Fly to the USA via Dublin Cheaper?

james_Roberts

Hi,

I am looking at flying to Philadelphia for a weeks holiday in January.

I am in north wales and could fly via Dublin.

Is this cheaper to fly through Dublin as you clear US Immigration there and pay less airport tax?

Thanks James

Murphy_The_Cat

Hello James

I recently flew to/from the States via Dublin with Aer Lingus. (no direct flights to Boston from Manchester).
My thoughts are that if you are going to get a through ticket and that going via Dublin is an economic option, then YES, definitely consider it.
BUT, if you can fly direct to Philly (even if it costs you a few quid more), then than would be a much more efficient use of your time.

Going through US Immigration took a little while, but it did mean that we arrived as a Domestic flight in Boston and could just pick up our bags and go.

BTW, be sure to check out Birmingham as an option for your departure airport. At one stage, it was £200 pp cheaper than going from Manchester for my trip.

jpsartre

james_Roberts wrote: »

Is this cheaper to fly through Dublin as you clear US Immigration there and pay less airport tax?

Can you not simply do a search for the days you're planning to go to compare prices?

photome

jpsartre wrote: »

Can you not simply do a search for the days you're planning to go to compare prices?

That would seem like the logical thing to do

Op many people have posted previously about getting cheaper flights to the USA via Dublin, but best to check for yourself

pleasedelete

It is usually much cheaper to start ex Uk due to air passenger taxes. But you would have to split the journey. The starting point for USA has to be Dublin to save money (so the 1st flight has to be booked separately)

You can save £1000 on a BA CW fight going ex Dublin rather rather ex heathrow. You have to get to Dublin 1st. You then fly back to heathrow and then USA

madness

You can also try ex brussels or amsterdam

theonlywayisup

You can save up to 4K for 2 UC tickets flying with VS to SFO for instance, if you book via Amsterdam, Brussels or Dublin - you have to compare to see which is cheapest as it isn't always Dublin.

Alan_Bowen

You save money flying business class or by staying more than 24 hours in Dublin. However if you want the morning flight to Dublin with a direct connection to the States in economy, you have to buy two separate tickets to save UK APD tax. Of course, if the flight from Manchester is delayed and you miss the flight in Dublin you are left with the need to pay for a new ticket, not very moneysaving at all.

The good news is that US Airways has a direct flight at 1135 from Dublin so you would need to get the first flight out in the morning from Manchester as you will have to check in again with your luggage at Dublin since Aer Lingus or Ryanair will not check you through. You do go through US immigration so you arrive as a domestic passenger at Philly so you will save some time, but I think that is one of the arrival airports with relatively few international flights so its not as bad as some others anyway. If it saves more than £100 pp it may be worth it, much less and I think the risks outweigh the benefits.

pollypenny

If you are west of Llandudno it might be worth crossing by sea to Dublin, having a night there then flying to Philly.

We are in North East Wales so Manchester is better for us. We fly to Philly regularly. It's a very efficient arrivals area. We were just quarter of an hour at end of July.

I would go for my nearest airport, whether Dublin or Manchester.

james_Roberts

Thanks for your replies, I am in Colwyn Bay, just down the road from Llandudno.

Would 3 or 4 nights cover the main things to do in philly?

Thanks

James

InsideInsurance

The taxes are lower from Ireland (and a number of european cities) but of cause pricing for flights does also consider local supply & demand. For airmile spend they are fantastic but for cash fairs you need to shop around and simply see where the best deals are

pollypenny

The US flight to Philly from Manchester is at 11, so you have to check in at 8 ish. That would mean travelling up either very early or in the rush hour, do we usually stay overnight at the Premier Inn.

You are just about equidistant from both airports. You'd have to work out whether the ferry cost, which can be cheap if booked straight through with the train, and hotel, will be worth the tax safe and exchange to euros.

3 or 4 days are plenty.