Is Galway expensive? What things really cost in 2026
Short answer
Galway is moderately expensive, like most of Ireland: cheaper than Dublin for hotels, but more expensive than much of mainland Europe for eating out. Plan on about €100 a day per person on a budget, €195 mid-range and €355 for comfort. Beds are the biggest cost, and they roughly double during the Arts Festival and the Races.
Daily budget: backpacker, mid-range, luxury
| Budget | Mid-range | Comfort | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bed (per person, sharing) | €50 | €95 | €170 |
| Food & drink | €30 | €50 | €90 |
| Sights & tickets | €15 | €35 | €60 |
| Local transport | €5 | €15 | €35 |
| Per person, per day | €100 | €195 | €355 |
Approximate 2026 prices, two people sharing a room. From our Galway day-cost table.
What things cost
| Item | Typical price* |
|---|---|
| Coffee in a café | about €3.50–4.50 |
| Pint of Guinness in a pub | about €6–7 |
| Fish and chips | about €12–16 |
| Bowl of seafood chowder with brown bread | about €9–13 |
| Cliffs of Moher visitor centre ticket (online) | about €10–12 |
| Bus and ferry to Inis Mór, return | roughly €35–45 |
| Day tour to the Cliffs of Moher or Connemara | about €35–45 |
| Kylemore Abbey and walled garden | about €17–18 |
| Mid-range double room in the Latin Quarter | €160–240 a night |
* Approximate prices, October 2026. They change with season and exchange rates.
Where the money goes
Accommodation takes the largest share, and Galway has a limited supply of hotels, so prices jump for the July Arts Festival, the Races at the end of July and early August, and the Oyster Festival in September. Eating out costs about the same as in other Irish cities, with mains in pubs and restaurants usually €18–30. Day trips are the other big expense: the Cliffs of Moher, the Aran Islands and Connemara are each a separate day with tour or ferry costs. In town, walking is free, and pub music sessions cost only the price of a drink.
When it is cheaper
November to March (outside Christmas) is the quiet season, when hotel rates are often far below summer and festival prices. The trade-off is shorter days and more rain.
How to spend less
- Avoid the Arts Festival and Race weeks unless you are going for them; hotel prices roughly double.
- Book the Cliffs of Moher ticket online for the lower price.
- Combine the Aran Islands bus and ferry in one ticket and hire a bike on Inis Mór rather than a minibus tour.
- Eat a hearty pub lunch and a lighter dinner, or try the Saturday market stalls.
- Enjoy the trad music sessions in pubs — they are free, you just buy a drink.
- Stay near Eyre Square or Ceannt Station for the cheapest beds within walking distance.
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Common questions
Is Galway expensive?
Moderately. It is cheaper than Dublin for hotels, but eating out and drinks cost about the same as elsewhere in Ireland.
How much is a pint in Galway?
About €6–7 for a pint of Guinness in most pubs.
How much does it cost to visit the Cliffs of Moher?
About €10–12 for the visitor centre ticket online, or about €35–45 for a day tour from Galway.