Difficult to say - it really depends on what you want to do when you get there but remember, you'll be using Euros in Dublin and the exchange rate is very bad at the moment. I'm expecting that we'll end up paying nearly 20% more than last year for the same number of Euros we need for the apartment rent and spending money for my forthcoming trip to the Canaries. Even if prices haven't gone up - and the apartment rent is still the same - this week will cost us more than last year because of the poor exchange rate between Sterling and the Euro.

SM

Been to both and I would say that Edinburgh will be cheaper. Dublin was one expensive city when the euro was around 1.45 to the pound but now it is much lower, drinks prices are coming out very high. If you think that a pint in Dublin is 4.50euros on average (higher in some bars in Temple Bar) that would make it around £3.70+ a pint, whereas in Edinburgh prices were below £3.00. Of course there are always bars that are more expensive but the more traditional pubs in Edinburgh were reasonable value I thought. The good thing also about Edinburgh is that the pubs often do cheap pub grub as well, whereas food is pretty expensive everywhere in Dublin.

You also have to take into account the Hen/Stag issues that Dublin has. Sometimes big groups are not let into pubs, so if you are thinking of Dublin you need to be a little understated in your dress. I have sat in places like the Oliver St John Gogarty and the Auld Dubliner in Temple Bar and seen groups with fancy dress turned away on many occasions.

This is a good website on the Dublin pub scene:- http://www.dublinpubscene.com/index2.html

I think what it boils down to is which city is nicer and Edinburgh wins hands down. Dublin is very industrial in places, but that isn't to say that there are not nice areas, Trinity College for example is lovely and the shopping areas of Grafton Street and St Stephens Green but Edinburgh occupies a stunning location with the castle overseeing your every move.

At the end of the day I like both cities, but for me Edinburgh would be my choice if I was planning a return visit to either in the coming months. Enjoy whatever you decide on

I went to Edinburgh recently and its definitely not as expensive as Ireland. We saw lots of hen parties there whilst we were there.

Sarah

Dublin is more expensive definately.

You also have to take into account the Hen/Stag issues that Dublin has. Sometimes big groups are not let into pubs, so if you are thinking of Dublin you need to be a little understated in your dress.

Stag and Hen parties are becomong a bit of an issue in Edinburgh too. The above is good advice for both cities.

SM