Half Penny Bridge Dublin
Half Penny Bridge Dublin

How to Save Money on Accommodation in Dublin

Updated May 2023–Are you planning to visit Ireland's capital city in 2024 but have no idea how to save money on accommodation in Dublin while you're there?

You’re not alone.

How to Save Money on Accommodation in DublinThis post and page contain affiliate links and I may earn compensation when you click on the links at no additional cost to you.

Like any European city, Dublin can be pricey depending on where you stay, not to mention the restaurants and bars that you'll visit.

And this year, it is particularly expensive, partly due to the migrant crisis in Europe and several post-pandemic factors.

Planning ahead is key if you are thinking of staying in Dublin, be it for a couple of days or even a week or more.

The Luas tram. Photo: Tourism Ireland.
The Luas tram. Photo: Tourism Ireland.

Getting to know the city before you go, checking out the bus and train schedules, and finding out as much as you can about accommodation, even if it’s outside of town a bit, are all good strategies to implement.

Dublin has a range of accommodation to choose from, including a number of hostels, bed and breakfasts, Airbnb accommodation, and hotels.

An Airbnb in the Phoenix Park section of Dublin. Photo courtesy of Airbnb.
An Airbnb in the Phoenix Park section of Dublin. Photo courtesy of Airbnb.

Here are some ideas on how to save money on accommodation in Dublin.

Dublin's Coolest Hostels

If you're looking to do things on the cheap, you can't beat hostels.

Forget the crummy hostels from years ago. Today, many hostels across the world are often as modern as any hotel, and Dublin is no exception.

The Generator

Popular hostels in Dublin include the Generator Hostel, a 10-minute walk from the city center in the hip Smithfield section of the city that has all the hallmarks of industrial chic.

The Generator hostel in Dublin is a good place to choose if you're interested in knowing how to save money on accommodation in Dublin. Photo: Tourism Ireland.
The Generator hostel in Dublin is a good place to choose if you're interested in knowing how to save money on accommodation in Dublin. Photo: Tourism Ireland.

The European chain is ideally suited for the younger set. There's even a screening movie room where you can watch movies on the premises, and wait for it, a hot tub!

The style at the Generator is definitely minimalist, glammed up with lots of murals on the walls. Everything is clean and mostly white.

Colorful dorm room furnishings in the Generator hostel in Dublin. Photo courtesy of Failte Ireland.
Colorful dorm room furnishings in the Generator hostel in Dublin. Photo courtesy of Failte Ireland.

You can choose from single rooms to sleeping in a 10-bed dorm. The hostel also provides female-only spaces. There are more private rooms available, too, where you'll get an en-suite bathroom, with complimentary toiletries and wardrobes.

There's no shortage of food at the Generator. In fact, food is served all day long, and there's also a bar on the premises.

A full Irish breakfast is a staple at most Irish hotels and B&Bs. Photo: Getty Images.
A full Irish breakfast is a staple at most Irish hotels and B&Bs. Photo: Getty Images.

Breakfast at the Generator Hostel in Dublin costs €7.50 per person.

Private rooms during the high season are about €79 a night, a great price for accommodation in the heart of Dublin. Check out deals at The Generator for your visit to Dublin.

Nearby attractions include the Old Jameson Distillery, which is next door and the National Leprechaun Museum of Ireland.

The Isaacs Hostel

As its website will tell you, Dublin's Isaacs Hostel is a haven for backpackers.

But don't let that description fool you.

Like the Generator Hostel, the Isaacs Hostel is a cut above what might have passed for hostel accommodation years ago.

The Isaacs Hostel in Dublin. Photo courtesy of The Isaacs Hostel.
The Isaacs Hostel in Dublin. Photo courtesy of The Isaacs Hostel.

Housed in a converted 19th-century wine store, the Isaacs has a ton of character and is known for being one of Dublin's more lively spots to stay in.

It offers multi-bed dorms and private rooms. A private twin room, which sleeps two, costs an average of $86 per night. A four-bed mixed dorm room costs about $38.69 per person per night.

The departure board at Busaras in Dublin where you can get buses to the remainder of the country. Photo: Wikimedia.
The departure board at Busaras in Dublin where you can get buses to the remainder of the country. Photo: Wikimedia.

The Isaacs is close to Busaras, the city’s main bus station, and to many of Dublin’s top attractions. You’ll get a number of services for free if you stay there, including free WiFi, breakfast, a free sauna, a free walking tour, and more.

It recently won the Most Popular Hostel in Dublin award, so be sure to check it out if hosteling is something you're interested in exploring and you're serious about how to save money on accommodation in Dublin.

Or visit HostelWorld to check out other similar accommodation in the Dublin area.

B&Bs and Hotels in Dublin

people talking at a table accommodation in Dublin
B&B accommodation in Ireland. Photo: Brian Morrison for Tourism Ireland.

While bed and breakfast accommodation was pretty much the standard in Ireland during the 1970s and '80s, competitive hotel pricing and the emergence of Airbnbs have given today's tourists more choice than ever before.

Here are a few of the better value B&Bs you'll find in Dublin.

Read More: Affordable Hotels & Guesthouses in Dublin: 8 You Should Know About

The Durban Residence

The Durban Residence is one of those B&Bs in Dublin that offers quality and affordable accommodation right in the heart of the city.

One of the bedrooms at the Durban Residence in Dublin. Photo courtesy of the Durban Residence.
One of the bedrooms at the Durban Residence in Dublin. Photo courtesy of the Durban Residence.

It was recently refurbished and includes individually decorated twin and double rooms, as well as large family rooms that include a double bed with an additional one or two beds.


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The Clayton Hotel Ballsbridge

Located in what is known as Dublin’s Embassy Belt, the Clayton Hotel is so appealing from the outside that you’ll definitely want to stay.

Constructed in the 1880s, this former Freemason’s orphanage is a beautiful example of Victorian architecture. Take note of the beautiful stained glass, as well as the original fixtures and fittings.

This is a very nice area of Dublin, with plenty of pubs and restaurants and close to most of the popular attractions in the city.

There are 335 spacious bedrooms at The Clayton Hotel that include junior suites, executive rooms, superior rooms, deluxe rooms, family rooms, and the Tower and Thomas Prior Suites.

a rust colored building how to save on accommodation in Dublin
The Clayton Hotel in Dublin. Photo: Tara Morgan, Failte Ireland.

Many of the rooms include perks like a bathrobe and slippers, complimentary mineral water, and a Nespresso coffee machine. Other amenities include complimentary Wi-Fi, tea and coffee-making facilities, and more.

There are a number of options when it comes to dining at the Clayton, including the Grandstand Restaurant and Bar as well as the Red Bean Roastery.

The average price per night is about $200 for two adults, depending on the season. Breakfast is an additional €15.

a large grey church building how to save on accommodation in Dublin
Dublinia is housed in the Synod Hall building in Dublin, a landmark property of historical significance. Photo: By DXR – Own work, CC BY-SA 4.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=46991174

Take public transportation from The Clayton Hotel to many of the city’s attractions, including Dublinia, a 35-minute ride on the 7A bus. Dublinia is a tourist attraction that is located at the crossroads of where medieval and modern Dublin meet.

An exhibition in the Dublinia museum in Dublin. Photo courtesy of Dublinia.
An exhibition in the Dublinia museum in Dublin. Photo courtesy of Dublinia.

If you have a car, there is a parking lot. It will cost you about €12 a day. There is no pool or gym available at this hotel.

Aircoach, a private bus company, stops outside the hotel to passengers to and from the airport. The Clayton Hotel at Dublin Airport is another well-liked hotel and convenient for many tourists departing from that airport.

Read more: Dublin on a Budget: 5 Money-Saving Tips to Get You Around Ireland's Capital

Hazelbrook House

The average price per night at this small Georgian-style hotel is also around $269 for two, but that price depends on when you are visiting Dublin.

The exterior of Hazelbrook House in Dublin. Photo courtesy Hazelbrook House Facebook.
The exterior of Hazelbrook House in Dublin. Photo courtesy Hazelbrook House Facebook.

Not as glamorous as the Clayton, Hazelbrook House is definitely closer to the city center and to its primary tourist attractions.

A popular one, which is a mere 10-minute walk from Hazelbrook House is EPIC, the Irish Emigrant Museum.

Located in Dublin’s Docklands, the interactive museum tells the story of what it really means to be Irish.

room with brick walls how to save on accommodation in Dublin
The Emigration Museum in Dublin is close to Hazlebrook House. Photo: Ros Kavanagh, EPIC Ireland CHQ Limited.

All of the bedrooms at Hazelbrook House come equipped with the usual standard amenities, including tea and coffee-making facilities, plus a TV. There’s also a private bathroom in every room.

Free Wi-Fi is available in other parts of the hotel but not in the bedrooms, so this might be an issue for some.

a hotel room with 2 beds how to save on accommodation in Dublin
One of the bedrooms at the Hazelbrook House in Dublin. Photo courtesy of the Hazelbrook House.

If you like historic buildings, you’ll love the hotel’s high ceilings and its overall Georgian interior.

For convenience to Dublin’s attractions, you can’t beat this location.

A full Irish breakfast is €7.50; a continental breakfast is €5.

Getting to the hotel from the airport is easy. Take the Airlink 747 Bus, which stops opposite the hotel. The bus to the airport from the hotel stops next door at the D1 Hostel.

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Kelly's Hotel

There’s a more modern vibe to Kelly's Hotel, also located in Dublin’s city center.

The hotel is in the heart of the Creative Quarter, an area stretching from South William Street to George’s Street and from Lower Stephen’s Street to Exchequer Street.

hotel foyer accommodation in Dublin
The interior of Kelly's hotel in Dublin. Photo courtesy of Kelly's.

Bedrooms are minimal but more than adequate for guests, all equipped with en-suite bathrooms.

You can choose from the Standard Single, the Standard Double, the Executive Double, or the Penthouse Suite, which is on two levels, with a spacious living room and two separate bedrooms. The suite also includes a doorless walk-in shower.

The hotel is currently being renovated and will re-open its doors in April 2022. Stay tuned to its Facebook page for updates.

Find the best deals, compare prices, and read what other travelers have to say about Kelly's Hotel on Tripadvisor

Kelly's offers free Wi-Fi throughout the hotel.

The hotel’s resident bar, the “Candle Bar,” is a convenient spot for a nightcap.

Prices at this hotel are an average of $250 per night depending on the season.



Dublin's Airbnbs

There are many Airbnb properties in Dublin.

Like other forms of accommodation, you need to weigh the potential advantages and disadvantages of staying in one.

Airbnb accommodation in Dublin is pretty competitive and many are located close to the major attractions.

a room with a fireplace how to save on accommodation in Dublin
An Airbnb in the Phoenix Park section of Dublin. Photo courtesy of Airbnb.

According to the AirDNA, a U.S.-based company that provides data on the performance of Airbnb & HomeAway vacation rentals around the world, the average cost of an Airbnb in the Dublin area is approximately €167 per night.

However, that price may have increased post-pandemic.

Other rentals in Dublin can be found on the Vrbo website.

Are you wondering how to save money on accommodation in Dublin? If so, be sure to sign up for my regular e-newsletter where I include additional tips on that and travel to Ireland in general.

colette

Colette is a County Sligo native who created Ireland on a Budget to provide her readers with money-saving tips on how to get to Ireland and then save even more when they're there. She's a professional copywriter who lives in the New York area with her husband and two children.

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