Is it or isn’t it? Dublin cheap or expensive depending who asks

AS CHANGEABLE as the weather depending on the criteria, Dublin may or may not be one of the world’s most expensive cities.

The latest survey — hot on the tails of a Mercer survey which ranked Dublin at 15th most expensive in an EU table of 40 cities — says our capital is now among the cheapest of the major cities in Western Europe.

The City Costs Barometer sampled costs in 15 city break destinations, revealing that Prague has the lowest prices.

However, Dublin came out cheapest for cultural activities, along with Bruges, Lisbon, Copenhagen and Berlin. Its prices are lower than Barcelona, Rome and London.

According to the survey, lower hotel prices mean our capital is also significantly better value than New York, possibly because the price of goods in New York has increased at a greater scale, according to the Mercer study.

The new survey, carried out by the British Post Office, took into account costs like accommodation, food, drink and local transport.

A basket of goods, which includes a cup of coffee, a lager, a three-course meal and a 48-hour travel card, costs €199 in Dublin.

However, a visitor to Paris would pay €286.83 for a similar basket and €297.98 in Rome.

The price in London was €249.15 while Prague came in at €121.25.

The price of a three-star hotel is nearly €100 more expensive per night in New York than in Dublin, with a room here costing €73 for two people sharing.

Hotel room rates in Dublin have fallen by 23% in the past year, according to Hotels.com.

Alison Couper, communications director with the website, said tourists should take advantage while they can.

She said it is “a great time” to visit Dublin “as hotels there have not been so affordable for years”.

Ms Couper added that Dublin hoteliers have been offering “great rates and promotions” to attract customers during the recession.