Backpacking Dublin (The Definite Budget Guide)

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Find your Perfect Hostel in Dublin

Dublin feels like a friendly village that somehow got packed into a busy capital. Old stone churches, bright street art, and live music pour out of almost every door.

Backpacking Dublin is fun because the city is small, safe, and full of free things to do—if you know where to look. I made this simple backpacking Dublin guide so you can spend your euros on good memories, not bad decisions.

Top Picks: The Best Hostels in Dublin

Best for Hostel Newbies

Abigail's Hostel8.6

from $17.70 | More Details

Best for Female Solo Traveler

Latroupe Jacobs Inn8.7

from $13.95 | More Details

Best Party Hostel

Ashfield Guesthouse8.5

from $17.53 | More Details

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Budget & Estimated Daily Costs in Dublin

• Shoestring €65 – €80: Dorm bed, bakery breakfast, supermarket lunch, pub dinner, bus rides, one paid site.
• Comfort €110 – €140: Small dorm or cheap private, café meals, whiskey tour, live-music cover charge.
• Dublin costs more than Prague, less than Paris. Tap-to-pay works almost everywhere.

Typical Daily Expenses in Dublin

• Hostel dorm: €28 – €40 in spring or autumn; add €10 in summer.
• Food total: €25 – €35 with bakery deals and pub specials.
•  Breakfast: €4 – €6 for coffee and a scone.
•  Lunch: €7 – €10 for a deli sandwich or roast plate.
•  Dinner: €12 – €18 for hearty pub food.
• Transport: €2 per bus ride with Leap Card; daily cap €8.50.
• Attractions: €0 – €25; many museums are free.
• Extras: €15 – €20 for two pints, ice-cream, or a small gift.

A tight budget is about €75/day. Spending €120+ adds day trips and more treats.

Money-Saving Tips

• Buy a Leap Visitor Card at the airport for unlimited bus, tram, and train rides.
• Tesco Meal Deal: sandwich, snack, drink for under €5.
• Free walking tours cover city history; tip what you can.
• Arrive at pubs before 9 p.m. to avoid cover fees.
• Capel Street and Camden Street sell cheaper pints than Temple Bar.
• Sunday roast plates drop to €12 after 6 p.m.
• Bring a bottle; tap water is safe and free.
• Student ID—real or language course—cuts ticket prices at many sights.

Short and crisp: The Best Hostels in Dublin

1. Globetrotters Dublin Hostel - best for Family-Friendly Hostel
2. Ashfield Guesthouse - best for Party Hostel, Solo Traveller
3. Kinlay House - best for Solo Traveller
4. Gogartys Temple Bar Hostel - best for Party Hostel, Solo Traveller
5. Latroupe Jacobs Inn - best for Couples, Family-Friendly Hostel, Female Solo Traveller, Groups (10+ people)

Globetrotters Dublin Hostel

8.3

"Globetrotters Dublin Hostel is located in right in downtown Dublin, within walking distance from more

Ashfield Guesthouse

8.5

Dublin 2

"…If you get the chance to talk to conor, he is AMAZING and definitely deserves a raise for putting more

from

$17.53

Kinlay House

8.5

Christchurch

"…First of all, the hostel is not cheap. Breakfast is included but is just the typical, poor, toast- more

Gogartys Temple Bar Hostel

8.1

Temple Bar

"…so if you're out sightseeing, don't plan on cooking late. The down side of being so close to more

from

$17.62

Latroupe Jacobs Inn

8.7

Dublin 1

"…The included mini-breakfast was adequate, but more toasters and a rearrangement of the serving more

from

$13.95

Getting Around Dublin on a Budget

• The center is walkable in 20 minutes if rain is light.
• Leap Card fares stop charging after the daily cap—no bill shock.
• Dublin Bikes: €5 for a three-day pass; first 30 minutes of each ride are free.
• Nitelink buses (€3.20) replace taxis after midnight.
• DART trains reach seaside towns like Howth or Bray for under €8 return.

Best Free & Budget-Friendly Attractions

Free things to do

• Chester Beatty Library—rare books plus quiet roof garden.
• National Gallery and National Museums—great for rainy days.
• St Stephen’s Green—picnic and people-watch.
• Street-art walk in Smithfield and the Liberties.
• Phoenix Park—see wild deer without paying a cent.

Low-cost attractions

• Guinness Storehouse student ticket: €22, includes one pint.
• Jameson Bow St. tasting: €25 for three whiskeys.
• Kilmainham Gaol: €12; book online well ahead.
• Dublin Castle State Rooms: €8 for a quick royalty fix.

Food and Drinks on a Budget

• Bakeries: Scone and filter coffee under €5—look for local chains like KC Peaches.
• Carvery pubs: Mid-day roast meat and veg for €10.
• Street food: Eat Yard trucks serve falafel or burgers for €7.
• Cheaper pints: Weeknight deals on Camden Street from €5.
• Meet locals: Join the open music session at The Cobblestone; buy a drink and listen.

Experiences for Backpackers

• Cycle through Phoenix Park—bike hire is €15 per day.
• Cliff walk in Howth—train fare about €6 return.
• Literary pub crawl—€16 for stories and stout.
• Kayak the River Liffey at sunset—€35 if you join a group.
• Watch Gaelic football at Croke Park—terrace tickets about €20.

6 Hidden Gemz in Dublin (by Hostelgeeks)

How it works

Additional Tips & Final Thoughts

• Best time: May-June or September—milder rain, smaller crowds, lower hostel rates.
• Book ahead: Kilmainham Gaol tours, summer hostels, holiday buses.
• Avoid traps: Skip Temple Bar souvenir shops; better prices on Henry Street.
• Safety: Keep bags zipped in busy pubs; stay on well-lit roads at night.
• Cultural respect: Say “thanks, driver” when leaving buses; it’s local manners.

Dublin offers big smiles, quick rain, and live music on every corner. Pack a light jacket, learn to say “Sláinte,” and let this simple guide lead you to good times and great stories.

Backpacking Dublin? Here’s What You Need to Know

These are the guides I wish I had before visiting. I’ve been there, had fun, did some minor mistakes, and now I’m passing the best tips on to you. Safe travels!

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About the author: Anna Kiefer

My travels have taken me from the vibrant streets of Vietnam to the tranquil beauty of Spain, each destination adding a new chapter to my journey. For me, travel isn’t about counting countries or ticking off lists; it’s about the freedom it brings and the stories that unfold with each new adventure. At Hostelgeeks, my goal is to infuse our brand with this sense of freedom and discovery.

Whether it’s finding the perfect 5 Star Hostel or sharing a hidden gem in a bustling city, I’m here to ensure that our travelers get more than just a journey – they get an experience that resonates with the joy of exploration and the freedom of the open road.