Ireland is one of the simplest away trips for UK rugby fans. And for the Guinness Men’s Six Nations 2026, three match days come to Dublin’s Aviva Stadium. It’s worth getting organised for any or all of them. Ireland play Italy on 14th February, then it’s Wales v Ireland on 6th March, and Ireland v Scotland a week later on 14th.
If your travel and accommodation are already booked, what remains is the practical spend. That means how you’re getting around, what you’ll pay for food and drink, and how you will get back at the end of the day. Dublin is card-friendly, but cash still helps in many situations. Think busy venues and patchy wi-fi, splitting bills, and watching budgets. Plus, it’s handy where you just feel more comfortable not getting your card out for every transaction.
Six Nations 2026 – entry basics for Ireland
For British citizens, entry is generally straightforward under the Common Travel Area. You are not legally required to show a passport to enter Ireland, but carriers may request photo ID and Irish authorities can ask for proof of nationality, so a passport is usually the simplest option.
If your weekend includes crossing from Northern Ireland into the Republic, there are no routine land-border checks in normal circumstances, but you remain responsible for meeting the rules that apply to you.
Aviva Stadium – where it is and why it matters
The Aviva is in Ballsbridge on Dublin’s south side, on the site of the famous Lansdowne Road stadium. The Lansdowne Road rail/DART station is next door.
On match days, that connectivity matters more than almost anything else. It makes public transport the sensible default and reduces reliance on taxis in heavy traffic. It also makes it easier to plan a “city-centre first, stadium second” day without feeling rushed.
Six Nations 2026 – what you could spend on match day
Start with transport. The Transport for Ireland 90-minute fare is €2.00 for adults within Dublin city (Zone 1), covering city buses, Luas, DART and commuter rail. There is also an adult daily cap of €6.00 and a weekly cap of €24.00 in Zone 1.
Taxis are best kept as a late-night tool, or for small groups when you are already tired. Ireland’s taxi prices are regulated, and the meter moves to a premium rate after 8pm and on Sundays and public holidays. That matters most for the Friday 6th March fixture, when the post-match rush is more likely to fall into premium hours.
Food and drink is where Dublin can feel a bit like London. Ireland’s official statistics put a pint of stout in licensed premises at €6.07 on average, and lager at €6.50. That’s a national benchmark rather than a city-centre guarantee, so be prepared for city centre and match day premiums. For context, London’s “typical” pint is often cited around £6.25 although city centre prices are often significantly higher.
For meals, Dublin and London both commonly sit around €20/£20 for an inexpensive restaurant, although match day timing can push you above that.
Cash vs card – why cash still helps
Dublin is card-friendly, but a Euro float buys convenience and speed. It is most useful for:
- splitting bills quickly in packed pubs and cafés
- tips or rounding up when you choose to
- incidental purchases and some takeaway meals
- a contingency if card terminals or mobile signals falter
- a reserve for emergencies
Six Nations 2026 – a realistic cash budget for Dublin
You can use a card for a lot of spending, but carrying cash provides resilience. As a baseline, €80 – €150 per person per match day usually covers “cash-is-easiest” moments plus a sensible “emergency” buffer. For the Friday match, add another €20 if you expect a late taxi after 8pm, when premium rates are more likely.
This is not a claim that you need cash for everything. It is a way to avoid friction, particularly at peak times. The objective is simple: keep the focus on the rugby, not on the logistics of payment.
A match day planning table
| Item | Typical cost guide | Best payment | |
| Public transport (2–3 trips) | €2.00 per 90 mins (Zone 1); caps €6/day, €24/week | Leap/card | |
| Lunch (fast meal + soft drink) | ~€12 – €20 (indicative) | Cash or card | |
| 2–4 pints across the day | ~€12 – €26+ | Cash or card | |
| Taxi home (selective) | Metered; premium after 8pm and Sundays/holidays | Cash or card | |
| Evening meal with a drink (for two) | €50+ (indicative, depends on area) | Cash or card | |
| Cash buffer | €20 – €30 (within the €80 – €150 carry range) | Cash |
Six Nations is about the Rugby – so sort your Euros from home
Say you decide to carry €150 per person as a cash reserve, the next question is how you get your Euros. Ordering in advance can help you avoid poor exchange rates at the airport, ferry terminal, or on arrival. Plus, it’s one less thing to do when you get to Dublin.
Money4Travel’s local network is ideal for this. It’s built around a marketplace of local bureaux de change and you can make your purchase easily, online. Money4Travel finds the best exchange rate within a ten minute drive of your postcode, and sometimes it’s far closer.
You can organise that from home or work, whichever is easiest. Then you simply collect your Euros at your convenience. For a popular currency like the Euro this is often a same-day service. And if you have some left over on your return, just take it back; there’s a buy-back guarantee. If you become a regular customer, a loyalty scheme gives you points (PIPS) which add up to future discounts.
All in all, Money4Travel is a good deal. And it’s the ideal way to organise your cash when the focus of the trip isn’t your wallet, but the rugby and the craic.
By Declan Morton, writer and editor at Money4Travel.com – the online service for foreign currency sales in the UK. More about the author.
For reference: gov.uk Travel Advice Ireland; Citizens’ Information (Ireland); Transport for Ireland (Buses); Transport for Ireland (Rail); Transport for Ireland (Taxis); Numbeo – Dublin compared with London; Central Statistical Office (Ireland); Civitatis Dublin Travel Guide.
Every effort has been made to quote accurate prices. Those mentioned are correct at the time of publication. Prices may change without notice.
