballymun Plaza: http://www.ballymunplazahotel.com/ (no shuttle)

Bewleys: http://www.bewleyshotels.com/dublin_airport_hotel.asp

Carlton: http://www.carltondublinairport.com/

Clarion: http://www.clariondublinairport.com/

Crown Plaza: http://www.cpdublin.crowneplaza.com/

Days Hotel: http://www.dayshoteldublinairport.com/

Hilton: http://www.hilton.co.uk/dublinairport

Holiday Inn Express: http://tinyurl.com/3c4qpb

Radisson SAS (formerly Great Southern): http://tinyurl.com/2rcgtr

Premier Inn: http://www.tulipinndublinairport.com/

Galway can be very busy on weekends. I don't know when you will be there but take that into consideration. If you have trouble finding a place to stay go to the tourist office and they will help you for a small fee.

Never, never take the weather for granted in Ireland. You cannot predict it and neither can anyone else. You must be prepared for anything. Recently there has been flooding, extremely heavy downpours of Biblical porportions and it has cleared now. It could be raining again tomorrow. Prepare for rain a few times a day!

Youngka has suggested renting a self-catering cottage. That can be a good deal if you can get a small one cheaply. As she says you can save money by preparing your own meals.

Andi has provided some excellent advice on clothes and weather.

Don't forget to read my B&B Etiquette page: http://www.irelandyes.com/irish-bandb-etiquette.html

There is something you can do for all of us here. When you get back let us know how your travels went and do a Trip Report. We would love hearing back from you. biggrin

Michele

youngka · Guru

Andi, Sorry, that was for my husband and myself. Our airfare has always been $800.00 per person. I was using myguideireland.com, a place in Ireland; however their prices were more, for airfare, than my local agency.

-- Edited by youngka at 20:17, 2008-08-22

Alexis · Member

Hello Michele!

So sorry for the delay in responding!

Thank you so very much for this caring, helpful response! I'm getting more excited about making it all work out!
I will definitely check out those links on your site as well. I've looked at a lot of it but I'll take some good notes this time.

A few more quick questions:

1. Seeing as I will only fly into Dublin, spend one night then onto Killarney the next day, can you recommend the closest, least expensive hotel to the airport? I've looked around a bit but they all seem quite expensive and I can't tell what is the closest and easiest. And I read what you wrote about B&B's being outside in the suburbs, but I do have a ride from the airport, so a B & B might not be out of the question? I can't tell if it's too much to ask someone to drive me to a B&B in the suburbs? And then I'll have to get to Heuston the next morning too.

2. I know I'll need to book this first night right now, but the other B&Bs in Galway etc. I feel I can book once I'm there since I'll have that week in Killarney. Yes? Or do I need to pre-book everything now?

3. I'm thinking the weather will be mostly nice but I'll have to prepare for rain too of course. Being that I'll be traveling around a lot, I'm hoping to be able to pack light. And I'll hopefully be renting bicycles to get around in the smaller cities as well. Should I prepare for rain a few times a week? Every afternoon? Once a week? I'm going for almost the entire month of Sept. I don't know if this is anything you can even tell me, but it doesn't hurt to ask!

You are wonderful. I apologize again if this is a waste of your time because I haven't studied your website well enough. I'll do that I promise! :)

And is there something I can do for YOU? I'm quite resourceful. :)

All my best and many thanks,
Alexis

youngka · Guru

Alexis, I wrote to myguideireland.com and their response for rate from Oregon to Shannon was USD $998.57 including all taxes (flight) Andy was right, the prices are clost to $l,000 each--I'm sure glad we went when we did! They will give you quotes on anything My husband and I hesitant to return in May next year because of the prices going up since our last three trips. Also, I found one of the self catering places we have gone for three years at E 254/week (http://www.myguideireland.com/ardnagashel) It is a cute place on an estate. Has everything you need including washer & dryer room. Youngka

Michele Erdvig · Host

Alexis,

You will notice that I answered all your questions in a previous post.

Youngka, That is an excellent price for your self-catering cottage.

Michele

stewh · Guru

A number of years ago we stayed in this small apartment in an ideal location in Kenmare. Right in town, no car necessary and a great price. Interesting bookstore downstairs.
http://www.sneem.com/bookshopapartment/page2.html

Stewart

Alexis · Member

Oops!

My computer sent my same message twice. Sorry Michele, that I didn't get to send this to you before you probably thought I was impatient or something. A silly computer glitch. Apologies...

Hey guys thanks! This is such great data! Michele you are a GOD SEND!!! This hotel data is immensely helpful. I will definitely write a trip report upon my return. The least I can do...

Time to do some shopping! Andi, great info on clothing. I will make sure to layer it up! And the two shoes idea makes good sense.

And Youngka, thanks for the idea about the self-catering cottage. Sounds FABULOUS! Unfortunately, I don't think I'll be in any one place long enough to make that worth it, but I'll look into it for sure. Who knows, I could fall in love with ONE region and never want to leave!

Finally, Stewart! Thanks to you as well! I'll look into the apt in Kenmare...didn't have that on the itinerary but you surely never know!

I LOVE THIS SITE!!! You guys are awesome!!!

Can't wait to report back and of course, you can count on me to keep the questions coming, if I have any! You've all done a bang up job prepping me thus far.

My sincerest thanks to all...mostly you Michele, for loving Ireland enough to give of your heart and expertise to those of us who, through your guidance, may grow to love it as much as you.

Alexis

youngka · Guru

Hi Stewart! I remember your telling me about this place and we have tried to stay there for the last three years. I would love to stay at their place, but our timing ihas always been wrong. The people are very nice, with our back and forth emails.
Alexis, you will like the place and we see it last year but still have not gone in to chat with them. We like the idea because we love books! Besides, Kenmare has so much to offer in town and surrounding areas. Youngka

-- Edited by youngka at 03:15, 2008-08-24

Anita · Member

You most certainly can! I did three weeks in Ireland a little over five years ago, and managed to do it with less the $5000 Canadian (including airfare). At that time the Canadian dollar was MUCH lower than it is now. I stayed in hostels, and got around with a bus/rail pass. I think the total cost for the hostels, was around $700. Somewhere in the archives I posted trip reports if you're interested.

Michele Erdvig · Host

Anita,

I remember your trip well. Here are the links to your trip report. You can use the search function on the forum to find old posts.

http://ireland.activeboard.com/forum.spark?forumID=65127&p=3&topicID=3929294 http://ireland.activeboard.com/forum.spark?forumID=65127&p=3&topicID=3929288
http://ireland.activeboard.com/forum.spark?forumID=65127&p=3&topicID=3929285

Michele

Alexis · Member

Oops!

My computer sent my same message twice. Sorry Michele, that I didn't get to send this to you before you probably thought I was impatient or something. A silly computer glitch. Apologies...

Hey guys thanks! This is such great data! Michele you are a GOD SEND!!! This hotel data is immensely helpful. I will definitely write a trip report upon my return. The least I can do...

Time to do some shopping! Andi, great info on clothing. I will make sure to layer it up! And the two shoes idea makes good sense.

And Youngka, thanks for the idea about the self-catering cottage. Sounds FABULOUS! Unfortunately, I don't think I'll be in any one place long enough to make that worth it, but I'll look into it for sure. Who knows, I could fall in love with ONE region and never want to leave!

Finally, Stewart! Thanks to you as well! I'll look into the apt in Kenmare...didn't have that on the itinerary but you surely never know!

I LOVE THIS SITE!!! You guys are awesome!!!

Can't wait to report back and of course, you can count on me to keep the questions coming, if I have any! You've all done a bang up job prepping me thus far.

My sincerest thanks to all...mostly you Michele, for loving Ireland enough to give of your heart and expertise to those of us who, through your guidance, may grow to love it as much as you.

Alexis

Alexis · Member

Thanks Anita!!

Sorry, my computer sends repeats of my messages sometimes. How annoying. Sorry for that.

I leave Thursday!!!!!! AHHHH!!!!!!! EXCITED! NERVOUS!!!!!!!

Thanks again for everything everyone!

Alexis

youngka · Guru

Alexis --- Have a wonderful time! You are going to have so much fun! Youngka

Anchoress · Guru

Waterproofing and dry socks and shoes are essential this year above all still.

There seems no end to the rain; flood warnings are out again this week. They record the wettest summer for 50 years, and the wettest August for around 150 years.

A bog slide in Kerry; mud slide in Leitrim.

And there are few things more miserable than wet shoes:)

Umbrellas are cheap here though....

Which is as well as the deluges are very sudden. Little warning...

And there is that slight autumn snap in the air already.

Great crop of blackberries though..

Blessings....

Michele Erdvig · Host

Anchoress,

I have been following the dismal Irish weather this summer. And you thought last summer was bad! Glad to hear there is a tinge of autumn in the air. I am looking forward to it.

Michele

Maggie117 · Guru

you can go to Ireland on show sting budget. Just not on an American Showstring.

Follow these simple rules:
You should eat the most food at the start of your day and less at the end. SO:
1. At all B&Bs eat a huge Breakfast. Don't take food with you, but eat a tons of protein that will get you through;

2.For lunch, pick ups some yummies including peanuts, which are filled with protein.

3. For dinner go to a Pub for pub grub and have a light dinner.

Good luck and have fun!
Maggie

Diana · Veteran Member

Hi,

Three years ago I travelled alone in Ireland, had the best time of my life and spent very little money.

All the tips presented in this thread are great. I found the best places to stay by asking people in the church of the town I was visiting. Everything in Ireland gets personal right away, which is what I wanted.

I suppose you could skip the personal part by going to established hotels and presenting yourself as a tourist. But if you go as a friendly and curious visitor - and that's how you sound to me - people will open to you.

The most ridiculous book title I included in my research turned out to be the most valuable: Round Ireland With a Fridge by Tony Hawkes You can laugh and learn a lot
about the little places in Ireland and the people too.

Yes, eat the ample breakfast you will be offered. For me, my standard lunch
was soup and bread at various pubs. Cheap and delicious. This was especially good for me because when I was there it rained a lot. I didn't mind. It only meant more rainbows and fabulous cloud formations. But it's marvelous to have
hot soup in a pub on a rainy afternoon.

Dinner depended on where my adventures took me and who I met along the way.
Sometimes I ate in a restaurant. Once I ate part of a pie in the car, a pie I bought
from a family who had a sign in front of their house, "Fresh pies." Fabulous.

At one B&B the women who owned and ran it were concerned about me and fascinated too. Whenever I got home they invited me downstairs to the subterrean kitchen with slate floors and fireplace, plied me with tea, muffins and
sometimes soup to make sure I was well taken care of.

If you go the American tourist route with American standard of hotels and restaurants Ireland can cost a lot. But if you are in the country, exploring with an open heart, you can find your personal Ireland and not spend a lot of money.

Have fun!

Diana

P.S. Renting the car was the most expensive part of the trip. I bought the full insurance and recommend that you do too. The roads in the towns are jammed
with traffic and your perceptions will be off because you are driving on the other side of the car. I clipped off my side mirror on a parked truck in a small town when
I couldn't negotiate the intense traffic. Because I had full insurance, the mishap didn't cause a ripple in my eperience.

Michele Erdvig · Host

Diana,

Thanks for topping this post. It will be a good read for those planning a trip. I want to note that with the recession accommodation rates have come down. At the moment you can get some B&Bs for 25 - 30 euro pps. The lower rates can be had when spending 2 or more nights in the same place.

I also suggest those concerned with costs to read my blog article How Much Does a Trip to Ireland Cost?

Michele