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England Planning a Trip travel guide

Getting from Bristol to Dublin

Bristol is located in South West England and is the 6th largest city in England. It is one of the warmest and sunniest cities in the UK , which makes it a pleasure to explore the city any time of the year.

Dublin is the capital of Ireland and also the most important entry-point for the foreign visitors. It is known for nightlife and sights. Being easy to get to and well connected to the rest of Europe , Dublin is a pleasure to visit.

Quick summary

The cheapest option for traveling between Bristol and Dublin is the bus. The fare includes the ferry crossing but you need to change buses one time along the way. The fast option is the flight but you have to be careful when you make the reservation and consider the additional fees.

Flights from Bristol (airport code: BRS) to Dublin

Bristol Airport (BRS) is the ninth busiest airport in the UK and is not hub for any airline. It handles domestic flights, as well as flights to other European cities and Africa.

Dublin Airport (DUB) is the busiest airport in Ireland . It is located about 10 km from the city center, to which is connected by buses. The airport is hub for Aer Lingus, Air Contractors, CityJet, Orbest Orizonia Airlines , Ryanair and Thomson Airways. It handles domestic flights, flights to other European cities, Middle East and North America.

Flights between Bristol and Dublin are operated by Aer Lingus and Ryanair. The flight time is an hour. In mid-May 2012, expect to pay from £20 one way on Ryanair. Slightly higher fares – from £36 one way – are available in mid-July 2012.

Do remember that when you book a ticket via low-cost carries, you’ll also pay booking fees. And pay attention to the carry on size because if it doesn’t fit the measurement cage at the airport, you’ll be forced to pay the checked baggage fee. Also, good fares can be found if you book 4 to 8 weeks in advance.

>>read more about Flights to Dublin Airport

Trains and ferry from Bristol to Dublin

It is possible to travel overland between Bristol and Dublin. National Rail offers an easy option for this route:

  • Bristol Parkway to Parkway by train
  • Parkway to Holyhead by train
  • Holyhead to Dublin Port – Stena by ferry
  • Dublin Port – Stena to Dublin Connolly by train

The total travel time is 11 h 18 and the train leaves Bristol daily at 7:07 p.m. The single fare – for the route, excluding ferry and train in Ireland – is £35.00. The ferry route is operated by Stena Line and a single fare is £28.00.

Buses and ferry from Bristol to Dublin

Another overland option is to travel by bus between Bristol and Dublin. This also includes the ferry crossing, but you won’t need to get off the bus and the fare includes the ferry ticket, too.

National Express offers two departures per day from Bristol: 5:10 p.m. and 10:15 p.m. The first one requires a change in Birmingham , while the second require a change in Rosslare, Ireland. The single fare is £48 for either departure. The travel time is 11 h.

Driving from Bristol to Dublin

You can rent a car in Bristol and drive to Dublin. But do remember that you’ll be crossing a border and need to use a ferry, too.

The ferry crossing is via the Holyhead – Dublin route. Ideally, you should spend about 7 hours traveling (including the ferry crossing) but you need to time your arrival at the port with the next ferry departure. The shortest route is via A5.

The ferries are operated by Stena Line and the fares for an adult and a compact car start at £129.00, one way.

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England Planning a Trip travel guide

Getting from Manchester to Dublin

Dublin , the capital of Ireland, is the most important entry-point for the foreign visitors. The city is known for its nightlife and tourist attractions. With a center small enough to be tackled on foot, Dublin has made it to the traveler’s destinations list a long time ago.

The second largest city in the UK, Manchester is well connected to the rest of the country and the near-by European countries. Home to a large airport, the city has been quite popular among travelers for a long time.

Quick summary

The cheapest option to travel between Manchester and Dublin is by bus (you won’t even need to get off the bus for the ferry crossing). Other good option is the train and ferry, but the price is higher. For a fast option, choose to fly but pay attention to when you book the flight (about 4 to 8 weeks prior to departure is ideal).

Flights from Manchester to Dublin

Manchester Airport (MAN) is the third busiest airport in the United Kingdom and is the largest airport outside of London. Hub for Flybe, the airport handles flights within the UK, to other European cities, to Africa, Middle East, Caribbean and North America.

Dublin Airport (DUB) is the busiest airport in Ireland and is located about 10 km from the city center. Hub for Aer Lingus, Air Contractors, CityJet, Orbest Orizonia Airlines , Ryanair and Thomson Airways, the airport handles domestic flights, flights to other European cities, to Middle East and North America.

Flights between Manchester and Dublin are operated by: Aer Lingus and Ryanair. The flight time is an hour. In mid-May 2012, expect to pay from £20 one way on Ryanair. Slightly higher fares – from £32 one way – are available in mid-July 2012.

However, do remember that you need to consider the carry on limitations (and fees if the bag ends up as checked baggage), the booking fees and the fact that you need to book in advance in order to get a good deal.

Read more about:

>>Flights to Dublin Airport
>>Cheap flights to Manchester

rains and ferry from Manchester to Dublin

It is possible to travel overland between Manchester and Dublin, by using a combination of trains and ferry. National Rail offers an easy option for this route:

  • Manchester Piccadilly to Crewe by train
  • Crewe to Holyhead by train
  • Holyhead to Dublin Port – Stena by ferry
  • Dublin Port – Stena to Dublin Connolly by train

The total travel time is about 8 ½ h and there are two departures per day from Manchester, at 9:55 a.m. and 9:50 p.m. The single fare is £37.00 for the morning departure and £32.00 for the evening departure. The price includes the trains only, for the UK section. A one way ferry ticket is £28.00.

Another option is to travel through London. First, take the train to London and then travel by train and ferry all the way to Dublin. It’s a more expensive and longer route, though.

>>read more about Getting from London to Dublin

Buses and ferry from Manchester to Dublin

There is also the possibility to take a direct bus from Manchester to Dublin. Of course, it involves the ferry crossing, but you don’t actually need to get off the bus.

National Express offers two departures per day. The 7:45 p.m departure from Manchester is direct and arrives the next day at 6:30 a.m. in Dublin. The single fare is £42. The second departure, at 8:15 p.m. , requires a change in Liverpool , but you’ll arrive at the same time in Dublin and the fare is also the same.

Driving from Manchester to Dublin

You can rent a car in Manchester and drive to Dublin. But you need to ask whether you are allowed to take it over the border and need to consider the ferry crossing fees.

The ferry crossing is via the Holyhead – Dublin route. Ideally, you should spend 5 hours traveling (including the ferry crossing) but you need to time your arrival at the port with the next ferry departure. The ferries are operated by Stena Line and the fares for an adult and a compact car start at £129.00, one way.

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Celebrate St. Patrick’s Day in Ireland

beerSt. Patrick’s Day is just around the corner, and there’s no better place to celebrate this most Irish of holidays than in Ireland. Eat corned beef and cabbage and drink Guinness to your heart’s content – all in the spirit of the holiday, of course.

If you’re planning on celebrating St. Patrick’s Day on the Emerald Isle, check out these Ryan Air flight deals. At these prices, you’ll likely spend more (maybe too much more) on Guinness than you will on your airfare. Dublin won’t be the only city partying on March 17. All over the country, from Galway to Cork, in cities and small towns, you’ll find Irish folk celebrating with a pint or two. If you’re headed someone other than Dublin, you can still find cheap flights to Cork , Galway and and Shannon.

Flights from Heathrow can sometimes be more expensive, so look for cheap flights from Stansted Airport as well. And don’t forget to check out our cheap hostels in Dublin. After all that beer, you’re going to need a place to crash for the night, even if you do happen to have some of the “luck of the Irish.”

Photo by Frederic Poirot