Airfare to Ireland
 

Our group (6 people) will be traveling to Ireland at the end of June, staying for three weeks. We will be flying out of Cincinnati (or any airport nearby). Does anyone have advice regarding reasonable airfare? Should I book now or wait? I am getting fares in the $850 and up range, and would like to find cheaper.

Thanks!

I realize that time of year makes a huge difference. But we just booked fares in March for $437. They're from O'Hare and we got them directly from American Airlines.

Probably should have said we booked fares *for* March.

You could probably get fares for a lot cheaper if you can get to one of the cities that Aer Lingus flies out of, like Chicago. We purchased airfare from Chicago to Dublin for March and the totel for both of us was cheaper than that (total price for 2 was about $800). We are coming from St. Louis and plan on spending an extra $100 to fly to Chicago. Just something to consider.

Tracy

<b>www.aerlingus.com</b> is showing fares from JFK to DUB for ~$550 all in for that time of the year. If you could find something cheap from CVG to NYC, then it may be an option.

Thanks for the suggestions. I went on the American Airlines website yesterday and found airfare for $716. I then went on a few hours later, and it had changed to $908. I called AA directly, and they said that the price had not changed in the last 24 hours. I am mad that I did not book it at $716 (was waiting to talk to my husband). Has anyone else seen it lower anywhere?

I am not up with the prices but I would like to let you know that the following fly in to Ireland from the States.
Aer Lingus,
US AIR
Delta
Continental,
Transear (charter)
and between this and then another one may come on board.
Search the above and see what is on offer.

On Dec. 15, I booked two round trips from Cleveland to Dublin for $537 each. I think you can do way better than $850 or even $716. We're going AA from Cleveland to Chicago then Aer Lingus from Chicago to Dublin. Flight is later April.

That's because they had a huge sale back then. I flew to Dub from LA for $400 all in back in DEC and I'm flying from BOS through Chicago again for just over $400, but those fares are looooong gone.

I reported the sale back in October or November right here on Fodors.

I would not expect the same or anything close to oy for late June, early July.

Thanks for all of your suggestions.

CAPH52--I found airfare now directly from Chicago for around $770, so I think we may drive to Chicago and fly from there.

tcreath and AAFrequentFlyer--Aer Lingus also has flights directly from Chicago for around the same price, but they will arrive home later (and then a 5-6 hour drive)to Cincinnati. Still an option though.

CU--Thanks for the suggestions. I am still looking at all my options.

kelleyf--I think your flights are less expensive because you are going in the spring.

Should I book my tickets now at the $770 price, or wait to see if they go down? I am getting anxious, as I have to purchase tickets for six people (husband and four children), and would like to keep the price as low as possible (of course). If I wait, I am afraid that the price will increase.

Thanks for all of your help--this board is great!

ttt

Tracy, just got back into town and saw your post. You may have made a decision by now. And I have no idea what to tell you. I'm not sure whether that's a good fare for that time of year or not. But I figured that at least my response would top this for you again. Good luck!

Historically, best prices to Europe occur 3-5 months before the travel date. So we're right at the beginning of that period for June travel. It is likely that prices will come down sometime between now and March--&quot;likely,&quot; not guaranteed.

It is important to remember that prices are subject to change until purchased. They can change up to 3x a day.

Since travel will be in June I suggest purchasing before the summer season hits, possibly book between Feb. - Apr. However, it could be likely that a last minute sale could pop up but decide whether or not you want to take that risk.

We are a party of 6 traveling to Ireland mid-April. Our airfare from LAX to DUB then SNN to LAX is $520.00 pp on Aer Lingus.

Good Luck.