Why fly from Dublin?
Dublin Airport (DUB) is Ryanair's founding base, and that heritage means Ireland has some of the cheapest flights in Europe. Ryanair and Aer Lingus (IAG-owned but still competitive) dominate the two terminals, with easyJet and various European carriers filling the gaps.Terminal 1 serves most airlines including Ryanair. Terminal 2 is Aer Lingus territory — newer, shinier, less chaotic. The airport is 10km north of Dublin city centre — the Airlink Express (747/757) takes 30 minutes and costs €7 (or €3.30 with a Leap Card). Taxis run about €25–35.
Ireland's island position means everything requires a flight, which is actually a blessing for weekend warriors. Dubliners are seasoned weekend trippers, and airlines respond with incredible route density and low fares. London alone has 30+ daily flights across all airport pairs.
Best weekend routes from Dublin
London (£15 flights!), Barcelona, Lisbon, Rome, Kraków — Ryanair undercuts everyone from its home base
Barcelona, Lisbon, Nice, Dubrovnik — full-service experience at near-budget prices from T2
London (6 airports!), Manchester, Edinburgh, Birmingham — 30+ daily flights, often under €30 return
Faro, Malaga, Lanzarote, Palma — charter-style prices on Ryanair year-round
When to fly from Dublin
Summer (Jun–Aug): Mediterranean routes peak in price. Spanish coastal destinations can hit €200+ return. Book 8 weeks ahead or try shoulder weeks (first/last week of school holidays).
Autumn (Sep–Nov): Golden period. Ryanair slashes prices to fill planes post-summer. Barcelona and Rome weekends under €40 return are common. Weather in southern Europe is still glorious.
Winter (Dec–Feb): Cheapest time to fly to European cities. London, Amsterdam, Berlin weekends from €20 return. Canary Islands stay reasonable for sun escapes. Avoid Christmas week.
Spring (Mar–May): St Patrick's weekend (Mar 17) inflates inbound fares but outbound is fine. Easter bumps prices for a week. April/May are excellent for Mediterranean weekends at good prices.
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Airport insider tip
Dublin Airport's Terminal 1 can have brutal security queues, especially at 5–6am for early Ryanair flights. Check the live queue times on the Dublin Airport app. Terminal 2 is almost always faster. If you have the choice, fly Aer Lingus from T2 for a calmer start to your weekend.
Frequently asked questions
Why are flights so cheap from Dublin?
Ryanair was literally founded here. Their biggest base means fierce competition with Aer Lingus, easyJet, and others. Ireland's island geography also means no train alternative — airlines have to compete on price to win passengers.
Which Dublin airport terminal do I use?
Terminal 1: Ryanair, easyJet, and most other airlines. Terminal 2: Aer Lingus and some transatlantic carriers. Check your boarding pass — the terminals aren't far apart (10-minute walk) but you don't want to queue at the wrong one.
Can I use a Leap Card to get to Dublin Airport?
Yes! Bus routes 16, 41, and 102 accept Leap Cards at regular Dublin Bus fares. Much cheaper than the Airlink Express. The 16 from O'Connell Street takes about 40 minutes and costs €3.30.
Is it worth flying from Dublin to London for a weekend?
Absolutely. With 30+ daily flights, fares can be under €20 return on Ryanair. You can leave after work Friday and be in London by 8pm. The sheer number of flights means there's always a cheap option.