This Is How A Personal Finance Expert Books A Trip To Ireland (2024)

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Before I'd get to see this, I needed a plan. I waited six weeks—the best time to buy airfare—then booked a roundtrip flight to Dublin for only $700.

Knowing I didn't want to stay in a hostel six days, I researched bed & breakfasts on TripAdvisor.com to find the best value. I also set a budget—no more than 40 euros per night—so I could splurge on what mattered. For a four night stay at the Flyover B&B in Dublin, I spent $217.

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The budgeting didn't stop there. I also told myself I wouldn't spend more than $500 (380 euros) over the course of the week.

Doing this pushed me to find creative ways to explore the city, most of which happened by foot.

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For meals, I limited my spending to $20 (15 euros) a day. Finding excellent food wasn't hard to do in Dublin, a city whose restaurant scene rivals New York's.

This shot was taken near Dame Street, one of the busiest thoroughfares near Temple Bar in Dublin.

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Determined to make the most of each day—most Dublin stores close early at 5 and 6 p.m—I took several trips outside of the city.

For 5 euros, I rode the Dart and took in some culture ...

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Then explored the tiny village of Howth, which overlooks the north side of Dublin Bay.

Visitors can climb a trail encircling the village and catch a glimpse of Ireland's Eye, the offshore island pictured in the first slide.

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The next day, I paid $29 (22 euros) to visit the Boyne Valley and Hill of Tara, pictured here.

This ancient passage tomb, or cairn, was built to measure time and commend the dead. Check out the engravings on the standing stone.

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Of course, no trip to Ireland would be complete without a sip of "the devil's drink." Price of admission to the pub: $7 (5 euros).

On Day 4, I hopped a roundtrip bus ride to Galway ($25/29 euros), a beautiful city on Ireland's west coast. For 30 euros a night, I stayed at a B&B just steps from this jaw-dropping landscape.

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In Galway, you could join the Occupy Ireland movement.

The second day in Galway, I paid $38 (29 euros) for a bus ride and ferry to visit one of Ireland's three Aran Islands, Inis Mor. Here I am standing beside my dinky chariot for the day. The bike cost $13 (10 euro).

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Five euros ($7) bought admission to Dun Aengus.

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Two days later it was back to Dublin, where I did a little more exploring.

These iconic Georgian doors date back to the 1700s.

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And then I turned 30! I capped it off with a splurge ($18/14 euros) on the finest cuisine that side of the pond.

Before I could travel the world, I had to get out of debt ...

Click here to read how I finally paid off my credit card >