A dozen of us are taking a tour of Ireland in May. 3 from the group would like to see a little of Scotland while we are in the area, but we haven't been able to find a way to get there (from Dublin) without taking 2 expensive flights. Any suggestions? We would also consider Wales if that would be easier. Thanks

Have you looked at the Ryanair website - ryanair.com ? For the week Saturday 7th May until Friday 13th May, no flight is more expensive than €14.99 between Dublin and Prestwick. From Prestwick it's an easy train journey onwards to downtown Glasdow. For the same week, Aerlingus.com are having a sale and some flights are free - although with taxes they come to €34.

Can't understand your two expensive flights dilemma - there are lots of direct flights between Dublin and Glasgow and Dublin and Edinburgh.

Sounds like the best way http://www.skyscanner.net is good for checking flight prices for all routes including 'budget' airlines

Seconding whqat ter2000 says - plenty of direct flights between Dublin and Edinburgh or Glasgow, though I avoid Ryanair and so stick with Aer Lingus.

Our travel agent indicated we would have to fly from Dublin to London and then on to Edinburgh. I had looked into the ferries but didn't think that would work. Thanks for the info.

You should sack your travel agent. That kind of lack of knowledge is just totally incompetent.

I'm not sure why your travel agent would say that, unless he or she thinks you are trying to stick to whatever airline you typically use (or are using for this trip). There's no need. You can book a completely separate ticket.

If you do fly Ryanair, make sure you're aware of the baggage restrictions. The flights are cheap but they can sneak up on you with fees.

"<i>Our travel agent indicated we would have to fly from Dublin to London and then on to Edinburgh. </i>"

Sorry --but your travel agent is an idiot. Either that or she gets $/£ for booking you through London. If that is the case - she isn't an idiot, she is a cheat. And obviously knows nothing about traveling in Ireland/the UK.

If you look at the websites of airports in Ireland you'll find lots of flights to various parts of Scotland. Some of the airlines - eg Ryanair - only allow online booking so you travel agent wouldn't be able to do that for you, others are bookable by your TA.

The map option on Skyscanner - http://www.skyscanner.net/cheap-flights-map - gives routes.

There are direct flights from 7 airports in Ireland to Edinburgh alone and similar to the two Glasgow airports

Change your travel agent. Or at the very least, check your itinerary so far - perhaps with this board. S/he sounds incompetent.

A good demonstration of why using a travel agent is pointless !

Agree driving & ferry is not a good option.

Thanks everyone; we took your advice and got a new agent! I usually manage without one, but the 12 people going on the Ireland part of the trip live in several different states, so it has been easier to use an agent. Also, we are booking a private tour to meet our needs.

I got from Ireland to Scotland and back on Aer Lingus, pretty inexpensively.