Your trip to Dublin
If you thought Dublin was all about Guinness-fuelled singalongs in quaint old bars, you'd be partly right. Ireland's capital has a reputation for revelry, but that's far from all there is. In fact, there's something for everyone. From culture and castles to the famous craic, this city is rightly regarded as one of Europe's top travel destinations. If you want to know the best time to go to Dublin, how much flights cost and more, let's get started.
Here is a tip for you: booking your flight and hotel at the same time and not separately can make you save up to 40%. Take advantage of a flight + hotel package in Edinburgh to your destination and save time searching for hotels separately. If you have already purchased your flight and you’re only looking for a hotel, you can find it here.
What to do in Dublin
Dublin is renowned for its culture and penchant for parties. From castles and some of the finest writers in history to traditional pubs with live music, there’s almost too much to do. That’s why you need a plan. A short break in Dublin needs to be focused so, to help you maximise your time in Ireland’s capital, here’s a 3-day itinerary filled with fun suggestions.
Day 1: Start with Dublin’s cultural icons
Your first day in Dublin is the best time to take in its iconic landmarks and attractions. You’ll be fresh off a flight and full of energy. This makes it the perfect time to check out Dublin’s top tourist attractions. You might not get around them all in a day, so feel free to spread them out over the full course of the trip. If you want a few ideas on where to start, here are some popular historical and cultural things to do in Dublin:
- It’s a good idea to go backwards before you go forwards into Dublin's modern attractions. This means tours around the famous Dublin Castle and the National Museum of Ireland are a must. From there, see where no one wanted to be back in the day with a visit to Kilmainham Gaol (don't worry, it's safe now).
- To see where literary legends got their inspiration, visit the Museum of Literature. Then, to see where the great minds of tomorrow are being honed, check out Trinity College Dublin.
- To bring it back to the present day, bop along to the Irish Rock ‘N’ Roll Museum or take a jaunt around St. Stephen’s Green (and visit the Little Museum of Dublin while you’re there).
Day 3: Get back to nature in Phoenix Park
Your final day in Dublin should be somewhat relaxing if you’ve already enjoyed two days of revelry. The good news is that Dublin has plenty of natural wonders. From countryside walks to kayaking tours, you’ll find that it’s not all about living the city life on a Dublin break. A few picturesque places and scenic tours you might want to consider are:
- Take advantage of Dublin's unique dynamics and get back to nature with a leisurely stroll around Iveagh Gardens and Phoenix Park. Or, if you want more of a challenge, power your way up Dublin Mountains Way.
- If you prefer the water to walkways, jump in a kayak and explore Dalkey Island from the sea. Then, if you're feeling brave (during the winter months), take a dip at the famous Forty Foot (as mentioned in James Joyce’s Ulysses).
In order to discover the beautiful landscapes of the surroundings, you can always rent a car in Edinburgh and travel the open road.
Frequently asked questions about flights to Dublin
What’s the name of the main airport in Dublin?
There is one main airport in Dublin and, rather unsurprisingly, it’s called Dublin Airport (DUB). It’s located 6 miles outside of the city centre and you can fly there from various airports in the UK, including Luton International (LTN), Stansted (STN), Gatwick (LGW) and London City (LCY).
Which airlines offer direct flights to Dublin?
You can catch direct flights to Dublin with Ryanair, Aer Lingus and British Airways. Our AI-powered search engine sorts through the best flights to Dublin using real-time data. The average flight to Dublin takes 1.15 hours and you can fly from various airports, including Luton International (LTN) and Stansted (STN).
How can I request assistance for children travelling alone?
You can request assistance for children travelling alone by contacting your airline. This can be done after you’ve used our website to book your tickets. We’d advise you to check each airline’s policies before you book because some, such as easyJet, don’t allow children under the age of 15 to fly alone.
How can I travel with the assistance dog?
You should contact your airline directly to let them know you intend to travel with an assistance dog. This should be done at least 48 hours prior to departure in most cases or, ideally, once you’ve used our software to book your flight to Dublin.
How do I find cheap flights to Dublin that have flexible change policies at Opodo?
Our smart software uses real-time price data and availability to find the best flights to Dublin, regardless of when you want to fly and where you’re flying from. You can adjust a variety of variables once you’ve performed a search so you can pick out the deals with flexible policies.
How can I book cheap hotels on Opodo in Dublin?
Use the flight and hotel option on our website and you’ll be shown a list of cheap flights to Dublin. Then, once you’ve found your ideal flights, you can scroll through a selection of recommended hotels, choose your favourite and complete the whole booking with a few taps.
What baggage do I need to check on my flight?
Most airlines allow you to take hand luggage at no extra cost. For example, Aer Lingus doesn’t charge for bags measuring 55 x 40 x 24 cm. In contrast, Ryanair only allows you to take small bags for free with a priority ticket. If not, you have to pay extra.
How can I check in with Opodo?
You can read our guide for tips on how to check in faster. Once you book flights to Dublin through our website, you’ll be given a booking number. You can use this number to check in online using the “my booking” portal of your chosen airline 48 hours before you fly.
Do I need to pay a cancellation fee if I cancel my flight from London to Dublin?
Yes, in general, you’ll have to pay a fee if you cancel your flights. The amount you’ll have to pay varies depending on the airline and how close your departure time is. Cancellations made within 14 days of your departure might not be refunded.
How do I know if my flight is eligible for compensation?
Flights to Europe from the UK are covered by the Civil Aviation Authority’s ADR scheme. This means you can get compensation of up to GBP 520 (€600) if your flight is cancelled within 14 days. Based on its distance from London, compensation for flights to Dublin can be up to GBP 110 (€127).
How to get from Dublin Airport to the city centre
There are three main ways to get from Dublin Airport (DUB) to the city centre. It’s only 6 miles to the city, so it won’t take long regardless of the method you choose. Buses win when it comes to cost and convenience, but taxis are faster. If you really want to keep the cost down, walking is also an option.
Bus: You can take the Dublin Express (routes 782 and 784), Aircoach (route 700), Dublin Bus or Go-Ahead Ireland. Trips take approximately 25-45 minutes and prices start at €4 (£3.50).
Taxi: There are multiple taxi ranks outside Terminal 1 and Terminal 2. Fares range from €25-€40 (£20-£35) and the trip takes around 15-20 minutes.
Cycle or Walk: You can walk or cycle the relatively short distance from Dublin Airport (DUB) to the city centre if you’re feeling adventurous. Dublin Airport (DUB) has achieved European Cycle Friendly Airport Accreditation and you can find routes (and hire bikes) from the ground floor of Terminal 1’s car park.
The best time to go to Dublin
The best time to visit, if you want warm weather and a buzzing atmosphere, is between June and August. The average temperature in Dublin during the summer months is 20°C. June to August is also when the city hosts various events, such as Bloomsday in June (a tribute to James Joyce) and the All-Ireland Senior Championships for hurling, camogie and Gaelic football. Add to this a symphony of concerts and festivals, including Longitude, and there's always a jovial summer atmosphere in Dublin.
If you’re not too concerned about the weather, there are cheap flights to Dublin in September, October and November. Of course, there’s never really a bad time to go because a lot of the best things to do in Dublin are indoors. What’s more, our software can find your flights for less than £50 throughout the year.
The final thing to say is that morning flights are often best if you’re taking a short break in Dublin. The flight is under an hour and 30 minutes, and Ireland is in the same time zone as England, but you don’t want to arrive too late.
Most direct flights to Dublin (DUB) from Luton (LTN) and Stansted (STN) leave before 9 am, so be prepared for an early start. If you prefer not to fly between 6 am and 8 am, Aer Lingus offers a 10:55 am flight to Dublin (DUB) from Gatwick (LGW), while Ryanair has a Stansted (STN) departure at 10:20.
Flying home shouldn’t be an issue. All of the best Dublin deals will have you departing in the evening between 6 pm and 9 pm. That means you should be back in England and, hopefully, in your bed before midnight (depending on how close you live to the airport).
