Cheap city break Dublin
Dublin is Guinness and conviviality: live music in every pub, literary heritage from Joyce, Wilde and Beckett, and Trinity College with the Book of Kells. Direct flights from Amsterdam Schiphol and Eindhoven, return from around 60 euros, 3 days including flight from around 380 euros per person.
✈️ Plan your trip to Dublin →When is the best time to go?
May to September are the driest and sunniest months, with temperatures of 12 to 18 degrees and the longest days. St. Patrick's Day (17 March) is a unique experience but hotels are sold out and prices double months in advance. Avoid November and January: dark, wet and little going on. The Christmas period is cosy but expensive.
Best neighbourhoods in Dublin
- Temple Bar The tourist pub district, full of entertainment but on the expensive side.
- South Georgian Core Trinity College and Merrion Square. Georgian architecture and museums.
- Stoneybatter Trendy local neighbourhood, best cafes and affordable accommodation.
- Smithfield Flea market and Jameson Distillery. More affordable than Temple Bar.
- Portobello Trendy with the Grand Canal and young restaurants. Quiet and local feel.
Top 5 things to do in Dublin
- Trinity College + Book of Kells The famous illuminated 9th-century Gospel book, housed in the magnificent Long Room library at Trinity College. Admission around 21.50 to 25 euros; book online in advance as time slots fill quickly. Budget option: the Trinity College campus (quadrangle and chapel) is free to visit.
- Guinness Storehouse Taste a pint with a 360 degree view, 30 euros. The Gravity Bar on the top floor with panoramic city views is the highlight.
- Kilmainham Gaol Former prison where the leaders of the 1916 Easter Rising were held and executed. Fascinating history of Irish independence, 8 euros. Book in advance - always full.
- Live music at The Cobblestone Authentic trad sessions in Smithfield, free (pay for your drinks). The best traditional music pub in Dublin, frequented by local musicians.
- Howth day trip Coastal walk 30 minutes away by DART train, 5 euros return. Cliffs, seabirds, fresh fish and chips with sea views - the perfect half day from Dublin.
Flights + transport from the Netherlands
Schiphol has daily direct connections to Dublin (DUB) with KLM, Aer Lingus and Ryanair in about 1 hour 35 minutes, return from around 60 euros. Eindhoven has direct Ryanair flights to Dublin. From the airport to the centre: Aircoach (express bus) costs around 10 euros and runs 24 hours a day; the Dublin Bus Airlink (747) costs around 7 euros with a Leap Card. The Leap Card is a contactless travel card for bus, DART and Luas tram in Dublin: load it up at the airport (card 1 euro deposit) and pay per trip around 1.50 to 2.00 euros, much cheaper than cash. A Dublin Visitor Card (24 hours 12 euros, 72 hours 29 euros) combines the Leap Card with unlimited public transport.
Insider tip: Marsh's Library
Most Dublin visitors see Trinity College but skip Marsh's Library, Ireland's oldest public library (1701), right next to St Patrick's Cathedral. Over 25,000 books from the 16th to 18th centuries, including handwritten notes by Jonathan Swift. Entry 5 euros, Mon-Fri 09:30-17:00, Sat 10:00-17:00. Combine this with a visit to the cathedral cloister (3 euros extra), one of the quietest spots in the city centre.
What does a city break to Dublin cost?
Hostels from 25 euros per night, mid-range hotels 110 to 160 euros, holiday homes around 100 euros per night. Food: full Irish breakfast 12 euros, fish and chips 15 euros, pint of Guinness 7 euros. Three days including a direct flight: around 380 euros per person.
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Frequently asked questions about Dublin
When is the best time to visit Dublin?
May to September are the driest and sunniest months, with temperatures of 12 to 18 degrees and the longest days. Avoid November and January: dark, wet and little going on.
Which neighbourhood is best to stay in Dublin?
Stoneybatter or Portobello for a local feel and affordable accommodation; Temple Bar if you want to be in the middle of the entertainment, but expect higher prices. South Georgian Core is central and close to Trinity College.
How do I get from the Netherlands to Dublin?
Schiphol has daily direct flights to Dublin (DUB) with KLM, Aer Lingus and Ryanair in about 1 hour 35 minutes, return from around 60 euros. Eindhoven has direct Ryanair flights to Dublin.
What does a trip to Dublin cost?
Hostels from 25 euros per night, mid-range hotels 110 to 160 euros, holiday homes around 100 euros per night. Three days including a direct flight: around 380 euros per person.
🗺️ Where do you want to stay in Dublin?
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