Dublin on the Cheap
When thinking of a destination that caters for just about all tastes, Dublin is hard to beat. From the extensive arts and culture, to sporting events and music festivals, Dublin has it all. For group travel, it really is the destination of choice, especially for sporting events, sight seeing, stag and hen parties or university tours.
Dublin Pub by William Murphy
Universities, schools, brides and grooms to be, family and friends are all feeling the effects of the economic downturn. These groups need to be more aware of the costs for group travel. You don’t need to spend a fortune to have a great time in Dublin and Cork, as there are lots of things to do, see and experience. Many of Dublins top attractions are located within easy access of a large selection fo Dublin hostels.
Somewhat of a hidden gem of a day out is the Dublin Area Rapid Transit (DART) commuter train service which runs right along the coast, with breathtaking views and fabulous places to visit along the route. One must-see location on the train journey is the pretty fishing village of Howth (rhymes with ‘both’), a twenty minute DART journey along the coast north of Dublin city centre. Howth has a pretty harbour, which is used by both working fishing boats and pleasure craft – but did you know that it also has a beach? When you come out of the DART station, walk about 100 meters towards Howth village, take a left, then walk down the little alleyway to your left – and you come out on Claremont Beach! It’s right beside the pier, but you could easily miss it – it’s a great place to take a stroll, while building up an appetite for a great Irish meal!
Travelling with a student group is certainly not easy or cheap, so making wise decisions prior to your trip will pay off when you arrive in Dublin or Cork. Planning your itinerary and booking the most important elements of your trip can not only be more cost effective for a group, but also less stressful for the group leaders!
In some hostels, your group’s breakfast is covered so you just have lunches and dinner to think about, saving both time and money. Whether your group are busy with itineraries everyday or just taking it easy, wouldn’t it be great not to have to stress about sorting out lunch or dinners for the whole group? You can organise packed lunches prior to your arrival in some hostels and they will be delivered to the hostel reception for your group to collect in the morning. Make use of the hostel’s helpful staff. They can often pre-book a local restaurant for your group at discounted group prices. Booking and paying for lunches and dinners in advance means your group saves money, saves time in the evenings, because you don’t have to find a place to accommodate a large group, and it helps with daily budgets.
Many groups who plan their trip to Dublin and Cork don’t even consider costs of attractions or activities until they arrive. They’re missing all sorts of opportunities to save money. By planning ahead and booking prior to arrival in Dublin you will save a significant amount of money for the group.
Student discounts and other concessions will make a difference to your groups budget. If you are a student group in one of the Dublin hostels, make sure you bring your student vouchers on your trip. Lots of shops and attractions in Dublin offer student discounts.
There you have it! How not to break the bank when visiting Dublin! So get your group together and plan your trip!
