Ireland has its own unique currency and travel money customs: Euros are the currency of the Republic of Ireland, while Northern Ireland uses the British pound. Despite this separation, you can feel safe paying with credit cards, debit cards, cash or prepaid travel cards during your trip.
A credit card is your best and simplest option in Ireland, as most retailers accept them, and most travel credit cards help save on foreign transaction fees. Read up on all your spending options to make sure you’re prepared for your trip to the Emerald Isle.
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Travel card, debit card or credit card?
You shouldn’t have a problem using any Visa or Mastercard product at Irish shops and ATMs. American Express can also be used but at fewer places. Diners Club is accepted in fewer places than American Express, and Discover cards are rarely and sporadically accepted.
Some debit cards and travel cards waive international transaction charges and give you free international ATM withdrawals. Use a travel card or debit card for everyday purchases, cash withdrawals when you need euros or pounds and a credit card for everything else.
If you’re in the market for a new credit card, why not apply for a credit card with travel features? Complimentary insurance can save you hundreds before you leave the country. Some cards even offer extended interest-free terms for up to a year or more.
These are your options for spending money in Ireland
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Using a credit card
Credit cards are great for larger purchases like travel bookings and souvenirs. Some credit cards also provide travel benefits like travel insurance or rewards. The Capital One VentureOne Rewards Credit Card, for example, earns miles on purchases and waives foreign transaction fees you would incur on purchases abroad (Terms apply, see rates & fees).
Different travel credit cards offer different kinds of perks, so it’s wise to compare your options to find the right combination of features suitable for your travels.
- Tip: Even with these travel benefits, avoid using your credit card to withdraw cash. Cash advance interest and fees apply for this type of transaction — and you don’t get interest-free days either.
Pros
- Protected by PIN and chip
- No currency conversion fees
- Features such as complimentary travel insurance
- Interest-free period on purchases
Cons
- Fees and high interest on cash advances
- Subject to an annual fee
- International transaction fees and interest charges may also apply
Which credit card issuers are accepted in Ireland?
In Ireland, American Express and Discover cards aren’t as popular as Mastercard or Visa, but in some places, you can still pay with them.
If you want to make a cash withdrawal with an Amex card, look for Bank of Ireland or Centra ATMs. For Discover cards, Allied Irish Banks ATMs will work.
| Merchant acceptance | ATM acceptance | |
|---|---|---|
| Visa |  High | High |
| Mastercard | High | High |
| American Express |  Low |  Medium |
| Discover | Medium | Low |
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Using a debit card
There are only a handful of debit accounts with features suited to travelers. What you want to keep an eye out for is a card that doesn’t charge for international ATM and foreign transaction fees, like from Betterment Checking — local or out-of-network ATM operator fees may still apply.
- Tip: Tell your bank about your travel plans to Ireland. There’s a good chance your card will be blocked if you use it outside the country without notice.
Pros
- Secured with a chip and PIN technology
- Can be easily blocked by your issuer with just a phone call
- ATMs are abundant
Cons
- No backup card
- Linked directly to bank account if your card goes missing
- Local ATM operator fees may apply
Prepaid travel money cards
Using a prepaid travel card
All travel cards let you load euros and pounds, the respective currencies of Ireland and Northern Ireland. Pounds are also used throughout the rest of neighboring Great Britain — most trips to Ireland also involve a trip to the United Kingdom.
You’ll be able to spend without paying for currency conversion — however, you’ll pay ATM fees, reload fees and be subject to an inflated travel card exchange rate.
- Tip: Depending on the card you use, you may end up with a higher or lower exchange rate. Check with your providers to see what rates apply and work out the most affordable option.
Pros
- All travel cards let you load euros and pounds
- Save on currency conversion fees
- Can be easily blocked with just a phone call
- Back up card and PIN protection
- Antifraud protection
Cons
- You’ll need to pay reload fees and ATM fees
- Can take up to five or six days if you’re trying to reload your travel card over a weekend or holiday
- Poor exchange rate
Compare cash pickup services in Ireland
Paying with cash in Ireland
Pros
- Greater payment flexibility
- Convenience
Cons
- More difficult to manage expenses
- Higher risk of theft
A guide to Ireland’s coins and banknotes
In the Republic of Ireland, the official currency is the euro. Notes are €5, €10, €20, €50, €100, €200 and €500, while coins are 1c, 2c, 5c, 10c, 20c, 50c, €1 and €2.
Buying euros and pounds sterling in the US
ATMs take the hassle out of getting local currency. Americans don’t have to pay to enter Ireland or the United Kingdom, so there’s no reason why you should need a large amount of cash right away. However, it can be a good idea to have some small bills to pay for food or a train or taxi from the airport.
US banks charge a commission to exchange funds — Travelex is a better option. There’s no commission, and Travelex has a number of locations, including airports, that make it convenient.
The main banks in Ireland are:
- Allied Irish Bank (AIB)
- Bank of Ireland
- Ulster Bank
- CitiBank Europe
- Permanent Group Holdings
- Danske Bank (Ireland)
- KBC Bank Ireland
- EBC d.a.c.
- DePfa Bank
- Bank of Montreal Ireland PLC
Using an ATM in Ireland
There is no shortage of ATMs in Ireland, with a majority of them part of the Visa or Mastercard network. American Express is less commonly accepted, and Discover cards rarely, if at all.
Optimize your savings when accessing an ATM using a debit card from a bank that waives ATM fees or foreign transaction fees, like Betterment Checking. Give your cardholder’s agreement a close look before traveling to get a sense of what fees you might incur and when they occur.
ATMs in Ireland
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In Northern Ireland, the pound sterling is the local currency. Notes are ÂŁ5, ÂŁ10, ÂŁ20, ÂŁ50 and ÂŁ100, while coins are 1p, 2p, 5p, 10p, 20p, 50p, ÂŁ1 and ÂŁ2.
Live Rate
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The main banks in Ireland are:
- Allied Irish Bank (AIB)
- Bank of Ireland
- Ulster Bank
- CitiBank Europe
- Permanent Group Holdings
- Danske Bank (Ireland)
- KBC Bank Ireland
- EBC d.a.c.
- DePfa Bank
- Bank of Montreal Ireland PLC
How much should I budget to travel in Ireland?
Traveling to Ireland is expensive. Even budget travelers should plan for at least $50 per day. If you’re looking to stay in nicer hotels rather than hostels or dorm beds, you’re looking at a budget of $130 to $250 a day. You’ll find Northern Ireland a bit more expensive.
All prices are in US dollars.
| Dublin | Budget | Mid-range | Expensive |
|---|---|---|---|
| Meals | Get a full Irish breakfast sandwich on Nassau Street $8 | A meal at a mid-range restaurant $15 per head | 3-course meal at a Michelin-star restaurant $120 a head |
| Activities | Visit the national galleries of Dublin Free | Skip the lines at the Guinness Storehouse $20 (early entry and first service) | 3-day tour of South Ireland starting and returning to Dublin From $250 per person |
| Accommodation | Hostel dorm bed $10–$25 per night | 2-star hotel $15–$150 per night | 5-star hotel $200+ per night |
Prices are approximate and are subject to change.
Tips:
- There are credit cards, debit cards and travel cards that don’t charge for ATM withdrawals. Be sure to apply for a card with low ATM withdrawal fees so you can get euros or pounds for cheap.
- Always pay in euros or pounds when using your credit or debit card. You may be asked to pay in USD, but you’ll get robbed on the exchange rate if you do this.
Case study: Luke's experience
Luke
Case study: Interview with Luke about spending in Ireland
Do you have any tips?
Let your bank know about your travel plans to avoid the hassle of calling your bank to unlock your credit card. Luke says he failed to do that, and Barclaycard blocked his card once he used it in Ireland.
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