TRANSPORTATION
Below I�ve attempted to provide a sample of your options of traveling to Dublin at different times of the year. Unless otherwise stated, the prices are the total return cost of a mid-week trip, inclusive of all taxes and surcharges. Note that all Ryan Air flights also charge an additional 5 GBP per checked bag.
From Vancouver, Canada:
There are numerous flight options from Vancouver, as you can see in the table below, including a flight from Seattle. However, the best deal would seem to be with Zoom Airlines from Vancouver to Belfast, Northern Ireland (starting at $728 CAD return), then taking the train to Dublin (see "From Belfast, Northern Ireland" below). However, Zoom apparently doesn�t fly into Belfast during the off-tourist season. Therefore, during the winter and spring, your best bet looks like flying with Zoom to Glasgow International Airport ($788 to $818 CAD return), then following the suggestions below (see "From Glasgow, Scotland").
From Glasgow, Scotland:
If you�re coming from Glasgow, your best bet is to hop on a one-hour Ryan Air flight from Glasgow Prestwick Airport � 45 minutes by train south of Glasgow Central Station (trains run every half an hour, or hourly on Sundays, costing no more than 3 GBP one-way). In checking Ryan Air�s website, I found that you can fly to Dublin for under 26 GBP return in the fall and winter (next spring and summer prices aren�t yet available). The approximate prices are in the table below. If Ryan Air is ever sold out, you can always fly from Glasgow International Airport (only 20 minutes from the city center) to Belfast, Northern Ireland with EasyJet for under 39 GBP, then take the train (see "From Belfast, Northern Ireland" below).
From London, England:
If you�re coming from London, Ryan Air is the cheapest. The airline flies from both London Luton (north London) and London Stansted (east London) Airports for under 31 GBP in the fall and winter (next spring and summer prices aren�t yet available). Ryan Air also flies from London Gatwick (south London), but costs more. Note that Ryan Air does not fly out of London�s main international airport, Heathrow (west London), however there are frequent trains connecting the various airports. If Ryan Air is ever sold out, try searching for an EasyJet flight from London Gatwick to Belfast, Northern Ireland (prices in the table below), then take the train to Dublin (see "From Belfast, Northern Ireland" below).
From Belfast, Northern Ireland:
From Belfast Central Station, Irish Rail provides a two-hour train service to Dublin Connolly Station, costing 35 EUR one-way, or 50 EUR return. Trains depart approximately every two hours.
From Dubai, United Arab Emirates:
If any of you in the UAE every want a holiday, Ireland�s newest airline, Aer Lingus, has just announced a direct service between Dubai and Dublin. Return prices range from 1,895 AED in mid-October to 3,095 AED in mid-July. If you can find anything cheaper to London, do that, then get a Ryan Air flight (see "From London, England" above).
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In addition to air travel, there are numerous ferry connections between Ireland and Britain � with multiple ports across the Republic of Ireland, Northern Ireland, Scotland, Wales, and England.
Some of these ports are connected to major cities by buses and trains, other�s aren�t. Some ferry companies operate year-round, other�s don�t. Most allow walk-on passengers, but some will not. Some sailings also take much longer than others, even when traveling between the same ports, with the same ferry operator!
The ferries are also outrageously expensive, and seem to cater more towards people wanting to take their car, as well for heavy goods vehicles � probably why food is so expensive over here!
The final word, is just fly � and save yourself confusion, hassle, time, and money � yes, even in the middle of summer! For example, one could fly from Liverpool, England to Dublin, Ireland on a summer weekend in August for a total cost of 44 EUR return (plus 5 GBP per checked bag, per direction), and your trip would take just 50 minutes per direction (not including airport check in, security, transportation to/from the airports, etc). In comparison, the ferry from Liverpool to Dublin would cost 92 EUR return (including lunch), and take 8 hours per direction (not including boarding time, transportation to/from the ferry terminals, etc).
Europe is one of the cheapest regions in the world to fly in, so take advantage of it.
However, if you really are interested in a cruise, and I admit they do sound nice, the best website I could find is www.directferries.ie/routes.htm, which illustrates every major ferry crossing in Europe. It�s a great website � just roll your mouse over your desired port, and it will display every route, from every ferry company that sails from that destination.
ACCOMODATION
Dublin is one of the most expensive cities in the world, however thankfully accommodation seems to be the exception, as there is so much competition � but make sure you book well in advance, particularly around festivals, long weekends, and peak tourists times (summer/Christmas). After doing a lot of inquiring, I�ve highlighted some of Dublin's best options below:
Dr. Craig Scott Walker International Beach Resort
The Dr. Craig Scott Walker International Beach Resort is the world�s only 8-Star hotel, although it�s quite some distance from any beaches, and is actually in a very cozy (to put it nicely) one-bedroom apartment. Even the Resort�s couch is only about 5 feet long, so unless you are vertically-challenged, the best the management can do for you is throw down a double air-mattress on the floor, with a sleeping bag and pillow. However, if you�re not fussy, this is your cheapest option, as the charge is apparently just washing the dishes...after enjoying luxurious fine-dining from one of the greatest chefs in the world.
Student Accomodation
During the summer months, you can try staying in student residence at Dublin City University, which rents out single/double rooms with en-suit bathrooms for as little as 33 EUR per night. I booked myself into there for a week when I first made the big move to Dublin to give me time to search for an apartment. I was quite impressed with it. It�s about a 30 minute bus ride from the city center, and is very clean, modern, secure, and surprisingly quiet. For more info visit: www.summeraccommodation.dcu.ie.
Hostels
There are dozens of hostels around Dublin city center. On my first visit to Dublin (for the interview), I stayed at Avalon House, which is rated among the Top 10 best hostels in Europe. Prices start from just 10 EUR per night, including tax and breakfast!! For more info visit: www.avalon-house.ie. To search and compare ALL the major hostels in Dublin at once, visit www.hostelworld.com - great site!
Bed & Breakfasts
There are two Bed & Breakfasts within a 1 minute walk of my apartment. I�ve struck a deal with one of the owners, who will give me a single room including breakfast for 50 EUR, or a double room for 60 EUR � both including breakfast. These are summer rates, which aren�t bad! For more info on this B&B visit www.tavistockhouse.com. I haven�t spoken with the other B&B owners yet, but I�ll inquire into prices soon.
Hotels
The nearest (and cheapest) hotel to my place - not that you necessarily need to stay close to me - is the Travelodge, which have rooms starting from 40 EUR in the winter months. For more info on this hotel visit www.travelodgedublin.com.
Slightly further from me, but still in the city center, is the Comfort Inn. I asked them to quote me their best price for a "family room" (1 double bed and 2 single beds) during the off-peak tourist season, and they told me 79 EUR mid-week, to 149 EUR on a Saturday night. Of course, singles and doubles are also available. For more info on this hotel visit www.comfortinndublin.com.