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.
Updated 30 August 2026
✈️ 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 6 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 Seven floors through the history of Irish stout, ending with a free pint in the Gravity Bar with panoramic views over Dublin. Entry 25 to 30 euros online, cheaper off-peak. Reserve in advance and allow at least 2 hours.
- Kilmainham Gaol The former prison where the leaders of the 1916 Easter Rising were executed, now a powerful museum on Irish independence. Guided tour compulsory; tickets 8 euros, book well in advance as time slots fill fast. Allow at least 1.5 hours for a complete visit.
- Chester Beatty Library One of the best museums in Europe and completely free. The collection spans Celtic manuscripts, Egyptian papyrus rolls, Mughal miniatures and early Quran texts. Located in Dublin Castle. Open Tue to Fri 10:00-17:00, weekend 11:00-17:00.
- Live music at The Cobblestone Authentic trad sessions in Smithfield, free every evening. One of the last genuine Irish pub sessions without any tourist gloss. Tuesday evenings are especially good; Monday evenings are quieter and more relaxed.
- Howth day trip Fishing village 30 minutes from Dublin Connolly by DART train, around 5 euros return. Walk the coastal path in 2 hours, eat fresh fish at the harbour market stalls and take in views over Dublin Bay.
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.
Is Dublin expensive compared to other European cities?
Dublin is more expensive than cities like Lisbon or Warsaw, but cheaper than London or Zurich. Budget around 15 to 25 euros per meal in mid-range restaurants, 7 euros for a pint of Guinness and 25 euros per night in a hostel. With a Leap Card for public transport you can keep travel costs low.
🗺️ Where do you want to stay in Dublin?
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