For all you experienced Ireland travelers--How can you afford to visit Ireland so often? Are there ever good rates on airfare? When are rates cheapest and what airlines have the best deals? I've been looking and rates are between $800 and $1700 RT.
Just for fun, I got on the ita.com websight & came up with a $811 PDX-DUB round trip for this June 22 thru July 14. Also tried an open jaw PDX-DUB & EDI-PDX for the same time frame & that came in at $912. Really surprised as those dates & prices have been in the $1100-$1400 range for some time now on Kayak.com. These flights were mostly on Delta or Delta's code share partners. This was a few days ago; don't know long it will last! Was real tempting, since we had gotten tickets in the $750 range for this past March. Dan
-- Edited by murphy on Monday 23rd of May 2011 08:31:28 PM
At current rates we could not afford to go. I booked Dulles to Shannnon at $776 each a while back. We afford to go because my wife and I both work second jobs to save money.
mkay: Where are you flying from? You might get some more specific tips from travellers who also fly out of your "home" airport.
I always look at the overall cost of a trip. For us, airfare from the west coast of California (usually LAX airport) to Europe can be pricy...but I can save money on accommodations and breakfast by choosing b&bs or guesthouses from Michele's guidebook which are great deals, and they are comfortable and friendly. There are also sometimes discounts for Michele Erdvig readers...ask Michele to explain. They are on the web-site. When a full breakfast is included, this saves money on food as well.
In our case, we prefer the comfort of flying Air New Zealand out of the LAX airport. They fly LAX (Los Angeles) to London nonstop. If you want to book LAX to London to Ireland on one ticket you must call air new zealand, as you can't do this on their web-site. (You can only book LAX to London on their web-site). In our case we transfer from Air New Zealand flight to Aer Lingus flight in London.
If we knew where you were flying from...others might have even better tips for you.
We also enjoy walking and scenery...so most of our activities are free...that saves money too. For lunch, you can buy ingredients for a picnic. For dinner, there are sometimes early bird specials.
We have a subscription to Arthur Frommers Budget travel magazine...I often notice good deals in the magazine, many of which include airfare, although I haven't tried booking any of those. I just like browsing the magazine.
good luck with planning your trip and airfare search!
I googled ita.com and it was not a travel site. When you find out the site please letus know.
Travel on the east coast has been expensive. I will leave from Charleston Sc and the best for me was $1,170 out of Charlotte NC with US Air- nonstop in July. Sept not much difference.
Since I really don't go to Ireland for the weather anyway (good weather is great, but you can't count on that!), I go in the shoulder seasons and have always been able to get a good rate. Went last year out of Chicago for around $525 RT direct into Dublin on Aer Lingus.
The flights are cheaper, the cars more inexpensive, and the crowds small if you go in March or October. If the cost is an issue, stay away from summer travel and you will be surprised how much more you can get for your budget.
Those of us that are teachers do not have the option, unfortunately, to travel in the shoulder season. June 16 is the absolute earliest that my wife could travel. Frustrating, but the reality of the situation for us.
If you live on the east coast, check Jet Blue web-site. I noticed they are starting to offer flights which connect with international flights. Jet blue is a great airline. But I live on the west coast.
Here is another idea that may help someone. Sometimes you can find a cheaper airfare out of a different airport, and it's worth it even if the airport is a 2 or 3 hour drive from your house. We live closer to the San Diego airport, but for international flights we make the 2 1/2 hour drive to the LAX airport in Los Angeles because international flights are usually cheaper and shorter out of LAX.
You can rent a car in your home town and drop it off at the airport. If you check all of the rental agencies, there will always be one offering a really good price to do it this way. (Then of course you need to do the same thing to get back home.)
Our round trip flight from LAX (Los Angeles) to Ireland via London was around $1200 each including all taxes & fees for September 2011 flights, which isn't too bad from the west coast. We had to book it on the phone with Air New Zealand. That way we have it all on one ticket...flying LAX to London on Air New Zealand then transfering to Aer Lingus flight to Ireland in London. My husband asked them to waive the fee for booking on the phone since it was impossible to book this combination of flights on the web-site and they agreed.
Another way to save on flight costs is to check the price for different days of the week. There can be a big difference in the cost.
We have a friend who is a teacher, so I certainly know exactly what you are talking about. She is looking forward to retirement just so she can pick her times to travel!
If you have to go in the summer, and you are going from the west coast, there probably aren't many fares that really excite you. My main tip would be to make sure to get the weekly specials emailed to you from the various airlines that serve Ireland.
That is how I got the great deal on Aer Lingus. Sometimes they have great deals for online customers who receive the weekly narratives.
We always book our flights as far in advance as possible. We booked our June flights in early September last year. That was advantageous, as the gas prices sky-rocketed shortly after we locked in our fares.
If you are not flying out of a hub airport, chances are that you will pay more. Dallas & Chicago are hubs for American Airines, which is what we are flying.
AIrfares and car rentals can be the most stressful and expensive part of your Ireland adventure. Summer months are the most epensive, as everyone is trying to get away at the same time.
Thanks I agree. I have to transfer and that is where the exta cost is. However, driving to the main hub in our case is not that advantageous due to the high cost of gas.
I realize summer is peak so i might just travel another time.
bit's advice to book as far in advance as possible is very good. I always keep an eye on prices; a good deal can be the catalyst for me to book a flight and start planning the details!!
Are there ever good rates on airfare? When are rates cheapest and what airlines have the best deals? I've been looking and rates are between $800 and $1700 RT.
