Help planning a Ireland/UK trip

[kamik86]

I am working on planning a trip in September 2016 to Ireland and the UK (Wales and England Specifically).

Plan is to rent a car and drive from place to place so working on putting together a basic city by city plan. Right now I'm looking at 2 main options for an 11 night trip. (Well really 10... night 1 is spent on the plane)

Flying into/out of Dublin s cheaper then into London. Oh and the trip is two adults neither of us have ever been to Ireland or England.

Now for the question I want options on... which driving plan
Option 1: Dublin round trip through Snowdonia

Option 2: Driving Dublin to London

The thing is that it is quite a bit more to fly one way, so I wouldn't be flying home from London but would get a cheaper flight from London to Dublin on the last full day, stay over in Dublin then fly home.

Benefits of option 1 is less flights to deal with, but Option 2 means we start and end with big cities so I don't have to deal with what to do with the car while in London (or doing two car rentals)

Any opinions or options I'm not seeing?

 

[Dimplenose]

Do you really need a car in Ireland? Could you fly from Dublin to Manchester and pick up a car there?

Motorway driving is fairly easy but not very scenic. You are going very close to the Peak District which is a beautiful area of England it would be worth diverting your drive even if you don't make a stop.

Good luck with your planning.

 

[Jon84]

Agree with Libby. You'd waste time driving and waiting for Ferries. Consider an Easyjet, Jet2, FlyBe, or Ryan Air flight to jump over the Irish Sea

If you book via Expedia or similar, you may find they can package some flights up for you at a discount. The reason Dublin is cheaper is due to less tax at the airport.

 

[Chilly]

When I looked at getting the ferry it was cheaper to fly to Dublin.

Do you definitely want to go to Cardiff? Although it is a nice city it isn't especially special.

 

[BadPinkTink]

Agree with Libby. You'd waste time driving and waiting for Ferries. Consider an Easyjet, Jet2, FlyBe, or Ryan Air flight to jump over the Irish Sea

If you book via Expedia or similar, you may find they can package some flights up for you at a discount. The reason Dublin is cheaper is due to less tax at the airport.

Only Ryanair and Flybe fly from Dublin, EasyJet and Jet2 dont fly from Dublin

 

[florida sun]

When I looked at getting the ferry it was cheaper to fly to Dublin.

Do you definitely want to go to Cardiff? Although it is a nice city it isn't especially special.

Cough cough! I politley beg to disagree?

I live here and can very much vouch for it, We we have 2 large museums, one all about the Welsh life through the ages, art gallery's, victorian arcades,a fabulous waterfront with cafes and bars, norweign church arts cente, and a barrage that you can walk across taking in views across the bay, a beautiful castle in the centre and one just on the outskirts, one of the largest shopping centres in the country, lovely bute park and quiet areas if you need them, the millenium stadium for rugby fans, the millenium centre for Opera fans, Cardiff City football ground, white water rafting centre, a beautiful victorian theatre, a massive indoor arena for concerts, civic centre with fountains, dining and entertainment too many to mention, Torchwood, film studios and tons more! & to top it all off the Dr who experiance, how much more should we have! We are not the capital of Wales for nothing

http://www.visitcardiff.com/

http://www.cardiffbay.co.uk/

 

[Jon84]

Only Ryanair and Flybe fly from Dublin, EasyJet and Jet2 dont fly from Dublin

Also Air Lingus, BA, Air France and City Jet can get you to London

 

[Karlius]

I would say that 1 is best but I would do it in a reverse loop. The drive from Llanberis (Snowdon) to Cardiff is beautiful and I can give you some tips of sights to see if you wish.

For example you can either walk or get on a train (Yes a train) to the top of snowdon it is the most visited mountain in UK for a reason. You can even get a warm drink at the summit.

Agree with Florida Sun about Cardiff I frequent many UK cities but none hold a candle to Cardiff. Lots of history and lots to see and do.