The Wild Atlantic Way in Ireland is one of THE must-do experiences.
The Wild Atlantic Way is visited and explored by millions of people every year. However, popularity often comes at a price, literally. It doesn’t have to, though. You know what they say, the best things in life are free.
We’ll give you a few travel hacks to save money, so that you can still experience the Wild Atlantic Way and enjoy it to the fullest.
Off-season for the savings – it’s all about timing
It’s no secret that travelling during off-season or shoulder season can save you a bit of money. However, those savings can definitely add up. Not only is accommodation cheaper during off-season, car rentals and tours often are too.
The weather can still be good in May, September, or October. Irish weather is always good for a surprise, really. So just because you’re not travelling in June, July, or August, doesn’t mean the sun won’t show.
What if you can only travel during high season? There are still a few tips here for you to also enjoy the Wild Atlantic Way on a budget. While high-season accommodation might be more expensive, make sure to book ahead to get the best prices.
The best things can be for free – nature doesn’t cost a thing
Let’s start with the main part. What can you do and see? The name of the route basically gives it away. It’s wild. It’s close to the Atlantic. In short – it’s stunning. The best part, nature doesn’t have to cost much.
The Cliffs of Moher are along the route. Does it cost anything? Yes, parking fees that include the visitor centre.
However, you can see the cliffs for free – thanks to a seasonal bus. That takes care of parking. It’s up to you if you want to see the visitor centre or not.
The tip is, though, if you’re not arriving by car, you can generally save on parking. There are some great options for that in the transport section. If you’d still like to support the team at the cliffs (or other sights), you can always leave a donation.
If you’re in the area of the Cliffs of Moher, you’re also close to the Burren, a karst and a very unique landscape. Again, exploring the Burren is free – you can enjoy the scenery to the fullest. Just make sure to leave no trace.
Along the route, you can find so many viewpoints and great national parks that you will just have to pick a section to explore.
You can also always go for the must-see spots. The Wild Atlantic Way is perfect for slow travel, which is also more budget-friendly.
Besides nature? – your entertainment
At the end of the day, you might also be up for some activities. This is also where you can save money. Check out what kind of events are happening at the pubs. Usually, there’d be live music. Plus, you get the proper Irish pub atmosphere.
In the summer, there might also be some festivals happening. Depending on where you’re going to have your base, check out the events schedule. Just note that the bigger festivals might bring up the prices of accommodation.
Find your base – small vs. popular
Where to stay is often one of the big questions. As a general rule, the smaller towns and villages might have better prices than bigger towns.
You could, for example, use Westport, as your base, a trendy town and great location for the Wild Atlantic Way.
You might also be interested in staying in a charming village. Once you’ve figured out which section of the Wild Atlantic Way you want to explore, look at the surrounding villages and towns of the bigger places.
Let’s say you want to explore the Galway area. Do you have to stay in Galway? You can, but you can also stay outside of the city. That can also bring down your costs again. Plus, if you’re after a bit of quiet, it might just be what you’re looking for.
In County Donegal, Bundoran is one of the best surf spots in Ireland. It’s also close to Mullaghmore Head, and it gives you those dramatic, wild views. Having a base in general will help you keep costs down. Less driving, fewer costs.
If you have a spot that will let you see multiple things from your list, you’re limiting your driving between towns, and that will also bring down your overall cost.
Sleeping in style? – it’s in the eye of the beholder
Let’s just say it: You’re not exploring the Wild Atlantic Way for the accommodation, you want the views. Obviously, you want to be comfortable and feel good about the place where you’re spending the night. However, that’s not what we mean.
You have many options: There are hotels, of course. However, have you considered camping?
Maybe you’re thinking it’s not for you, and that’s OK, but waking up to a beautiful view, wild nature, birds chirping? Your day is already off to a good start.
If you’re still unsure about looking into campsites, B&Bs are a great option. Hostels could also be a great way to save a bit on accommodation.
If you don’t want to share the room with a few other strangers, check if the hostel offers single or twin rooms.
Food and drink – a traveller’s gotta eat
Now looking at the culinary side of things. Again, you have different options. Eating out every day is very pricey. However, you could also opt for a nice picnic while you’re exploring and admiring the views. Just make sure not to litter, please.
Grab a few things at the supermarket or one of the cute bakeries and prep your delicious lunch. Perhaps your accommodation comes with breakfast included, that’s already one meal taken care of.
For dinner? Of course, you can try some of the restaurants. Tasting the local food is part of travelling. You could also check out the pub menus for dinner, or if your accommodation is self-catering, you could cook up something there.
How to get around? – mix and match
Transport can quickly add up. If you’re renting a car, it’s the rental fee plus petrol. It’s a road trip after all, so you might be thinking you’ll need the car. Yes and no. You can mix and match here and still explore everything.
Renting a car gives you lots of flexibility. However, once you’ve reached your base, you can also check out public transport options.
There might be local buses that will get you to your sightseeing spot, so you wouldn’t need to use the car every day.
Another option could be bikes. You don’t have to bike the entire way. Maybe a small section here and there, if you’re up for it. You’re probably seeing the pattern here: It’s about options and making use of those options.
A little price breakdown – let’s look at some numbers
Let’s look at a little price comparison for accommodation to tackle the biggest expense item. This is, of course, just an example, and your own needs or preferences might change the final price.
For high season vs. off-season, we’re looking at accommodation options for two people and three nights in May, August, and October 2026. Our example towns are Galway, Sligo, and Westport. The search also includes different types of accommodation.
At the time this article was written, for Galway, you’re looking at a starting price of roughly €500 in May. For August, it’s around €400 – but that’s also because August is still a bit further away. In October, your starting price is around €370.
For May in Sligo, the prices start at just over €300. August is at around €350 or €210 if you’re opting for a hostel (not downtown).
October has similar prices for the timeframe used for the search. However, if you’re flexible with your dates, you could save more.
Westport in May and August starts at just under €400 at the time of searching. The October prices start at €320 or €265 for a hostel. So you can see a clear difference between the other months.
Exploring the Wild Atlantic Way doesn’t have to break the bank, but it has to be on your bucket list. Often, a bit of flexibility and the mix-and-match approach can help you save some money. Plus: The Irish weather kind of requires flexibility anyway.
Whatever option you choose for your big trip, the best things along the route are for free: the stunning and dramatic Irish scenery that got you here in the first place. With 2,500 km (roughly 1,600 miles) of wild options, you can make it yours and on a budget.
