quote:

Originally posted by HRK:
You can fly over to Dublin for very little money have a pint of Guinness and back that night. I think our one way ticket was $50 but that was a while back.

Looks like around 70 pounds now. While that sounds tempting, I'm wondering how much time I'll lose with airport BS, security, etc. going from Heathrow to Dublin.

quote:

Originally posted by flesheatingvirus:

quote:

Originally posted by HRK:
You can fly over to Dublin for very little money have a pint of Guinness and back that night. I think our one way ticket was $50 but that was a while back.

Looks like around 70 pounds now. While that sounds tempting, I'm wondering how much time I'll lose with airport BS, security, etc. going from Heathrow to Dublin.

Oh it will be plenty, but just go with your clothes and ID no luggage, then again what price is a draft poured Guinness at the Blood Horse or The Temple Bar Pub worth

Ok, I'm bumping my return flight from Wed all the way to Saturday to fit in more fun time.

I'll have every night during the work week and all weekend to explore London/southern England.

I get out of class Wednesday afternoon and plan on flying to Dublin that evening on Aer Lingus. That gives me all Thurs-Friday for the Dublin and surrounding areas (I HAVE to hit up Guinness).

Does that sound attainable or am I still nuts? I'm attempting to change my return flight to depart from Dublin rather than LHR to further simplify. That would save me an entire return flight on Aer Lingus.

That's sounds like a great plan. I would return home out of Dublin. Dublin is by far better than London. Hit up Guinness, The Temple Bar Area, and Temple Bar. Might even have time to hit the Jameson factory.

I’d still maximize my time by staying around London where there is SO much to see, but you seem dead set on getting to Ireland.

Can you do that on another trip or is this some kind of once in a lifetime chance for you?

Keep in mind even your Ireland trip sounds a bit ambitious, the St James Gate Brewery (Guinness Storehouse) is a pretty large complex and you could easily spend a half to a whole day just there.

Look at purchasing a London pass. https://londonpass.com/en
Plenty of options of things to do--ride a double decker bus, London Bridge....
Subway is known as the Tube. Relatively easy to use--download CityMapper app to have a step by step navigation.
Make sure your cell phone has the International plan.
Landing in Heathrow--took over 2 hours to clear Customs. 5 International flights arrived at the same time. Too much time is lost in airport travel. I would suggest looking at taking the train to France via Chunnel. Rail transportation is so much easier than air.

quote:

Originally posted by PASig:
I’d still maximize my time by staying around London where there is SO much to see, but you seem dead set on getting to Ireland.

Can you do that on another trip or is this some kind of once in a lifetime chance for you?

Keep in mind even your Ireland trip sounds a bit ambitious, the St James Gate Brewery (Guinness Storehouse) is a pretty large complex and you could easily spend a half to a whole day just there.

I am. Most of my family came from there, Germany, and Denmark. Ireland seems to be more fitting to this trip. I have no idea when I might be able to return to the UK area.

I got the return flight changed to return from Dublin. It only cost me an extra 66 bucks.

I’ve already downloaded a good app for using the tube in London. I will be taking advantage of that!

Another side question, do I have to go through customs again flying from London to Dublin?

quote:

Originally posted by flesheatingvirus:


Another side question, do I have to go through customs again flying from London to Dublin?

I believe you would since you are entering The Republic of Ireland from the UK which are two different countries. If you were headed to Belfast, you would not as Northern Ireland is a part of the UK.

Double check that to be sure but I think that's going to be the case unless there is some sort of agreement between Ireland and UK.

quote:

Originally posted by PASig:

quote:

Originally posted by flesheatingvirus:


Another side question, do I have to go through customs again flying from London to Dublin?

I believe you would since you are entering The Republic of Ireland from the UK which are two different countries. If you were headed to Belfast, you would not as Northern Ireland is a part of the UK.

Double check that to be sure but I think that's going to be the case unless there is some sort of agreement between Ireland and UK.

Nope. Unless you have an Irish passport. The RoI is in the EU - UK isn't.

That's what I figured. Not a big deal; I scheduled flights with some buffer time. I wish my Global Entry application would process before this trip, but I doubt it.

quote:

Originally posted by flesheatingvirus:
Ok, I'm bumping my return flight from Wed all the way to Saturday to fit in more fun time.

Good call!

Raise a glass or two to SIGforum while you're there!