Introduction
Dublin is the capital and the most populous city of Ireland. The name comes from the Irish 'Dubhlinn', which mean 'black pool'. Dublin is definitely the place to go to if you are a history enthusiast – you won't be able to exhaust all there is to be seen and learnt there in one trip! Of course, history is not all there is to Dublin – Dublin is a city bustling with life, and everyone in the family will find something to enjoy there. If you are planning a vacation in Ireland, you will need to fly to Dublin first. Here are some useful tips to ensure you get the best deals on a flight to Dublin.
Step 1
It is pure myth that last-minute flights are cheap – don't fall for this. The best way to go about booking tickets for a flight to Dublin so that they do not burn a hole in your pocket is to book in time. As you will probably know about your vacation in Ireland well in advance, you should enquire how early airlines let you book tickets on flights to Dublin – this may be anything from three to six months, and it is advised you get your bookings done as soon as you can. The trend of prices rising as we get close to the date of a flight is always followed, so you are much safer if your tickets on a flight to Dublin are done swiftly.
Step 2
When on a budget, never let go of an opportunity for a discount, and especially when it is international flights, like a flight to Dublin. You can call up the airlines to know whether you or any members of your family or group are eligible for a discount when on a flight to Dublin. There are many discounts based on age, and students get discounts too. If you are a frequent flier with one airline, see whether they have a direct flight to Dublin – if they do, you can get yourself a handsome discount thanks to your frequent flier miles.
Step 3
Unless you have relations in Ireland, you will probably need to book hotel rooms for your stay as well. Check whether travel sites allow you a discount if you book the tickets for the a flight to Dublin and the hotel rooms in one go. This is a facility which is offered by many websites, as they have tie-ups with the hotels, and you will see that you save a fair bit of money this way. You can also arrange to have the hotel send a car to pick you up at the airport, and most likely, this service will be offered to you free of cost.
Step 4
Similarly, if you do your research, you will find that holiday packages tend to save you money as well. This means that if you choose a holiday package that combines tickets for a flight to Dublin, railway tickets, car expenses, hotel bookings etc., you will be surprised to see how much you have saved. Some people are afraid that a holiday package might mean that the holiday is not flexible any more and you will not be able to spend more or less time than decided in a particular place, but all of this can be handled as there are holiday packages that suit everyone's needs.
Step 5
A bit of research is defintely needed to find just the right combination between finances and your plans, but once this is done, you can be sure that your holiday in Ireland will be a memorable one.
Tips
Even if you are on a budget, you can enjoy Dublin - there are free walking tours of the city, and you can immerse yourself in literature and history without worrying about the finances.
Sources and Citations
http://www.visitdublin.com/See_and_Do/Dublin_on_a_Budget
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dublin