Ready to start sipping? Here is a guide to Irish beer and drinks. And remember: if you order at the bar, there’s no need to tip the bartender. Keep your change.

Guinness

Ireland’s most famous stout, Guinness Draught, is brewed right in the city center of Dublin. Often called the “milkshake of beers”, Guinness is known for its rich, creamy head and hint of chocolate flavor. Remember to be patient when ordering a pint — the perfect Guinness takes time to pour, but it’s worth the wait. Walk into any pub in Dublin, and you will see a lot of locals drinking the black stuff (and they always wait for it to settle before taking that heavenly first sip).

Smithwick’s is older — and lighter — than Guinness. Photo: ach10

Alternative Irish stouts: Beamish stout, Murphy’s Irish Stout

Smithwick’s

Smithwick’s Irish Ale is even older than Guinness and other one of the most famous Irish beer and drinks. This smooth ale dates back to the 14th century and is produced in the oldest operating brewery in Ireland. While many of the best known Irish beers are stouts, Smithwick’s is the biggest ale producer in the country. If you find Guinness a little heavy (especially after the first one or two), switch to Smithwick’s for something lighter, but still flavorful.

Harp Lager

On a sunny day in Dublin, grab an outdoor table at a pub and sip on a refreshing Harp lager. This crisp beer is a light alternative to heavy Irish stouts. This smooth, light beer doesn’t have the same history as Guinness or Smithwick’s — it’s only been around since 1960 — but it’s a tasty Irish alternative to other foreign lagers on tap.

Irish Coffee

If you happen to be in Dublin on a rainy day, there is nothing more satisfying than an Irish coffee. This mix of hot coffee, Irish whiskey, and brown sugar topped with a thick layer of cream will warm you up on more than one level. Don’t over-stir the concoction; simply sip the coffee through the cream.

Irish Whiskey Punch (or a Hot Toddy)

Another traditional drink — often enjoyed when you have a case of the sniffles — is an Irish Whiskey Punch or Hot Toddy. Irish Whiskey is mixed with hot water, brown sugar, cloves, and lemon, resulting in one steaming, soothing drink.

When in Dublin, go local. Drink Irish beers and whiskey, eat Irish cheese, and don’t leave without sampling local smoked salmon and roasted lamb (preferably with a pint of Guinness on the side).

Your favorite pour? What do you order when you cozy up to the bar at a Dublin pub? Share your favorite Irish beer and drinks in our comments section.

Also in our guide: Heading to Dublin and looking for a great affordable hotel? Our editors have hunted down the best cheap hotels in Dublin, from hostels to three-star hotels, all centrally-located, clean and cheap. Read more in our Dublin hotel guide.

The post Dublin: A quick guide to Irish beer and drinks appeared first on EuroCheapo's Budget Travel Blog.

So book one of our favorite budget hotels in the city, and start planning your eating adventure in Dublin.

And remember, the dining scene now offers much more than just fish and chips!

How to save on dining in Dublin

If you’re ready to explore all the delicious eats Dublin has to offer, here are a few tips to help you save along the way.

1. Seek out markets and street food

Staying away from restaurants is one of the best ways to keep your euros. Several markets offer great value (and large portions), such as the Temple Bar Market (Saturdays) or the Mespil Road Market (Thursdays). Browse through the market options for price and portion size. Check out the Visit Dublin website and the Irish Village Markets website for more details.

2. Plan a picnic

There’s great value in grocery stores, bakeries, and specialty shops. One of the best ways to enjoy a gourmet meal without the price tag is to stock up on products straight from the stores. Grab a sandwich, cheese, and charcuterie from Sheridans Cheesemongers, duck into the basement shop at Avoca for a loaf of fresh Irish brown soda bread, or stop into the grocery store Tesco to gather picnic supplies.

3. Take advantage of the early bird

Show up early to experience the best Dublin restaurants for reasonable prices. If you eat a light lunch, you might be ready for an affordable pre-theater dinner. For example, check out the lunch or pre-theater menus at Hugo’s, or Achara offers an early-bird menu from 5 to 6:30 p.m. with three courses for €25 per person.

4. Eat your biggest meal at lunchtime

Many restaurants have a similar prix-fixe menu for lunch. You can save a few euros by eating your bigger meal at lunchtime. Some restaurants with great lunch specials include The Winding Stair and Pichet.

5. Ethnic eats

Dublin doesn’t have the widest range of ethnic eats, especially in comparison to other European capitals. These restaurants do offer great value, both in the food and drink department. Stop into Hop House for affordable Korean and Japanese, Govindas for huge helpings of Indian-influenced vegetarian food, and Thai Spice for tasty Thai dishes.

The post Dublin: 5 easy ways to save on dining appeared first on EuroCheapo's Budget Travel Blog.

While prices have increased across the board in the last few years, it is still possible to enjoy the Irish capital while sticking to a budget. From pubs to museums, there is plenty of Cheapo-friendly things to do in Dublin. But what about accommodations?

More Dublin travel tips:

• 5 Free museums in Dublin
• 5 Easy ways to save on dining in Dublin
• Hotels in Dublin under $100 per night

Best budget hotels in Dublin

We love Dublin’s charm, especially when it comes to the local hotels. We’ve picked some of our favorites, based on cleanliness, comfort, character, and of course, affordable nightly rates.

You’ll find familiar comforts at the Leonardo Hotel, part of a hotel chain. Photo: Booking.com

Leonardo Hotel Dublin Christchurch

Neighborhood: Around Christ Church Cathedral
Doubles from $114

Despite its four stars, Leonardo Hotel Dublin Christchurch remains an affordable option for those traveling to Dublin, especially if you book well in advance. While it is a hotel chain, it still offers excellent service along with the reliable amenities you’d expect of this type of hotel: kettles, TVs, free Wi-Fi, and private bathrooms. Read the full review

Take your breakfast in the stylish dining room at Albany House. Photo: Booking.com

Albany House

Neighborhood: St. Stephen’s Green
Doubles from $129

The quiet Albany House is nestled within a Georgian building, so it makes sense that you’ll find historic elements throughout. Although it lacks an elevator or soundproof windows because of the historic building, guests will enjoy the spacious, comfortable rooms. Plus, breakfast is included in the already low rates, and rooms are pretty quiet even with older windows. Read the full review

The Harding Hotel is ready to greet you.

Neighborhood: Around Christ Church Cathedral
Doubles from $133

Rooms at the Harding Hotel are simple but clean, comfortable, and surprisingly spacious. You’ll also find all the amenities you could want, from fridges to TVs to free Wi-Fi. The best part? Your a short 5-minute stroll from Temple Bar, and many rooms boast views of the Christ Church Cathedral. Read the full review

A sweet, cozy room at Waterloo House. Photo: Booking.com

Waterloo House

Neighborhood: Around Dublin
Doubles from $139

Cheap and charming, Waterloo House is ready to be your home away from home. Classic decor makes each room feel welcoming and cozy, and you won’t want to miss out on spending some time in the backyard garden. Although the hotel is on a quiet, residential street, St. Stephen’s Green, Grafton Street and Aviva Stadium are still walkable. Read the full review

Toast your vacation with a pint in the basement bar of the Dergvale Hotel. Photo: Booking.com

Dergvale Hotel

Neighborhood: Gardiner Street Upper
Doubles from $144

Everything is spick-and-span at the Dergvale Hotel, and while it tends to be old-fashioned, the service is friendly and the rates are low. Rooms are clean and comfortable, and you can save even more by booking a room with a shared bathroom. After a long day of sightseeing, you can unwind in the cozy and eclectic basement bar. Read the full review

More budget hotels in Dublin

Looking for more cheap hotels in Dublin? Browse our full guide with more than 30 budget options.

The post Our favorite budget hotels in Dublin for 2024 appeared first on EuroCheapo's Budget Travel Blog.

If you’re traveling on a budget, there’s no time like the present to hop a flight to Dublin (with cheap airfare, of course!) and discover this fun city.

Once you’re on the ground and you’ve booked your Dublin hotel, use these five tips to keep your money where it belongs: in your pocket.

Dublin budget tips

1. Don’t waste money on transportation

It can be tempting in Dublin just to hop in a cab, but this is one way to empty your pockets very quickly. Instead of cabs, check out the local bus schedule. Dublin Bus is very affordable, and routes connect all different areas of the city.

Alternatively, Dublin’s bike share program, called Dublin Bikes, is a cheap and easy way to get around the city. And remember, Dublin is very small and manageable on foot, too.

2. Eat your dinner early

With Dublin’s current boom, there are more and more gourmet restaurants opening in the city. These same restaurants do have deals if you know where or when to look. One strategy to fill seats is offering heavily discounted “early bird” or pre-theater specials.

Take one of my favorite restaurants in Dublin for example — The Winding Stair. A meal here is usually a splurge, but early birds can enjoy an incredible 2-course meal for just €29. You will leave stuffed and your wallet won’t be nearly empty.

Related:  Five ways to save on dining in Dublin.

3. Make friends with the half-pint — And keep your change!

There’s no such thing as a discount on alcohol in Dublin — you won’t find any “happy hours” in the city. If you’re trying to keep your costs down on beer, order a half pint instead of a full pint. This way you can spread your money a bit farther between different pubs.

Also remember, if you order from a bartender, there is no need to tip. Keep all your change!

4. Seek out free entertainment

While you’re sipping on that half-pint, how about some entertainment? Many Dublin pubs are known for their live music, so check out pubs that provide some entertainment beyond the Guinness and Jameson.

For traditional music, check out O’Donoghue’s on Merrion Row. Another great option for live music is Doyles, right across the street for Trinity College. If you happen to be in Dublin on “match day” (whether it’s rugby, soccer, or the Gaelic games) be sure to grab a seat in the pub — both the game and the locals will provide the entertainment.

5. Research your ride to the airport

If there’s one thing visitors complain about when it comes to Dublin — it’s the lack of airport transportation. You won’t find a train or a subway system that connects Dublin Airport to the city center. Some visitors resign themselves to taking a taxi (this costs at least €20) but Cheapos will want to check out the buses.

There are two options: the local bus that is very cheap (but stops frequently, seriously lengthening your journey into Dublin) or taking the Aircoach, a 24-hour express bus service into the city. Purchase a return fare to save a few euros instead of paying for a ticket each way. (Read more on Dublin’s airport transportation.)

A little airport research ahead of time could mean a lot of money saved during a trip to Dublin.

Your Dublin tips

Do you have any favorite ways to save? Share in the comments below!

The post Dublin Budget Tips: 5 simple ways to save appeared first on EuroCheapo's Budget Travel Blog.

A Cheapo looking to wait out the storm indoors can explore one of the free museums in the city center. Whether you’re interested in art, literature or natural history, there is a free Dublin museum or library to match.

More tips for visiting Dublin:
• Our favorite budget hotels in Dublin
• 5 cheap eats in Dublin than locals love

5 Free museums in Dublin

Here are five of our top suggestions for exploring Dublin’s art and cultural scene on the cheap.

1. The National Library of Ireland

2/3 Kildare Street
website

After getting artsy with Jack, stroll over the National Library of Ireland to wax poetic with his brother William. The museum’s interactive exhibit dedicated to W.B. Yeats allows you to electronically scan through the poet’s private notebooks with a swipe of the finger. The exhibit also includes memorabilia, videos and famous Irish personalities reading his poems.

And if, after exploring the Yeats history, you’re inspired to research your own family, you’ve come to the right place. The Library has an impressive amount of genealogy records from parish registers to newspapers to help you trace your ancestors.

2. The National Gallery of Ireland

Merrion Square West
website

You could spend hours wandering through the halls of the National Gallery, but if you only go to one room, it should be the hall devoted to the paintings of Irish artist Jack B. Yeats. The vibrant colors of his paintings are unexpected and striking, and it’s fascinating to see so much work from one painter in a single space.

Accommodations: Hotels near the National Gallery of Ireland

The Giant Elk at the Natural History Museum. Photo: Neil

3. The Natural History Museum

Merrion Square West
website

Nicknamed “the Dead Zoo,” the Natural History Museum is a regular menagerie of stuffed and skeletal wildlife. Here you can learn about indigenous animals such as the Irish Elk (sometimes called a Giant Deer), an extinct animal with antlers that spread as far as 12 feet. There’s also a skeleton of a humpback whale hanging from the ceiling.

Accommodations: Cheap hotels near the Natural History Museum

4. The Hugh Lane Gallery

Charlemont House, Parnell Square North
website

The Hugh Lane Gallery has an excellent collection of paintings, drawings, and sculptures, as well as short-term exhibitions. But one thing really draws people to this gallery: the Francis Bacon Studio. When the artist died in London, his entire studio was transported back to his hometown of Dublin. It was reassembled in the Hugh Lane Gallery precisely as it was found in London.

Accommodations: Hotels near Hugh Lane Gallery

The Chester Beatty Library is located inside the Dublin Castle. Photo: Marie

5. The Chester Beatty Library

Dublin Castle
website

Located within the grounds of Dublin Castle, the Chester Beatty Library is an art museum and library where you can see everything from rare manuscripts and Egyptian papyrus texts to contemporary exhibitions. Art from 2700 BC through the present day is on display here. And don’t miss out on the roof garden on a sunny day.

The post Ireland on a Budget: 5 Free museums in Dublin appeared first on EuroCheapo's Budget Travel Blog.

But what to eat for lunch or dinner without going over budget, however, is not so obvious. No worries — with these tips by Dublin locals, you’ll be sure to avoid the touristy and pricey restaurants in favor of the neighborhood gems that should be on every visitor’s list.

Where to stay in Dublin: Our favorite cheap hotels in the city

Dining on a Budget: 5 Dublin favorites

Hop aboard for a tasty pizza. Photo: Maria Krupskaya

Big Blue Bus

11-12 South Richmond St.

The Bernard Shaw is a great hipster pub, but what makes it even better is the Big Blue Bus hidden in the backyard. It’s a doubledecker where you can enjoy freshly made pizza (~€10). You rarely have to wait more than 10 minutes for your order, and every week there’s a different male and female name whose happy bearers get pizza for free! Feeling lucky?

Upgrade your cafe experience at Luncheonette. Photo: Kevin Gleeson

Luncheonette

100 Thomas St.

This vaulted basement cafe is hidden below the centrally located National College of Art & Design of Ireland. Luncheonette’s affordable, healthy food is primarily geared towards students, but there’s nothing stopping anyone from dropping by for some delicious artistic specialties that are also surprisingly affordable. One of local Kevin’s favorites is the Kerala curry and cashew pilaf and their beetroot burger with avocado. Expect to pay around €3.50 per small dish.

Have you had a Chinese burger? Photo: Sam Tranum

Temple Express Newsagents

4 Westmoreland St.

This small newsagent on Westmoreland Street, one of the busiest thoroughfares in Dublin, has a delicious little surprise: a small Chinese kitchen that serves street food, including soups, noodles and local Juan’s favorite Chinese burgers (€3.50) — “so tasty, so much better than a normal burger in a fast food restaurant, there’s no comparison!” Most of the customers that come to Temple Express Newsagents are Chinese, so be careful — when they say “hot” here, they really mean it!

Comfort food with a twist is the specialty at Cowtown. Photo: Cowtown Cafe FB

Cowtown Cafe

73 Manor St.

Cowtown Cafe has brought the charm of the traditional greasy spoon to Stoneybatter. Their menu consists of refreshing alternatives to the tired options of stew or fish and chips as flagships of Irish cuisine. Yet, it never strays from a menu of “comfort food an Irish mammy would make”, complete with the freshest bread and the best quality cuts of meat. Local Lucie’s favorite item on the menu is the fish-finger sandwich, incidentally also some of her hangover food of preference — an inevitable essential for any visit to Ireland. Main courses from €9.

Freshly made sandwiches are the draw at Doughboys. Photo: Kevin Gleeson

Doughboys

5 Charlotte Way

Dublin is overrun with boring high street sandwich shops, but Doughboys is a brilliant exception. Opened in 2014 and run by very friendly staff, you can even depend on them for cheap and tasty sandwiches (€5). You can order items without the bread and they have vegan/gluten-free options. However, it’s the carnivores that are really in for a treat: on Thursdays and Fridays, they serve porchetta — herb-infused roast pork with salsa verde and garlic. Just make sure you check in for lunch early, as they run out fast!

The post Dublin Budget Dining: 5 local favorites appeared first on EuroCheapo's Budget Travel Blog.

The deal

Right now, Aer Lingus is offering fares under $500 direct to Ireland from the East Coast of the US. The $499 round-trip fare is good from New York JFK and Newark International Airport to Dublin and from Boston to Shannon.

If you live in Washington, DC, the price jumps a little bit to $579, and even more from the West Coast.

Travel Period: You can travel anytime between November 1, 2016 and March 31, 2017. Aer Lingus has an easy-to-use fare finder system where you can quickly scroll through the calendar to compare prices on different days of the week.

Booking Period: You have until September 21, 2016, at 7 pm to book your flight. However, as with any great flight deal, reserve your tickets as soon as possible to have the best chance at securing the dates you want to travel.

How to book: Check availability and book on the Aer Lingus website.

(Note: Be sure to subscribe to our newsletter to find out early about these flash deals. Click the envelope icon at the top of the page to subscribe.)

Is it a good value?

Anytime we can find a direct, round-trip flight to anywhere in Europe for $500 or less, our cheapo alarm bells go off. For budget travelers like us, flying to Europe is always the most expensive cost of our trip. With many flights to Europe tipping toward the $800-900 price range on a regular basis, we’re always on the hunt for deals like this.

Plus, Aer Lingus also lets you take one checked bag on your journey, so you don’t have to worry about hidden baggage costs at the gate. That $499 also includes all taxes and fees.

On the downside, the travel window is limited, and you can’t use this deal to go in the high season. But when the temperatures drop across Ireland in January and February at least you won’t have to worry about the summer crowds. And if you’re used to winter in New York, the “off season” in Ireland might just feel downright tropical compared to the frozen thermometer back home.

Related: Baggage fees for airlines flying from the US to Europe

St. Patrick’s Day in Ireland

Looking to spend St. Paddy’s Day in Ireland? This might be the year to skip the parade down Fifth Avenue in New York City and head straight for Dublin. We found flights leaving on March 13, 2017 and coming back on March 20 for the $499 price.

Dublin hosts a popular St. Patrick’s Festival every year including a parade through the city streets. Dig out your favorite green outfit and start packing your bags. Just book those hotel reservations early, because you can expect to join over 500,000 other revelers in the streets of Dublin on March 17th.

Cheers! The scene at Temple Bar after the St. Patrick’s Day Parade in Dublin. Photo: lendog64

Hotels and hostels in Dublin

Once you score a great deal on your flight, finding a room for under $100 is easier than you might think when you visit Dublin. If you want to really save, there are several cheap hostels in Dublin and you can find private double rooms starting for around $50.

Search the best value hotels in Dublin on EuroCheapo

The post Flash Deal: Fly to Ireland on Aer Lingus for $499 roundtrip (book by September 21) appeared first on EuroCheapo's Budget Travel Blog.

Related:

Sign up for airline newsletters to find cheap flights

Norwegian offers $240 flights from US to London

Questions over Gatwick services

With respect to its proposed Gatwick venture, Norwegian is facing a barrage of criticism from US-based legacy carriers and pilots’ unions who fear that the company’s low-cost model may threaten the cushioned comforts which they have enjoyed for decades. The coming weeks will reveal whether Norwegian really does get to launch its proposed routes from LA, Fort Lauderdale and JFK into Gatwick in July.

Even if it does go ahead, the Norwegian operation is merely a blip in the pond. We are talking about one Gatwick-based plane flying the company’s three US routes in and out of the airport—providing in total just six flights each week from the USA to London. The market for transatlantic flights is reshaping to reflect new patterns of consumer demand. Many punters nowadays want to fly direct to Europe from regional airports around North America.

Shortest transatlantic crossing: 4 hours

This summer sees a number of interesting new routes that tap regional markets. So British Airways this month launched a new non-stop route from Austin to London Heathrow, and Westjet will start the shortest transatlantic flights of the season on June 15 with its new route from St John’s (Newfoundland) to Dublin.

The ever-reliable OAG flight database shows a block time of 4 hrs 15 mins for the sector, so the 2000-mile route will require less than four hours in the air, barely enough time to enjoy supper and have a quick snooze before the plane is descending to touch down in Ireland. One-way fares start at $275 (Canadian dollars)—and that includes all taxes, fuel surcharges and checked baggage.

New daytime flights to Europe

Europe Airpost may sound more like the mailman than an airline. But this French cargo airline also carries humans. It’s an unusual choice for transatlantic travel, but this summer the airline offers the only daytime flights from Canada to Europe. Avoid the pain of an overnighter with Europe Airpost’s direct daytime flights from Halifax (Nova Scotia) to Glasgow and Paris. The service will operate in July and August only, using Boeing 737s with space for 128 passengers

From lesser airports direct to Europe

Many of the big airfare search engines may overlook useful carriers that could be just what you need for your routing. Casting around and checking individual airlines’ websites may reap handsome rewards. How many travelers from the Twin Cities or the Pacific Northwest would think of checking the Condor website for direct flights to Germany? But in fact the carrier has summer-season direct flights to Frankfurt from both Minneapolis-Saint Paul and Seattle—and, for that matter, even flies non-stop this summer from Fairbanks (Alaska) and Whitehorse (Yukon) to Frankfurt.

Basel or Riga? Why not fly direct?

Another carrier that features less prominently in the imagination is Air Transat, which from June thru September this year offers scheduled non-stop flights from Montreal to Basel.

Choosing a less-obvious airline may allow you to route directly to your chosen destination in Europe. If you are heading out of the Big Apple bound for the Baltic States, you might assume that there are no direct flights and opt to travel via London, Amsterdam or Copenhagen. But there is one airline which has reliably served the New York to Riga route for years—and that is Uzbekistan Airways. The flight time is just under nine hours on the airline’s Boeing 767.

Check out less obvious carriers

Opting for an obscure airline may bring advantages. The fastest schedules on the New York to Brussels route are not achieved by any US or European airline but by the Indian carrier Jet Airways which offers a daily flight from Newark to Brussels. If you are heading to Italy and, like us, you think that Middle Eastern style is hard to beat, then consider using Emirates’ new non-stop service from New York to Milan. Five different carriers compete daily on the route, four of them flying out of JFK and one from Newark. We think that Emirates is the best of the JFK options.

Singapore Airlines from the USA to Europe

On the busy route from New York City to Frankfurt, four different IATA carriers are in head-to-head competition, between them offering six non-stop departures every evening from New York. Our top choice is the least obvious one, namely Singapore Airlines which flies the flagship Airbus A380-800 on the route. It’s not the airline’s only transatlantic service. Another very useful link is the Houston to Moscow route, where Singapore Airlines jealously guards its enviable position as sole operator of a route that appeals to more than merely oil executives.

The post Flying across the Atlantic: Creative and cheap ways to get to Europe appeared first on EuroCheapo's Budget Travel Blog.

1. Walk through Trinity College

Feel like a student again and check out the campus of Ireland’s most dignified university. The buildings are of stunning Georgian design, and when the sun’s out it’s a great spot for people watching. Hoards of guided groups come in, and many pay to check out the Book of Kells. But skip that hoopla, grab a cheap coffee at a campus cafe and take a seat outside with the students. It’s perfect for listening in on some juicy college gossip!

Take a breather in sunny St. Stephen’s Green. Photo: beamillion

2. Lunch at Stephen’s Green

St. Stephen’s Green is a beautiful, prim and proper garden that offers all the ingredients for a peaceful day in the park. The gorgeous gazebo, sparkling creek, and colorful collection of tulips will put you in the mood. There are many paths to follow, and it’s a great place to stop for a breather.

3. Busking and people watching at Temple Bar

There is no shortage of buskers who perform at Temple Bar throughout the day and early evening. From traditional folk and bluegrass to female soul and funky blues, it’s impossible to not run into musical talent on the Temple Bar streets. True, the area is a tourist trap, but your coins are well spent on the people who fill the streets with music. Take a seat on a nearby step and stay a while.

4. Walk of fame on O’Connell Street

A walk up and down this shopping street might be chaotic, but you can also learn about the city’s history from the street’s many statues. There’s the 400 foot Spire that serves as the city’s main meeting point, but also the bronze statue of Daniel O’Connell, the patriotic figure of Catholic Emancipation. James Larkin’s statue represents the ongoing presence of trade unions in Ireland, and just south sits the statue of writer James Joyce. Add Charles Parnell and Father Theobald Mathew into the mix, and you’ve got a great walk through Dublin’s history.

5. St. Patrick’s Park

Saint Patrick, the guy who brought Catholicism to Ireland, has a massive church made in his honor. While admission will cost you €5, the park surrounding the north side is free and gets lots of sun. Locals usually grab a paper or snack at the nearby Spar convenience store and let kids run around the family-friendly area. Pick a spot near the fountain or by the walls of the massive cathedral and kill some time before heading into Temple Bar.

BONUS: Saturday’s outdoor food market in Temple Bar from 10 am to 6 pm has some of the cheapest eats in town, fresh and locally brought to patrons hungry for a bite of baked goods, oysters, ciders and more.

The post 5 free ways to spend a sunny day in Dublin appeared first on EuroCheapo's Budget Travel Blog.

Unlike other European capital cities, you don’t have to stay outside of the center to find good prices, especially if you’re open to staying in one of the city’s hostels. Wondering what to expect in Dublin hostels? Keep reading for everything you need to know before you book your bed.

Hostel Overview

Dublin is home to a handful of popular, central hostels with solid reputations. They all have some things in common, such as free Wi-Fi, free linens, and often a free continental breakfast (that includes hot tea in Ireland) but be sure to read the fine print:

• Some hostels offer only dorm-style rooms (with as many as 12 or 16 beds), while others have private rooms for one to four people.

• Some hostels only have shared bathrooms while others do have a few private bathrooms (all the more reason to make reservations in advance).

At almost every hostels, you can expect a common space for meeting fellow travelers. In Dublin, this is often a bar or lounge, and in the case of one unique property, an upscale coffee bar. Though metal bunkbeds seem to be the norm across the city, hostels are generally clean, safe, and offer lockers for easy storage of your backpack.

Enjoy a hot cappuccino at Isaacs Hostel.

EuroCheapo Hostel Picks

Isaacs Hostel
Read review
From $19

Located near the River Liffey on the north side of Dublin, Isaacs Hostel might surprise visitors with its charm. The hostel is housed in a building that was once a wine cellar and warehouse, so expect lots of stone walls and vaulted ceilings throughout.

Both dorms and private rooms (for one to four people) are available here, and an exterior courtyard bar is a fun touch. While all bathrooms are shared, there’s a nice basement lounge with a pool table and guest kitchen for meeting fellow travelers. Both Wi-Fi and continental breakfast are included in the room rate.

Avalon House
Read review
From $16

Walking by the Victorian building that is home to Avalon House, it is hard to believe this could be a hostel. The beautiful building is located on scenic South Great Georges Street, a central south-of-the-Liffey spot that is both quiet and near the pub action.

In addition to free Wi-Fi and some private bathrooms, Avalon House is also home to the Bald Barista, a coffee bar that draws locals off the streets with a perfect espresso. A comfortable basement lounge area is also another bonus.

The Globetrotter Tourist Hostel offers more comforts than your standard hostel.

Globetrotters Tourist Hostel
Read review
From $16

While many of the other hostels in Dublin offer metal, almost barracks-style dorm beds, Globetrotters focuses a little more on comfort. Both dorms and private rooms are available here, with cozy beds and linens included.

A big breakfast is served in a bright, cheery space where it will be easy to meet other travelers. Globetrotters has genuinely appealing spaces to relax after a day of pounding the pavement in Dublin, including a Japanese garden.

Jacobs Inn
Read review
From $19

One of the most contemporary options in Dublin is Jacobs Inn. Although this is one of the largest hostels, it is also one of the most bright and modern with a fresh paint job and spacious rooms with large closets. Here you can choose between dorms or private rooms (for one to four people).

Unlike other properties, all rooms at Jacobs Inn have their own private bathroom (and they are new and clean to boot). Wi-Fi and breakfast are free and a number of social events, such as pub crawls, are frequently organized.

Other Super Cheap Options

For Cheapos, hostels are often the default bare-bones-budget option. In Dublin, there are some other choices depending on the time of year you visit. During the summer months (when students aren’t in session), dorm rooms at Trinity College Dublin can be rented. These rooms are clean, comfortable, and offer an incredible central location along with free continental breakfast (or full Irish for an extra few euro).

Outside of the summer months, Cheapos will want to investigate guesthouses and inns. Particularly in the low season, a charming room in a privately owned guesthouse can run the same price as a private room in a hostel (and include a big, filling breakfast too). To see all hotels recommended by EuroCheapo’s editors, please visit our Dublin hotel guide.

The post Youth hostels and other super-cheap sleeping options in Dublin appeared first on EuroCheapo's Budget Travel Blog.