Overview
Ireland is one of the easiest and most rewarding short-haul trips from the UK — a quick hop across the Irish Sea to a country of green hills, lively cities, dramatic Atlantic coastline and famously warm hospitality. With dozens of daily departures from airports up and down the UK, cheap flights to Ireland are simple to find year-round, whether you are planning a Dublin city break, a golfing trip to the south-west or a road trip along the Wild Atlantic Way.
Best time to fly to Ireland
The mildest, brightest weather runs from May to September, with the longest days and warmest temperatures in July and August. Late spring (May and early June) and September are the sweet spot: still-decent weather, thinner crowds and lower fares. Expect rain in any month — Ireland is green for a reason — so pack layers and a waterproof. March brings St Patrick's Day celebrations, while winter is quiet, atmospheric and generally cheapest. Check the When to book chart above to see how prices move across the year.
Main gateway cities & airports
Dublin Airport (DUB) is the main hub, with fast onward links by coach and the Luas tram into the city. Cork Airport (ORK) serves the south coast; Shannon Airport (SNN) is the gateway to the Cliffs of Moher, Limerick and Galway; and Ireland West Airport Knock (NOC) is handy for Mayo, Sligo and the northern Wild Atlantic Way. Kerry Airport (KIR) has a small number of UK links for Killarney and the Ring of Kerry.
Airlines and routes
Aer Lingus and Ryanair carry the bulk of UK–Ireland traffic, joined by British Airways on Heathrow–Dublin and easyJet from several UK bases. Direct flights to Ireland run from London (Heathrow, Gatwick, Stansted, Luton and City), Manchester, Birmingham, Bristol, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Leeds Bradford, Newcastle and Liverpool, among others. Nearly every UK traveller flies direct; connecting itineraries are rarely needed on such a short route.
Popular places to visit in Ireland
- Dublin: Georgian streets, Trinity College and the Book of Kells, the Guinness Storehouse and a legendary pub scene.
- Cliffs of Moher: towering sea cliffs on the County Clare coast, among Ireland's most photographed sights.
- Ring of Kerry: a classic scenic drive past mountains, lakes and the wild Skellig coast.
- Galway: a compact, music-filled harbour city and springboard for Connemara and the Aran Islands.
- Killarney National Park: lakes, woodland and Muckross House on the edge of the MacGillycuddy's Reeks.
Top tips for finding cheap flights to Ireland
- Fly midweek — Tuesday and Wednesday departures are usually cheaper than Friday or Sunday.
- Travel with hand luggage only on Ryanair and Aer Lingus to keep low fares genuinely low.
- Compare nearby airports at both ends; flying into Shannon or Cork rather than Dublin can be cheaper and closer to your plans.
- Use the price charts on this page to spot the cheapest weeks and book when fares dip.
Travel essentials
UK passport holders need no visa for Ireland and, under the Common Travel Area, face no routine passport check — but airlines require valid photo ID, so a passport is the safest choice. The currency is the euro. Book short breaks a few weeks ahead and school-holiday travel earlier; see the When to book chart above for timing.
