Spending in Ireland
 

Hi
Going on a 9 day trip in Ireland and I was wondering what's a good amount of Euro to take for spending. I will be on a private tour for the duration. The hotel stay and the tour will already be paid for as well as breakfasts. I was just wondering what's a good cushion to have.
Thanks

That really depends on what you want to spend and how much you can afford. Going on a tour you will also be dependant on where they will let you eat and shop.

You say breakfast is included, but do not mention lunch and dinner.

Will the tour stop for lunch at places where it is possible to get cheap food? Or will they only stop at places with medium to high prices?

Will there be cheap restaurants close to the hotels? Or will you be forced to eat dinner at the hotel restaurant?

Will the tour drop you off at tourist shopping areas? Or will you have free time to walk around and find places where the locals shop?

Are you planning to buy lots of souvenirs? Or only a few things?

Are entry fees to things included in the tour price?

Are you the sort of person who likes to drink beer or wine at dinner? Are you planning to go out for drinks some evenings?

It is really impossible to know how much you will need without knowing the answers to those questions.

Personally, I'd budget 25 Euro for food, 25 for souvenirs and 25 for other things (entry fees, local bus tickets, Internet costs etc) for each day, but I eat cheap and usually don't drink.

I wouldn't take a large amount of euros, there are ATMs everywhere.

Regarding how much you spend, that depends in large part on what you intend to buy to take home and what you spend for lunches and dinners not covered by the tour.

I believe tour buses tend to stop where there are a range of places available or they may try to push/encourage a particular place. Cafés in museums or other sites csn be very good and reasonable.

Irish pub lunches can be great (10€ to 20€, depending on what you drink). Dinner is also dependent on what you want to spend and your drink preferences, roughly 15-20€ to €€€.

Have a wonderful time, beautiful country.

Another important distinctions is whether you will be spending most of your time in or outside Dublin.

For example, if you drink alcohol you could pay €5+ for a pint in Dublin city centre with the corresponding price elsewhere in the country around €3.60 - €3.70. Obviously this difference will add up a lot if you like to take a drink or seven.

Given what's already included, I would probably allow €50 a day at a minimum.

Don't take any Euros. You should get cash from ATM machines when you need it. The exchange rate will be better than buying Euros ahead of the trip. Since you're on a private tour you'll be able to stop any places, any time. Why worry about it ahead of time.

Most meals in Pubs were around 10 Euros for a bowl of Guinness or Irish stew. My wife and I would usually split a bowl because they were such hugh portions. Most attractions/castles, etc charge between 5 an 10 euros to visit. A dinner might be around 20 euros. Ireland is not cheap but you can economize by sharing or going to a grocery store and buying food for a picnic. Hey -- you are on vacation in a wonderful country -- I would just splurge and have fun.

Not sure what you man by a "private tour". If yuo mean that your small group has a private tour guide you can stop wherever/whenever you want. And part of what the guide should be doing is giving you info in advance on restaurants/prices etc.

If you mean something else by "private tour" then you will have to figure out for yourself.

As noted above, obviously a lot depends on you style of dining, activities you want to do etc. I suppose it's possible to get dinner for 20 euros a person - but I would consider that basic. If you want a more upscale restaurant the prices can be much higher.

And do NOT take euros with you. Pay for whatever you can with credit cards and pull walking around money from your checking account with a debit card at any of the gazillion ATMs. this will get you the best rate of exchange. (If you really want some euros before you leave - change $100 at your departure airport. the rate will be terrible - but for such a small amount it really doesn't matter.)