Cheap 5-Day Ireland Road Trip Vacation from Cork traveling east to Dublin

Your exciting road trip through Ireland starts when you reach the incredible city of Cork, where you'll stay for 3 nights. You'll pick up your rental car in Cork and begin your adventure in Ireland.

Cork is a popular cheap holiday destination in Ireland with something to offer every traveler. When you're ready to explore the city, stop at some of the best places to visit in Cork and get this road trip adventure rolling.

A trip to the amazing St Patrick's Bridge will make your cheap holiday in Ireland truly special. This attraction is a fascinating bridge that has an average rating of 4.5 out of 5 stars from 608 visitors.

When you're done sightseeing for the day, you'll check in at one of the best budget-friendly hotels or places to stay in the city.

When you're hungry and ready to take a break from your adventure, treat yourself to a delicious meal at one of the best restaurants in Cork. An excellent example is the popular Sin é. Serving a menu of mouthwatering dishes, this restaurant is rated an average of 4.7 out of 5 stars by 1,654 customers.

Another restaurant you should check out during your cheap vacation in Ireland is Liberty Grill. Rated 4.7 out of 5 stars by 1,609 customers, this famous restaurant is one of the city's most recommended places to eat.

If you wish to dine at a restaurant locals love, go to the wonderful Elbow Lane Brew and Smoke House. This restaurant has an average rating of 4.8 out of 5 stars from 792 customers, and is an awesome place to satisfy your craving for good food and service.

The Oliver Plunkett is a great bar to relax after a busy day. About 5,192 customers have given this spot an average rating of 4.4 out of 5 stars, making it one of the most popular bars in the area.

Enjoy toasting the start of a terrific road trip vacation and cheap holiday experience in Ireland!

Day 2’s road trip itinerary introduces you to many popular attractions and activities in Cork, proving that cheap holidays in Ireland can be extraordinary.

You'll begin sightseeing at the extraordinary Blarney Castle & Gardens. This attraction is a park that has an average rating of 4.7 out of 5 stars from 10,247 travelers.

Another of the best travel destinations you can explore in this fun and cheap holiday destination is the spectacular Cork City Gaol. This popular place of interest is a stunning prison that boasts an average rating of 4.6 out of 5 stars from 2,733 visitors.

To make your trip to Cork more memorable, spend time at the fascinating Fitzgerald's Park. With an average rating of 4.7 out of 5 stars in 5,045 traveler reviews, it’s not surprising that the fantastic Fitzgerald's Park is often mentioned in Ireland road trip itineraries.

The magnificent Munster Technological University is another stop you might want to add to your sightseeing plans. This technological university and popular travel destination is rated an average of 4.4 out of 5 stars in 3,218 reviews.

Your discovery of Cork does not have to stop there. You can add a budget-friendly activity on your itinerary and get to know more about Cork on a personal level. Check out the fantastic selection of affordable tours and tickets offered on this leg of your journey across this top cheap holiday destination in Europe, Ireland.

After exploring some of the most remarkable sights in Ireland, you also have the chance to experience the country’s food culture. Eat at The Oliver Plunkett, one of the best restaurants in Cork. This place is a local favorite and has an average rating of 4.4 out of 5 stars from 5,192 reviews.

You can also check out Market Lane. Offering appetizing foods and refreshing beverages at reasonable prices, this restaurant is an excellent choice for budget travelers in the city. This restaurant is rated an average of 4.6 out of 5 stars by 2,609 diners.

Another great restaurant we recommend you go to after your road trip activities is The SpitJack Cork. With an average rating of 4.6 out of 5 stars from 1,934 customers, this restaurant is sure to provide you a memorable dining experience in Cork.

When you’ve finished your meal, head to some of the most popular bars in Cork for an after-dinner drink. Cap off your night in this cheap holiday destination at The Old Town Whiskey Bar at Bodega and try some of its cocktails and snacks. This bar has an average rating of 4.4 out of 5 stars from 1,534 customers.

Cornstore Cork is another great place to hang out in and relax after a busy day in the city. This bar offers various drinks at affordable prices and is rated an average of 4.4 out of 5 stars by 1,516 customers.

If you want to have a drink or two with locals, you'll want to visit Silver Key Bar and Restaurant. Rated an average of 4.3 out of 5 stars by 1,491 customers, this bar is one of the best places to unwind and socialize in Cork.

Savor the rest of the night and celebrate another incredible road trip adventure in the magical Cork!

On day 3 of your road trip through popular and cheap vacation spots across Ireland, you’ll experience two places in one day. You’ll start your day in Cork and end your day in the city of Dublin, where you'll stay for 1 night. How much time you’ll spend in each location is up to you.

One of the best places to visit in Cork is the amazing Cahir Castle. This travel destination is a castle that has been rated an average of 4.6 out of 5 stars by 4,801 visitors.

This day is also your chance to stop at the incredible Rock of Cashel. Rated 4.6 out of 5 stars by 12,876 travelers, a visit to this well-known castle and sightseeing spot in Cork is likely to make your vacation in Ireland even more memorable.

Cheap, budget vacations are nothing but incredible, especially when you’re in Ireland. To have the best affordable travel experience in Ireland, make time for some unique, challenging, or inspiring activities. Adding a tour to your travel plan promises a one-of-a kind adventure that will make your cheap vacation in Ireland unforgettable. Fortunately, you'll find plenty of budget-friendly tours and cheap holiday deals in Ireland.

At the end of the day, you will drive to the city of Dublin. Dublin is another cheap travel destination in Ireland where you have access to hotels, restaurants, bars, and other conveniences.

After a long day of driving and exploring some of the best attractions a budget vacation in Ireland can afford, treat yourself to a hearty meal. You’ll find many great restaurants in Dublin that offer delicious food to help keep you going.

One restaurant we recommend you try in Dublin is FX Buckley Steakhouse Temple Bar. This restaurant provides good food and service and has an average rating of 4.7 out of 5 stars from 1,660 customers.

When talking about the best restaurants in Dublin, Shouk is a name locals often mention. This local favorite offers a variety of options, helping it earn an average of 4.7 out of 5 stars from 1,608 diners.

Another restaurant worth trying is The Vintage Kitchen. Many locals and cheap holiday goers in Dublin enjoy dining at this restaurant. This restaurant has an average rating of 4.7 out of 5 stars from 911 customers.

As the day is coming to an end, stop at some of Dublin’s best bars to celebrate this day of your road trip vacation in Ireland. For example, you can visit The Temple Bar Pub. Rated an average of 4.6 out of 5 stars by 25,491 customers, this bar is considered a favorite in the area.

Another great place to have a refreshing, celebratory drink is The Brazen Head. This popular bar in Dublin has an average rating of 4.6 out of 5 stars from 11,980 bar-goers.

Raise your glass in celebration of your incredible road trip adventure and cheap holiday experience in Ireland!

On day 4 of your road trip through popular and cheap vacation spots across Ireland, you’ll experience two places in one day. You’ll start your day in Cork and end your day in the city of Cork, where you'll stay for 1 night. How much time you’ll spend in each location is up to you.

One of the best places to visit in Cork is the amazing St Patrick's Cathedral. This travel destination is an anglican or episcopal cathedral that has been rated an average of 4.5 out of 5 stars by 19,550 visitors.

This day is also your chance to stop at the incredible Guinness Storehouse. Rated 4.4 out of 5 stars by 17,395 travelers, a visit to this well-known tourist attraction and sightseeing spot in Cork is likely to make your vacation in Ireland even more memorable.

Another unforgettable sight in Cork is the outstanding Phoenix Park. This park has an average rating of 4.7 out of 5 stars from 36,146 visitors.

Cheap, budget vacations are nothing but incredible, especially when you’re in Ireland. To have the best affordable travel experience in Ireland, make time for some unique, challenging, or inspiring activities. Adding a tour to your travel plan promises a one-of-a kind adventure that will make your cheap vacation in Ireland unforgettable. Fortunately, you'll find plenty of budget-friendly tours and cheap holiday deals in Ireland.

At the end of the day, you will drive to the city of Cork. Cork is another cheap travel destination in Ireland where you have access to hotels, restaurants, bars, and other conveniences.

After a long day of driving and exploring some of the best attractions a budget vacation in Ireland can afford, treat yourself to a hearty meal. You’ll find many great restaurants in Cork that offer delicious food to help keep you going.

One restaurant we recommend you try in Cork is Quinlans Seafood Bar Cork. This restaurant provides good food and service and has an average rating of 4.6 out of 5 stars from 1,527 customers.

When talking about the best restaurants in Cork, The Old Town Whiskey Bar at Bodega is a name locals often mention. This local favorite offers a variety of options, helping it earn an average of 4.4 out of 5 stars from 1,534 diners.

Many locals and cheap holiday goers in Cork enjoy dining at this restaurant.

As the day is coming to an end, stop at some of Cork’s best bars to celebrate this day of your road trip vacation in Ireland. For example, you can visit The Shelbourne Bar. Rated an average of 4.6 out of 5 stars by 1,024 customers, this bar is considered a favorite in the area.

Another great place to have a refreshing, celebratory drink is Barry's of Douglas Restaurant & Bar. This popular bar in Cork has an average rating of 4.3 out of 5 stars from 1,290 bar-goers.

Raise your glass in celebration of your incredible road trip adventure and cheap holiday experience in Ireland!

It’s soon time to say goodbye to Ireland as your road trip vacation is about to end. Day 5 is your departure day and your last chance to capture the beauty of Cork.

Depending on how much time you have before your flight back home, we recommend doing some last-minute shopping or sightseeing to make the most of your cheap holiday experience in Ireland.

If you'd rather pass time visiting some attractions, this is your chance to go to places you may not have had the chance to explore yet.

One fantastic attraction you could visit on your last day in Cork is the remarkable Triskel Arts Centre. This venue and popular place of interest has an average rating of 4.6 out of 5 stars from 480 visitors.

If you have an appetite for one last delicious meal in Cork, consider a top-rated restaurant like Cornstore Cork. This restaurant has a menu of appetizing and affordable meals and is rated at an average of 4.4 out of 5 stars by 1,516 customers.

You’ll then say farewell to Cork and begin your journey home. You’ll leave filled with unforgettable memories from your terrific and affordable travel experiences in Ireland!