Flights to Ireland

Highlights of t_tag

Known as the "Emerald Isle", Ireland will always be appreciated for its wonderful wildlife, flora and fauna. There are wild mountainous areas with great panoramic vistas, and a rich collection of Neo-classical and Neo-gothic, 17th to 19th century architecture. Among the sights to include in your itinerary: Blarney Castle near Cork and River Martin; Castle Ward situated in County Down in Northern Ireland; the Cliffs of Moher located in the parish of Liscannor; Holy Cross Abbey on the River Suir in County Tipperary; and Kilkenny, is the county seat of County Kilkenny. The Giant's Causeway, known for its interlocking basalt columns; the Skellig Michael, which is the steep rocky island in County Kerry; and the Blend of Boyne, are among the most breathtaking sites.

Getting to t_tag

The cheapest way to get into the country by air is through Dublin. This is the most well connected airport for international and local flights. Discount airlines all provide services to Dublin. Two of the major airlines that serve Ireland are Ryanair and Aer Lingus, with the cheapest flights in and out of Ireland. These airlines fly through the major airports.

Airports

Three major airports that serve Ireland are Dublin Airport, Shannon Airport, and Cork Airport. Dublin airport is the major airport serving Ireland. This serves direct flights to the US, UK, Middle East, Europe and Canada. Smaller, regional airports include Galway Airport, Donegal Airport, and Sligo Airport. Aer Lingus is the only airline that serves these regional airports.

Airlines

The carrier fleet of Ireland is Aer Lingus, flying to different UK destinations and to the US. Aer Lingus offers a "Gold Circle Club" membership that provides passengers with different flight benefits including access to lounges, priority check-in and cheaper flights to certain destinations. Aer Arann is the country's regional commuter airline and the third largest. Passengers can take advantage of a Silver Club membership that provides benefits such as airport lounge access, no change fees, increase in baggage allowance and preferred seat selection. Ryanair has had stricter policies, but deeply discounted fares. As of 2006, Ryanair began online booking on their own website, but they do follow strict point-to-point flights with no connecting flights, and no replacement tickets for missing a certain flight.

Other Money-Saving Tips

You need to be very flexible if you want to save money on flights to Ireland. Airfares are always highest during peak season, so a flexible schedule will translate into a cheaper fare. Consider traveling a week or two before or after a holiday, and you will not only save money, you will avoid the large crowds. You may also find that travel auctions are a good way to save on your flights. Bidding for a ticket usually ensures that you will not pay above a certain set price for your ticket, but there is a risk that you might not win the bid.

In Closing

In such a scenic country it is easy to forget the hustle and bustle of the city and really relax. The people are friendly and courteous, and you will treasure every moment you spend in Ireland.