this summer I have a conference in Helsinki, am thinking of combining it with a long-ish Ireland trip. Just spent a week there and must must must go back. So first question is, how do I find out how to get to Finland from Ireland? (I'm from the East Coast US, can figure how to get to Ireland ok.)

You could go to travelocity.com and put Dublin in the From: box and Helsinki in the To: box, then search. Or click on the Flights tab and choose the Multiple Destinations option. Then put your US City, Dublin, Helsinki, US. And/or go to Finnair.com or Aerlingus.com or even AA.com. Best way would be to use an AA oneworld award.

If you can tolerate a 2.5 hr bus ride from Tampere airport to Helsinki, Ryanair flies DUB-STN (London Stansted), and from STN to Tampere. Could be by far the cheapest option.

Note that there are no such things as "connections" on Ryanair. You complete one flight, and then you claim your bags (if you checked any) and get in line for the next flight.

And if you miss your "connection" - - doesn't matter why - - you buy another ticket on another flight from Ryanair. This is not judgmental reporting, just the facts.

Best wishes,

Rex

thx for replies -- I was hoping there would be a way besides the big international carriers listed on Travelocity. I'm checking the ryanair site now,
have a good day,
barbara

Hi
go to www.applefares.com
and check connections
with vbird hel-nrn (close to düsseldorf)
and ryan nrn-stn-dub could be interesting way or take the ryan air bus to düsseldorf an take aer lingus per way starting at € 35/ow
or simply take klm via amsterdam or lufthansa via frankfurt for only € 224 /return ticket !!!
need more infos ???

im sorry..but this almost makes me laugh..have you ever been to finland? how do you know you wont love it as much as ireland?i spend my time travelling around finland for a while,visit the lake district,lapland,go to stockholm,tallinn, go from lapland to the north of norway to see the fjords..scandinavia is the most beautiful place in the summer..isnt it time to visit something else for a change?

and btw,all the flights from finland to ireland will cost you around 300 euros.

just came across these May replies from keti_angel, which I find not at all helpful and not related to the question I asked. I don't need to be told what kind of trip to take, thank you.