Cheap 5-Day Ireland Road Trip from Dublin traveling west to Galway and Kilkenny

Your exciting road trip through Ireland starts when you reach the incredible city of Dublin, where you'll stay for 2 nights. You'll pick up your rental car in Dublin and begin your adventure in Ireland.

Dublin 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 Dublin and get this road trip adventure rolling.

A trip to the amazing St Stephen's Green will make your cheap holiday in Ireland truly special. This attraction is a fascinating park that has an average rating of 4.7 out of 5 stars from 29,521 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 Dublin. An excellent example is the popular FX Buckley Steakhouse Temple Bar. Serving a menu of mouthwatering dishes, this restaurant is rated an average of 4.7 out of 5 stars by 1,660 customers.

Another restaurant you should check out during your cheap vacation in Ireland is Shouk. Rated 4.7 out of 5 stars by 1,608 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 PHX Bistro. This restaurant has an average rating of 4.7 out of 5 stars from 1,038 customers, and is an awesome place to satisfy your craving for good food and service.

The Temple Bar Pub is a great bar to relax after a busy day. About 25,491 customers have given this spot an average rating of 4.6 out of 5 stars, making it one of the most popular bars in the area.

Another bar in Dublin we recommend is The Brazen Head, an excellent place to meet new friends. This bar offers customers plenty of snack and drink options and is rated an average of 4.6 out of 5 stars by 11,980 customers.

The Church Café, Late Bar & Restaurant is also one of the best places to go to unwind and chat with locals. Over 10,779 bar-goers have rated it an average of 4.4 out of 5 stars.

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

On day 2 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 Dublin and end your day in the city of Galway, 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 Dublin is the amazing Dublin Castle. This travel destination is a top-tier point of interest that has been rated an average of 4.3 out of 5 stars by 31,463 visitors.

This day is also your chance to stop at the incredible National Botanic Gardens. Rated 4.8 out of 5 stars by 15,718 travelers, a visit to this well-known botanical garden and sightseeing spot in Dublin is likely to make your vacation in Ireland even more memorable.

Another unforgettable sight in Dublin is the outstanding Guinness Storehouse. This tourist attraction has an average rating of 4.4 out of 5 stars from 19,154 visitors.

To make the most of your day in this cheap holiday destination in Ireland, drop by the popular Dublin Zoo. This attraction, an amazing zoo, has been rated 4.6 out of 5 stars by 25,663 travelers. As one of the top sights in Dublin, there’s no wonder that the spectacular Dublin Zoo attracts about 1,105,005 visitors annually.

If you’re keen to explore more, you’ll enjoy the fantastic Phoenix Park. This park is a popular attraction rated 4.7 out of 5 stars by 37,298 visitors from all over the globe.

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 Galway. Galway 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 Galway that offer delicious food to help keep you going.

One restaurant we recommend you try in Galway is Hooked. This restaurant provides good food and service and has an average rating of 4.7 out of 5 stars from 1,796 customers.

When talking about the best restaurants in Galway, O'Connell's Bar Galway 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 1,659 diners.

Another restaurant worth trying is Kai Restaurant. Many locals and cheap holiday goers in Galway enjoy dining at this restaurant. This restaurant has an average rating of 4.7 out of 5 stars from 1,177 customers.

As the day is coming to an end, stop at some of Galway’s best bars to celebrate this day of your road trip vacation in Ireland. For example, you can visit Tigh Chóilí. Rated an average of 4.7 out of 5 stars by 1,662 customers, this bar is considered a favorite in the area.

Another great place to have a refreshing, celebratory drink is Caribou. This popular bar in Galway has an average rating of 4.7 out of 5 stars from 979 bar-goers.

You can also go to A Púcán as an alternative. More than a bar, the popular A Púcán is also a place for fun or relaxation. Around 3,188 customers have given this city bar an average rating of 4.5 out of 5 stars.

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

Day 3 of your road trip across Ireland offers you the chance to visit the wonderful Galway and the enchanting Bunratty, two of the most popular cheap holiday destinations in the country. You'll begin sightseeing in Galway and end the day in Bunratty, where you'll stay for 1 night.

Buckle up because day 3 of your affordable vacation in Ireland will take you to some of locals’ and travelers’ most recommended travel spots!

One place travelers keep coming back to in Galway is the magnificent Eyre Square. Around 13,114 visitors have rated this excellent square and travel destination an average of 4.5 out of 5 stars.

We also recommend you explore the amazing Cathedral of Our Lady Assumed into Heaven and St Nicholas, Galway on this leg of your self-drive tour in Ireland. This attraction is a well-known catholic cathedral that has an average rating of 4.6 out of 5 stars from around 4,556 travelers.

The remarkable Spanish Arch is known to be one of the best places to visit in this cheap vacation spot in Ireland. This attraction, an amazing best-rated sightseeing destination, is rated an average of 4.2 out of 5 stars by 5,753 travelers.

After capturing the beauty and rich culture of Galway, you’ll get back behind the wheels and continue your road trip to the fantastic city of Bunratty.

Start your sightseeing in this cheap holiday destination with a visit to the unforgettable Bunratty Castle & Folk Park. This popular site is a valued park in Bunratty and is rated an average of 4.6 out of 5 stars by 12,442 visitors.

Exploring one unique site after another provides you the much-needed variety during your self-drive tour across Ireland. But to satisfy your curiosity or need for adventure, we recommend you add excursions in today’s agenda. You have a great selection of popular and low-cost activities to choose from in Ireland. Make your cheap holiday experience in Ireland more memorable by doing something new, bold, or inspiring.

Kilkenny offers many top-rated accommodations suitable for travelers on a budget vacation in Ireland. So anytime you need a break from your activities, you’re guaranteed a comfortable and affordable place to rest and stay in the city.

As this adventurous day progresses, satisfy your hunger at one of the best restaurants in the city. Many restaurants in Kilkenny offer good food at even better prices, the perfect combination for travelers on affordable vacations in Ireland.

Petronella Restaurant is a must try. This restaurant serves a mouthwatering selection of meals and has an average rating of 4.7 out of 5 stars from 640 diners.

Another popular eating spot in Kilkenny is Butcher Restaurant, a local favorite. Serving diners fresh, delicious, and affordable meals, this restaurant has been rated an average of 4.7 out of 5 stars by 563 customers.

Matt The Millers Bar & Restaurant offers customers flavorful food and good ambiance, making it one of the best places to eat in Kilkenny. With an average rating of 4.5 out of 5 stars from 2,409 customers, this restaurant can get packed very quickly. Make sure you get to the restaurant early to save yourself a seat.

When night has fallen and you feel like enjoying a drink, head to some of Kilkenny’s best bars. There are plenty of bars in the city where you can order a few drinks without compromising your budget.

Tynans Bridge House Bar is an excellent example of a great bar in Kilkenny offering drinks at reasonable prices. This popular bar is rated an average of 4.7 out of 5 stars by 509 customers.

You can also hang out and have a drink at Kytelers Inn, another of locals’ go-to bars in Kilkenny. Kytelers Inn is among the best city bars offering various beverages at different price points, with around 2,411 customers having rated it an average of 4.4 out of 5 stars.

Paris Texas Bar and Restaurant is for you if you’re curious about bars that give you a taste of the nightlife scene in Kilkenny. This bar has an average rating of 4.4 out of 5 stars from more than 2,225 bar-goers.

Celebrate another day of your adventure-filled road trip through Ireland with a toast. Cheers to a memorable cheap vacation experience in Ireland!

Day 4 of your self-drive vacation in Ireland gives you the opportunity to explore two popular cheap holiday destinations in one day. You’ll start your day in the city of Kilkenny and end your day in the city of Enniskerry.

Today's agenda features plenty of popular stops and allows you to stay in Dublin for 1 night. How much time you want to spend in each area or attraction is up to you. This way, you’ll have all the time you want to take in the unique atmosphere of each location and make the most of your affordable vacation in Ireland.

While you’re in Kilkenny, it’s a good idea to visit the amazing Kilkenny Castle. The fantastic Kilkenny Castle is a popular schloss country house museum and a sightseeing hotspot. This attraction boasts an average rating of 4.6 out of 5 stars from 11,458 travelers.

Travelers usually have a splendid time at the incredible Kilkenny Castle, a well-known schloss country house museum in the area. Currently, this spectacular destination enjoys a 4.7 out of a 5 star-rating from 10,743 travelers.

Once you’ve satisfied your wanderlust in Kilkenny, you’ll continue to your next road trip destination of the day, the city of Enniskerry.

Make Powerscourt House & Gardens your first stop. This popular park among locals and travelers alike has been rated an average of 4.7 out of 5 stars by 9,458 visitors.

Make the most of your time in the country by joining activities that let you discover more about Ireland. Check out all of the affordable tours you can join this day of your cheap holiday in Ireland and ensure the road trip experience of a lifetime.

You’ll also have your choice of the best budget accommodations in the city of Dublin. So when it's time for a break from your adventures in Dublin, relax and restore your energy at any of the following affordable places to stay.

After a long day of driving and exploring, we recommend you try The Vintage Kitchen, one of the best restaurants in Dublin. This restaurant is a local favorite and has an average rating of 4.7 out of 5 stars from 911 customers.

Chapter One Restaurant is yet another of the top places to eat in the city. Chapter One Restaurant is known for serving a variety of delectable dishes and is rated an average of 4.7 out of 5 stars by 849 diners.

Locals and travelers enjoy dining at Mr Fox, another well-loved restaurant in Dublin. Rated an average of 4.7 out of 5 stars by 690 guests, this restaurant is an excellent choice for anyone looking for a memorable dining experience in Ireland.

After dinner, visit one of the best bars in Dublin, Porterhouse Temple Bar. This famous bar offers snacks and drinks at different price points and is a popular hangout spot among locals. In addition, this bar has been rated an average of 4.5 out of 5 stars by 7,884 bar goers.

Light House Cinema is a great place for anyone who is into classic bar drinks. This bar is considered one of the best drinking spots in Dublin, with its average rating of 4.8 out of 5 stars from 3,744 customers.

Alternatively, you can drop by The Old Storehouse Bar and Restaurant, where you can have drinks, let loose, and socialize. This bar is rated an average of 4.5 out of 5 stars by 4,719 customers.

Cherish every minute of your road trip vacation across Ireland. Celebrate this opportunity to enjoy a cheap holiday 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 Dublin.

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 Dublin is the remarkable Ha'penny Bridge. This footbridge and popular place of interest has an average rating of 4.5 out of 5 stars from 13,278 visitors.

If you have an appetite for one last delicious meal in Dublin, consider a top-rated restaurant like The Stags Head. This restaurant has a menu of appetizing and affordable meals and is rated at an average of 4.5 out of 5 stars by 4,691 customers.

The Celt is an excellent alternative if you feel like eating something else. This restaurant serves a variety of savory and budget-friendly dishes and has an average rating of 4.5 out of 5 stars from 4,507 customers.

Another popular restaurant you could check out is O'Donoghues Bar. Rated an average of 4.5 out of 5 stars by 4,110 customers, this restaurant is a great place to enjoy meals that will remind you of Ireland and your fun memories in Dublin.

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