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The Euro is the currency in the Republic of Ireland. Because most places you visit will be able to take your credit or debit cards, you don't need to take much cash.
In fact, you don't really need to get Eurosbefore you leave the US (unless you really want to).
Contact your personal bank to avoid hefty currency fees.
Most banks have a minimum amount of Euros you can order.
Many banks do not carry foreign currency, so you will want to place your order at least 3 weeks in advance.
Be sure to request some small bills –€5 and€10- so you aren't arriving with only€50. At the very least don't get bills larger than€50.
If you have only large bills, consider purchasing something small at the airport (a coffee, water, etc.) to have change for tips, parking, or other occasions where you may need small cash.
Getting Euros Upon Arrival:
You'll find your best currency exchange rate at a bank ATM. Do not, let me repeat, do not use the currency exchange kiosks in the airport or scattered in tourist areas as they charge exorbitant exchange rates.
Five tips to using your credit/ debit card at an ATM in Ierland:
Notify your bank and credit card before you travel. There is nothing worse than having a machine ‘eat' your card due to unexpected charges.
You will need a 4 digit, numerical PIN#.
Keep in mind that not all credit/ debitcards are accepted in Ireland. Anything with a Visa or Mastercard logo will be accepted wherever cards are taken. Discover is not accepted anywhere. American Express is hit or miss (most often a miss).
Depending on the ATM you use you may incur a fee from the Irish bank or ATM owner. Whether or not you incur an exchange fee depends on the card and ATM you use.
For peace of mind use an ATM at a bank. If your debit card is pulled into the machine you can often retrieve it right away.
What Credit Cards Can Be Used in Ireland?
Credit and debit cards with a Visa or MasterCard logo are accepted throughout Ireland and Northern Ireland. American Express may be accepted in some locations, but not all. Discover Card is not accepted within Ireland
Important Note: do not book your car rental with Discover Card hoping to use the rental car insurance coverage, it will be declined at the pickup counter. Learn more about car rental insurance and credit card coverage here.
When using a credit or debit card you should always pay in local currency. Though Dynamic Currency Conversion offers the ability to pay in your home currency always pay in the local currency – Euros in the Republic of Ireland and Pounds in Northern Ireland- to get the best exchange rate.
Get Cash at the Airport:
At Dublin Airport:
Cash dispensers (ATMs) are available in both Terminal 1 and Terminal 2. These ATMs are privately owned and will carry a fee. However, this fee is minimal and in many cases will still offer a better rate than you would get when exchanging money with your US bank.
In Terminal 1 (T1) you will find ATM machines in Departures opposite Area 5 check-in desk, as you exit the Baggage Hall (on the left), and in Arrivals opposite the exit from security clearance.
In Terminal 2 (T2) ATM machines are available in the Baggage Hall and at the Airside Departures Lounge.
At Shannon Airport:
ATM machines are located at departures check-in and in the arrivals hall. There is also an ATM in the Transit Lounge after security clearance.
Using Cash Apps in Ireland
If you prefer to use cash apps both Apple Pay and Google Pay are widely accepted, but you won't find many vendors accepting Venmo in Ireland.
Instead, you'll want to add the Revolut appto your phone and get it set up before you depart. Revolut is an app designed to easily move money between currencies. The standard plan is free.
Can I use Euros in Northern Ireland?
In Northern Ireland currency is the British pound sterling.
While there may be a few locations near the border between the Republic and Northern Ireland that will take Euros, most businesses in Northern Ireland will not.
Your credit or debit card will be accepted at most locations or use a bank ATM to withdraw a bit of cash. I find £100 is usually plenty for a few days' in the North.
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Jody Halsted
Jody Halsted is the charismatic host behind the popular Traveling in Ireland Podcast and the Ireland Family Vacations website. With a deep passion for Ireland and an infectious enthusiasm for sharing its wonders, Jody has become a trusted voice in the realm of Irish travel.
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Most banks have a minimum amount of Euros you can order. Many banks do not carry foreign currency, so you will want to place your order at least 3 weeks in advance. Be sure to request some small bills – €5 and €10- so you aren't arriving with only €50. At the very least don't get bills larger than €50.
The best option is to convert money locally, before you travel. If you do find yourself in Ireland with money to convert, you have it's best to avoid currency desks in airports or near tourist attractions. These locations typically charge higher rates and a commission fee.
While a no-foreign-transaction-fee credit card is the best way to spend money in Ireland, you're going to need to access at least a little cash and often that means fees. Why pay more in fees than you need to? Here's a few tips that will help.
Resist the urge to buy foreign currency before your trip.
Some tourists feel like they must have euros or British pounds in their pockets when they step off the airplane, but they pay the price in bad stateside exchange rates. Wait until you arrive to withdraw money.
Most US, UK and Australian debit and credit cards should be usable in Ireland. Visa, Mastercard (Cirrus and Maestro) and American Express are all widely accepted.
Though there may be a small fee if you exchange less than a certain amount, your bank or credit union will almost always be the cheapest place to exchange currency. You may be able to order currency at a branch location, by phone, or online to have it delivered to you or to pick up at a branch.
With time at your disposal, you'll be able to see exactly what the fee and rate is, and how many euros you'll get for your dollars. It's possible of course that you might get a better deal when you land in Europe. It may well be the case that fees are lower and exchange rates better.
Visa and Mastercard are widely accepted throughout the island of Ireland; American Express is accepted in some places but not all. Credit cards can be used for purchases and also to withdraw cash from ATMs (although this usually is accompanied by a fee).
You can't use dollars in Ireland so we advise paying for your vacation using a mix of cash withdrawals and card payments. The Republic of Ireland uses euros (€) and Northern Ireland uses pounds (£). For Ireland tours visiting Northern Ireland, you'll need a small amount of pounds alongside euros.
Visa and Mastercard are universally accepted throughout Ireland. The country also used to have its own Laser debit card which was phased out in 2014. American Express is not typically issued in Ireland (with some exceptions), so its acceptance rates are low.
Exchange at a Financial Institution or AAA: Usually, banks and credit unions and your local AAA have more reasonable fees and exchange rates than companies that are solely dedicated to foreign currency exchange.
While credit cards are accepted in most situations, currency can be more convenient for public transportation and small vendors. It's also wise to carry an emergency fund with enough cash for a few days, just in case your card gets lost or stolen.
How Much Spending Money for One Week in Europe? This is so entirely dependent on your own travel preferences that it's tough to estimate but we recommend putting aside roughly €700 to €1700 for spending money for one week in Europe.
You can also withdraw cash from ATMs with your Mastercard or Visa debit card. Fees will still be charged but at a lower rate to credit cards. Ireland uses a “chip and pin” system for debit and credit card transactions.
Credit cards are widely accepted in Ireland, especially in the bigger cities. So, you should have no problem using your card in restaurants, bars, stores and for travel across the country. That said, it's always handy to have some cash - just in case.
Comparison of Fees when withdrawing the equivalent of $250 using a US debit card in Ireland. The ATMs operated by banks in Ireland will not currently charge you any fee for using American Debit Cards . However, some of the private ATMs inside shops and hotels may charge you a fee – usually in the region of €2.
We recommend bringing a small amount of cash in euros to Ireland with you. Around €300 euro should be more than enough to get you through your first days in Dublin.
The first thing to note about Ireland is that it's broken up into two parts, and both use different currencies. The Republic of Ireland uses the euro and Northern Ireland uses the pound sterling. So, if you do plan to travel to both parts, make sure your travel money is prepared.
Check with your bank to see what options they offer, or use another organization such as AAA. Keep in mind that this step is up to you and doesn't always get you the best exchange rate—it's not necessary to obtain euros before traveling to most European countries.
In Ireland, there are two currencies you'll need depending on where you travel. The euro is used in the Republic of Ireland. One euro consists of 100 cent. Notes are €5, €10, €20, €50, €100, €200 and €500.
Introduction: My name is Terrell Hackett, I am a gleaming, brainy, courageous, helpful, healthy, cooperative, graceful person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.
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