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Air travel is essentially the easiest way to travel, especially if you are going to a different continent altogether. It is the also the safest and fastest way, which is why it is the number one way of travelling anywhere in the world. But, before we tell you the best way to travel to Ireland from India by air, you should know about the airport network in Ireland.
There are four international airports in the Republic of Ireland – Dublin Airport, Shannon Airport, Cork Airport and Knock Airport. Dublin Airport is the eighth largest airport in Europe and is the most connected internationally. It receives traffic from Canada, US, the UK, Asia, Middle East and continental Europe. Shannon Airport, which is near the city of Limerick, is also connected to most of these places. Cork Airport, on the other hand, is one that that is the most connected to the UK and Europe.
Ryanair and Aer Lingus are the major airlines operating in Ireland. Both of them are low cost carriers, which means they will charge customers for everything, including baggage and meals. The major airlines that fly to Ireland are Etihad, Finnair, Air India, Emirates, Air France, Lufthansa, Qatar Airways, British Airways, Indigo and Turkish Airlines to name a few.
Taking a flight from India is the fastest way to reach Ireland. You will find connecting flights to any of the international airports in Ireland from all the major cities in India. Unfortunately, there is no direct flight to Ireland, at least not yet. The most popular flight route is India – Abu Dhabi / Dubai – Ireland. The shortest fight will take about 13 hours from Delhi, which includes a layover, during which you may have to switch airlines!
Indians travelling to Ireland need a valid passport and an Ireland VISA. It is a member of European Union, which also means that Indians who have a valid UK VISA and have cleared the immigration process in UK can travel to Ireland visa free for 90 days.
Travelling by road to Ireland from India is not possible. This mode of transport is only possible for people who are travelling from Northern Ireland.
Travelling to a beautiful location by sea is a once in a lifetime experience. If you ever get a chance to visit any country via a cruise, you should take it. Though you will not find a cruise from India that sails to Ireland, you can take a cruise to Dubai and from there, board a direct flight to Ireland. Conversely, if you’re travelling to Spain, France or Great Britain, you can catch a ferry to the island nation quite easily.
Air
Ireland is a vast island and you must explore more than the capital city of Dublin. There is so much to do and see on this island and that is why there are a couple of domestic airports here as well. However, most places in Ireland are accessible through road. Keep in mind that all domestic airports only serve Dublin which means that if you want to travel via flight, you have to be in Dublin. From there, you can go and visit Donegal’s rugged landscapes, Sligo’s surfing beaches, Ireland’s windy city – Waterford city and its rugged west. Aer Arann and Ryanair are the only two airlines offer internal flights in Ireland.
Train
The Irish rail network is based in the capital and most trains travel to and from Dublin. You have two train stations in Dublin – Heuston station, which hosts trains to Galway, Ennis, Killarney, Kilkenny, Westport, Tralee, Cork, Limerick and Waterford and Connolly station, which hosts trains to Rosslare, Belfast, Sligo, Wexford and Dundalk. All stations offer free Wi-Fi so that you can stay connected on the go.
Tram
When you are exploring Dublin, the best way to get around is using the tram network. It is called Luas, which means ‘speed’ in Irish. Two trams lines run all over Dublin – the red and green line. You have to purchase tickets at the station. Currently, a metro system is being constructed in Ireland and this should make it even more convenient to get around different cities.
Caravanning
Travelling via your own wheels is always a luxury when in Europe, and this is even truer when you can live in them! Caravanning is quite a popular way of travelling through this beautiful country. You can easily hire a trailer or caravan from Dublin and explore the entire island.
Car
Just like caravanning, driving a car is also very popular in Ireland. You can easily find car rentals in Ireland around the airports. However, if you plan to rent a car for the duration of your holiday, make sure you ask around in the city. This is because rental fares around the airport are generally higher as compared to the city.
Keep in mind that you can also book cabs in advance to travel in Ireland. They are available for short as well as long distances.
Ferry
Ireland is an island, so travelling by ferry is a-must. In your trip, you will come across many opportunities where you can travel on a ferry. The most popular cruise service is Shannon cruises and you can travel with them from one city to another in the lap of comfort and luxury!
Bicycle
Ireland has a beautiful landscape, which makes cycling extra enjoyable. You can easily rent a cycle and enjoy exploring the island on your wheels. However, there is no guarantee of great weather, so make sure that your bike has solid tyres. You will also find many recreational tracks made especially for cycling. Throughout various cities, there are also old railways tracks that are used as cycling trails that people can use for inter-city travel.
Start packing your bags and plan every aspect of your itinerary now that you know how to get to Ireland (and how to get around in the island). Check out Thomas Cook’s travel packages to know more.
