JoeG

I saw an ad in the LA Times this morning for a fare sale LA-Dublin non-stop for travel in Jan/Feb 2006. I checked it out on their website and it's a really good price - $395.35 RT tax included.

My wife an I have committed to travelling wherever the next deal takes us and this has worked well for us the past several years. I sort of mention it in the morning and get some agreement, then check out the deal and call her during the day and announce "We're going to Italy" or France or whatever. Then we go about the business of planning the trip - which is almost as much fun as going.

Anyway, we've never been to Ireland. Before I pull the trigger on this, any feedback on travelling there in late Jan/early Feb.

Thanks,
JoeG

Gardyloo

Dark, wet, chilly.

Or are we not talking about the beer?



Myself, I'd use the opportunity to exploit Aer Lingus' new low-cost-carrier European face, or maybe Ryanair's, to buy a separate €20 ticket from DUB to someplace in Italy or Spain.

After a couple of pints, that is...

JoeG

"Dark, wet, chilly"

This explains the cheap air fare and why DW wasn't very excited.
JoeG

rex

There was a certain amount of discussion, regarding ravel to Ireland, in the off season... recently, here...

http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...p;tid=34678640

Best wishes,

Rex

12perfectdays

I think you may find almost as good of a deal in a better time of year. DH and I are going in last half October. (Just out of shoulder season but not yet winter!)

RT tix, all taxes and fees from Los Angeles direct to Dublin on Air Lingus for $444.44 each. Had we been able to arrange our work schedule to the beginning of October it was still only $494.94 instead.

Gardyloo is right, for tickets that low, you may want to jump on Ryannair for a hop to another stay. We made the choice to travel outside the season and are happy with our decision but there are still about 4 things I wanted to do that are closed. DH is happy, he has been running around saying he gets 4 days to relax...little does he know!!!

Good luck whatever you decide,
Dawn

NEDSIRELAND

As for the RyanAir bit: AerLingus has some very competitive fares from Dublin to many European destinations. AerLingus flys to the City (NOT some nearby airport); to the best of my knowledge AerLingus doesn't use 'Open Seating' bit; and if you book from the U.S. on Aer Lingus as part of a multi city trip with TransAtlantic flights to/from Dublin you have an ample baggage alowance for all 'legs.'

Those features would favor Aer Lingus over RyanAir for me.

I have flown both and I don't like RyanAir's small baggage allowance with costly overages; and when I fly Dublin to Barcelona I want to land there, not Girona.

Feb'04 we flew Aer Lingus: actually returned 2 Mar'04. Stayed in Ireland and had a great time!

bardo1

Joe,

Hate to throw a dark, wet, chilly blanket on your idea. But, if you can really go during pleasant weather for only $100 more than Jan/Feb, that seems like a far better plan...

rex

<< I don't like RyanAir's small baggage allowance ... >>

This tireless rant still amazes me. Traveling with more than 55 pounds of luggage is its own punishment.

<<...with costly overages...>>

And at only 45 GBP additional, if you were crazy enough to ANOTHER 22 pound on top of that...

... they'd be doing you a favor if they quadrupled the surcharge to get you to think about why you are bringing those barbells!

http://www.ryanair.com/site/EN/faqs....ggageallowance

Best wishes,

Rex

rbnwdln

I checked the fare sale with the idea of flying NYC to Dublin. Then booking on to Rome with Air Lingus' "competitive fare." The quote was 200E for Dublin to Rome. Is this competitive? I was under the impression that discount airlines such as Ryanair could do a lot better than this. Am I wrong? (Their fares are not listed for next summer yet, as far as I can tell.)

Gardyloo

Aer Lingus is trying to make itself over as another LCC within Europe. Some destinations may or not have sufficient competition to warrant them putting the lowest fares on for that route. Also, from our experience, trying to add an onward (European) destination within the same ticket as transatlantic will not put you in the cheapest seats for the European leg. (In other words, you're better off going NYC-DUB on one ticket, then buying a separate ticket online for the DUB-Europe leg, so that you're accessing the same competitive market as the other LCCs.) Ryanair to Rome (CIA not FCO) will probably still be cheaper, though.

StephenG

Don't knock Ireland in January. We were there 10 days in 2004. We found it great. no more rain than July, just cooler.
Only people at book of kells and newgrange tour. Saved at B&B rates. It was one of best trips ever.