Holiday Planning from Ireland: The Complete Guide
Planning a holiday from Ireland starts with a few important decisions: where you want to go, which airport to fly from, when to book and what type of holiday suits you.
With departures available from Dublin, Cork, Shannon, Ireland West Airport Knock and Kerry, Irish holidaymakers have plenty of choice for sun holidays, beach breaks and city escapes across Europe and further afield. You don’t always need to travel through Dublin either, depending on where you live, a regional airport could offer a much easier start to your trip.
This guide covers the main things to consider when planning a holiday from Ireland, from choosing your destination and departure airport to comparing package holidays, all inclusive breaks and last minute deals. s
Where Should You Go on Holiday from Ireland?
The right destination will depend on when you’re travelling and what you want from your holiday.
For summer sunshine, destinations across Spain, Portugal, Greece, Turkey and Cyprus offer plenty of choice. The Canary Islands, including Tenerife and Lanzarote, are also popular when you’re looking for warmer weather outside the main summer season.
Before deciding where to go, think about the time of year, expected weather, flight time and the type of holiday you’re planning. A family looking for a week beside the pool may have very different priorities from a couple planning a short break with restaurants and sightseeing.
Your departure airport can also influence your choice, as not every destination is available from every Irish airport.
If you haven’t decided where to go yet, our Where to Go on Holiday from Ireland guide can help you compare destinations, including winter sun, short haul holidays and places to visit at different times of the year.
Choosing an Airport for Your Holiday
Depending on where you live, flying from Cork, Shannon, Ireland West Airport Knock or Kerry could mean a much shorter journey before and after your holiday.
Don’t compare the holiday price alone. A cheaper departure from Dublin may involve additional fuel, tolls, airport parking or even an overnight stay. Once these costs are included, flying from an airport closer to home may offer better overall value.
You can explore holidays from:
- Dublin
- Cork
- Shannon
- Knock
- Kerry
Our Flying from Ireland: Holiday Airport Guide looks at the different departure options in more detail.
What Type of Holiday Are You Looking For?
Deciding what you want from your trip can make it much easier to narrow down the available destinations and hotels.
A traditional package sun holiday can suit travellers looking for flights and accommodation together, while all inclusive holidays can make budgeting easier by including more of your food and drink.
City breaks work well for shorter trips focused on sightseeing, restaurants and exploring, while last minute holidays may appeal if you’re flexible about when and where you travel.
You may also want to consider whether you prefer a busy resort with plenty happening nearby or somewhere quieter where most of your time will be spent around the hotel or beach.
Once you know the type of holiday you’re looking for, comparing destinations and departure airports becomes much simpler.
When Should You Book Your Holiday?
There isn’t one perfect time to book every holiday.
Prices and availability can be influenced by your destination, departure airport, hotel availability, flight capacity, travel dates and demand.
Booking Early
Looking earlier can be useful when you need to travel on particular dates, want a specific hotel or need particular flight times.
This can be especially relevant for families travelling during Irish school holidays, including the main summer break, Easter and mid term periods, when there is less flexibility around departure dates.
Booking early doesn’t guarantee the lowest price, but it can give you a wider choice.
Booking Later
Waiting until closer to departure may sometimes reveal late availability, but there is no guarantee that prices will fall. Your preferred flights, hotels or destinations could also become more limited.
Later booking tends to offer more possibilities when you can be flexible about your destination, departure airport and exact dates.
See our When Is the Best Time to Book a Holiday from Ireland? guide for a closer look at holiday booking times.
Package Holiday or Book Everything Separately?
Another decision is whether to choose a package holiday or arrange the different parts of your trip yourself.
A package holiday typically combines travel and accommodation as part of the same booking, although exactly what’s included will depend on the holiday. Baggage, transfers and different board options may also be available.
Alternatively, you can arrange flights, accommodation and other parts of the trip separately.
Neither option will always be cheaper. Compare the complete trip and what’s included rather than looking only at the initial flight or hotel price.
Our Package Holidays from Ireland guide explains how package bookings work and what to consider before booking.
How to Find Better Value Holidays from Ireland
Finding good value doesn’t necessarily mean choosing the lowest advertised price.
A holiday costing slightly more may include something you’d otherwise have to pay for separately, such as checked baggage, transfers or meals.
A few simple comparisons can help when you’re searching.
Be Flexible with Your Dates
If your dates aren’t fixed, check departures around your preferred travel dates. Even moving your holiday by a day or two can change the available flights, hotels and packages.
Compare Irish Airports
If you can reasonably reach more than one departure airport, compare what’s available from each.
Just remember to include the cost of travelling to the airport rather than comparing only the holiday price.
Consider More Than One Destination
If your main priority is a sun holiday rather than one particular resort, keeping your destination flexible gives you more options.
For example, instead of searching only for Tenerife, you could also compare Lanzarote, Majorca, the Algarve or Costa del Sol depending on the season and type of holiday you’re looking for.
Check What’s Included
Similar headline prices can represent very different holidays.
Check the board basis, baggage allowance, transfers, room type and other extras before deciding which option offers better value.
When you’re ready to compare available trips, explore our latest cheap holidays from Ireland.
Should You Choose All Inclusive?
All inclusive can make budgeting easier because meals, drinks and some facilities may be included in the holiday price.
Exactly what’s included varies between hotels, so check the details of the individual package before booking.
All inclusive can particularly suit families and travellers who expect to spend much of their holiday around the resort. If you prefer exploring and eating at different restaurants, another board basis may suit you better.
Read our All Inclusive Holidays Guide for Irish Travellers for more help deciding.
What About Last Minute Holidays?
Last minute doesn’t automatically mean cheaper.
There can sometimes be attractive late availability, but flights and hotel rooms can also become limited as departure approaches. This can be particularly noticeable when flying from a smaller Irish airport with fewer services to a destination.
Being flexible about dates, airports and destinations gives you more options when searching close to departure.
See our Last Minute Holidays from Ireland guide for more information.
Think About the Total Cost of Your Holiday
| Cost | What to check |
|---|---|
| Holiday or package | What is included in the advertised price? |
| Baggage | Is checked baggage included or charged separately? |
| Transfers | Are airport transfers included? |
| Airport parking | Will you need to leave your car at the airport? |
| Getting to the airport | Consider fuel, tolls, buses, trains or taxis. |
| Board basis | Is your stay room only, B&B, half board, full board or all inclusive? |
| Food and drink | What are you likely to spend outside your accommodation? |
| Local transport | Will you need taxis, buses or car hire? |
| Travel insurance | Consider suitable cover for your trip and circumstances. |
Check the Details Before You Book
Once you’ve found a holiday you like, check the booking details carefully before paying.
Look at:
- departure airport and travel dates
- flight times
- baggage allowance
- accommodation and room typ
- board basis;
- transfers
- deposit and payment terms
- cancellation and amendment conditions
- the financial protection that applies to the booking
If you’re paying a deposit rather than the full amount, check when the remaining balance is due and what the terms say about changing or cancelling your booking.
Conditions can differ between travel companies and individual holidays, so check the terms applying to the booking you’re considering.
Before You Travel
Before departure, check the current passport and entry requirements for your destination, arrange suitable travel insurance and check your airline’s baggage and airport guidance.
Irish travellers may also want to check whether an Irish Passport Card can be used for their journey and whether the European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) is relevant to their destination.
Travel and entry requirements can change, so use current official information when preparing for your trip.
Our Travel Advice for Irish Holidaymakers hub covers passports, EHIC, travel insurance and other practical information in more detail.
Start Planning Your Holiday from Ireland
Once you’ve decided roughly when you want to travel, the type of holiday you’re looking for and which airports you’re willing to use, you can start comparing what’s available.
Start with your preferred departure airport:
You can also explore all inclusive holidays, last minute holidays and city breaks from Ireland depending on the type of trip you’re planning.
Holiday Planning from Ireland FAQs
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Dawn - Travel Expert
Dawn is the lead deal finder at Cheap Deals Away Ireland and loves helping Irish travellers discover new places without spending a fortune. Whether it's a summer getaway, a city break or a last minute escape, she's always searching for great value holidays and sharing the deals she thinks travellers will genuinely love.
For Dawn, the best part of travel is the excitement of planning a trip and finding those hidden gems that make a holiday memorable.
Some of Dawn's favourite destinations include Lindos in Rhodes, with its beautiful whitewashed buildings and winding streets, Old Town Alcudia in Majorca and Tavira in the Algarve, which she loves its fantastic food scene and stunning beaches. When she's not hunting for the latest deals, Dawn writes travel articles, destination guides and practical tips to inspire others to explore more of the world. Dawn has also been featured in the Irish press, including the Irish Mirror.
