Just returned from Ireland and thought folks might like some idea of current prices to help with their travel planning (1€ = $1/38):

Pint of Beer: 3.5 - 4.5€ $5 - 6
Pub Meal 13 - 18€ $18 - 25
Restaurant (normal, local)
Appetizer 8 - 12€ $12 - 18
Entree 22 - 30€ $30 - 40
Attractions 4 - 8€ $5.50 - 11
Gas 1.15 - 1.22€/liter $6-6.40/gal
B&B (modest, but main area)
40 - 50€ pp $55 - 70 pp

Since it's hard to imagine how the locals are able to afford anything, here's a note
on salaries:

Minimum Wage (18 yr old - 1st job) $8.50/hr
(adult) $12/hr
Avg Teacher Salary (elementary) $60,000

Yes- but locals don;t stay in a B&B every night - or eat out 3 meals every day. Obviously cooking at home and renting an apartment of buying a house makes your euros go much further.

And are the prics really that different?

In my area a glass of house wine anywhere is at least $6, a movie is $11 and $25 for a casuale meal is a great deal. And the price of gas is due to high taxation based on government policy to reduce it's use.

Oh - and while our minimum wages are pitiful, at least here - practically no one works for that. MickeyD's pays counter kids $10 an hour - and can never get enough of them.

Well, here in California you'd pay under $5.00 for a pint at a local brewery, a pub meal for lunch would be around $10-12 an appetizer at a resonable restaurant would be around $10.00 an entree would be more in the $20.00 range. Gas of course is half what it is in Europe so that's no surprise. Lodging at a B & B for two would run you about $200.00, so in Ireland it's a bargain. But overall, those prices are higher than what I would expect to pay so yes, it is a bit of a surprise. Oh well.

Dank,

Thank you for providing this tool. For those who are in the planning stages, it will help them know how much money they will need to take over.

I guess I am an odd duck. I set my watch and my brain to Ireland time once I board my overseas flight. I then avoid doing currency conversions in my head or fretting about how much whatever I am doing, drinking, eating, purchasing would cost me if I am home. I am not home, I am on vacation. A vacation for which I have usaully worked extra hours & cut corners all year long. If I kept doing cost comparisons through out my trip, it would ruin a most enjoyable and magical time.

There is no place in Europe that I know of right now where you can go and have the dollar be strong. If you convert everything to US dollars, you will vapor lock because of the expense.

You can have a great vacation and be frugal with your travel money just by eating early in the afternoon (Value menus and early bird specials), driving a diesel vehicle, eating picnic lunches and taking advantage of the huge breakfasts at your B&B.

When you get down to it, $55 - $70 for lodging would be a Motel 6 or Super 8 in most areas in the States. Most attractions are over the $15 mark for entry.

As a local, I wouldn't expect those expenses all the time just as the locals in Ireland don't have those expenses, as someone else has pointed out.

Its a vacation not a way of life. Though I would certainly be thrilled to have it become one.

Slan Beo,

Bit