How much money should I save for my trip?

Maggie117 · Guru

How much money should I save for my trip?

Itallian Chauffeur · Moderator

Your request requires a bit of elaboration.

Are you planning to pay 1/3 of the car rental? Will there only be one driver? It costs 8 - 10 Euro PER DAY to add a second driver.

Will you require your own room or will you and your parents share a "family Room"? There is a 'Single Suppliment' when staying one person to a room.

There are Castles (like Dromoland) and then there are castles (like Carrigeen), and there is a WORLD of difference in the price. There are also Castle Hotels, which may, or may not, have ONCE been either a castle, or more frequently, a Manor House.

The days of EUROPE ON $5 A DAY are sadly, LONG, LONG gone, cry

but a ROUGH rule of thumb for daily expenses (excluding car RENTAL (typically, $400-800, after ALL the dust is settled) and airfare) would be in the $100-125 per day range. It can be done cheaper (and MUCH more lavishly, too), but a B&B is about 40 Euro per person, and meals will run from 10-30 Euro, each. Petrol is about $8 per gallon, though the cars are much more fuel efficient, so a typical, one week trip will pobably require an initial tankful, plus one or more refill at about 45 Euro per. All in all, total fuel costs will be in the $100-125 range (some of THAT showing up in the car rental cost, above) -- unless you try to cover ALL of Ireland. hmm

We used to figure about $1500 per person, for the two of us, for a two week trip, would pretty much cover everything, EXCEPT for airfare.

Here's a detailed account from a WHILE ago:

Author: Itallian_Chauffer
Date: 05/21/2006, 11:49 am

I NEVER do this, but I had gotten tired of people at work asking, and since the receipts were still more or less all together, it was a relatively short trip and I had a feww spare moments ...

This was trip eight, in the last seven years. All to Ireland. Some people think that I'm a BIT compulsive.

TRIP SYNOPSIS:

Ireland for two, begining 30 March (PM) and ending 9 April (PM). Approximate Total Cost of $3000.

AIRFARE: Continental Airlines Coach South Florida to Shannon $1,133.26 (For Two)

EUROPCAR (through Irishcarrentals)RENTAL CAR: $304.83 Total 1,406 KM Driven

Includes Deposit: $30.01 + MC Charge: $217.86 (Rental + Airport Fee: 28.38 Euro + Initial Fuel: 63.25 Euro) + Foreign Transaction Fee: $6.34 + Fuel Fill Up: 40 Euro + 4 Euro + 10 Euro

ACCOMMODATIONS: 490 Euro --- APPROXIMATELY $ 600.00 Total

Ashgrove House B&B: Watergrasshill 50 Euro 1 Night
Pinwood Cottages Self-Catering: Kilcrohane 220 Euro + Utilities: 20 Euro 1 Week
Quality Inn Hotel: Clonakilty 82 Euro (includes 4 Euro Booking Fee and 7.80 Euro Deposit)
The Harp B&B: Killarney 64 Euro (includes 4 Euro Booking Fee and 6 Euro Deposit)
Shannonside B&B: Newmarket-On-Fergus 54 Euro (includes 4 Euro Booking Fee and 5 Euro deposit)

MEALS: APPROXIMATE TOTAL : 400 Euro (For Two) $ 500 US
Includes Tea, toast and jam, cold ceral and milk, orange juice, and fresh fruit for breakfasts while self-catering. Typical luch was 'pub grub' (soup, toasted sandwhiches and tea). Supper Irish stew, boiled ham and cabbage, etc. at resteraunt / pubs. We ate with relatives for three meals -- all veritable feasts -- at no expense to us.

ENTERTAINMENT : $100 US

Drinks at O'Raian's (including one 'round' - approx. 30 Euro

Tickets to see John Spillane in DeBarra's Back Bar 30 Euro (for two)
Drinks at DeBarra's -- approx 20 Euro

SIGNIFICANT PURCHASES: $730.00 US
Books on Irish History: 60 Euro
Niall Connolly Music CDs 25 Euro
Presents for Irish Relatives: 110 Euro
Tourist Fees: Mizen Head, Skibbereen Heritage Museum: 20 Euro
Genealogy Documents: 50 Euro
Gifts for USA Family and Friends: Approx. $400

Euro conversion figured at the rate of 1 Euro = $1.24 US Actual rates paid / charged ranged from 1.22 - 1.25

Bob

Now the prices have gone up for B&B', fuel and meals and the excange rate is hovering around 1 Euro = $1.50, now, but I think you can get the general idea.

Bob

Maggie117 · Guru

Thank you for the quick and great response. I will be staying in my own room. I'll be the main driver but will ask my dad to be back up. My mom wouldn't be a good choice considering it took her until she was 45 to get her license. (When she was younger you had to use hand signals and drive a standard, and that confused her.) smile

I'm going to recommend to mom and dad that we stay in one expensive castle (I think the one I was looking at is in Mayo), for three nights and then keep everything else low key. Mom would be so happy with that! And this trip is for her, and dad too.

I can't wait to go!

Maggie

Michele Erdvig · Host

Maggie,

Bob really came through with some wonderful info for you about expenses. Check on the exchange rates too. The dollar is weak right now. Go to my Money & Tips and Tricks pages for more into to help you budget.

Michele

Maggie117 · Guru

Yes, he did! Thanks to both of you for your tips / ideas! We will be staying in the Ashford castle. Once we have our our first draft itinerary I'll post it for comments. Thanks!!!

-- Edited by Maggie117 at 18:14, 2008-01-20

Michele Erdvig · Host

Maggie,

Ashford Castle has a wonderful setting. Be sure to watch the movie "The Quiet Man" starring John Wayne and Maureen O'Hara as it was filmed at Ashford and around Cong and Connemara. When you are there it will be fun to find all the places in the film.

Michele

noshot9 · Veteran Member

I was glad to see Bob's reply to this question since my wife and I are planning a trip this fall to the southwest and northwest of Ireland. His thinking is pretty much in line with what I have beed toying with myself. I was hoping to get by on 200 euros per day, exclusive of airfare. That being about 80-90 euros per day lodging at B & B and allowing about 40 - 60 euros per day for meals. We are not big eaters and would probably eat mostly "pub grub" with an occassional nice dinner every now and then. We may even get a small cooler and fix sandwixhes, etc. that we could eat while we were out touring. That would leave about 50 euros per day on petro, missc. etc. on the high end. I am hoping that I have overstated it, but who knows. Going by Bob's reply that he estimates about $3000 USD for a two week trip for he and his wife, it seems to be in the ball park.

I may have estimated too high which I hope I did.

Anyone have any thoughts?

Itallian Chauffeur · Moderator

The price of things in Ireland, and the dramatic deteriation of the exchange rate over the last ten years has been horriffic. I remember 20 Euro Per Person B&B's and a Euro being worth only 80 Cents, U.S. ... cry

That said, there are a number of ways to pinch a Euro Cent, that have minimal impact on your enjoyment factor. A full Irish breakfast will last you well past noon, and it is included in the price of the B&B. A soup and toasted, or other Pub-Grub lunch will only run 10-12 Euro each and many 'Set-Dinner' prices (in Pubs AND restaurants) are at reduced price until about 6 PM.

I found the UK (Scotland and Northern Ireland) to be MUCH pricier than the Republic, this past summer, if that's any consolation. And, it goes without saying that Ireland's two biggest draws -- Her incomparable scenery and Her warm, friendly people -- can be enjoyed at little, or no cost!

Bob

noshot9 · Veteran Member

I guess I was pretty much on track for the 80 - 90 euros for B & B then? I probably am allocating to much for food since after the breakfast, we probably will not eat but one more meal for the day and maybe snack. I realize that you can spend whatever you want, but I am not just looking to spend money where it is not necessay. I am looking for a slow, comfortable trip with minimal expenses.

Michele Erdvig · Host

Bob,

When I first visited Ireland B&B was 1.50 pounds. A hotel was 6. A pint of Guinness was 18 pence. An imperial gallon of petrol was 39 pence. A castle banquet was 4.90.

But keep in mind that we made a lot less money per year. Everything is relative! wink

Michele

Michele Erdvig · Host

noshot9,

B&Bs generally run 35-50 per person. Depends on things such as time of year, whether it is a Bank Holiday, if there is something special going on in that town, etc.

You can purchase a sandwich in the supermarket or petrol stop for around 3-4 euro, depending on what is in it. I always like to have some fruit and snacks in the car for munchies.

Dinner is what will really get you. At good restaurant: starters from 5 euro and up, entrees from 12 up, desserts from 4 up. Wine 4-7 euro per glass. Pint 5-8 euro.

To save on dinner always go for either pub grub or an "early bird". The set price for the early bird menu at most restaurants (incluldes several course) is what you would generally pay for just the entree.

Michele

Maggie117 · Guru

Michele, That will be a great movie to watch with my parents. Thanks for the tip. Ashford is very expensive. Are there any deals, other than booking at the last minute?

Maggie

Maggie117 · Guru

noshot9,

That's what we're looking for too. A slow relaxed trip. We can learn about Ireland online and from book, but we can't learn about the great people unless we spend time with them. That's what our goal is. To live the Irish life for a couple of weeks. We're hoping to spend 14 nights and stay in no more than four places. Once our itinerary is done hopefully we'll narrow that down to three. Good luck with you planning!

Maggie

-- Edited by Maggie117 at 17:16, 2008-01-22

Michele Erdvig · Host

Maggie,

You are right about Ashford Castle being very expensive. It is a 5-star castle hotel. If spending a couple of days there inquire about weekend or mid-week breaks. Many times those deals include room, breakfast and a dinner on one night. For those 55 and over inquire about Golden Breaks. Sign up for their newsletter to be informed of any specials.

Michele

Maggie117 · Guru

Perfect. My parents are both in their late 60s. I'm only 35. I just emailed you because I'd love to learn more about your deluxe itineraries. Your hints will make our trip that much better! I'm so excited!!! TY

Michele Erdvig · Host

Maggie,

We have communicated by email and I am looking forward to doing a Deluxe Itinerary for you and your parents. It will be the trip of a lifetime and I am going to make it extra special for you.

Michele