Dublin, Ireland
Literary pubs and coastal cliffs, closer than you think
Why Visit
Dublin punches above its weight for a city its size. The literary history alone (Joyce, Yeats, Beckett, Wilde) has turned the entire city into a living museum, but Dublin is not stuck in the past. The tech boom has brought an international food scene, and the traditional pub culture remains one of the best in the world.
The real value of Dublin is as a base. Within an hour you can reach the Cliffs of Moher, the Wicklow Mountains, or the medieval monastic site at Glendalough. Rent a car for a day and the country opens up.
The Irish are famously friendly, English is the primary language, and the time zone (GMT) makes it the easiest European destination to adjust to from the East Coast.
Best Time to Go
May through June offers the longest days (sunset after 10 PM in June) and relatively dry weather by Irish standards. September is underrated: summer crowds are gone, temperatures are still mild (55-65 F), and flight prices drop.
Avoid July-August if budget is the priority. That is peak tourist season and prices reflect it. Winter is dark and wet, but flight deals can be exceptional (sub-$300 round trip).
Getting There from the East Coast
Dublin is one of the cheapest transatlantic destinations from the East Coast:
- Aer Lingus: Nonstops from JFK, Newark, Boston, Philadelphia, and Washington Dulles. Their base fares regularly drop to $350-400 round trip.
- United/Delta: Competing nonstops from major hubs, often price-matching Aer Lingus.
- Budget play: Norwegian and Icelandair occasionally offer sub-$300 fares with a connection in Reykjavik or Oslo.
Dublin is only 6-7 hours from the East Coast. You can leave after work on a Friday red-eye and be walking along the Liffey by Saturday morning.
Where to Stay
Temple Bar is the famous pub district. Staying here puts you in the center of the action but expect noise and tourist prices. Hotels run $100-150.
Portobello/South Circular Road is the local’s pick. A 20-minute walk to the center, with excellent restaurants and a fraction of the tourist traffic. Hotels and B&Bs run $70-100.
Drumcondra/Glasnevin, north of the center, offers the best budget options at $60-85. The Botanic Gardens are here, and the bus to O’Connell Street takes 15 minutes.
Search hotels in Dublin on Booking.com
Estimated Trip Cost
| Category | Budget (5 nights) |
|---|---|
| Flights (East Coast) | $350-500 |
| Hotels | $425-500 |
| Food & drink | $250-350 |
| Car rental (1 day) | $40-60 |
| Activities | $50-80 |
| Total | $1,115-1,490 |
Ireland is not cheap for food and lodging, but the airfare savings from the East Coast make the total trip cost competitive with destinations that seem cheaper on paper.
Travel Hack Tip
Aer Lingus U.S. pre-clearance: Dublin Airport has U.S. Customs and Border Protection pre-clearance. You go through immigration before boarding your return flight, which means you land in the U.S. as a domestic arrival. No immigration lines, no customs queues. This alone makes Dublin more convenient than most European returns.