Is Dublin expensive? What things really cost in 2026
Short answer
Yes: Dublin is one of the most expensive cities in Europe, in the same league as London, Amsterdam and Copenhagen, and noticeably pricier than most of mainland Europe. A careful traveller needs about €135 a day, a mid-range trip about €265, and the biggest cost by far is accommodation.
Daily budget: backpacker, mid-range, luxury
| Budget | Mid-range | Comfort | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bed (per person, sharing) | €75 | €140 | €300 |
| Food & drink | €35 | €65 | €130 |
| Sights & tickets | €20 | €50 | €100 |
| Local transport | €6 | €10 | €25 |
| Per person, per day | €136 | €265 | €555 |
Approximate 2026 prices, two people sharing a room. From our Dublin day-cost table.
What things cost
| Item | Typical price* |
|---|---|
| Coffee (flat white) in a café | €3.50–4.50 |
| Pint of stout outside Temple Bar | €6–8 (more in Temple Bar) |
| Breakfast roll from a deli counter | €5–8 |
| Fish and chips from a chipper | €12–16 |
| Bus, Luas or DART fare with a Leap card | about €2 (90 minutes, with transfers) |
| Book of Kells and Long Room | about €20–26 |
| Guinness Storehouse | about €26–30 |
| Taxi from the airport to the centre | roughly €30–40 |
| Mid-range dinner for two with wine | €90–130 |
| 3★ double room, high season | €180–300 |
* Approximate prices, October 2026. They change with season and exchange rates.
Where the money goes
Accommodation dominates the budget: even a budget bed sharing a double costs about €75 a night per person, and mid-range about €140, because the city has had a shortage of hotel rooms for years. Food and drink come next (about €35 a day on a budget, €65 mid-range), with pints and restaurant dinners pricier than in most European capitals. The main paid sights cost €8–30 each, but the national museums and galleries are free, and transport is moderate at about €6 a day.
When it is cheaper
Hotel prices usually drop from November to February (outside Christmas, New Year and big rugby or concert weekends), often roughly 20–40% below summer levels. Around St Patrick's Day and on match weekends at the Aviva or Croke Park, rates can double, so check the event calendar.
How to spend less
- Get a Leap card or pay contactless: fares are cheaper than cash, and a 90-minute fare covers transfers between bus, Luas and DART.
- Drink and eat a few streets away from Temple Bar, on Camden Street, in the Liberties or north of the river, where a pint is usually €1–3 cheaper.
- Build days around the free national museums, the National Gallery and the Chester Beatty Library.
- Book the Book of Kells, Guinness Storehouse and Kilmainham Gaol online in advance: some slots are cheaper and Kilmainham often sells out.
- Take the Dublin Express or Aircoach from the airport instead of a taxi if you are one or two people.
- Always choose to pay in euro when a card machine offers your home currency, and check whether a service charge has already been added before tipping.
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Common questions
How much money do I need per day in Dublin?
About €135 per person on a budget (sharing a budget double), about €265 mid-range and about €555 for comfort. Accommodation is more than half of it.
How much is a pint in Dublin?
About €6–8 in most pubs, and often more in Temple Bar.
Do you tip in Dublin?
Around 10–12.5% in restaurants is usual if service is not already included; check the bill, as some places add a service charge for groups. Tipping in pubs is not expected.