Ireland has a way of pulling you in. The green hills, the music spilling out of pubs, the ruins perched on cliffs above the Atlantic. If you have been dreaming of visiting the Emerald Isle, one of the first questions on your mind is probably: how much will it actually cost?
Explore Approach Tours’ all-inclusive 14-day Grand Tour of Ireland and see exactly what is included in one transparent price.
Planning a trip to Ireland from Canada involves juggling several budget categories: flights, hotels, meals, transportation, tours and spending money. Some of these costs are predictable, others can surprise you. This guide breaks down every major expense so you can plan your Ireland trip with a clear picture of what to expect in Canadian dollars.
What Does a Trip to Ireland Cost on Average?
A two-week trip to Ireland from Canada typically costs between $5,000 and $12,000 CAD per person, depending on your travel style and how much planning you want to handle yourself. Budget travellers staying in hostels and cooking some meals can get by on the lower end. Travellers who prefer comfortable hotels, guided experiences and restaurant meals will land closer to the higher end.
Here is a quick overview of the main cost categories for a 14-day Ireland trip from Canada:
| Expense Category | Budget Range (CAD) | Mid-Range (CAD) | Comfortable (CAD) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Round-trip flights | $800 – $1,200 | $1,200 – $1,800 | $1,800 – $2,500+ |
| Accommodation (14 nights) | $1,000 – $1,800 | $2,000 – $3,500 | $3,500 – $5,000 |
| Meals | $500 – $800 | $900 – $1,500 | $1,500 – $2,200 |
| Car rental or transport | $400 – $700 | $700 – $1,200 | $1,200 – $1,800 |
| Activities and tours | $200 – $500 | $500 – $1,000 | $1,000 – $2,000 |
| Travel insurance | $100 – $200 | $150 – $300 | $300 – $500 |
| Tips and miscellaneous | $200 – $400 | $300 – $600 | $500 – $800 |
| Total per person | $3,200 – $5,600 | $5,750 – $9,900 | $9,800 – $14,800 |
These ranges give you a starting point. The sections below dig into each category so you can build a realistic budget for your own trip.
Flights from Canada to Ireland
Direct flights from Canada to Dublin are available from Toronto (Pearson) and seasonally from other cities. Air Canada and Aer Lingus both operate non-stop routes, with flight times around six to seven hours eastbound. From Vancouver, Calgary or Montreal, expect one connection and a total travel time of 10 to 14 hours.
Round-trip economy fares from Toronto to Dublin generally range from $900 to $1,500 CAD when booked three to six months ahead. Summer (June through August) is peak season, and prices can climb past $1,800. Shoulder season flights in May or September often dip below $1,000, making spring and early autumn excellent times to fly.
A few tips to keep flight costs down:
- Book early. Fares tend to rise sharply within 60 days of departure.
- Consider flying midweek (Tuesday or Wednesday departures are often cheaper).
- Use fare alert tools like Google Flights or Skyscanner to track price drops.
- Look at Shannon Airport as an alternative to Dublin if your itinerary starts in the west of Ireland.
If you prefer to skip the flight search entirely, Approach Tours includes all flights with Air Canada in their tour price, along with private car service to and from your nearest gateway airport.
How Much Does Accommodation Cost in Ireland?
Ireland offers everything from farmhouse B&Bs to historic castle hotels, and the price spread is wide. Here is what to expect per night in Canadian dollars:
- Hostels: $40 – $80 CAD per night for a dorm bed, $90 – $140 for a private room
- Bed and breakfasts: $120 – $200 CAD per night for a double room, including a full Irish breakfast
- Mid-range hotels (3-star): $150 – $280 CAD per night
- 4-star hotels: $250 – $450 CAD per night
- Luxury and castle hotels: $400 – $800+ CAD per night
Location matters. Dublin and Galway are the most expensive cities for accommodation. A 3-star hotel in Dublin city centre can easily run $220 CAD per night in summer. Move to smaller towns like Kenmare, Dingle or Killarney and the same quality drops to $140 – $180.
B&Bs are a beloved part of the Irish travel experience. They tend to be family-run, warm and packed with local knowledge. For a 14-night trip, budgeting $2,000 to $3,000 CAD for B&B-style stays gives you comfortable rooms and that famous Irish breakfast each morning.
See what is included in Approach Tours’ Ireland package, where 4-star hotel stays are covered from your first night to your last.
Food and Drink Costs in Ireland
Ireland’s food scene has grown far beyond the pub-grub stereotype. Fresh seafood along the Wild Atlantic Way, artisan cheeses in Cork, craft breweries in nearly every county. You will eat well here. But how much should you budget?
Daily meal costs in Ireland for a Canadian traveller:
| Meal | Budget Option (CAD) | Mid-Range (CAD) | Fine Dining (CAD) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Breakfast | $0 (included at B&B) | $12 – $20 | $25 – $40 |
| Lunch | $10 – $18 | $18 – $30 | $35 – $55 |
| Dinner | $18 – $30 | $35 – $60 | $70 – $120 |
| Pint of Guinness | $8 – $12 CAD (varies by city) | ||
| Coffee | $4 – $6 CAD | ||
For a 14-day trip, plan on roughly $70 to $120 CAD per day for meals if you eat at a mix of casual restaurants and pubs. That works out to $980 to $1,680 per person for the full trip. Tipping is less common in Ireland than in Canada; a 10% tip at sit-down restaurants is appreciated but not expected.
One of the best ways to save on food costs is to stay at B&Bs that include breakfast (most do) and have a lighter lunch so you can splurge on dinner. Grocery shops and delis offer excellent value for picnic lunches, especially near scenic spots like the Cliffs of Moher or the Ring of Kerry. Ireland’s culinary scene has so much to offer: from rich seafood chowders to warm soda bread and traditional Irish flavours you will not find anywhere else.
Getting Around Ireland: Transportation Costs
How you get around Ireland affects your budget significantly. The main options are renting a car, using public transit or joining a guided tour.
Renting a car
Car rental is the most popular choice for independent travellers. A compact automatic costs roughly $60 to $100 CAD per day, depending on season. Add fuel (about $2.10 CAD per litre for petrol) and insurance, and you are looking at $80 to $140 per day total. For 14 days, that is $1,120 to $1,960 CAD.
Keep in mind that Ireland drives on the left side of the road, and many rural roads are narrow. If left-hand driving makes you uneasy, a guided coach tour removes that stress entirely.
Public transport
Irish Rail and Bus Eireann connect major cities and towns. A Dublin-to-Galway train ticket costs around $30 to $50 CAD one way. The Leap Visitor Card offers unlimited travel on Dublin buses, trams and DART trains for about $30 CAD per day. Public transit works well for city-hopping but gets tricky in rural areas where buses run infrequently.
Guided tours
Day tours from Dublin to popular destinations like the Cliffs of Moher or Giant’s Causeway run $80 to $180 CAD each. Multi-day guided tours roll transportation, accommodation and activities into one price, which can simplify your budget considerably.
Tours, Activities and Entrance Fees
Ireland is packed with things to see and do, and many of the best experiences have an admission fee attached. Here are some popular attractions and their approximate costs in Canadian dollars:
- Cliffs of Moher visitor centre: $12 CAD
- Guinness Storehouse (Dublin): $35 CAD
- Book of Kells at Trinity College: $25 CAD
- Blarney Castle: $25 CAD
- Ring of Kerry scenic drive: Free (self-drive) or $80 – $120 CAD (guided day tour)
- Kilmainham Gaol: $12 CAD
- Whiskey distillery tour: $25 – $45 CAD
- Traditional music session: Free at most pubs
Budget $500 to $1,000 CAD for activities over a two-week trip if you plan to visit a mix of paid attractions and free natural sites. Many of Ireland’s most memorable experiences, like walking along coastal cliffs, exploring ancient stone circles and listening to live trad music in a village pub, cost nothing at all.
With Approach Tours, every excursion, entrance fee and cultural experience is included in one price, so there are no surprise costs along the way.
Travel Insurance for Canadians Visiting Ireland
Travel insurance is not optional. Provincial health plans provide limited or no coverage outside Canada, and a medical emergency abroad can be financially devastating. A standard travel insurance policy for a 14-day trip to Ireland costs between $100 and $300 CAD, depending on your age and coverage level.
Look for policies that include:
- Emergency medical coverage (minimum $1 million)
- Trip cancellation and interruption
- Lost or delayed luggage
- 24/7 assistance hotline
Approach Tours includes $5 million in emergency medical travel insurance through Manulife with every booking, which is among the most generous coverage in the Canadian tour industry.
How Does an All-Inclusive Tour Compare?
When you add up flights, hotels, meals, car rental, activities, insurance and tips, a two-week DIY trip to Ireland easily reaches $7,000 to $10,000+ CAD per person at a comfortable mid-range level. The hidden costs, from parking fees and fuel to entrance tickets and tipping, tend to push the final number higher than most travellers expect.
An all-inclusive guided tour like Approach Tours’ Grand Tour of Ireland starts at $10,495 CAD per person and covers everything:
- Return flights with Air Canada from your nearest gateway
- Private door-to-door car service to and from the airport (within 100 km)
- 14 days of 4-star hotel accommodation
- 36 meals (12 breakfasts, 12 lunches and 12 dinners)
- All excursions and entrance fees
- Tips for every service provider
- $5 million emergency medical insurance through Manulife
- 24/7 Canadian Group Guru support
- All taxes and fees
That PERKS value alone is worth $3,477 CAD. When you factor in the time saved on planning, the stress removed from driving on unfamiliar roads and the peace of mind that comes with knowing every cost is covered, the comparison becomes about more than dollars and cents. It becomes about what kind of trip you actually want.
For Canadian seniors looking for an Ireland tour, having someone else handle every detail, from luggage transfers to restaurant reservations, lets you focus entirely on enjoying the trip. The all-inclusive model means there is nothing left to budget for once you book.
When Is the Cheapest Time to Visit Ireland?
Timing your trip can save you hundreds, even thousands, of dollars. Here is how costs shift by season:
| Season | Months | Flight Cost Impact | Hotel Cost Impact | Weather |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Peak | June – August | Highest (+30-50%) | Highest (+20-40%) | Warmest, longest days, 15-20C |
| Shoulder | May, September | Moderate | Moderate | Pleasant, fewer crowds, 12-17C |
| Off-peak | October – April | Lowest | Lowest (-20-30%) | Cool to cold, shorter days, 5-10C |
May and September offer the best balance of good weather, manageable crowds and fair prices. You will still enjoy long daylight hours (up to 16 hours in May) and most attractions operate on full schedules. Off-peak months like November through March bring the lowest prices, but shorter days and cooler temperatures mean some rural attractions may have reduced hours.
Hidden Costs to Watch For
Every Ireland trip has a few expenses that catch travellers off guard. Here are the ones Canadian visitors should plan for:
- Currency exchange fees: The euro is the currency in the Republic of Ireland. Credit cards with no foreign transaction fees save you 2.5% on every purchase. Cards like the Scotiabank Passport Visa or HSBC World Elite are popular choices.
- Parking: Metered parking in Dublin costs $4 – $6 CAD per hour. Hotels in cities may charge $20 – $40 CAD per night for parking.
- Toll roads: The M50 around Dublin uses electronic tolling. Register online or face a $5 CAD fine per crossing.
- Data and phone: Roaming charges add up fast. Pick up a local SIM card (about $25 CAD for 30 days of data) or check if your Canadian plan includes European roaming.
- Laundry: A load at a launderette costs $10 – $15 CAD. Pack light and plan for a mid-trip wash.
- Souvenirs and gifts: Aran sweaters, Waterford Crystal and whiskey are popular but pricey. Budget $200 – $500 CAD if you enjoy shopping.
These smaller costs can add $300 to $800 to your total trip budget. On an all-inclusive tour, most of these are already covered or irrelevant, since transportation, meals and activities are handled for you.
Sample 14-Day Ireland Budget from Canada
Here is a realistic mid-range budget for one person travelling independently for 14 days:
| Category | Estimated Cost (CAD) |
|---|---|
| Flights (Toronto to Dublin, round trip) | $1,300 |
| Accommodation (B&Bs and 3-star hotels) | $2,500 |
| Meals (mix of restaurants and pubs) | $1,400 |
| Car rental + fuel + insurance | $1,500 |
| Activities and entrance fees | $700 |
| Travel insurance | $200 |
| Tips and miscellaneous | $400 |
| Souvenirs and extras | $300 |
| Total | $8,300 CAD |
This gets you a comfortable trip, but you are doing all the planning, booking, driving and problem-solving yourself. For travellers who value their time and peace of mind, comparing this to the $10,495 Approach Tours all-inclusive price reveals the true value of having everything handled.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Ireland expensive for Canadian tourists?
Ireland is moderately expensive compared to other European destinations. Prices are similar to what you would find in major Canadian cities like Toronto or Vancouver. Accommodation and dining are the biggest expenses. Choosing B&Bs over hotels, eating pub lunches and visiting free natural attractions helps keep costs reasonable.
How much spending money do I need per day in Ireland?
Plan on $100 to $200 CAD per day for meals, activities, transport and small purchases if travelling independently. On an all-inclusive tour where meals and activities are covered, $30 to $60 per day for personal purchases and the occasional extra pint is plenty.
Do I need a visa to visit Ireland from Canada?
No. Canadian citizens can visit Ireland for up to 90 days without a visa. You will need a valid Canadian passport with at least six months of validity remaining.
What currency does Ireland use?
The Republic of Ireland uses the euro (EUR). Northern Ireland, which is part of the United Kingdom, uses the British pound (GBP). If your itinerary crosses the border, you will deal with both currencies. Credit and debit cards are widely accepted throughout the island.
Is it cheaper to visit Ireland independently or on a tour?
An independent trip can be cheaper at the budget level, but a mid-range independent trip and an all-inclusive tour often end up surprisingly close in total cost. The tour includes items that independent travellers frequently underestimate, like tips, insurance, transport between cities and entrance fees. Many travellers wonder whether tour packages include flights. With Approach Tours, they do. For a stress-free experience that includes Scotland and Ireland, a guided tour offers excellent value.
What is the best time of year to visit Ireland from Canada?
May and September offer the best combination of pleasant weather, long days and reasonable prices. Summer (June to August) is the warmest but also the busiest and most expensive. Shoulder season travel can save you 20-30% on flights and accommodation compared to peak summer.
Start Planning Your Ireland Trip
Ireland rewards every kind of traveller: the history lover, the foodie, the hiker, the pub storyteller. Whether you build your own itinerary or let someone else handle the details, knowing what to budget helps you spend less time worrying about money and more time soaking in every moment.
If the idea of an all-inclusive trip appeals to you, where flights, hotels, meals, excursions, tips, insurance and even your ride to the airport are all taken care of, explore Approach Tours’ Grand Tour of Ireland. It is 14 days of the Emerald Isle with nothing left to plan and nothing left to pay.
Browse all Approach Tours destinations or visit the FAQ page to learn more about how the all-inclusive model works.
