Dublin vs London

JamesN

Hi all,

Got married last week and we are looking for a mini moon for wednesday to saturday as my wife is pregnant and don't want anything too strenuous. We are planning to go away for a proper honeymoon once the littlen is old enough.

Anyway we can't/don't want to fly so was hoping for ideas. We've been looking at loads of different ferry companies for Dublin but they're all asking for over £300? How come its so expensive? Am i just looking in the wrong place? I could get a return to calais for like £80 or less.

If we can't get it for less than 140 or so i think its easier to just go to London as the price difference in travel would essentially cover the accommodation.

Not a huge fan of driving in Europe so saw Dublin as an ideal solution as it would be minimal driving.

London has plenty to do, were considering seeing the Lion King show (any tips on tickets? cheapest i can find is about £50 each). Then we would do the zoo and other amusements. I was trying to get clubcard tokens but apparently they post them? Does anyone know if you can get around this in store?

Sorry for all the questions. Look forward to your responses.

Many thanks,
James

maman

If you would reconsider flying then I'd say Dublin is less strenuous than London. It's a much smaller city so far less walking needed. You really wouldn't need a car once there. We were there two months ago and got a 3 day bus pass. That allowed for travel to/from the airport, unlimited use of the hop on/hop off buses that take you round all the sights plus you can use the normal Dublin buses so perfect for getting to and from the hotel at night for pubs and restaurants.

Mr_Wang

Dublin is probably the most overrated city on earth and not worth anywhere near what it costs to be there.

On the other hand London is easily one of the best cities in the world with relatively inexpensive travel (the Tube day travel card) and plenty of free things to do like the world class Science Museum, or the Tate Gallery.

To compare Dublin and London is really like comparing the Maldives with Ukraine when considering which has the better beach.

photome

I am with Mr Wang. London for me, over Dublin any day

holidaysforme

Definitely Dublin for what you're looking for. I'd certainly be avoiding London over the next few weeks.
Pretty soon it'll be full of marauding English football fans. Not a pretty sight.!!
I like London, but it's just one city amongst many, and overated on many levels..

Mr_Wang

holidaysforme wrote: »

Definitely Dublin for what you're looking for. I'd certainly be avoiding London over the next few weeks.
Pretty soon it'll be full of marauding English football fans. Not a pretty sight.!!
I like London, but it's just one city amongst many, and overated on many levels..

Off the back of millions of reviews/votes London is 3rd on the best destinations list on Trip Advisor behind Istanbul and Rome (it's hard to argue with either of those)

http://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/TravelersChoice-Destinations-g1

Dublin unsurprisingly doesn't make the list.

Doshwaster

holidaysforme wrote: »

Definitely Dublin for what you're looking for. I'd certainly be avoiding London over the next few weeks.
Pretty soon it'll be full of marauding English football fans. Not a pretty sight.!!
I like London, but it's just one city amongst many, and overated on many levels..

I have been going to London regularly for over 20 years and there are still loads of things I haven't done and always new things to discover on each visit. I have been to Dublin 3 times and feel like I have seen everything.

There's nothing wrong with Dublin but it is just an expensive provincial city. Personally, I'd rather spend weekend in Belfast. Cheaper and the Guinness is just as good.

JamesN

Thanks guys. Much appreciated. Is £300 for the ferry pretty standard then? We are planning on going tomorrow tills Saturday so London looks to be winning at the moment. Any idea how we could see the lion king for less than 50 a ticket or is that wishful thinking?

Idiophreak

tbh I found Dublin quite expensive when I went, but I did love it.

London's great, lots to do...won't go wrong.

Just putting it out there...if you can't fly, but want to get away...how about cruising to Amsterdam?

http://www.iglucruise.com/queen-elizabeth/4th-june-2014_c75685-balcony-cabin

£350 each, but includes a lot of nice food and accommodation (including balcony!) - very relaxing way to see a lovely city...

johnmcga

Idiophreak wrote: »

Just putting it out there...if you can't fly, but want to get away...how about cruising to Amsterdam?

http://www.iglucruise.com/queen-elizabeth/4th-june-2014_c75685-balcony-cabin

Depending on how far you are from London (sorry, didn't see if you mentioned your location in the thread), you could also consider hopping on the Eurostar. Brussels, Paris and even Amsterdam are all doable in a reasonable train journey from St Pancras.

Idiophreak

johnmcga wrote: »

Depending on how far you are from London (sorry, didn't see if you mentioned your location in the thread), you could also consider hopping on the Eurostar. Brussels, Paris and even Amsterdam are all doable in a reasonable train journey from St Pancras.

No, I just assumed if OP could get to the Dublin ferry or London, getting to Southampton would probably be manageable