Cheap flights to Ireland

Ireland doesn’t benefit from the same rail and road connections as fellow EU countries sitting in mainland Europe. If you want to leave the country via a route that doesn’t include the United Kingdom, you need to fly. Luckily, it has several major airports and numerous airlines that provide a wide range of routes in and out of the country.

Popular Airlines / Companies for Flights to Ireland

There are two major scheduled airlines in Ireland: Aer Lingus and Ryanair.

Aer Lingus was founded by the Irish government back in 1936 and is now owned by IAG, a holding company that also owns British Airways, Iberia, and Vueling Airlines. Aer Lingus has more than 50 planes in its fleet and it flies to over 90 destinations, including many of the most popular routes highlighted above.

Ryanair is a budget carrier that provides cheap flights to Ireland and from Ireland. It also covers many other routes across popular European destinations and is one of the world’s leading budget airlines. In fact, if you search for a cheap flight ticket to Ireland, the UK, France, or dozens of other destinations, there’s a good chance you will see the Ryanair name and logo.

The company was founded in 1984 and currently has more than 500 planes, with over 230 destinations on its books. It’s a massive airline and a huge Irish success story.

One of the reasons that Ryanair can afford to keep its prices so low is that it often flies to underused airports outside of the main city airports. It means that travelers may have a little further to travel when they land, but it also means that they can save a lot on their flight tickets. Additionally, Ryanair charges extra fees for many additional services, including baggage allowances. If you’re traveling light, you can easily skip all of these charges and get to where you need to go for a fraction of what other airlines charge.

Along with these two Irish airlines, there are a number of international providers that operate flights into and out of Ireland, including:

• Air Baltic
• Air Canada
• Air France
• Air Moldova
• Egyptair
• EI AI
• Emirates
• Etihad Airways
• Finnair
• Lufthansa
• Qatar Airways
• SAS
• SunExpress
• TAP Portugal
• SWISS
• Turkish Airlines

Book Irish flight tickets with Ryanair, Aer Lingus, and countless other airlines on Omio.

Main Airports in Ireland

There are four international airports in Ireland. The biggest of these is Dublin Airport, located in the capital on the east coast. It is one of the busiest airports in Europe and accounts for the vast majority of flights coming into and going out of Ireland. It’s a big airport with plenty of parking, public transportation routes, and a host of amenities, including shops, restaurants, pharmacies, bakeries, prayer rooms, and banks. You can also access the airport’s Wi-Fi and exchange money.

Cork Airport is much smaller, but still services dozens of destinations and includes shops, eateries, lounges, and more.

Shannon Airport is smaller still and located on the west coast, north of Limerick while Knock Airport is in County Mayo in the north-west.

Before your Irish flight—Preparation for Departure

• Arrive at the airport with at least 2 hours to spare, giving you plenty of time to check-in.
• If you don’t have any hold luggage, you can check-in online.
• Make sure you have Euros on you.
• Don’t pack liquids, aerosols, or gels more than 100ml into your hand luggage.
• Keep sharp objects and other dangerous items out of your hand luggage.
• Ireland has its own language, but everyone speaks English. Few other languages are spoken, so take a phrasebook/translator app if you struggle with English.
• If you have electronic devices in your pockets or hand luggage, place them in the trays when you go through security.

After your Irish flight—after landing

• You will need to go through passport control when you land.
• Ireland is in the EU and there are usually different lines for EU and non-EU passport control.
• You can find currency exchanges in the airport when you land, and they will be able to change money for you. However, the rate they provide may not be the best.
• Ireland has trains and buses. Dublin also has a light rail system known as DART.
• There are no underground rail systems in Ireland, even in the capital. However, the aforementioned DART is ideal for short routes.
• Taxis are widely available if you need to get from the airport to your accommodation. Many hotels also arrange for shuttle buses and you can also drop by the local bus stop.

For cheap Irish plane tickets, book with Omio.

Flight Travel Tips for Ireland

After booking your cheap flight tickets to Ireland through Omio, it’s time to start packing and get ready for an adventure in the Emerald Isle! But before you fly, here are some travel tips to improve your experience.

• Learn the difference: If you don’t know the difference between Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland, make sure you’re clear before you travel. The former is in the UK and is not part of the EU; the latter is in the EU and not the UK. They are separated by a land border.
• Take Euros: You will need to change some Euros for your trip to the Republic of Ireland. Credit cards and debit cards are also widely accepted, but Pounds won’t get you anywhere south of the border.
• Tipping: Tipping is common, but not mandatory. It’s mainly left for restaurant staff and is usually between 10% and 15%.
• Shop at supermarkets: Food and drink can be expensive if you stick with restaurants and bars, especially if they are in popular tourist areas, however, self-catering is much cheaper, so head for the local supermarkets.
• Get insured: If you don’t have travel insurance, consider picking some up. If you have a premium bank account/credit card, check with your provider as they may have bundled it in. Don’t worry if that’s not the case, as it’s usually very cheap and won’t eat into your travel budget too much.
• Be careful: Ireland is a safe country but tourists are still at risk and may be targeted by scammers and pickpockets. Don’t let your valuables out of your sight and don’t let your guard drop.

Now you’re adequately equipped with some key travel knowledge it’s time to pack and jet off to Ireland!

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