Finally decided to come and discover the enchanting scenery of Ireland? Would you like to know the best way to get there and when? That’s perfect, and in this article you’ll find our top tips for organizing your trip to Leprechaun country.
The first important point in organizing your trip is, of course, to know how you’ll be traveling. As Ireland is an island, you’ll have little choice but to fly or sail to get there. If your heart is set on whether to sail or fly over Irish waters, here are a few tips to help you make the right choice.
If you’re looking for the quickest and most comfortable way to get to Ireland, we can only advise you to opt for air travel.
Indeed, with numerous airlines offering direct flights from several French cities, reaching Ireland’s verdant scenery has never been so quick and easy. It takes just 1h45 to reach Dublin from Paris Orly airport and 2h30 from Nice Côte d’Azur airport.
Nevertheless, we recommend that you pay close attention to airline baggage pricing policies. Depending on the airline, you may have to pay a supplement for your hand luggage, which can quickly add up.
And while the journey itself isn’t very long, we recommend that you get organized to ensure that your trip runs smoothly. So if you’re planning to fly from Orly airport, for example, we recommend you take a look at the options for getting to the airport. If you’re traveling light, public transport is a good alternative.
However, if you are planning to travel to Ireland with heavy luggage, we recommend that you consider arriving at the airport by car to make your arrival easier. You can consult the offers for parking lots near Orly airport or, more generally, for parking lots near the airport from which you’d like to depart.
What’s more, whatever means of transport you use, make sure at least 30 minutes before departure that traffic conditions are not too bad, to avoid getting stuck in traffic jams on the first day of your vacation.
With 12 weekly connections between Ireland and France, you can also take the ferry from Roscoff or Cherbourg to Rosslare, Cork or Dublin. However, you’ll need to allow between 14h and 20h to reach the Irish coast from the two Paris ports.
Unquestionably less comfortable and faster than the plane, the ferry is still an option we recommend if you’re not averse to a long trip and want to take it easy on the Irish roads in your car. Indeed, one of the ferry’s strong points is that you can take your vehicle with you, which seems all the more important when you know that our Irish friends drive on the left with the steering wheel on the right!
If you like the idea of being able to take your vehicle with you for stress-free driving on Irish roads, we recommend you book your tickets well in advance to benefit from reasonable rates. And don’t forget to arrive at least 45 minutes before the ferry, so that you can drop off your vehicle quickly and avoid long queues.
Now that you know how to get to Ireland, all you have to do is choose when to go. Ireland is an active island where you’ll never be bored, whatever the season. However, depending on what you’re looking for, certain periods may be more or less suitable.
Would you like to discover Ireland but can’t stand being surrounded by tourists? The January-February period should suit you. With the Christmas and New Year festivities just over, most people are in the starting-blocks to achieve the professional goals they set themselves on the evening of December 31st.
So if you arrive in Ireland between January and February, you shouldn’t have to deal with crowds of tourists. That said, you should be aware that weather conditions will not be at their best during this period. So remember to pack warm sweaters and a good waterproof parka.
If you’re looking for a festive atmosphere, March is the month for you! Indeed, during this period, the Irish are slowly and surely preparing for one of the most eagerly awaited events of the year: St. Patrick’s Day.
Celebrated every year on March 17, St. Patrick’s Day is a popular holiday celebrating Irish history and culture. So, if you visit Ireland in March, you can enjoy the traditional Dublin parade, folk music and festive pub atmosphere.
April-September is a period we recommend if you want to discover Ireland at its best. Indeed, the fine weather is arriving, and the scenery is breathtaking.
But remember to book your tickets in advance, as the island of Ireland is very popular at this time of year, and prices rise rapidly.
You may not know it, but Halloween is a festival of Irish origin. The Irish people take this festival very seriously, decorating their homes and stores in terrifying fashion.
So, if you’re a die-hard Halloween fan and a thrill-seeker, we definitely recommend you book your tickets to Ireland at this time of year.
If you like Christmas movies with a warm, friendly atmosphere, and you like that kind of vibe, you should enjoy a trip to Ireland in December.
Just like at Halloween, the towns are beautifully decorated and you’ll marvel at the magnificent illuminated fir trees visible in the windows of Irish homes.