Flying Manchester to dublin just wondering which airline to choose, also how do i find out how far airport is to city.

It's such a short flight that your decision should be based only on fare and schedule.

Both fly out of the same airports, so no difference there. In Manchester you could take a train to the airport from the main train station and in Dublin you could take a bus to the city center.

http://www.manchesterairport.co.uk/w...ttingToAndFrom

http://www.dublinairport.com/to-and-from/

I booked my very first Ryanair ticket last night, and found that they charge 3.5£ for each checked luggage if prepaid, 7£/each if you just show up at airport.

They also charge 3.5£/ticket when using regular VISA/MC. So, the fare you see may not be exactly the same you're going to pay at the end.

I'd go Aer Fungus rather than Pikeyair out of general principles

Pikeyair's checked luggage allowance is a massive 15kg AND their cabin luggage size is an equally massive 55cm x 40cm x 20cm

i'd go aer lingus too, they have offers that aren't far off ryanair, and are a much more reliable airline, and nicer!
dublin airport is a bit out of town, there is an airport coach. i've done the journey a number of times, either taxi or hired car

Reliable?

As far as baggage is concerned. In couple of months there won't be much difference between the 2 airlines:

AerLingus:
Checked luggage - 20 kg. per passenger
Carry on luggage - 56cm x 45cm x 25cm and 6kgs or less in weight
If paid online it will be 4 Euro for each bag checked. If paid at the airport there will be 8 Euro charge for each bag checked.

RyainAir:
Checked luggage - 15 kg. per person
Carry on luggage - 55cm x 40cm x 20cm and no more than 10 kg.
Charges for checked luggage are:
if paid on line - 4.50 Euro
if paid at the airport - 10 Euro

so, both airlines baggage policies will almost become identical starting in 2007.

I should have pointed out that the above AerLingus applies to intra European flight only.

Different policy for transatlantic flights.

56cm x 45cm x 25cm is the international standard for hand luggage & is the size of most of the luggage that has a "cabin luggage" sticker when you buy iy.

Ryanair's is smaller than that - so guess what happens to your otherwise legal hand luggage

Another vote for Aer Lingus. They allow you to reserve seats, whereas RyanAir is first come, first served. I've seen people RUNNING to and onto the plane--very chaotic! If the price is comparable and the times are convenient, go with Aer Lingus.

ryanair are more prone to delays and cancellations, scrums for seats, and having to pay for refreshements

alot of my friends have used them with differing results. Pretty much get what you pay for