I am planning a six day trip to Ireland in April and, I was wondering how much money I should prepare for. I am Traveling from The U.S. So it would be american dollars. I am also looking for suggstions on must see places. This is my first trip out of the country so any suggestions would help. Thanks

gosh, that's a real tough question without knowing what kind of things you want to do and the level of places you like to stay and eat. Maybe some ideas on that. Do you need to include money for a hotel in this suggestion, and transportation of some kind? Also, what is your itinerary, as things are surely more expensive in Dublin than small towns.

I'm not best to suggest as I haven't been to Ireland in many years. IN general, I'd say when you travel to plan on having at least US$100 a day to spend, outside airfare and hotel.

Have you clicked on "Destinations" at the top of this page? have you read any guidebooks?

How much money you need depends on how much you can afford. You can sleep cheap (even free if you use coachsurfing.com) or very expensively. Same for food. A good guidebook will help you out with transport costs. Have you made any hotel or B&B reservations? How are you getting around - public transport or rental car? Or are you just staying in Dublin?

"So it would be american dollars." Do you mean you want the answer in dollars? In Ireland you will spend Euros, best obtained by using your ATM card when you get there. You can put hotels and some restaurants on your credit card(s). Do a search here on "foreign transaction fees".

Whatever your budget, have those American dollars in your US bank account and withdraw Euros from ATMs in Ireland, just as you take dollars from ATMs at home.

Be prepared for the fact that Ireland is very expensive. Yes, it's going to be cheaper if you stay in hostels or B&Bs rather than luxury hotels. And you can save a bit by eating in pubs or picking up sandwiches and crisps in a grocery store. But expect to pay much more for meals than you would in the US.

As the above posters have suggested, you need to do a little reading up. There are lots of informative threads on Ireland here.

The B&B netwrok in Ireland is extensive and well organized, so it might be wroth considering as your main choice for accomomdations, with perhaps a hotel for Dublin. B&Bs can be quite varied, we stayed at a school house one night, and a 17th century manor house the next, and you meet some interesting people.

As others have stated, start thinking in euros. You do not want to be using $ in Ireland (including CC purchases...do a search here for Dynamic currency conversion). And ATMs should be your primary source of funds, no need to bring $ (or many euros) to Ireland.

This may get you started:

http://irelandyes.wordpress.com/2009...-ireland-cost/

Bob

There are a million answers to that question. You need to tell us something about your budget and your plans.

Will you do 4* hotels and rent a car? will you stay in small B&Bs in the countryside and travel by bus? Without some basi info any answer will be useless - except to understand that Ireland will cost more than the US - even more than NY - and a lot more than a small town.

B&Bs in County Cork cost around €35 pppn. Hotels a lot more, though there are deals to be done with both out of season, or if the season has been a bad one, as we found on our visit there last August/September.
Living in the Netherlands we actually found Ireland, or at least county Cork, to be very reasonable, nowhere near as expensive as we had expected.
To save money, if that is a requirement, look for "Early Starter" meals at restaurants. Eat early from a limited menu and you often pay half the price of the same meal an hour or so later.

As the others say - you need to tell us a lot more before we can give useful advice.

What level of accommodations -- Posh, middle of the road, or bare bones?

Food - do you eat 3 full meals every day, or do you do snacks for lunch and a full dinner. If you stay in B&Bs you'll get breakfast included.

Transport - are you renting a car or using public transport.

Just lots of info - like how long is the trip and what sorts of things you plan on seeing.

But in general - you can make a trip work at ANY budget. If I'm on a tight budget - there are ways to economize. When I'm in the chips - there are lots of ways to splurge.

Thanks for all the replys. Ok My hotel si paid for. I would like to view a couple of castles but, I am looking for suggestions of thing I should see. As for food I think I will be on such an addreinline high that I will just snack And maybe on balanced meal a day. As for transportaion I am thinking public transportaion will get me whereI need to go. My budget is ideally 2,000 american dollars. So what do you think?

$2000 for six days, just for food and transport??? That's $333 a day! You don't need a budget for that.

"I am looking for suggestions of thing I should see" As I said above, you need to read some guidebooks. They will tell you what things you are "supposed" to see, and let you figure out what you "want" to see, given your particular interests. Start with the glossies like Insight and Eyewitness. Then buy a guidebook to take with you that tells you how to move around, if you're using public transport (and with that much money you can certainly afford a car) check out Lonely Planet.

I'd consider a car. Public transit may complicate the ease of your travel. With a car you are on your own schedule, going wherever and whenver you want. Part of the beauty of Ireland is the countryside. Being able to stop and get out of your car to see some of the vistas, or to watch the sheep cross the road..not the same from a bus

Agree that cars is really best in Ireland. Train can e slow and sometimes doens;t get from here to there except in a big circle - and buses can be sparse.

I would definitely rent a small automatic - and don;t worry about driving n the wrong side of the road. Most roads are local, speeds are low (lots of sheep) and as long as you're areful it will give you much more fredom (and time to do/see rather than wait) than public transit.

Hi americantraveler1981,
We just completed a 96 day trip through Europe on $300 a day. That was lodging, lease car,inter Europe flights, trains, meals, attractions, souvenirs etc. You will be just fine with $2000 for six days with your hotel paid for already. I agree, having a car is the best way to go. Much more independence. Have a great time.
Michele

Michele_d -- wow - 96 day trip! wow -- lucky you!!!

americantraveler -- you sound like you're going on your own -- If you are over 25 (i think) you can rent a car - get the full insurance -- for sure --

I'd take little cash -- and withdraw from ATM's -- however - some smaller towns do not have ATM's - so you'll need cash when doing them.

Don't miss Dingle - great place - if you like shopping - you'll love Cork - and I tell everyone to go to the Cliffs of Mohrer -- wonderful = scenic and just peaceful and beautiful!
Enjoy - can't wait to hear about your trip! (I wish I'd had a $333 a day budget!) lolol Oh Wait -- i think I did spend that much! lol

Couple other things !...

If you drink Pop/Soda in the states -- it is VERY expensive there - like $4 a glass - no refills like here in the states! Water is less in bottled (like at petrol station)

We took some snacks (peanut butter crackers, peanut butter, granola, etc) with us - as they cost alot there!

Pack all you want - then take 1/2 out -- no one carries your bags but you -- I took 2 and regretted it from day one! Won't make that mistake again!

have fun