How to travel to Ireland without breaking the bank!

Find out how to travel to Ireland without breaking the bank!

Gwen Rouviere
by Gwen Le Cointre
19 January 2022, 09:54
How to travel to Ireland without breaking the bank!
Silver Strand at Malin Beg - © Richard

Ireland is a verdant country known for its plains and vast expanses. It’s an extraordinary country with endless scenery. It’s possible to have a great vacation here, without spending all your savings. Discover tips and tricks to go to Ireland without breaking the bank.

Find cheap flights to Ireland

There are several ways to find a cheap flight to Ireland. The best-known option is to buy a ticket from a low-cost airline.

Take advantage of low-cost airline offers

Ryanair - Denmen Aviation Photography - cc

Ryanair – Denmen Aviation Photography – cc

You’ll have to choose a flight based on the landing airport. Landing at Shannon airport, for example, may be better for your wallet than at Belfast or Dublin international airports. You can therefore make your choice according to the distance between the sites to be visited and the arrival airport. Admittedly, the services offered for low-cost flights are fairly limited. But the good thing is that you can make considerable savings that you can use to make the most of your stay in Ireland.

Use online flight comparison sites

To find a cheap plane ticket to Ireland, you can also use online flight comparison services. Be careful, though, as some platforms are airline-dependent. So beware of their comparison tools, as they are not without bias. To be sure you’ve found the right one, use a number of different flight comparators – in other words, don’t just rely on the information provided by a single site.

Choosing the right time to buy your ticket

To take advantage of good flight deals to Ireland, you’ll also need to choose the right time to buy your plane ticket. The best thing to do is to make your purchase as soon as the departure date has been set. The best time of day to buy a flight to Ireland is at 5am, and the worst time is between 7 and 10pm.

As for the best time of year to book your flight to Ireland, tour operators recommend January, February and September, when prices can drop by up to 22%.If you want to book a long-haul flight to Ireland, to benefit from a cheaper price, you’ll need to do so between 22 and 24 weeks in advance. For domestic flights, book 2 to 3 weeks in advance to take advantage of the best prices.

The price of flights to Ireland also depends on the season, so in low season you’re sure to get a cheaper ticket. You don’t have to go anywhere else to book your flight, just visit the airline’s website.

Last-minute offers for Ireland

It’s also possible to jump on last-minute offers. Airlines need buyers for unsold seats. So they don’t hesitate to slash prices to attract travelers to Ireland. To make sure you don’t miss out on these offers, visit the websites of your favorite airlines serving Irish airports from time to time. Numerous discounts are available on special offer websites. We advise you to find a LastMinute.com discount that can save you hundreds of euros on your stay.

Find cheap accommodation in Ireland

Breakfast at the hotel - © Maksim Shebeko

Breakfast at the hotel – © Maksim Shebeko

Would you like some tips on finding a good hotel in Ireland? Check out price comparison sites, traveler reviews and youth hostels.

Price comparison

You can also get help from hotel comparison sites to find a cheaper hotel in Ireland. You can base your comparison on price, location, comfort and any other criteria you feel are important to the success of your stay. As soon as you find an interesting offer on the comparison site, go directly to the site of the establishment concerned. That way you can be sure you’re paying the right price.

Traveler reviews

Another tip for finding a cheap hotel in Ireland is to look at the different reviews, and not just rely on the ratings. You’ll find these useful little comments on several hotel booking websites. Beware, however, of fake reviews – there are plenty of them on the Internet. You can confirm what’s being said by visiting a reputable and reliable review site.

Youth hostels

For budget travelers, you can also skip the hotels and book a youth hostel for your stay in Ireland. This type of accommodation charges relatively low prices compared to hotels. To make the most of it, always book as early as possible. Numerous youth hostel networks exist, all of which can be accessed online. An alternative to a youth hostel is to stay with a local. It’s a popular practice among smart travelers.

Tourism in Ireland on a budget

Hiking in Connemara - Hiking in Connemara - © panimo

Hiking in ConnemaraHiking in Connemara – © panimo

How do you plan to get around Ireland? Internal travel is always a major expense when traveling. If you’re traveling with several people, it’s best to rent. For the best price, book your rental online and in advance.

You also need to think about what you’re going to visit. This will determine your budget. Don’t miss out on the free access sites. There are many to choose from, including the National Museum of Ireland, the Irish Museum of Modern Art, the National Gallery and the National Museum of Decorative Arts and History. Some sites are more expensive when booked online, such as the Guinness Museum.

Another great way to enjoy a low-priced stay in Ireland is to buy an OPW Heritage Card. This pass is valid for 12 months. It gives you free entry to dozens of national sites and monuments, including Donegal Castle, Ross Castle, Killarney National Park and Muckross House and Gardens.


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