Cheap 7-Day Ireland Road Trip Vacation from Cork to Dublin and Galway

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!

Day 3 of your self-drive vacation in Ireland gives you the opportunity to explore two popular cheap holiday destinations in one day.

Today's agenda features plenty of popular stops and allows you to stay in Dublin for 2 nights. 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.

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 10,742 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 10,256 travelers.

Make Wicklow Mountains National Park your first stop. This popular park among locals and travelers alike has been rated an average of 4.8 out of 5 stars by 7,470 visitors.

Another unforgettable travel destination in County Wicklow is the outstanding Powerscourt House & Gardens. Rated 4.7 out of 5 stars by 9,030 visitors, this remarkable park and attraction deserves a spot on your Ireland travel bucket list.

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 FX Buckley Steakhouse Temple Bar, 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 1,660 customers.

Shouk is yet another of the top places to eat in the city. Shouk is known for serving a variety of delectable dishes and is rated an average of 4.7 out of 5 stars by 1,608 diners.

Locals and travelers enjoy dining at The Vintage Kitchen, another well-loved restaurant in Dublin. Rated an average of 4.7 out of 5 stars by 911 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, The Temple Bar Pub. 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 4.6 out of 5 stars by 25,491 bar goers.

The Brazen Head 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 4.6 out of 5 stars from 11,980 customers.

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

On day 4 of your road trip adventures in Ireland, you’ll go deep into Dublin, where you'll stay for 1 night, and see some of the city’s unforgettable attractions. To learn more of the city's culture, you'll also dine at the most popular restaurants in Dublin, and meet locals along the way!

Dublin offers an incredible variety of budget hotels and places to stay you can choose from and spend the night in.

We recommend you stay at the charming Conrad Dublin to ensure a pleasant and affordable vacation in Dublin. This 5-star hotel offers guests comfort and convenience and is rated an average of 4.2 out of 5 stars in 743 guest reviews.

Another budget-friendly stay option you can check into is the cozy 4-star Staycity Aparthotels Tivoli. This cheap apartment provides a ton of handy amenities perfect for travelers in Dublin. Staycity Aparthotels Tivoli has an average rating of 4.4 out of 5 stars from 4,569 former guests.

Travelers looking forward to enjoying a cheap vacation in Dublin should also consider The West County Hotel. This 3-star hotel offers great value-for-money and is one of the best budget accommodations in the city. The West County Hotel has been rated by 1,343 guests with an average of 4 out of 5 stars.

Popular hotels and places to stay in Dublin offering low-cost accommodations get fully-booked fast. If any of these stay options are not available during your visit in the city, our flexible booking system will automatically provide you with the best budget alternatives.

One thing that makes Dublin the perfect cheap holiday destination is that the city offers easy access to many popular attractions. For example, the outstanding botanical garden, National Botanic Gardens. This attraction has an average rating of 4.8 out of 5 stars from 15,026 visitors.

The famous St Patrick's Cathedral is another remarkable sightseeing hotspot in the area. This incredible anglican or episcopal cathedral and travel destination has been rated an average of 4.5 out of 5 stars by 19,550 visitors.

Dublin is also the home of the extraordinary National Museum of Ireland – Archaeology. This site is a stunning national museum that gets more than 370,965 visitors on an annual basis. Around 11,507 travelers have rated the spectacular National Museum of Ireland – Archaeology an average of 4.6 out of 5 stars.

This fascinating attraction is a must-visit.

Come to Dublin prepared by adding a tour to your budget vacation package to Ireland. If you’re up for a challenging, fun, or inspiring activity, check out the fantastic selection of tours and cheap holiday deals in Dublin.

After a day of exploring, reward yourself by dining at one of the best restaurants in Dublin, Chapter One Restaurant. Locals enjoy eating at Chapter One Restaurant for its good food and ambiance. This excellent restaurant has an average rating of 4.7 out of 5 stars from 849 diners.

Mr Fox serves various affordable and delicious dishes perfect for cheap holiday goers. On top of that, this restaurant is rated an average of 4.7 out of 5 stars by 690 food lovers.

If you want more options, The Temple Bar Pub is another great spot. Browse through its exciting menu and you'll see why The Temple Bar Pub has an average rating of 4.6 out of 5 stars in 25,491 reviews.

Curious about the nightlife in Dublin? Consider visiting some of the best bars in Dublin after dinner. Locals recommend The Church Café, Late Bar & Restaurant, and it's a great spot to enjoy a refreshing drink after an active day. This bar is rated an average of 4.4 out of 5 stars by 10,779 customers.

Porterhouse Temple Bar is another excellent place to relax and have a drink or two after a busy road trip in Ireland. Porterhouse Temple Bar has an average rating of 4.5 out of 5 stars from 7,884 bar-goers, proving it's one of the most popular bars in Dublin.

You might also want to cap the night off at The Old Storehouse Bar and Restaurant, a fascinating bar that 4,719 customers have rated 4.5 out of 5 stars in their reviews.

Raise a toast and enjoy celebrating this terrific day of your affordable vacation in Ireland!

On day 5 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 Book of Kells. This travel destination is a codex that has been rated an average of 4.4 out of 5 stars by 12,217 visitors.

This day is also your chance to stop at the incredible Ha'penny Bridge. Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars by 12,687 travelers, a visit to this well-known footbridge 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 17,395 visitors.

To make the most of your day in this cheap holiday destination in Ireland, drop by the popular Phoenix Park. This attraction, an amazing park, has been rated 4.7 out of 5 stars by 36,146 travelers.

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 O'Connell's Bar Galway. This restaurant provides good food and service and has an average rating of 4.7 out of 5 stars from 1,659 customers.

When talking about the best restaurants in Galway, Ard Bia at Nimmos 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 1,099 diners.

Another restaurant worth trying is The Quay Street Kitchen. 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 1,029 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 O'Connor's Famous Pub. Rated an average of 4.7 out of 5 stars by 1,806 customers, this bar is considered a favorite in the area.

Another great place to have a refreshing, celebratory drink is Tigh Chóilí. This popular bar in Galway has an average rating of 4.7 out of 5 stars from 1,662 bar-goers.

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

Day 6 of your road trip across Ireland offers you the chance to visit the wonderful Galway and the enchanting Ennis, two of the most popular cheap holiday destinations in the country. You'll begin sightseeing in Galway and end the day in Ennis, where you'll stay for 1 night.

Buckle up because day 6 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 12,420 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 4,189 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 Ennis.

Start your sightseeing in this cheap holiday destination with a visit to the unforgettable Cliffs of Moher. This popular site is a valued cliff in Ennis and is rated an average of 4.8 out of 5 stars by 32,506 visitors.

Another must-visit in Ennis is the spectacular Bunratty Castle & Folk Park. This outstanding park and sightseeing destination has an average rating of 4.6 out of 5 stars from more than 11,834 travelers.

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.

Cork 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 Cork offer good food at even better prices, the perfect combination for travelers on affordable vacations in Ireland.

Quinlans Seafood Bar Cork is a must try. This restaurant serves a mouthwatering selection of meals and has an average rating of 4.6 out of 5 stars from 1,527 diners.

Another popular eating spot in Cork is The Old Town Whiskey Bar at Bodega, a local favorite. Serving diners fresh, delicious, and affordable meals, this restaurant has been rated an average of 4.4 out of 5 stars by 1,534 customers.

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 Cork’s best bars. There are plenty of bars in the city where you can order a few drinks without compromising your budget.

The Shelbourne Bar is an excellent example of a great bar in Cork offering drinks at reasonable prices. This popular bar is rated an average of 4.6 out of 5 stars by 1,024 customers.

You can also hang out and have a drink at Barry's of Douglas Restaurant & Bar, another of locals’ go-to bars in Cork. Barry's of Douglas Restaurant & Bar is among the best city bars offering various beverages at different price points, with around 1,290 customers having rated it an average of 4.3 out of 5 stars.

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

It’s soon time to say goodbye to Ireland as your road trip vacation is about to end. Day 7 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!