Dublin hotels average €258 per night in 2025. I learned this the expensive way during my first visit when three nights of accommodation consumed half my total budget before I’d even started exploring.
Finding genuinely cheap hotels in Dublin means knowing what “cheap” actually translates to in Ireland’s capital. Under €150 per night gets you real comfort without the tourist-trap pricing. After staying at five budget hotels in Dublin myself and hearing detailed reports from friends who tested seven more, I can tell which ones deliver actual value.
These 8 cheap hotels in Dublin cost €80-180 per night and prove that budget doesn’t mean disappointing.
My Top 3 Picks: Cheap Hotels Dublin
| Hotel | Why I Recommend It | Price | Best For |
| Dublin Skylon Hotel | 4-star comfort at 3-star prices. Free parking saves €15-25 daily. Comfortable beds, quiet location, near Croke Park. Perfect if you’re searching for Best Hotels near Croke Park Dublin. | €100-160 | Families, drivers, comfort seekers |
| Harding Hotel | Unbeatable Temple Bar location at minimum budget. Walk to everything in 10 minutes. Rear rooms stay quiet despite party district energy. Easily one of the Best Budget Temple Bar Hotels. | €80-140 | Central location lovers, budget travelers |
| Holiday Inn Express | Free breakfast included saves €30-40 for couples. Reliable chain quality, central O’Connell Street location, modern rooms. Best value when you factor in breakfast savings. | €100-150 | Breakfast lovers, business travelers |
Top 8 Cheap Hotels Dublin Worth Booking
1. Harding Hotel (€80-140/night)
The Harding Hotel sits on Copper Alley just off Fishamble Street, where Temple Bar’s energy meets Old City calm.
I stayed here twice during the March shoulder season and both times paid €95 for a double room that felt surprisingly spacious given the budget pricing. The location puts you steps from Christ Church Cathedral and Dublin Castle without drowning you in the Temple Bar chaos that makes sleep impossible at properties deeper into the district.
The 52 rooms come with flat-screen TV, iron, tea facilities, and a small fridge that actually keeps drinks cold. Darkey Kelly’s pub operates downstairs serving decent food and pouring proper Guinness until late most nights. My room faced the rear courtyard, so noise stayed manageable even on Friday.
Breakfast runs €12 extra per person and parking costs €25 daily at nearby lots since the hotel itself has no dedicated parking. Add another €2 per night for Dublin’s tourist tax. The total daily cost climbs to roughly €120-160 once you factor these extras into your budget planning.
Transport connections work well from here. The Luas Red Line sits 12 minutes away on foot at Four Courts. Multiple bus routes stop right outside on Lord Edward Street taking you anywhere across Dublin within 20 minutes.
For pure central access on minimum budget, nothing beats the Harding among cheap hotels Dublin offers.
2. Dublin Skylon Hotel (€100-160/night)
My sister needed somewhere near Beaumont Hospital during a family emergency last November. She picked the Skylon on Upper Drumcondra Road and paid €118 for what turned into a genuinely comfortable 4-star experience that included free parking saving her €20 daily.
Drumcondra sits slightly north of the city centre, putting you 10 minutes from O’Connell Street by bus during regular daytime hours. Croke Park stadium stands 15 minutes away on foot, making this perfect if you’re catching GAA matches or concerts there.
The area feels residential and quiet compared to Temple Bar’s constant noise. You’ll sleep properly here without earplugs or white noise machines. My sister mentioned she forgot she was even in a city until buses passed occasionally on the main road.
Breakfast costs €15 per person but delivers quality matching the rate with hot options, fresh fruit, and proper coffee. Tourist tax adds €2 nightly. Parking stays completely free, which represents enormous value since most Dublin hotels charge €15-25 daily. The free parking alone justifies choosing the Skylon if you’re driving around Ireland and need a Dublin base.
3. Mespil Hotel (€120-180/night)
The Mespil overlooks the Grand Canal on Mespil Road where joggers and walkers create constant peaceful movement along the water throughout daylight hours. My colleague stayed here twice during business trips and called it the best value mid-budget option he found for anyone wanting 4-star quality without city centre chaos surrounding them constantly.
All 270 rooms include free WiFi that actually works at decent speeds, modern TV systems with international channels, and proper work desks with good lighting for laptop work. The fitness club operates on-site with equipment that gets maintained regularly. Lock Four Restaurant serves reliable meals when you’re too exhausted to explore Baggot Street’s restaurant options sitting 5 minutes away on foot.
The canal path leads directly toward the city centre if you prefer walking through green space instead of crowded streets filled with tourists. St Stephen’s Green reaches about 20 minutes away at a comfortable pace. Trinity College sits 25 minutes on foot.
Breakfast runs €16 per person with hot and cold options available. Parking costs €15 daily in the hotel car park. Tourist tax adds €2 nightly. The total daily cost reaches approximately €155-215 depending on your room rate and whether two people split breakfast costs.
Bus stops sit right outside the main entrance with multiple routes reaching the city centre in 10-15 minutes depending on traffic conditions. The location works brilliantly for budget hotels Dublin travelers who want peaceful accommodation near but not inside the busiest tourist areas.
4. Arlington Hotel O’Connell Bridge (€100-150/night)
My friend booked the Arlington on Bachelor’s Walk for a weekend visit last June specifically because the O’Connell Bridge location simplified absolutely everything about navigating Dublin. She walked to Temple Bar in 5 minutes, reached Trinity College in 10, and caught buses to anywhere across Dublin from stops positioned right outside the front entrance.
O’Connell Street north of the river carries grittier energy than south city centre around Grafton Street or St Stephen’s Green. The location stays completely safe but feels less polished visually than the Georgian architecture defining Dublin’s premium shopping districts. This doesn’t bother most budget travelers who prioritize location and transport access over aesthetic surroundings.
Breakfast costs €12 per person at the hotel restaurant. Nearby parking facilities charge €20-25 daily since the hotel doesn’t operate dedicated parking. Tourist tax adds €2 nightly. These extras push your total daily cost to roughly €130-180 depending on room rates.
Every Dublin bus route seems to stop within 100 meters of the hotel entrance. The Luas Red Line sits 8 minutes away on foot at Jervis station. You’re positioned perfectly for reaching both north and south city attractions without depending on taxis or lengthy walks.
5. Blooms Hotel (€125-175/night)
Blooms plants you at Temple Bar’s absolute centre on Anglesea Street where everything happens simultaneously until 2am most nights. I watched three separate bachelor parties pass under my third-floor window between 10pm and midnight on Saturday night during my stay there.
If you’re visiting Dublin specifically to party and plan on stumbling back to bed at closing time, the location genuinely cannot be beaten among cheap hotels Dublin offers. The 100 rooms spread across a building that’s seen better aesthetic days but functions perfectly fine for sleeping between Dublin adventures.
Trinity College sits literally 150 meters away at the end of Dame Street. Christ Church Cathedral, Dublin Castle, and Grafton Street shopping all reach within 10 minutes on foot in different directions. You’re positioned at the geographical heart of Dublin’s tourist zone.
This works brilliantly for friend groups celebrating birthdays or bachelor parties wanting maximum nightlife access without transport hassles. Solo travelers and couples seeking peaceful evenings will genuinely struggle with the constant noise bleeding through windows even on upper floors.
Breakfast runs €14 per person with standard Irish breakfast options available. Parking costs €25 daily at nearby facilities. Tourist tax adds €2 nightly. The proximity to Temple Bar’s restaurants and pubs means most guests skip hotel breakfast and eat elsewhere for €8-12 at local cafes.
6. Staycity Aparthotels Christchurch (€100-160/night)
My partner’s parents stayed at Staycity on Christchurch Place for a full week last summer when they visited from Spain. The kitchen facilities saved them approximately €200 on restaurant meals across seven days while the washing machine meant they packed lighter for their entire Ireland trip beyond Dublin.
These aparthotels deliver significantly more space than standard hotel rooms at comparable budget hotels Dublin charges similar rates for. You get separate bedroom areas with actual doors for privacy, full kitchens with cooking equipment including pots and pans, and living spaces where families can spread out without everyone sitting on beds.
Staying three nights or longer makes the kitchen investment genuinely worthwhile. One or two night stays don’t provide enough time to use cooking facilities properly or justify grocery shopping for partial meals. The value proposition improves dramatically when you’re cooking even half your meals instead of eating every breakfast and dinner at restaurants charging €12-25 per person.
No breakfast gets provided since you have cooking facilities. Parking costs €22 daily in secure parking underneath the building. Tourist tax adds €2 nightly. The Liberties area surrounding the hotel offers an authentic Dublin atmosphere with local pubs, cafes, and shops frequented by actual residents rather than just tourists.
7. Holiday Inn Express Dublin City Centre (€100-150/night)
I stayed at Holiday Inn Express on O’Connell Street Lower during a quick Dublin stopover last October. The included breakfast saved me €15 that morning while the location let me walk everywhere I needed without calling a single Uber or figuring out bus routes. The chain consistency delivered exactly what I expected without surprises or disappointments.
For budget hotels Dublin travelers consider, free breakfast represents genuine value since most properties charge €12-16 extra per person. A couple saves €24-32 daily by choosing Holiday Inn Express over hotels charging separately for breakfast. Over three nights, that’s €72-96 savings just from included morning meals.
The O’Connell Street location lacks Temple Bar’s character but provides completely practical access to everything worth seeing. You’re positioned equally well for north city attractions like the Spire and GPO versus south city destinations like Trinity College and St Stephen’s Green.
Breakfast comes included in your room rate automatically. Parking runs €20 daily at nearby facilities. Tourist tax adds €2 nightly. The reliable chain quality appeals to business travelers and tourists who value predictability over boutique personality.
8. The Grafton Hotel (€150-200/night)
The Grafton pushes the upper limit of what qualifies as cheap hotels Dublin travelers consider, but delivers legitimate 4-star quality in Dublin’s premium shopping district just off Grafton Street itself.
The 4-star property features 128 thoughtfully designed rooms with comfortable furnishings, modern bathrooms with quality toiletries, and good soundproofing blocking street noise effectively.
This suits travelers who maintain budget consciousness but want slight luxury leanings in their accommodation choice. You’re paying €30-50 extra per night compared to genuinely cheap options like the Harding or Skylon but getting significantly better quality in room finishes, service attention, and location prestige.
Breakfast costs €18 per person with extensive hot and cold options. Nearby parking facilities charge €25 daily. Tourist tax adds €2 nightly. The Stephen Street Lower location keeps you steps from both Grafton Street’s upscale shopping and Temple Bar’s nightlife energy.
Bus stops within 3 minutes cover all major routes. The Luas Green Line stops 5 minutes away at St Stephen’s Green. Google ratings hit 4.6 out of 5 across nearly 700 reviews, with consistent praise for the location, service quality, and room comfort.
If the budget allows stretching to €150-200 nightly, this delivers genuine 4-star experience. For more upscale options, explore 10 Best Hotels in Dublin for Luxury Stays and Local Charm.
Quick Comparison: All 8 Cheap Hotels Dublin
| Hotel | Price Range | Location | Breakfast Cost | Parking | Best For |
| Harding | €80-140 | Temple Bar | €12 | €25 | Central budget |
| Skylon | €100-160 | Drumcondra | €15 | FREE | Airport access |
| Mespil | €120-180 | Canal | €16 | €15 | 4-star comfort |
| Arlington | €100-150 | O’Connell St | €12 | €20 | North centre |
| Blooms | €125-175 | Temple Bar | €14 | €25 | Party location |
| Staycity | €100-160 | Liberties | Kitchen | €22 | Families/cooking |
| Holiday Inn | €100-150 | O’Connell St | FREE | €20 | Free breakfast |
| Grafton | €150-200 | Grafton St | €18 | €25 | Splurge budget |
Budget Hotel vs Hostel vs Airbnb: Cost Reality
Travelers often debate whether cheap hotels offer better value than hostels or Airbnb options around Dublin. The answer depends entirely on your travel style, age, and how many people you’re traveling with.
Hostel dorm beds cost €25-40 per person nightly at budget hostels like Jacobs Inn or Generator. You’re sharing rooms with complete strangers who might snore or stumble drunk at 3am. Bathrooms get shared with entire floors. Common areas are filled with backpackers from everywhere. Privacy doesn’t exist at all.
The social atmosphere suits solo travelers under 30 who genuinely enjoy meeting random people. Anyone over 30 or traveling as couples usually finds hostels exhausting rather than enjoyable after the first night.
Budget hotels from this guide cost €40-75 per person when splitting double rooms. You get private bathrooms, daily cleaning, and zero strangers walking through your space at random hours.
For couples, the per-person cost matches hostel private rooms but delivers significantly better quality. Friends sharing double rooms can split costs making hotels actually cheaper than separate hostel beds.
Budget Airbnb options run €50-90 per person nightly depending on location and how many people split the rental. Kitchens let you cook meals saving serious money over multiple days. Washing machines means packing lighter in your suitcase. The value proposition improves significantly for stays over three nights when cooking and laundry savings start accumulating noticeably.
My honest recommendation breaks down by trip length. For one or two night stays, book budget hotels every single time. The convenience and central locations beat Airbnb check-in hassles and hostel noise completely.
For three to five night stays, consider Airbnb if you’ll genuinely use the kitchen rather than eating out constantly anyway. Otherwise stick with hotels for simplicity. For seven or more night stays, aparthotels like Staycity deliver the best value combining hotel services with cooking facilities and actual living space.
Final Words
Cheap hotels in Dublin exist between €80-180 per night if you know where to look and what trade-offs you’re accepting. The Skylon delivers 4-star comfort with free parking away from city centre chaos. Harding places you inside Temple Bar at an absolute minimum budget. The Mespil offers peaceful canal views with modern 4-star quality.
Budget 6-8 weeks ahead for optimal rates. Calculate hidden costs before excitement over low advertised rates clouds your judgment. Choose locations matching your actual transport preferences and realistic noise tolerance.
Dublin costs more than most European cities for accommodation. These 8 cheap hotels prove budget travel stays completely possible when you pick properties matching your real priorities instead of chasing unrealistic deals.
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FAQ Section
Q: What is considered cheap for hotels in Dublin in 2025?
Cheap hotels in Dublin cost €80-150 per night. Budget tier sits €80-120, mid-budget reaches €120-150, and upper budget stretches to €150-180. The city average of €258 makes anything under €150 genuinely affordable compared to what most travelers end up paying.
Q: Which Dublin neighborhood has the cheapest hotels?
Drumcondra, Phibsborough, and areas along the Luas Red Line offer the cheapest accommodation at €80-120 nightly. City centre budget options near Temple Bar or O’Connell Street cost €100-150. Avoid Ballsbridge and Sandymount completely if you’re watching budgets closely.
Q: Do cheap Dublin hotels include breakfast?
Most cheap hotels in Dublin charge €12-16 extra per person for breakfast. Holiday Inn Express includes free breakfast automatically, saving €30-40 daily for couples. Staycity Aparthotels provide full kitchens letting you self-cater and save €50-80 on restaurant meals over multiple days.
Q: Should I book a cheap hotel or hostel in Dublin?
Hostels cost €25-40 per person in shared dorms versus cheap hotels at €40-75 per person for private rooms when couples split costs. Couples pay roughly the same for budget hotels as hostel private rooms but get private bathrooms and daily cleaning. Solo travelers under 30 save money in hostels.
Q: When should I book cheap hotels in Dublin for best prices?
Book 6-8 weeks ahead to save €40-60 per night consistently. Last-minute bookings under 2 weeks cost 35-45% more than advance bookings. Avoid Friday-Saturday stays, major event weekends, and December 27-January 2 when prices spike 50-80% across all Dublin hotels.