Dublin or Shannon Airport

boomer · Veteran Member

Dublin or Shannon Airport

Roy · Guru

You are sure to get varying opinions on your questions, all of which are probably correct. I prefer Shannon partly because we usually holiday on the west coast, partly because it is very user friendly, and mostly because it is easy to drive out and into. I have no interest in driving in congestion on the left side of the road (my perception).

I don't recall finding as significant a price differential as you are finding.

Not sure about your third question- but it's a good one.

boomer · Veteran Member

Hi I just checked.

If change dates around it might be similar in price Dublin or Shannon.

However, the best rate i could get going to Dublin Airport from Charleston SC was !1,170. Going to Shannon it was $1,349-about $179 difference.

I could adjust different dates and different carriers to get a fare costing less. .

My problem is that i have to fly to a different Hub. Driving does not save me that much.

Car rentals were not different.

Did you rent an automatic or a stick? My husband is concerned about driving a stick on the opposite side of the road. Last year we went to France and Belguim and he had no problem with a stick but opposite side could be challenging. They rack up the rate so high if you rent an automatic.

I saw on our site that only 1% of europeans were travelling this year to Ireland. I was wondering why.

Is it true that a beer costs between $7 to $9

Thanks for all your help.

Judy · Guru

You asked "is it worth the extra cost?"

It depends on where you want to be in Ireland. For us from the mid-west, with no direct flights into Shannon, it's worth the extra cost because we are only going to stay in the West and Southwest of Ireland.

If your husband is concerned with driving on the opposite side of the road, Shannon is the better choice to easy into that situation.

FYI- Just this morning I received an email from Aer Lingus that they are having a summer sale if you book by May 31st. You may want to check that out.

Judy M.

boomer · Veteran Member

Thanks I will check that out.

I will probably be staying most of my time in the area that you mentioned. Not sure if i want to go to Ireland this summer or early fall.

Did you rent a car-and which type.

Roy · Guru

Living in Virginia, there are no direct flights to either Shannon or Dublin. Once upon a time there was a direct Dulles-Dublin flight, but no more.

I always rent an automatic for the reason you gave, and add all the roundabouts on the left and I have no interest in stalling out in one (happened to one of my sister-in-laws once).

I changed dates by a couple days to get a better rate this year.

Last trip, in 2009, I was paying 3.90 euro a pint. Round it to 4.00 and times 1.4 in aproximately $5.60 a pint. Tony might have more accurate data.

I have rented several types of cars and my favorite was a Nissan Micra. That's what I'm hoping for this year too.

boomer · Veteran Member

Thanks It is probably cheaper for you because there are more flights out of IAD. I used to live in Va and flights were more reasonable.

What price did you get? My best is $1,200 to $1,349 depending on dates etc travelling in July? Cheaper going into Dublin but we have now decided to fly into Shannon because most of our travel will be in the West and South.

How many days do you suggest staying in Ireland to expore the West and the South and if time permits driving into a Northern Ireland for a day or so?

When are you going to Ireland? Right now we are not sure when we want to go- summer or early fall.

I rented with Hertz last year when we went to Belgium and France and was very pleased with them

Which rental do you use?

tony2phones · Guru

You can get a bus from Dublin to Limerick or Galway for as little as 1euro if you catch the offers so the extra cost to Shannon for the sake of a few hours is not worth it.

What you can do and how much you can see depends on how long you have.

September is a good month to visit, just out of main tourist season but still lots going on.

Haven't you heard Ireland is skint! but then so is the rest of Europe and everyone's staying at home for their holidays apart from the rich who go wherever they want. Many Eastern Europeans have moved here rather than holiday here and the Brits wont come because the value of the £ has nearly halved against the Euro. Naturally we paid for the Queen to come over and your chap had a pint and left.

boomer · Veteran Member

Thanks

The only reason that i am considering Shannon is because of the car rental. My husband feels uneasy driving on the other side of the road with a stick.

Alot of people on this site suggested Shannon is easier to drive out of the airport to get acquainted with the car.

The fares to Ireland from Charleston have been changing all day for July.

Ironically, Sept is not much difference in cost.

Is it cold in Sept?

Judy · Guru

Our last 3 trips we rented from Dan Dooley, size wise like a Ford Focus, manual. My husband had no trouble adjusting to the left side of the road. Don't forget the driver sits on the right and it's more scary for the passenger sitting on the left.

Coming from Charleston as you are, even the summers in Ireland may seem cold, 60 to 70 degrees is about how warm it gets during the summer. Fall temperatures are about 50 degrees.

No one likes the high air fares but Ireland is worth it. Back in 1966 we had a direct flight Chicago to Shannon for $333.00. Now it will be almost that much just to get to Boston for the connecting flight.

I say go for it!!

Judy M.

boomer · Veteran Member

Thanks I like the cooler temperature. Charleston is so hot in the summer.

I am not from Charleston- from the North so i like colder temps- not freezing but cooler.

Roy · Guru

Boomer- I booked back in February so take my $776 fare in perspective. Current similar fare is 1,300-1,500. I booked the car through Kemwel. I would venture you can get better airfare and car prices for September than July at this point. We are going June 16-30.

boomer · Veteran Member

Thanks Actually, there is not much difference betw July and Sept. August has fares that are cheaper.

When we make up our mind when we want to go then we can really narrow it done.

How much does Kemwel charge for the Nissan that you had in mind?

Thanks for all your help.

Roy · Guru

You will find car rentals to be the most frustrating and confusing transaction you may ever have in your lifetime! I use a World MasterCard, one of very few that will cover car rental insurance in Ireland, so I book the basic rate. You will get a lot of good advice on car rentals. That said, I booked it for $427, but the rate is currently a bit higher.

boomer · Veteran Member

Thanks You mentioned that you rented a nissan automatic. Is that correct?

Is it a diesel?

I also have a Mastercard. Last year renting with Hertz was a favorable experience. But that was in Belgium and not the situation that i have heard re Ireland. Travelled in Belgium and France and no problem. They even upgraded us.

Have a wonderful trip and looking forward to sharing your experiences.

Roy · Guru

From IAD we are flying JetBlue to Boston, then Aer Lingus Boston-Shannon. You might want to check the Aer Lingus vacation store for a flight-car combination trip and cost it out. The JetBlue-Aer Lingus is a partnered flight and I am hoping that our luggage will be checked all the way through. Two years ago, JetBlue couldn't/wouldn't check our luggage through and we were stuck paying storge fes for the day at JFK. jetBlue blamed Aerlingus, and Aer Lingus (you guessed it) blamed JetBlue.

boomer · Veteran Member

Hi I checked out Aerlingus. We do not have Aerlingus or JetBlue in our area.

Are you renting a nissan automatic? Is it diesel?

Thanks

I will be checking prices regularly.

Roy · Guru

Automatic, prior experience tells me petrol, not diesel. Dealing with a manual on the left side of the road is way too stressful- this is, after all, a vacation!

boomer · Veteran Member

Thanks I checked out kemwel and auto europe. Your rate is great.

I think it was about $200 plus more.

Roy · Guru

Last year, because of family circumstances, I tried to put a trip together on 2-3 weeks advance, and just could not afford it. We went west to Portland, Oregon for a week. My wife went with her sister to Ireland for two weeks (her sister bought the airfare). Advance planning, at least for us, has been essential.

boomer · Veteran Member

Thanks again.

I am so happy that now you will be able to go.

It makes no sense to me that travel to Ireland is down but yet the prices remain high. If they want more tourists make to more attractive.

When you fly out of Shannon where do you stay - the flights leave early in the morning.

tony2phones · Guru

There are several options for the night prior to departure. The Oakwood arms in Shannon is 5 minutes away, Bunratty 10 minutes, Ennis or Limerick 30 minutes Killaloe or Adare 40 minutes. Galway about an hour.

Accommodation prices are amongst the cheapest in Europe, Food and drink prices are only slightly higher than say UK and if you think car costs and fuel are expensive for visitors, try living here. On the plus side European cars do not have all the emission control features of American vehicles and therefore give about 25% better fuel consumption with a 2% increase in some emissions. The Nissan Micra S gives about 45 miles per gallon (manual) 6 less than my Fiat diesel. I am not sure if your VAT refund includes that spent on Fuel and car hire?

-- Edited by tony2phones on Thursday 26th of May 2011 07:27:20 AM

Roy · Guru

Prices might be relatively competive for Europe but high compared to the states. One exception is B&Bs. Prices in the states are typically higher in B&Bs. I have stayed at the Oakwood Arms Hotel and in Bunratty. Our flight departs at 1:30 and we are staying in Killaloe.

boomer · Veteran Member

Thanks

I am going to monitor the airlines. Right now the rates are very high betw $1,200 - $1,400.

boomer · Veteran Member

Thanks

I am going to monitor the airlines. The prices are very high.

The interesting thing is that the summer and sept are about the same. Everyone is stating that tourism is done- but the airlines are high and not having as many flights- thus high rates.

Wellsley · Guru

Hi boomer,

I'm in Ireland right now and have paid 4 to 5 euro per pint depending where you are. I've sampled every beer I can find brewed in Ireland (or at least I thought they were) I have to say I like kilkenny the best. Kinda like a cross between Guinness and Smithwicks.

Frank

boomer · Veteran Member

Thanks so much.

Did you fly into Shannon or Dublin? I am thinking of flying into Shannon - might be easier for my husband to drive a stick on the opposite side of the road.

Roy · Guru

Looking at potential pubs to eat at in Salthill and Galway this afternoon while sitting outside in the sun.

tony2phones · Guru

Galway I prefer Busker Brownes but thats inside, not keen on the kings head but there are half a dozen pubs down the "Latin Quarter" by the Quay with outside seating. Can't help with Salthill sorry, didn't know you were over already.

Roy · Guru

Tony- not there yet. Was sitting in my back yard here in Virginia. Leaving 16 June.