How far in advance should I purchase flights to Ireland to get the best deal? We are leaving in September for a 16-day trip and are finding fares around $1200. But when I look up prices just one month out from yesterday, fares are pricing out $700-800. Can we expect to get fares that low with that short of notice traveling in September?
Posted by
Tresana, Highlands Ranch, CO, USA
23267 posts
Probably not. March is off season and you are looking at last minutes which are always a gamble. September may be a touch off high season but not very far. September/October are still very popular with American tourists especially those without children think baby boomers. Some current suggestions are that fare will stay high because of increasing fuel costs, unrest in the middle east, the US economy is improving and travel is increasing, and the dollar continues to weaken making landing and service fees in Europe higher. It is a gamble. You need to set a price that you are comfortable with and if it comes down to that, buy it and don't look back.
Posted by
wichita, kansas
484 posts
Just out of curiosity I did a check with American Airlines on a ticket from Boise to Dublin on Sept. 15 for two weeks and it was showing a price of $757, which with taxes etc. added would probably make it in the area of $900. From the articles I have been reading tickets are "probably" as inexpensive now as they will be at any time in the foreseeable future.
Posted by
Jacksonville, Florida
11 posts
I agree with Frank. My husband and I just purchased our tickets for Ireland in September which was just under 1200 per ticket (including taxes & insurance coverage). Luckily we had enough skymiles to purchase one ticket for us. I decided not to hold off because of what Frank said and because in rick steves guide he said airfare round trip would be between 900 and 1300. I figured the 900 is more looking at winter time which is the off season, since september is so close to the high season I figured about 1200 is the going price. (Especially since we are going beggining of september and we had only certain dates we could go). I was a bit taken back by the price since we had just gone to Italy this past October and when we purchased our tickets (which was 6 months in advance) we got 2 round trip tickets including tax and insurance for 1400. But hey all you can do is take the chance and don't look back, you live once and I can not wait to see Ireland!
Posted by
Jacksonville, Florida
11 posts
Also, it depends where you are flying in and out from....
Posted by
Pantego, NC, USA
1014 posts
Flying from Boston and NY will be cheapest fares, I believe. Where are you flying from?
Posted by
Charlotte, NC, USA
3428 posts
USAir is adding a flight from Charlotte to Dublin (direct, non-stop) starting in May. I've seen some low fares. If your fare to Charlotte isn't too high, it might be worth it to consider flying from here. You could also check for cheap flights to London, then get a cheap flight (Ryan Air, FlyBe, etc.) from there to Shannon, Dublin, or Belfast.