Dublin vs London

Dublin and London compared across the three travel tiers — budget, mid-range and luxury — for daily costs, hotels, food, things to do and the practical stuff that actually decides which one you should visit.

Dublin

Ireland · Europe

A small capital that punches far above its size on literature, drinking and conversation — Joyce, Beckett, Wilde and Heaney all came through, and the pubs they wrote in are mostly still open. Georgian squares, the Liffey cutting through the middle, and the Wicklow mountains within an hour of the centre.

London

United Kingdom · Europe

London is one of the world's great cities — a place where a free world-class museum sits next to a Michelin three-star, where the Tube costs £2.80 and a hotel suite costs £2,800. Messy, multicultural, and permanently surprising, it rewards every type of traveller.

Daily cost per tier (USD)

Tier	Dublin	London
budget	$70–$130	$50–$80
midrange	$190–$360	$180–$300
luxury	$480–$1100	$700–$1500

At a glance

	Dublin	London
Country	Ireland	United Kingdom
Currency	EUR	GBP (£) - pound sterling. Cards accepted almost everywhere; contactless is universal.
Language	English and Irish	English
Best months	May–September for the long evenings — midsummer light lasts past 22:00. March brings St Patrick's Festival and the year's highest prices.	May – June, September
Climate	Temperate maritime: mild and changeable all year (5–20°C), rarely freezing or hot. Rain comes in short bursts most months rather than long spells.	Oceanic climate: mild, overcast, and unpredictable year-round. Summers (June-August) are warm (22°C) but rarely hot - the city thrives. May-June brings long days and the parks at their best. July-August is peak season: crowded and expensive. September-October offers golden light and thinning crowds. December brings Christmas lights along Oxford Street and the markets. Carry a layer at all times.
Visa	Ireland is in the EU but not Schengen. Visa-free for UK, US, Canadian and Australian passports; a separate Irish visa is required for many others, and a Schengen visa does not cover Ireland.	UK Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) required for most visa-free nationalities from 2025 - apply online for £10. US, EU, and most Western passport holders qualify. Separate from Schengen - a Schengen visa does not cover the UK.
Safety	Very safe by European standards. Petty theft and some antisocial behaviour around the north inner city and O'Connell Street late at night are the practical concerns.	Generally safe - standard big-city awareness, especially on the Tube late at night
Tipping	Tipping is modest and not obligatory: 10–15% in a restaurant if service is not already added, and nothing at all at the bar. You pay for pub drinks at the counter.	10-12.5% at restaurants, often added automatically as a "service charge" - check the bill before adding more. Taxi drivers and hotel staff: round up or £2-5. Not expected at pubs.
Metro	No	Yes