Tips for Booking Multi-City Flights to Ireland

Traveling to Ireland is always an adventure, but sometimes a simple round-trip ticket isn’t enough. Many travelers today are looking to maximize their trip by booking multi-city flights — for example, flying from New York to Dublin, traveling around Ireland, then returning to the U.S. from Shannon Airport, or even extending the trip to London or Paris before heading home.

In my own travels, I’ve found that multi-city tickets can save both money and time, but they also require careful planning. This article will walk you through the benefits, strategies, and insider tips for booking multi-city flights to Ireland with confidence.

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Why Multi-City Flights to Ireland Matter

Ireland’s location makes it an ideal hub for both North American and European travelers. With Dublin, Cork, and Shannon airports offering international connections, you can:

• See more destinations in one trip (Ireland + UK + mainland Europe).
• Save money by avoiding backtracking to your arrival airport.
• Make your trip smoother, especially if you want to explore the west coast of Ireland and fly out of Shannon instead of driving back to Dublin.

As global airfare prices rise, multi-city flights can sometimes be surprisingly affordable compared to booking separate one-way tickets.

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Benefits of Multi-City Tickets

• Flexibility: Explore Dublin, Galway, and Kerry before departing from Shannon or Cork.
• Cost Efficiency: Some flight search engines (like Skyscanner or Google Flights) show that multi-city itineraries can be 15–25% cheaper than separate bookings.
• Time Savings: Skip unnecessary travel back to your original airport.
• Added Adventure: Stop over in another European city like Amsterdam, Paris, or London on your way to or from Ireland.

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How to Book Multi-City Flights to Ireland

1. Use the Right Search Tools

Not every platform handles multi-city bookings well. From my experience:

• Google Flights – Best for comparing multiple airlines and dates quickly.
• Skyscanner – Excellent for price flexibility and including budget airlines.
• Kiwi.com – Good for unusual routes, but watch out for strict baggage rules.
• Airline Websites – Aer Lingus and United often offer multi-city deals that aren’t visible on third-party sites.

💡 Tip: Always cross-check with the airline’s direct website before booking.

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2. Plan Your Route Logically

Think about the flow of your trip. For example:

• USA → Dublin → explore Ireland → Shannon → USA
• USA → Dublin → London → Paris → USA
• USA → Cork → Dublin → Amsterdam → USA

Avoid backtracking—it eats up time and money.

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3. Take Advantage of Stopover Programs

Some airlines encourage longer layovers:

• Aer Lingus allows flexible routing within Ireland.
• Icelandair (via Reykjavik) lets you stop in Iceland before heading to Dublin.
• TAP Portugal offers stopovers in Lisbon when traveling to Ireland.

This is a smart way to add an extra city to your Ireland trip without extra airfare.

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4. Book Early but Stay Flexible

Data from travel analysts (Hopper, 2024) shows that 6–8 weeks before departure is often the sweet spot for transatlantic flights to Ireland. For summer travel, book even earlier (3–5 months ahead).

Being flexible with:

• Departure airports (NYC, Boston, Chicago often cheapest to Dublin).
• Days of the week (Tuesdays and Wednesdays usually lower fares).
• Season (Spring and fall shoulder seasons = cheaper than peak summer).

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Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Booking one-way tickets separately – usually more expensive.
• Ignoring baggage policies – budget carriers like Ryanair and EasyJet are cheap for hops within Europe but strict on baggage.
• Forgetting travel time – A “cheap” flight with a 12-hour layover in Frankfurt might ruin your first day in Ireland.
• Not considering regional airports – Shannon (west) and Cork (south) can save you hours of driving.

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Helpful Tips from Personal Experience

• On my last trip, I flew Boston → Dublin, traveled west by train and car, then flew Shannon → New York. This saved nearly 6 hours of driving and cost just $40 more than a round-trip to Dublin.
• When I extended a trip to include Paris for 3 days, booking it as a multi-city route was $250 cheaper than separate one-way flights.
• I always set Google Flights price alerts—this has helped me catch drops of $150–$200 per ticket.

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FAQs About Multi-City Flights to Ireland

Q: Is it cheaper to book multi-city flights or separate tickets?
A: Multi-city tickets are often cheaper, but always compare both options before booking.

Q: Which U.S. airports usually have the cheapest flights to Ireland?
A: New York (JFK/EWR), Boston (BOS), and Chicago (ORD) typically offer the best fares.

Q: Can I book multi-city tickets with points or miles?
A: Yes—Aer Lingus, United, and Delta allow multi-city award bookings, though availability can be limited.

Q: Should I fly into Dublin and out of Shannon?
A: If your itinerary includes the west coast, yes. It saves time and reduces backtracking.

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Final Thoughts

Booking multi-city flights to Ireland can transform your trip—letting you see more, save money, and cut travel hassles. Whether you’re combining Dublin with Galway, or Ireland with Paris or London, the key is research, flexibility, and smart booking tools.

If you’re planning your next Irish adventure, I’d recommend experimenting with different routes on Google Flights and Aer Lingus’s website, then setting alerts to catch the best fares.