Dublin is the perfect city for learning the ropes of solo travelling. Vibrant, fun, affordable, and bustling, Ireland’s capital city has something for every traveller.
The concept of solo travelling is, frankly, terrifying. A new city, new language, new culture – and only you and Google Maps against the world. But once you’ve done it once, the world is opened up in a brand new way. Having a travel buddy has advantages, but going alone and doing what you want, when you want, is certainly an exciting way to experience a city. There’s no one cutting you off from the rest of the hostel, dictating the day’s activities or what you eat for dinner.
You can read more here on Brig’s thoughts on why solo travel is a wonderful thing.
I discovered this recently when I took an unexpected solo trip to Dublin. My travel buddy unfortunately got sick on the morning of our departure, leaving me to either lose the money on our flights or stick it out and go for it. So I did!
For my first adventure as a solo traveller, I could not have ended up in a better city. Here is why Dublin is the best place to start your solo adventures:
Language
Starting from the obvious, English is predominantly spoken here. No language barriers or confusion. This may not seem like a huge bonus, but not having to load up Google Translate every other minute takes the stress off of the day – especially when you’re on your own.
In comparison, when faced with buying milk in Slovakia’s capital Bratislava, I confidently poured soured milk over my cereal in my language naivety. Enough to ruin my morning…
Accommodation
Hostels are always going to be a good bet for any traveller on a budget. The option to stay in a female-only dorm, with 24-hour reception and like-minded people creates a safe and hospitable environment. I know we’ve all heard hostel horror stories, but don’t let that stop you!
As competition and demand grow, hostels have upped their game as a whole. Dublin has an exciting plethora of options to choose from. Use sites such as Hostelworld to pick what suits you best, backed up by genuine reviews from other travellers.
My Dublin recommendation: Abbey Court Hostel. Free breakfast, curtained bunks (always a win for me), a big clean kitchen, and right in the city’s centre. The only downside: It consists of huge winding corridors colourfully spraypainted with fantastical scenes, and I got incredibly lost between the 5 floors and multiple staircases.
Things To Do
Depending on your style, there’s more than enough here to occupy the average solo traveller in Dublin. Art galleries, museums, lively pubs, brightly lit streets, cathedrals and cafes… it’s all here, and it’s all within a 20-minute walk around the centre. No traipsing through dodgy backstreets because Google Maps told you to, clutching your wallet and passport for dear life.
I spent a lot of my time in the National Gallery of Ireland (free entry), hunting Picassos and Monets (and hiding from the rain), and exploring anywhere that served caffeine after my 4 am start for a cheap early morning flight. St Patrick’s Cathedral (8€ student ticket, 9€ adult ticket) was an insightful and fascinating visit, providing free audio guides to learn about the history and traditions of the Cathedral.
Most hostels also arrange daily free walking tours which are great for getting your bearings and meeting new people. Abbey Court Hostel arranges a nightly pub crawl for only 14€, hitting 4 spots and covering pints and shots. The best bit? If you go again the next night, it’s free.
Cost
As a broke student, budget travel is my best friend.
You shouldn’t be paying more than around £25/night for hostel accommodation.
Return flights cost no more than around £30 from Scotland. Book with good old Ryanair from Glasgow, and pack light – you don’t need more than a wee under-seat bag (I managed to squeeze a decent rucksack under there).
The museums and art galleries are free to enter! You may have to fork out for tourist hotspots such as Dublin Castle or the Book of Kells in Trinity College, but more often than not they offer a student discount if you remember your card.
Food will always be variable, you can pop to Tesco and grab some spaghetti to cook in the hostel kitchen or reserve a table in a local steakhouse – the choice is yours.
If this hasn’t convinced you to book those flights and try a long weekend exploring a new city like Dublin to your taste, I don’t know what will. Get out of the country and see what’s waiting for you.
My Top Budget Travelling Tips
- Bring a padlock! If you don’t have one, hostels sometimes often offer rental services for your stay. Taking your own saves you 5€ and guarantees that you can lock your bag away at night.
- Flipflops, sliders, or crocs for a hostel shower. Always. Let’s not think about where everyone’s feet have been…
- Make use of the hostel kitchen. It saves money and it’s a great place to meet and talk to people.
- That said, don’t be so tight you don’t have fun. Make sure to make the most of your time away.
- Always, always keep a packet of biscuits in your bag. Hanger will defeat the first-time traveller if you’re anything like me.
Get out there, be safe, and have fun.
Featured Image Credit: Pexels.com
Journalism student at the University of Stirling & BRAW Magazine editor 24/25 and 25/26 🙂
You can see my portfolio here: https://www.clippings.me/alicepollard
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