Planning a trip to Ireland but don’t want to break the bank? Here are our top tips for travelling Ireland on a budget.
Travel should be for everyone, not just those who have the means to enjoy their journeys in the most expensive ways.
Fortunately, seeing Ireland on a budget isn’t just possible, it’s one of the most enjoyable methods to experience what our country has to offer.
Of course, some minimums need to be met to ensure a safe and enjoyable trip. Follow these tips, and you’ll be well on your way to an unforgettable holiday, no matter how far you want to go.
Entertainment and communication – an useful tool
The most essential part of your kit might not be what you expect, with the humble smartphone acting as your backbone for communication and entertainment.
You might be a fan of podcasts, want to keep up with episodes, or play casino games like Paddy Power Online Slingo with titles like Fowl Play and Davinci Diamonds.
The best entertainment here will be just as accessible at home as it is on the go, which means the best services require low processing and data demands.
You won’t need to face too many compromises here, with mobile data working well with everything from playing slots to streaming content.
Whether looking at fun, planning, or updating social media, the basic idea is that your phone is indispensable, and it needs to be looked after.
This means you should invest in a carry case to prevent water and shock damage if you drop it, as a starting point. You should also remember to invest in a high-quality power bank, like those reviewed at The Guardian.
If you’re travelling on a budget, you might not always have access to the power grid, so you want to ensure you can last at least a couple of days without a place to charge from the main grid.
Travel and food – how to save money on the go
Travel leaves you with a couple of options that can be used to save your budget, such as travelling by public transport or with a van set up for sleeping.
Public transport can be the cheapest option, but it’s also less convenient and provides fewer options for customisation.Â
Putting together a van for travel and sleeping will be a larger investment upfront, but it can also provide far better options to go exactly where you want.
Vans are also better if you have continual travel plans, and as covered at Far Out Ride, can make for fantastic DIY projects.
Food can be trickier since restaurants are always appealing, but rarely the cheapest option.
If you have access to cooking equipment, the best approach can be to work out a few key cheaper recipes at home which you can cook at a hotel, Airbnb, or your own camping equipment.
You’ll want to balance weight with nutrition here, where dehydrated food can be easier to carry in bulk.
You might also look into local markets via Facebook groups, which will tend to be cheaper than what you’ll find a bigger eateries.
The final piece of advice we have for travellers on a budget is to learn from the adventures and mistakes of others.
There are plenty of online resources available from others who have toured Ireland on a budget, where message boards can provide perfect opportunities to ask questions and learn what most people miss.Â
Remember, while everybody makes a few mistakes the first time, these are great times to learn and can give you fun stories to remember and share in the future.
