Irish Money Matters - Paying and Budgeting in Ireland

Cheap accommodation in Ireland can take a huge chunk out of your costs when planning an Irish vacation. Find out where to search for bargains and what pitfalls to avoid.

Cheap flights to Ireland can take a huge chunk out of your costs when planning an Irish vacation. Find out where to search for bargains and what pitfalls to avoid.

Cheap rental cars in Ireland can make an Irish vacation a lot less expensive. Find out where to search for bargains and what pitfalls to avoid.

Ireland's National Recovery Plan - an overview of the four-year-plan as published in November 2010.

Unless you are on an all-inclusive cruise you will need to pay for goods and services in Ireland. While cash is the most immediate form of payment and accepted everywhere, credit cards and traveler's checks can be an alternative. Find out what money to use and in which form.

Customs within the European Union (EU) uses three channels - the blue channel is for travellers within the EU only and should not be used if your flight originated outside the EU. That leaves the green and red channels for transatlantic travellers.

Prices in Ireland are not exactly low, but you may beat the proverbial Rip-Off Republic by thinking ahead and planning your budget.

Tipping in Ireland is like an arcane art mastered by only a few enlightened individuals. The rest of us mere mortals will have to just fumble along. Here are some pointers in the right direction.

Most goods in Ireland carry a hefty surcharge of 21% Value Added Tax (VAT). Thus goods that would be actually priced at € 100 will cost you € 121. Or, to reverse the process, without the added VAT a € 100 souvenir would only set you back by € 82.64.

Irish grocery prices are of interest not only if you are planning on cooking yourself. They are also a good indicator on price levels in the country. Here are some basic things and their prices, as found in an average supermarket in a semi-rural location.