My daughter will be attending a summer music program in Ireland next August but I would like to take them to Paris first (it's also my husband 50th b-day so it's for him). Total length of trip to be about 14 days with 2 adults and 3 kids. We live in the Philadelphia are and have no idea which is the best (most cost effective) city as our departure city and where to fly into. Here's the various scenarios I've concocted: fly into Paris then onto Dublin (therefore buying 2 one way tickets) and fly home from Dublin fly into Dublin and immediately fly from there to Paris and back to Dublin. fly into London and do Eurorail or fly to Paris, fly to Dublin, then fly to London Thanks for any guidance you can provide.
Buy a multi-city ticket that goes Phily -> Paris -> Dublin -> Phily. Nothing simpler, unless I missed what London was all about.
amy, in the same situation I'd arrange "open jaw" tickets, inbound Paris and outbound Dublin. For the trip from Paris to Dublin, use one of the budget airlines, either Aer Lingus from CDG/DUB or RyanAir from BVA/DUB. ¶ I hesitate to recommend RyanAir, but they're cheap and they will get you there, but BE SURE to pack light! If you do use one of the budgets, read their "Terms & Conditions" carefully, as tickets are usually non-refundable and non-changeable once purchased. ¶ One other point regarding the RyanAir option, is that they operate out of Beauvais, which is a CONSIDERABLE distance outside Paris. The flights seem to depart in the morning, so you'd need to allow enough time to get to the airport, check-in, go through security, etc. Happy travels!
Thank you so much. I have heard some not so good things about Ryan Air and had a great experience on Aer Lingus this past summer so I definitely would go with them. I only threw London in there because I didn't know if it is cheaper, the same, or more expensive as flying into Dublin or Paris. I guess a multi city is viewed differently than a one way?
Yes, a multi-city ticket is cheaper than two one-way tickets. The London option won't work very well for you because you would have transportation to Paris and then back to Dublin instead of just making essentially a big circle.