Planning a trip to the Emerald Isle? Sorting out your finances is a crucial step to ensure a smooth and enjoyable vacation in Ireland. One of the first questions many travelers ask is: Does Ireland Use The Euro? This is a great question, and understanding the currency situation is key to managing your spending money effectively.
Whether you’re dreaming of exploring vibrant cities, breathtaking coastlines, or ancient historical sites, knowing about Irish currency will help you budget and navigate transactions like a local. Let’s dive into everything you need to know about currency in Ireland, from euros to pounds, and tips for managing your money while you explore this beautiful island.
Understanding Currency in Ireland: Euro vs. Pound Sterling
The island of Ireland actually has two official currencies, which can be a little confusing for first-time visitors. It’s important to understand this distinction to avoid any currency mishaps during your trip.
Euro (€): The Currency of the Republic of Ireland
The Republic of Ireland (often simply referred to as Ireland) uses the Euro (€) as its official currency. This includes major tourist destinations like:
- Dublin
- Cork
- Galway
- Kilkenny
- Kerry
- Donegal
- Mayo
- Waterford
If you’re flying into Dublin Airport, which is the most common entry point for international travelers, you’ll definitely need Euros. For most travelers exploring the popular tourist routes in the Republic of Ireland, the Euro is the only currency you’ll need.
Pound Sterling (£): The Currency of Northern Ireland
Northern Ireland, which is part of the United Kingdom, uses Pound Sterling (£), the same currency as the rest of the UK. Cities and regions in Northern Ireland where you’ll need Pound Sterling include:
- Belfast
- Derry/Londonderry
- Enniskillen
- Armagh
- Giant’s Causeway
It’s crucial to note that the Euro is not accepted in Northern Ireland, and Pound Sterling is not widely accepted in the Republic of Ireland. While some establishments in border regions might accept both, it’s always best to use the local currency to avoid unfavorable exchange rates or rejection.
Focus on the Euro for Most Ireland Tours
Unless your travel itinerary specifically includes Northern Ireland, you will primarily need to use Euros during your trip to Ireland. Many guided tours, like those offered by Vagabond & Driftwood Tours, focus solely on the Republic of Ireland. Therefore, for the vast majority of visitors exploring the popular scenic routes and cultural hotspots of Ireland, the Euro is the only currency you need to worry about.
Exchanging Currency for Your Ireland Trip: Smart Strategies
Now that you know Ireland uses the Euro, let’s discuss the best ways to get your hands on this currency for your trip. Converting your money wisely can save you money and hassle.
Convert Currency Before You Travel (Locally)
The most highly recommended approach is to convert your currency to Euros locally before you travel to Ireland. Banks and currency exchange services in your home country often offer better exchange rates and lower fees compared to exchange services you’ll find upon arrival in Ireland.
Using ATMs in Ireland for Euro Cash
Once in Ireland, ATMs (Automated Teller Machines) are a convenient way to withdraw Euros directly using your debit or credit card. ATMs are widely available in cities and even smaller towns across the Republic of Ireland. This can often be a more favorable option than airport exchange desks.
However, be aware of potential fees:
- ATM Withdrawal Fees: Your bank will likely charge a fee for international ATM withdrawals.
- Exchange Rate Markups: The ATM’s bank may also apply a less favorable exchange rate.
Before you travel, it’s essential to contact your bank and inquire about:
- International ATM withdrawal fees.
- Foreign transaction fees for card purchases.
- Whether you need to notify them of your travel plans to avoid card blocks.
Locations to Avoid for Currency Exchange in Ireland
While convenient, some places in Ireland are notorious for offering less favorable exchange rates and charging higher fees for currency exchange:
- Airport Currency Exchange Desks: These are typically the most expensive places to exchange money due to high overhead costs and captive customers.
- Currency Exchange Desks in Tourist Hotspots: Similar to airports, exchange services near major tourist attractions often take advantage of tourists’ need for local currency by offering less competitive rates.
Important Pro Tip: Irish Banks and Post Offices
It’s generally not recommended to rely on Irish banks or post offices for currency exchange. Recent changes in Irish banking practices mean that many banks now require you to be an account holder to exchange currency. While some post offices might offer limited exchange services, they often do not provide dollar-to-euro exchange.
Live Exchange Rates
To stay informed about current exchange rates, websites like XE.com are excellent resources. However, remember that the actual rate you receive from a bank or exchange service will likely include fees and markups, so the live rate is just a guideline.
Will Your Credit Card Work in Ireland? Card Payment Guide
In today’s world, many travelers prefer using credit or debit cards for purchases. The good news is that credit and debit cards are widely accepted in Ireland, particularly in tourist areas, larger establishments, and cities.
Card Systems in Ireland: Chip & Pin and Contactless
Ireland’s payment infrastructure is modern and accommodates both:
- Chip and PIN: The standard system in Europe, requiring you to insert your card and enter a PIN.
- Contactless (Tap): Increasingly popular, allowing you to simply tap your card for smaller purchases.
Most Irish card machines are equipped to handle both chip and PIN and contactless payments. Even if your card relies on a signature for verification, it should generally still be accepted.
Inform Staff About Your Card Type
When paying, especially if you are using a card without chip and PIN, it’s helpful to inform the service staff that you are on vacation and about your card type. While most are familiar with various card systems, a quick heads-up can ensure a smoother transaction.
Credit Cards with Limited Acceptance in Ireland
While Visa and Mastercard are almost universally accepted in Ireland, some credit card brands have limited acceptance:
- American Express (AMEX)
- Diner’s Club
- JCB
- Discover
If you primarily use one of these cards, it’s highly advisable to bring an alternative Visa or Mastercard for your trip to Ireland to avoid potential payment issues.
Pro Tip: Always Choose to Pay in Euros
When paying by card in Ireland, you might be offered the option to pay in your home currency (e.g., US dollars) instead of Euros. Always choose to pay in the local currency, Euros (€). Opting to pay in your home currency allows the merchant or payment processor to set the exchange rate, which is almost always less favorable than the rate your bank would offer. Paying in Euros ensures you get the best possible exchange rate from your bank.
Cash Versus Cards in Ireland: Finding the Right Balance
Deciding whether to rely more on cash or cards in Ireland is a matter of personal preference and travel style. Both have their advantages and disadvantages when exploring the Emerald Isle.
Advantages of Using Cards in Ireland:
- Convenience: Cards are easy to carry and use for most transactions.
- Security: Less risky than carrying large amounts of cash.
- Tracking Spending: Card statements help you monitor your expenses.
Advantages of Using Cash in Ireland:
- Widely Accepted: Cash is universally accepted, especially in smaller establishments and rural areas.
- Budget Control: Using cash can help you stick to your budget more effectively.
- Tipping: Cash is often preferred for tips, especially for smaller amounts.
Situations Where Cash is Essential or Preferred in Ireland:
- Tips for Tour Guides and Activities: While some tour operators might accept card tips, cash is generally appreciated, particularly for smaller, independent activities.
- Optional Activities: Certain optional activities, especially in more remote locations, may require cash payment. Examples include smaller boat trips, local tours, or unique experiences.
- Smaller Towns and Rural Areas: In smaller towns and villages, especially away from major tourist centers, some shops, pubs, and cafes might primarily accept cash.
- Tips in Restaurants and Pubs: While you can often add tips to card payments in restaurants, cash tips are still appreciated, especially in pubs or for smaller tips.
- Independent Shops and Markets: Small, independent shops, craft stalls at markets, and food trucks often prefer or exclusively accept cash.
- Buskers (Street Performers): Showing appreciation to street musicians and performers is typically done with cash.
ATM Availability and Cash Accessibility
While ATMs are readily available in Irish cities and larger towns, they might be less prevalent in some of the more “off the beaten path” destinations you might explore, especially on guided tours that venture into rural areas.
For this reason, it’s wise to avoid relying on finding an ATM every single day of your tour. However, carrying excessively large amounts of cash isn’t advisable either due to security concerns.
Notify Your Bank Before You Travel
Crucially, remember to notify your bank of your travel plans before you leave for Ireland. Unexpected international transactions on your cards can trigger fraud alerts and lead to your account being blocked. Informing your bank in advance helps prevent this travel disruption. If your itinerary includes Northern Ireland, be sure to mention that you’ll be visiting the UK as well.
Pro Tip: Inquire About International Service Charges
When contacting your bank, specifically ask about international service charges and foreign transaction fees associated with using your debit and credit cards in Ireland. These fees can vary, often ranging from 1% to 3% of the transaction amount, and understanding them helps you budget accurately.
Budgeting Your Spending Money in Ireland: How Much to Bring
A major question for any traveler is: How much money will I need on tour in Ireland? This depends on your spending habits and travel style, but here’s a helpful guide to estimate your daily expenses.
What’s Included in Your Tour Price
Keep in mind that many guided tours, like Vagabond and Driftwood tours, include your major expenses:
- Accommodation (hotels and guesthouses)
- Breakfasts
- Transportation
- Guided services
- Admission to essential attractions
Additional Costs to Budget For:
- Lunch and Dinner: You’ll need to budget for lunch and dinner each day. While tours often provide recommendations, the choice of restaurant and cost is up to you.
- Optional Activities: Many tours offer optional activities to enhance your experience. These are not included in the base tour price.
- Souvenirs and Personal Shopping: Allow for spending on souvenirs, gifts, and any personal shopping you plan to do.
Sample Daily Budget (Moderate Spending):
| Item | Estimated Cost (€) |
|---|---|
| Lunch + Drink | €25 |
| Dinner + Drink | €35 |
| Optional Activity (Avg) | €25 |
| Souvenirs | €30 |
| Total Per Day | €115 |
*This is an average. Some days you might spend less, and some days, especially with optional activities, you might spend more. This €115 estimate is a good starting point for a moderate spending level, assuming participation in some optional activities and souvenir shopping.
Budgeting for Dublin
If your trip includes time in Dublin before or after your tour, factor in the costs of this capital city, which tend to be higher than in other parts of Ireland.
Sample Dublin Budget (Per Night, for Two People):
| Item | Estimated Cost (€) |
|---|---|
| 4-Star City Hotel (Double Room) | €250-€350 |
| 2 x Taxi Fares | €50 |
| Dinner and Wine | €120 |
| Lunch | €60 |
| 2 x One-Day Adult Dublin Passes | €148 |
| Total (Per Night) | €628-€728 |
*The Dublin Pass provides access to many attractions and hop-on-hop-off bus tours. Hotel prices in Dublin can fluctuate significantly depending on the season and events.
Average Hotel Price in Dublin
For a 4-star hotel in Dublin city center, booked in advance, you can expect to pay roughly €180-€250 per night for a double room. It’s highly recommended to book your Dublin accommodation well in advance, especially if traveling during peak season or when events are taking place.
Ireland on a Budget: Cost-Saving Tips
Traveling to Ireland doesn’t have to break the bank. Here are some effective tips for saving money while still enjoying a fantastic trip:
- Utilize Airbnb: Consider Airbnb for accommodation, especially in Dublin. Private rooms can be significantly cheaper than hotels, particularly if you’re willing to stay slightly outside the city center or share an apartment.
- Stay Outside Dublin City Center: Hotels and B&Bs located outside the city center often offer lower rates. Dublin has excellent public transport, making it easy to reach city center attractions even from slightly further out. Factor in taxi or public transport costs to your tour pick-up/drop-off point.
- Opt for Cheaper Lunches and Dinners: Grab affordable and tasty lunches from deli counters in convenience stores – sandwiches and rolls range from €4.50-€7. For dinner, look for “pub grub” menus (€12-€18) or “early bird” restaurant deals (often €30 for a two-course meal for two).
- Maximize Free Breakfasts: Take full advantage of the hearty breakfasts included in your tour accommodation. Irish breakfasts are substantial meals that can keep you full well into the afternoon, potentially reducing your lunch costs.
Pro Tip: Fill Up at Breakfast!
Irish breakfasts are legendary for a reason! Hotels and guesthouses typically offer extensive breakfast spreads with sausages, bacon, eggs, hash browns, breads, pastries, cereals, fruits, yogurts, and more. Don’t be shy – fuel up for your day of exploration!
Tipping Etiquette in Ireland: A Helpful Guide
Tipping practices in Ireland are different from places like the US or Canada. Tipping is appreciated for good service but is not as ingrained or mandatory in Irish culture.
When to Tip in Ireland (and How Much):
- Restaurants: It’s customary to tip 10-15% of the bill for good service in restaurants. Tipping more than 15% is usually reserved for exceptional service or large groups.
- Taxis: Tipping taxi drivers is not mandatory, but rounding up the fare to the nearest €5 or €10 for friendly and helpful service is a nice gesture.
- Hotel Porters: Tipping porters a few euros for handling luggage is standard practice.
- Tour Guides: Tipping tour guides is always appreciated, especially at the end of a tour. Industry standard is around €15 per person per day, but the amount is at your discretion based on service quality and tour length.
When Tipping is Optional or Not Expected:
- Pubs and Bars: Tipping bartenders for each drink is not customary. You might tip when buying a round, for complex cocktails, or at the end of a long evening if you received excellent service. You can also tip table service staff in pubs if they bring drinks to your table.
- Cafés: Leaving loose change as a tip in cafes is acceptable, but not always expected.
- Hotel Staff (Except Porters): Tipping hotel staff beyond porters is not generally expected.
When NOT to Tip:
- Bars (per drink): As mentioned, tipping per drink at the bar is not typical.
- If a Service Charge is Included: Always check your restaurant bill. If a service charge is already included, you do not need to add an additional tip.
Pro Tip: Check Your Restaurant Bill for Service Charges.
Tipping Guide Summary:
| When To Tip | It’s Up To You… | When NOT To Tip |
|---|---|---|
| Restaurants (10-15%) | Taxis (round up to €5/€10) | Bars (per drink) |
| Hotel Porters (few euros) | Cafés (loose change) | Hotel staff (except porters) |
| Tour Guides (discretionary) | Pub/bar table staff |
Irish Sales Tax (VAT): What You Need to Know
Understanding Value Added Tax (VAT) in Ireland is important for shoppers. The good news is that the price you see displayed in Ireland is generally the final price you pay, as VAT (sales tax) is already included. There are no additional sales taxes added at the checkout like in some countries.
VAT Refund for Non-EU Citizens
If you are a non-EU citizen, you may be eligible to claim back VAT on purchases you make in Ireland, provided you are taking the goods out of the EU. VAT rates in Ireland can be as high as 23%. This can represent a significant saving on larger purchases.
To claim back VAT, you’ll typically need to:
- Shop at stores that participate in the VAT refund scheme.
- Spend a minimum amount (varies, check with the store).
- Obtain a VAT refund form from the store.
- Have the form stamped by customs when leaving the EU.
- Claim your refund at the airport or by mail.
Enjoy Your Ireland Trip, Currency Confident!
Understanding the currency situation in Ireland – that the Republic of Ireland uses the Euro – is a fundamental part of planning your trip. By being informed about currency exchange, card usage, budgeting, and tipping customs, you’ll be well-prepared to manage your finances and focus on enjoying the incredible experiences Ireland has to offer. Happy travels!
