Though the Republic of Ireland only has 4 million residents, over 80 million worldwide claim Irish descent; 40 million of them living in the United States. Ireland is one of the most popular tourist destinations in Europe and is an excellent starting point for a more extensive tour of the British Isles or Continental Europe.
Aer Lingus is Ireland’s national airline. Because it is run by the state, it is often the least expensive way to travel to and from Ireland. Summer is the peak time for tourism, but if you don’t mind traveling between October 15th and April 15th, the rates drop significantly. Aer Lingus flies to Ireland from the following US cities: Boston, Chicago (O’Hare), Dallas, Denver, Los Angeles, New York (JFK), Orlando, San Diego, San Francisco, Seattle, St. Louis, and Washington DC.
Many other large airlines also fly into Ireland, such as United, American, and Continental. It is a good idea to check around with websites like Travelocity.com to get the best deal.
When flying from America, you will fly into one of Ireland’s two main airports, Dublin or Shannon. Dublin is located on the East and is the vibrant and busy capital city. Shannon airport is in the southwest of the country, and though a small town, it is the best place to fly into if you are heading to Galway or Cork.
From Los Angeles, it takes around 11 hours to fly non-stop to Dublin. The flight from New York is around 7 hours. To ensure your personal comfort, make sure to pack snacks and reading material and wear loose, layered clothing.
While it is not necessary to rent a car, Ireland has an excellent rail and bus system; there are a number of different car rental companies at each airport. Aer Lingus offers discounts on Hertz rental cars and you can often find package deals for tourists online.
Traveling to Ireland can be an enjoyable trip for the entire family. With your flights squared away, you’ll have the peace to plan each leg of the ensuing journey.