22% of U.S. visitors to Ireland travel between October and March, while the other 78% travel during the warmers months of April through September. June is the peak of tourist travel. Several major airlines offer daily flights from the U.S. to Ireland, with additional departure and arrival cities available during the summer.
From US Airport: | To Dublin | To Shannon | To Belfast | To Glasgow | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Atlanta (ATL) | Delta, Air France, KLM | ||||
Boston (BOS) | Aer Lingus, United | Aer Lingus | |||
Charlotte (CLT) | American, Finn Air, Iberia Air, British Airways | ||||
Chicago (ORD) | Aer Lingus, American | Summer Only United | |||
Dulles (IAD) | Aer Lingus, United, Lufthansa | ||||
Hartford (BDL) | Aer Lingus | ||||
Las Vegas (LAS) | Air Tanker (via Thomas Cook) | ||||
Las Vegas (LAX) | Aer Lingus | ||||
New York (JFK) | Aer Lingus, American, Air France, KLM, Delta, United, Finn Air, British Airways | Aer Lingus, Delta, KLM, AIr France, United, Lufthansa | Virgin Atlantic, Summer Only-Delta | ||
Newark (EWR) | Aer Lingus, American, Lufthansa | United, Lufthansa | United, Lufthansa | United, Lufthansa | |
Orlando (MCO) | Aer Lingus | Summer Only Thomas Cook (limited dates), Condor (limited dates) | Virgin Atlantic, Delta, Air Tanker (via Thomas Cook) | ||
Philadelphia (PHL) | American Finn Air, Iberia Air, British Airways | American, British Airways, Iberia Air, Finn Air | American, British Airways, Finn Air, Iberia Air | ||
San Fransisco (SFO) | Aer Lingus |
Ireland is roughly the size of the state of Indiana, which makes travel across the county very manageable. However, don’t let the small distances between cities and towns fool you: time takes on a different meaning when traveling in Ireland. It’s one of the country’s most appealing traits.
There are several ways of getting around the country:
When driving across Ireland, you’ll experience some of your most memorable moments off the beaten path. Yes, driving in an unfamiliar country on the left side of the road with a manual transmission can be a little disorienting. Yet, if you’re a competent and confident driver, by the second day you will feel pretty comfortable on the roads of Ireland.
Having a chauffeur lets you enjoy the view without worrying about directions, driving conditions, or refraining from that pint of Guinness when you stop at a local pub. Plus your chauffeur will serve as a guide, taking you to the best views, pubs, restaurants, and sites. Hiring a driver is more expensive, but those that do it don't regret it for a second.
Trains and buses are another possibility. Trains are faster but have one major handicap — the routes generally only run to and from Dublin. That means if you want to travel from Sligo to Galway by train, your only option would be through Dublin, which will double your travel time. While private bus companies offer more connections, you’re still fairly limited in your ability to explore anything but cities and towns. It’s much more difficult to get out to the countryside, which is one of the greatest parts of traveling to Ireland.
Old Sod Travel specializes in memorable and luxurious trips to Ireland, Scotland, and England. We work with each of our clients to create customized trips filled with amazing experiences and lifelong memories.
Learn more about Ireland below: