Flights to Dublin — What to Expect
Dublin Airport (DUB) is Ireland's main international gateway and one of the busiest in Europe, handling over 32 million passengers a year. It sits about 10km north of the city centre, which means you're never far from a pint of Guinness after landing. Most flights from continental Europe are short-haul — under three hours from most Western European cities — making Dublin one of the more accessible weekend-break destinations on the continent. Ryanair dominates the Dublin route network with cheap flights to Dublin from dozens of European airports, while Aer Lingus offers a slightly more polished experience at competitive prices. Vueling, easyJet, Wizz Air, and Transavia also serve the route depending on your departure city. From London alone you have options out of Heathrow, Gatwick, Stansted, Luton, and City Airport.
On the pricing side, flights from Europe to Dublin vary significantly by season. From major hubs like Amsterdam, Paris CDG, Madrid, or Frankfurt, you can typically find return fares in the €60–€140 range during shoulder season if you book a few weeks out. Peak summer (July–August) pushes prices higher — expect to pay €150–€250+ return from most European cities. Dublin flight deals are most common in January, February, and November when demand drops, and savvy travellers often find return fares under €50 from nearby markets like London, Edinburgh, or Brussels. Booking directly through airline sites or using a comparison tool gives you the clearest picture of what's available on your specific dates.
Best Time to Visit Dublin
Dublin is genuinely a year-round city, but the timing of your trip makes a real difference to both experience and cost. The sweet spot for most visitors is May, June, September, and October — the shoulder seasons when the weather is pleasant, daylight hours are generous, and the city isn't overwhelmed with summer tourists. May in particular is underrated: temperatures hover around 14–17°C, the days are long, and you'll find far fewer queues at the Guinness Storehouse or Trinity College than you would in August.
July and August are Dublin's peak months. The weather is as warm as it gets (typically 18–20°C), festivals like Longitude and Liffey Swim are in full swing, and the city has an energetic buzz. The trade-off is crowded attractions, higher accommodation prices, and airfares that reflect the demand. September and October keep much of that liveliness while easing off on crowds — autumn colours in Phoenix Park are genuinely beautiful, and St. Patrick's Athletic games at Richmond Park give you a taste of real Dublin life. Winter months (December–February) are the cheapest time to visit, and Dublin at Christmas has a charm to it — fairy lights on Grafton Street, cosy pub sessions, the Christmas market on South William Street. Just pack waterproofs, accept the short days, and embrace it. St. Patrick's Day (17 March) deserves its own mention: the festival runs for several days around it and the city goes all in — book accommodation and flights months in advance if you're targeting that window.
Getting Around Dublin
From Dublin Airport, the Airlink Express (routes 747 and 757) connects directly to the city centre and Heuston Station in about 25–45 minutes depending on traffic, costing around €7–€10 one way. The Dublin Bus network also covers the route more slowly but more cheaply. Taxis to the city centre run roughly €25–€35. There is no direct rail link from the airport to the city, which is a genuine gap in the infrastructure — a point of ongoing debate among Dubliners. Once you're in the city, walking is genuinely the best way to explore the compact centre. The DART rail line is excellent for coastal trips to Howth, Dún Laoghaire, or Bray. The Luas tram system (two lines, Red and Green) covers key routes efficiently. Dublin Bus covers everywhere else, though it can be slow in traffic. A Leap Card gives you discounted fares across all public transport and is worth picking up at any newsagent or the airport.
Where to Stay in Dublin
Dublin's neighbourhoods each have a distinct personality. Temple Bar is central and iconic but loud, touristy, and overpriced — fine for a night, but not ideal as a base unless you want to be in the thick of the stag-party circuit. Portobello and Ranelagh are where many locals actually live — leafy, relaxed, excellent cafés and restaurants, walkable to the centre. Phibsborough and Stoneybatter on the north side are increasingly popular with younger visitors and offer better value accommodation. For budget travellers, hostel options in the city centre are solid — Jacobs Inn and the Abbey Court Hostel are reliable choices. Mid-range hotels cluster around St. Stephen's Green and Merrion Square, where you're well-placed for the main sights. Premium options include The Merrion Hotel (genuinely excellent, with an art collection to match any gallery) and The Shelbourne on the Green, a Dublin institution. Expect to pay €150–€250 per night for a decent mid-range double in peak season, dropping to €80–€120 in winter.
Top Things to Do in Dublin
- Guinness Storehouse: Yes, it's a tourist magnet — but the self-guided tour is well done and the rooftop Gravity Bar pint with a 360-degree city view is hard to argue with. Book online in advance to skip queues.
- Trinity College and the Book of Kells: The Long Room library alone is worth the entrance fee. Arrive early to avoid the crowds around the illuminated manuscripts.
- Phoenix Park: One of the largest urban parks in Europe. Cycle it, spot the deer herd, and visit the walled Victorian Walled Garden. Free and genuinely underused by visitors.
- A proper pub session: Skip Temple Bar and head to Mulligan's on Poolbeg Street, Kehoe's on South Anne Street, or The Long Hall on South Great George's Street for the real thing — great pints, no gimmicks.
- National Museum of Ireland: Free entry, world-class collection of Celtic gold and Viking artefacts found right beneath modern Dublin. Easily two hours well spent.
- Day trip to Howth: Take the DART north in 30 minutes, walk the cliff path around the headland, eat fresh crab claws at the harbourside, and return for dinner. One of the best half-days you can spend near any European capital.
Practical Travel Tips
Visas: EU citizens and EEA nationals do not need a visa to enter Ireland. UK citizens travel freely under the Common Travel Area arrangement. Citizens of most other countries should check Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service requirements before booking. Note that Ireland is not part of the Schengen Area, so a Schengen visa does not cover entry to Ireland — this catches people out more often than you'd think.
Currency: Ireland uses the Euro (€). Card payments are accepted almost everywhere, including taxis and most pubs. Keep a small amount of cash for markets, some older pubs, and tips. ATMs are widely available throughout the city centre.
Tipping: Not obligatory but appreciated. Around 10–15% in sit-down restaurants if service isn't included. Rounding up taxi fares is standard. You don't tip at the bar in Irish pub culture — don't try, it'll confuse people.
Safety: Dublin is a generally safe city for tourists. The usual urban precautions apply — watch your phone on Grafton Street, be aware of your surroundings late at night around the quays. O'Connell Street and the immediate surrounding area can feel rough after midnight, but it's rarely dangerous in practice.
FAQ — Flights to Dublin
How much do flights to Dublin cost?
Return flights to Dublin from major European cities typically range from €60–€150 in shoulder season (April–June, September–October). Summer peak (July–August) pushes fares to €150–€250+ return from most markets. Winter bargains are real — flights from London, Brussels, or Amsterdam can drop below €50 return if you're flexible on dates and book ahead.
Which airlines fly to Dublin?
Ryanair and Aer Lingus are the two dominant carriers, between them connecting Dublin to dozens of European cities. easyJet flies from multiple UK airports and some European cities. Vueling connects Dublin to Spanish cities including Barcelona and Madrid. Wizz Air and Transavia cover various central and eastern European routes. Long-haul, Aer Lingus and United operate transatlantic services, with American, Delta, and others also flying direct from the US.
What is the cheapest month to fly to Dublin?
January and February are consistently the cheapest months for Dublin flights, followed closely by November. Demand drops sharply after the Christmas and New Year period, and airlines respond with lower fares. If you're targeting a bargain, mid-January through mid-February offers the best combination of low fares and available inventory — just pack for Irish winter and embrace the pub culture.
How long is the flight to Dublin from main European hubs?
Flight times vary but are short from most of Europe: London is around 1 hour 20 minutes, Amsterdam approximately 1 hour 40 minutes, Paris about 1 hour 50 minutes, Frankfurt around 2 hours, Madrid roughly 2 hours 20 minutes, and Rome about 2 hours 50 minutes. Dublin sits on the western edge of Europe, so eastern European cities like Warsaw or Bucharest add another hour or so to that.