How To Spend Three Days in Dublin – On a Budget!
In January, I packed my bags for a weekend getaway to Dublin, with two friends eager to dive into the city’s rich culture, history, and – of course – its amazing food and drink scene. but the big question was can you really enjoy Dublin on a budget? spoiler alert – you absolutely can!
With a bit of planning you can absolutely explore the highlights and have a jolly good time in Dublin without breaking the bank. lets dive into how to make the most of three days in Dublin on a budget.
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Getting to Dublin – on a Budget
Now, obviously, how you get to Dublin will completely depend on where you are coming from! If you are visiting Dublin from elsewhere in Ireland, hopping on a bus or a train will likely be your best option! We always use Omio to find our best public transport options.
If you are coming from elsewhere in Europe, flying into Dublin airport will likely be your best option. Several budget airlines like Ryanair and Easyjet have regular flights into Dublin from all over Europe for a really affordable price, we managed to fly from Bristol for only €30!
From Dublin Airport, there are several different options for getting into the city centre. I highly recommend booking the Dublin Express, its €10 for a return coach journey and has several stops around the city.
The Best Time To Visit Dublin On a Budget
Dublin is a pricey city all year around but visiting in the quieter seasons will keep the costs lower. Summer is the most popular time to visit Dublin as the weather is better but if you don’t mind the rain, Winter and Autumn are a great shout.
We actually visited in mid-January and got really lucky with the weather! Being used to England we were expecting chilly temperatures and had to buy sunglasses, what a shocker! I can’t lie to you all we did have a few spouts of rain but the city is used to it and you won’t struggle too much without a brolly so if you’re trying to keep the costs down, head there in the quieter months.
Getting Around Dublin
Public transport across the city, like most of Europe, is incredible so you will not struggle to get around Dublin on a budget. That being said, the city is very walkable and during our three days in Dublin, we actually didn’t need to get any kind of bus or tram. Not only is walking the cheapest option but it also allows you to truly explore some of the lesser-known back streets.
If you are looking to take some public transport around Dublin, it is really easy to buy travel cards from shops, off-licences and bus stations.
Where to Stay in Dublin on a budget
The part of Dublin you choose to base your stay in will have a real impact on the overall price of your accommodation. Temple Bar seems to be the pricier pick for hotels in the city and to be honest, if you value a good night’s sleep, I would stay well away!
Overall, the accommodation in Dublin is very expensive, but with a little planning you can find some budget-friendly hotels and some awesome hostels, here are my top picks:
Parnell Square – Quiet and Convenient
If you want to be close to everything without the Temple Bar prices, Parnell Square is a solid choice. Just a short walk to spots like Grafton Street and Dublin Castle, but with fewer crowds and much lower prices. We stayed at Maldron in Parnell Square – was super comfy, and safe and was within walking distance from all the spots we wanted to visit. While it’s not the cheapest hotel I’ve ever stayed at, if you book far enough in advance, you can get a really good deal.
Smithfield – Affordable and Trendy
Looking for a cool, local vibe? Smithfield has some awesome budget hotels and hostels, and it’s only a short walk to places like the Jameson Distillery. Generator Dublin is a great choice if you’re on a tighter budget, or you can try The Hendrick Hotel for something a bit more private but still affordable.
Stoneybatter – Chilled and Authentic
For a quieter, less touristy spot, check out Stoneybatter. This charming neighbourhood has local pubs, cafés, and affordable places to stay. It’s still close to Dublin’s main attractions but gives you a more authentic feel. I didn’t stay here, but it’s definitely on my list for next time.
Things to do in Dublin and how to do them on a budget
See a comedy show
One of the highlights of our trip to Dublin was seeing a live comedy show! The Irish are known for their comedy and Dublin has heaps of comedy shows to choose from. If you are visiting during the week, you might be able to find some free comedy shows scattered around the city but as we went on a weekend, we booked Craic Den Comedy Club on a Friday night. I believe it was around €15 for a ticket but was well worth the money.
Trinity College
The grounds of Trinity College are an absolutely beautiful spot to visit for any trip to Dublin! While if you are hoping to see the Long Room, the huge stunning library, you may have to pay for your ticket, the grounds of the University are free to visit. It is right in the heart of the city so you will not need to pay for extra transport to take you there.
Dublin Castle
Dublin Castle is a must-see and won’t cost you much. You can stroll around the Castle Yard and gardens for free, but if you want to check out the State Apartments or the Chapel Royal, there’s a small entry fee. It’s worth it to see the history and stunning rooms. Don’t miss the Undercroft—it’s a cool glimpse into Dublin’s past!
Phoenix Park
If you are lucky enough to get some nice weather during your Dublin trip, I would recommend heading straight to Phoenix Park!
We spent a good few hours strolling around and reading the signposts about the rich history of the park. There’s also a huge pond in the middle where you can see some of the local wildlife.
Watch a GAA match
GAA, or The Gaelic Athletic Association, is a sports association which hosts all of Ireland’s national sports. There are a few spots where you can catch one of the games, either Gaelic football, hurling, camogie, rounders or Gaelic handball, all over the city.
Unfortunately, we didn’t manage to catch a game at the famous Croke Park but we did head a bit further afield and found a local game of hurling to watch and I have to say, it was one of the highlights of our trip!
Hurling is unlike any other sport we have in England so we found it very entertaining and a great way to spend an afternoon. The Irish really get into their sports and although we were probably (definitely) the only tourists there, it was well worth the taxi and €4 ticket!
Jameson Distillery
If you are a whiskey lover, you cannot miss a trip to the Jameson Distillery!
While it’s probably one of the pricier things to do in Dublin, it’s an activity you can only experience there and one not to miss out on if you are a fan!
Luckily it is right in the city centre so if you do choose to visit, you won’t have to go too far!
Dublin Zoo
Dublin Zoo is known to be one of the best zoos in Europe, and for good reason! It’s not the cheapest option, so if you’re on a tight budget, it might not be a must-visit. But if you can swing it, it’s definitely worth checking out. The zoo is huge, and you’ll get to see everything from elephants to tigers in beautiful surroundings. It’s a fun day out if you’ve got a bit of extra time!
Gravediggers Pub and Cemetary
Gravediggers Pub is a bit off the beaten path, but trust me, it’s well worth the visit. This old-school pub is a hidden gem, with a great atmosphere and full of locals. It’s the perfect spot to grab a pint and soak up some Dublin charm. Afterwards, take a stroll through Glasnevin Cemetery, right next door. The cemetery itself is beautiful, with historic graves and a peaceful vibe. It’s a cool, off-the-radar spot that gives you a glimpse into Dublin’s past.
Live music
Reflecting on our three days in Dublin, I have to admit that most of my fondest memories and what really separates Dublin with other cities has to be their live music. I think every single pub or bar we went to in the city had live music on! This is also how Dublin makes it into my top party destinations in Europe list! There is no better way to start a night out than to enjoy a good singalong in a pub!
Free walking tours
One thing Alex and I love to do in a new city is to take a free walking tour! Not only does it mean you can see the city’s highlights on foot for free but it’s also a great way to get your bearings. We had pretty jam-packed days during my trip so unfortunately we didn’t get around to doing a free walking tour of Dublin, but I did see a few while walking about. This Yellow Umbrella Walking Tour has glowing reviews and has several different timings every day so we would recommend checking it out!
Where to Eat and Drink in Dublin, on a Budget!
I will eventually write a whole blog post on exactly where we ate and drank during your trip to Dublin but here are some tips and highlights for the meantime.
An Irish breakfast is a must-try for any trip to Dublin and luckily you can get it all over the city for a pretty affordable price, honestly do not pay more than about €10 for this as you really dont need to! We visited a few places but Lovinspoon was by far our favourite breakfast spot in Dublin! Although for a less traditional/trendy spot, La Pausa was a close second!
Pub grub is another Irish staple, similar to England so that is always a great shout for an affordable dinner option. From burgers to pies to pizzas, you can pick up pretty much anything in a Dublin pub, just stay out of the temple bar area if you want to get your money’s worth.
One of my top budgeting tips for Europe is to cut your meals out down to 1 or 2 meals a day and head to a bakery for breakfast or lunch. Dublin is full of great bakeries and not only is it an affordable choice, but you can also eat on the go!
If you are going on the same kind of trip as we did, it’ll probably involve a lot of Guinness and cider drinking! Pub hopping was one of the highlights of our trip to Dublin so to keep the costs down I would recommend switching to half pints so you can visit as many as possible!
FAQ’s for Spending 3 Days in Dublin – On a Budget!
So you might be wondering, is three days long enough time to see all the main sites in Dublin and I would say 100% yes! If I was going to go for a longer trip I would actually consider exploring some more of Ireland and taking some day trips from outside of Dublin city.
If you have researched Dublin on Tiktok, you might find that it is actually quite popular to visit Dublin as just a day trip from the UK! Flights to Dublin from the UK are pretty affordable and by only visiting for a day, you can see some of the city’s main highlights without having to fork out on accommodation. However, I would recommend going for slightly longer if you want to get a real feel for the city.
How much money you should take for 3 days in Dublin will completely depend on your travel style. We probably spent around 100 euros a day for spending money during our visit but you could easily spend way less if you don’t drink as much as we did!
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I feel like the accommodation is the biggest problem for doing Dublin on a budget. If you can find decent accommodation there’s plenty of things that can make your trip budget-friendly. Some useful tips here!
Wow, this is such a helpful guide! Thank you for sharing—it’s given my partner and me plenty of inspiration for our upcoming holiday.