Tips for finding cheap(er) tickets to Ireland?

[SallyMander]

Iza and i are thinking about taking a trip to Ireland in the summer, sort of a delayed honeymoon. I just checked Orbitz, Travelocity, etc, and tickets are already over $1000 a person. Anyone have good ideas for finding cheaper fares? I am assuming if we wait they will only go up... :(

We'll be trying to fly from Columbus, OH (CMH) to Shannon, Ireland (SNN) if that matters. :)

Hope you all had a great Thanksgiving!!! :hug:

[JohnnyLib2]

1. Suggestion

We've used Lynott Tours and Sceptre tours for 2 and 1 week self-drive deals. This link should take you to the 2 week prices
for Lynott. Each time, the package compared well to Aer Lingus or other prices. Slainte' !

[SallyMander]

10. Thanks Johnny!

But i think you forgot the link?? We have a friend there who we can stay with, so we don't need hotel accommodations -- do they have just airfare deals?

Thanks!

[pitohui]

2. your assumption is probably not correct

ticket prices do tend to be higher in the summer, however, airfare is always highest several months out because airlines have to assume that if you buy that far in advance it's a "gotta" like a big event like a wedding

best prices tend to be 6 to 8 weeks in advance of the time you want to go

i sure wouldn't buy now, oil prices are still falling, the dollar vs. the euro may still be rebounding, the recession may deepen -- all reasons you may get a better price closer to the travel date

once it's 4 weeks ina dvance of departure it will probably go back up to current prices, as "last minute" tickets are also priced higher, again, because they figure it's a "gotta"


i subscribe to smartertravel and some other travel email lists plus i visit flyertalk's "deals" page, and i also do searches once a week or so (usually on wednesday) -- if you see an exceptional price, go ahead and grab it but otherwise no use sweating it this far in advance

way too soon to be locked into a package and then you're cursing yourself for overpaying

[SallyMander]

11. Ohh, well that makes me feel more optimistic!

I'll wait a bit then, and see what the prices look like. Thanks! :hi:

[Haole Girl]

3. Suggestions:

Like pitohu said, summer fares are higher. The suggestion to sign up for sale fare alerts on the web is a good suggestion. Don't forget to go to the airlines' websites, directly, and sign up so you'll be notified when/if your preferred area of travel happens to go on sale. Try Kayak.com too. They are one of my favorite travel websites.

I hope you find a good deal. Enjoy! :hi:

[Nickster]

6. Ditto on Kayak.com, great site.

[SallyMander]

12. Thanks KC2!

I didn't know about Kayak, i'll definitely check that one out! :hi:

[harmonicon]

4. I'm not too surprised by that

Airline tickets have become insanely expensive over the past year. It's going to cost at least that for me to fly back home from the UK for Christmas. It's usually included in the ticket search pages, but it's worth looking at flights on Air Lingus - they're sometimes cheap, and are supposedly a great airline.

[SallyMander]

13. Cool, thanks

A bunch of the flight options on Orbitz, etc, were through Aer Lingus. I'll try their website directly too, though. I hope you can get a good deal for your Christmas trip! :hi:

[jberryhill]

5. "Book early" doesn't mean "book extremely early"

I'll give an amen to the poster above who pointed out that there is an optimum time window for booking tickets.

[SallyMander]

14. I guess i'm just overexcited

:D

I'll hold off a bit and hopefully be able to save some money... :hi:

[Aristus]

7. If you can manage it, Sally, try visiting Ireland in April or early in May.

You'll have to deal with a bit more rain, but the tourist count will be lower, and the prices for everything might be, as well.

Have fun. I love Ireland. What a beautiful country, and amazing people... :-)

[SallyMander]

15. Do you think the fall would be good?

We are constrained in the spring because i'll be finishing my dissertation and graduating in early June. So we thought it would be a great post-grad present/something to look forward to! But we could also probably go later in the summer or early fall, depending on if/when i'm starting a job!

Thanks! :hug:

[Schema Thing]

8. maybe depart from Pittsburgh?

[SallyMander]

16. I tried direct from Boston

because that's where my family is, so we could possibly go hang out with them for a few days and leave from there... it was definitely cheaper, i think just under $800. But then we have to get to Boston, so it's probably an even deal... Pittsburgh or Cleveland might be good to check though. Thanks!

[tigereye]

26. in the old days, Cleveland tended to be cheaper than PIttsburgh

people used to drive there to avoid US AIr fare gouging. Its different now, though, since US AIr left us. I think Pgh tends to not have such great fares to Europe from what I have been reading lately...


I envy you, Ireland is on my list, too! You might want to see if your local Irish groups offer better fares in bulk, or something - I keep telling myself I should book something with my Irish Centre pals since folks in those organizations tend to go to Ireland a lot.

[bikebloke]

9. Vayama.com

I went through them for my ticket to Buenos Aires. Of course, they went through Kayak.com. Then there was a bit of luck. I was about to book my ticket, when I decided to make the leap later in the afternoon. Good move. The fare dropped $300. Then only for a day. I kept checking back and it only went up later.

The earlier you book, the better. Play around with the settings. Try different hub airports. For you New York or DC. Maybe even Chicago.

[SallyMander]

17. Thanks!

Another one i didn't know about. What a lucky break on your ticket! Have you already taken your trip? :hi:

[bikebloke]

25. Unfortunately, I'm back.

Two weeks wasn't enough, damn it.

It was my first time travelling with a digital camera. With film, I was a frugal photographer. This time I was snap happy. And since I turn my stills into videos, there's plenty of material to work with. The first three are on the air at: http://veloroo.blogspot.com

Three more from the high deserts are yet to come - the good stuff.

[Flaxbee]

18. Also, ask Parche

he's a great travel agent - has found me very good fares, sometimes only 3-4 days before travel. Just send him a PM and he should be able to help you at any time during the week (Pacific time).

Sounds like fun! :hi:

[SallyMander]

20. Ooh, good idea

I will send him a PM later today! :)

[leeroysphitz]

19. You could always try to win some White Star Lines tickets in a poker game. n/t

[SallyMander]

21. LOL!

My poker face is not the best, alas... ;)

[billyskank]

22. Go at a different time. Those are summer prices.

If you went in the spring or autumn you could pay almost half that.

:loveya:

[billyskank]

23. Also consider flying to London Heathrow and then getting a connection to Ireland.

Or even spend a night in a hotel in London and fly Ryanair to Ireland (that will cost almost nothing). Newark NJ to London Heathrow on British Airways is a pretty good route.

[SallyMander]

24. Thanks for the ideas billyskank!

I'll check out prices to London too... or maybe think about traveling in the fall. :hi:

[tekisui]

27. I felw into London to go to Ireland.

The trips from London to Ireland are relatively inexpensive, small plane or short boat trip.