Getting Euros for Your Trip to Ireland
Ireland is wonderfully easy for UK visitors when it comes to money. The payment culture is very similar to the UK - contactless is ubiquitous, cards are accepted almost everywhere, and ATMs are plentiful. The main difference is you'll need Euros instead of Pounds.
Ireland adopted the Euro in 2002, making it straightforward for travel. Dublin is thoroughly modern with excellent card infrastructure, and even rural pubs and B&Bs increasingly accept cards.
Important note: Northern Ireland (Belfast, Derry, the Causeway Coast) is part of the UK and uses British Pounds. If your trip includes both the Republic and Northern Ireland, you'll need both currencies.
Best Ways to Get Euros for Ireland
- Multi-currency cards (Wise, Revolut) - Perfect for Ireland. Contactless works everywhere, and you can withdraw from Irish ATMs when needed.
- Order Euros online before travel - Good for having cash ready. Useful for tipping and small rural businesses.
- Irish bank ATMs - AIB, Bank of Ireland, and Permanent TSB ATMs generally don't charge fees. Combined with a fee-free card, very cost-effective.
- UK specialist bureaux - Good rates for Euros before travel.
- UK banks - Convenient but rates typically 3-4% worse.
- Airport exchanges - Poor rates at both UK and Dublin airports. Avoid.
Using Cards in Ireland
Ireland is one of the most card-friendly countries in Europe:
Where Cards Work Perfectly
- Pubs: Almost all accept cards, even traditional village pubs
- Restaurants: Universal card acceptance
- Hotels & B&Bs: All accept cards
- Shops: From boutiques to corner shops, cards accepted
- Supermarkets: Tesco, Dunnes, SuperValu - all accept cards
- Public transport: Dublin Bus, Luas, DART - Leap cards or contactless
- Tourist attractions: All major sites accept cards
Where Cash Might Be Needed
- Very small rural businesses: Some remote B&Bs or shops
- Buskers and street performers: Cash tips appreciated
- Some taxis: Most take cards, but cash is safer for smaller firms
- Market stalls: Farmers markets sometimes prefer cash
ATMs in Ireland
Best ATMs
- AIB (Allied Irish Bank): Green ATMs. Generally no foreign card fees.
- Bank of Ireland: Blue ATMs. Fee-free for most cards.
- Permanent TSB: No fees for foreign cards.
ATMs to Watch
- Euronet: Less common than mainland Europe but avoid if you see them.
- Some independent ATMs: May charge €2-3. Use bank ATMs when possible.
Decline DCC: If an ATM offers to charge you in GBP, always decline and choose Euros for the best rate.
Northern Ireland: Different Currency
If your trip includes Northern Ireland (Belfast, Giant's Causeway, Derry), remember:
- Northern Ireland uses British Pounds (GBP), not Euros
- Your UK cards work normally - no exchange needed
- Some border areas accept both currencies at poor rates
- ATMs in Northern Ireland dispense GBP
Pro tip: If travelling both sides, keep your GBP and EUR separate to avoid confusion. Use a multi-currency card that handles both without fees.
How Much Cash to Bring
- Dublin city break: €50-100 backup sufficient
- Wild Atlantic Way road trip: €100-200 for rural areas
- Week-long trip: €100-150 backup
Daily Spending Guide
- Budget: €60-90/day - hostels, supermarket meals, free walks
- Mid-range: €120-200/day - good B&Bs, pub meals, attractions
- Comfortable: €200-350/day - nice hotels, restaurants, tours
Note: Ireland is relatively expensive, especially Dublin. Accommodation and dining out cost similar to or more than London.
Best Exchange Options for EUR
Top providers by category:
AIB
Allied Irish Banks. ATMs nationwide.
Bank of Ireland
Major bank with good coverage.
An Post
Post offices offer forex services.
Dublin Airport
ICE and Travelex available. Get minimum.
Temple Bar Booths
Tourist premium. Walk to O'Connell St.
Compare EUR Exchange Rates
See what you'd receive from providers local to you
Frequently Asked Questions
Paying in Ireland is much like paying in the UK, with contactless almost everywhere, so the main change is needing Euros rather than Pounds. Put everyday spending on a multi-currency card, take cash from AIB, Bank of Ireland or Permanent TSB machines, generally free of charge, and order a few Euros online for tips and small rural businesses.
The Republic of Ireland has used the Euro since 2002, and Dublin has excellent card infrastructure. Northern Ireland, including Belfast, Derry and the Causeway Coast, is UK territory where British Pounds are used, so a trip that covers both the Republic and the North needs both currencies.
Very. Ireland is among the most card-friendly countries in Europe: almost all pubs, even traditional village ones, take cards, as do restaurants, hotels, B&Bs, shops, supermarkets and major attractions, and Dublin Bus, the Luas and DART accept Leap cards or contactless. Cash may still help at remote B&Bs or shops, farmers' market stalls, smaller taxi firms and for tipping buskers.
Bank machines generally do not: AIB's green ATMs, Bank of Ireland's blue ones and Permanent TSB carry no fee for most foreign cards. Some independent machines may charge €2-3, and Euronet is best avoided where you see it. If a machine asks whether to convert to GBP, say no and take Euros.
Not much. For a Dublin city break €50-100 as a backup is enough, a week-long trip might need €100-150, and €100-200 covers the rural stretches of a Wild Atlantic Way road trip. Expect daily spending of roughly €60-90 on a budget, €120-200 mid-range and €200-350 for comfort; Dublin costs much the same as London or more.
Not in the Republic, where you need Euros; some border areas take both currencies but at poor rates. In Northern Ireland your Pounds and UK cards work as normal and ATMs dispense GBP. If you travel both sides, keep your GBP and EUR apart and consider a multi-currency card covering both currencies without fees.
Nearby Destinations
Planning to visit multiple countries? Check out exchange guides for nearby destinations:
France
Spain
Portugal