£3kish for 3 nights in Dublin. Really?

[namechangedyetagain]

That was on booking. Com. 2 adults 3 children October half term.
How the hell do normal people afford a couple of weeks away in the summer?

Our children have never been on a plane (oldest 15). Sounds daft but want to go somewhere cheap just so that we can take them on their first flight! Any ideas for a cheap long weekend, October half term?

Try somewhere like Berlin, Copenhagen or Amsterdam- good with teens and not so 'school holiday' dependent -

Where are you flying from? If you fancy a city break then Edinburgh is fantastic, and depending where you are you could fly there.

We stayed outside the city in an apartment booked through booking.com a few years ago and had a great time

Or yes, Belfast is great too

As a Belfast local I would definitely advocate the city, very walkable, lots to do and see, some fabulous restaurants and pubs, day trips eg Antrim coast etc all very easy (indeed if you really want the biggest Halloween then Derry's where it's at).
Dublin is very, very expensive right now. Aside from that I wouldn't be as negative about it as some folk here. We've always had lovely visits to it over the years. But 3 grand is madness. Definitely give our neck of the woods ago, I don't think you'll be disappointed

Dublin is extortionate.
I don't know if you're from Ireland or just wanting to visit, but there's places like Drogheda and Wicklow which aren't too far away and way cheaper so you could even do a daytrip if that's another option?
And there's also Belfast- I live here, and friends who come over from England are always really impressed when they come over. Way cheaper, and there's a train to Dublin thats cheap it you book in advance online - the website is translink.co.uk

Dublin is a far cry from Dubai 😂

I live in Dublin, stay out of the city centre it's an absolute shit hole, same as any big city.

People are lovely though, I'd never return to the UK.

Just to add to my post - you have Derry as well which is having a real moment from Derry Girls, is also friendly and cheap and you're right and close to Donegal which is stunning and well worth a visit. I'm maybe just a biased Irish girl but we do have good places 😂

Amsterdam has lots of cheap flights, and if you stay just outtside you can get cheap hotels.

There is a Hampton by Hilton in Biljmer Arena that is great value as long as there is no football/concerts on. It's not a great area but you can be in Central Amsterdam in 15 minutes on the train or underground.

The older part of Amsterdam is very lovely, particularly the area called Jordaan. You can just walk along the canals for hours getting lost! Also great museums if you like that.

In fairness, the OP's children have never been on a plane at 15 years old. This is not the family that is burning up the planet!

@namechangedyetagain Paris on the Eurostar?

Just back from Dublin. I flew with Ryanair, and booked a Premier Inn. It was not expensive. However, Dublin is not the best city in the world and I won't go back. The things to do are somewhat alcohol-related, and it is not the most family friendly place. Skyscanner may offer up some budget friendly options. If you search for hotels on tripadvisor, they often show you room prices offered at different prices between different booking agents.

Oh stop! Like anywhere else, Dublin has great things to recommend it, and also downsides. And like anywhere else, some people will love it, and some won't.

Regarding the price - sorry OP, it is nuts at the moment. I would definitely endorse the suggestions of others and steer clear at the moment, for affordability reasons, and especially at that time.

However, if you do want to go to Dublin, there are cheaper ways to get there and you could stay outside the main part, travelling in to see the city.

Dublin?? I read Dubai.

Op I implore you - your 15 year old son has never travelled abroad

please IGNORE Belfast and DUBLIN as l options!

Go for Menorca or Barcelona or Amsterdam

Presumably none of them have passports hence the Ireland suggestion (note OP that rules out flying with Ryanair).

Belfast any day. It’s brilliant for kids and very family friendly. Titanic Museum, W5, see if you can get to an ice-hockey match at SSE Arena in the city centre - they’re terrific fun and tickets are usually quite reasonable, Scalini for great, reasonably priced, Italian food, St, George market on Fridays or Saturdays. The whole city is walkable but feels like a city not a town, great for shopping, lots to see for free including the Ulster Museum which features an excellent mummy and lots of hands on activities, plenty of Premier Inns and Air BnBs. It’s also cheaper than Dublin.

Has Dublin really gone that expensive though? We were four adults last summer and did hotels, flights and spending money for three nights for £1000 total!

Why do people post such nonsense? I also live in Dublin and do not find the city centre to be a 'shit hole'. It really is all about what appeals. I live in the suburbs and am not in the city centre all that much - for work, meetings etc, and then occasional trips in for meals, theatre, shopping. It got quite rundown during Covid but is much better now.

Again, some people will like the vibe and others won't - but describing it as a 'shit hole' is completely ridiculous. I could give you 10 things to do there in a day that would be really enjoyable.

there's places like Drogheda and Wicklow which aren't too far away and way cheaper so you could even do a daytrip if that's another option?
Neither of these are a feasible option.

You really wouldn't come to Ireland for a short trip and stay in Drogheda; and Wicklow is lovely but will be just as pricey for hotel accommodation and you will need your own transport to get into Dublin city centre to any extent.

Try Berlin, Barcelona, Bologna, Lisbon, Alicante... there's a lot of choice!

You can also day trip up the coast to Gints Causeway and Portrush from Belfast, stunning scenery and beautiful white Sandy beaches. Plenty of buses go up there so you don’t need a car.

Go on Ryan air or easy jet (or Skyscanner) and see what is available for your dates, most places are suitable for 3 nights away. I've booked random places because the flights were £20, booked a cheap hotel off booking.com then had a great time

October half term is when the Dublin marathon is. Generally, they (all major cities where major races are) put prices up then.

Need to know the budget and where you are currently.

‘Again, some people will like the vibe and others won't - but describing it as a 'shit hole' is completely ridiculous.’

If the vibe you’re looking for is grubby, dirty, full of traffic, over run with stag and hen dos and tourists, drugs easily available everywhere, and eye wateringly expensive, Dublin is deffo your city!

The things to do are somewhat alcohol-related, and it is not the most family friendly place.

I'm sorry you didn't enjoy your visit, that happens.

However, you are really mistaken to think that all Dublin offers are alcohol-related attractions. In the city centre itself visit Trinity College, and Book of Kells; take a walk around areas of the city like Stephen's Green and Merrion Park; some really nice quirky shops in South William Street and Chatham Street; interesting places to eat around Stephen's Green, Grafton Street area more widely, Merrion Square e.g. Pichet (Trinity Street), Peploes (Stephen's Green). Short Luas stop to the National Museum of Ireland in Collins Barracks, or National Gallery in Clare Street.

No alcohol in any of those (unless you choose it), all city centre in walking or quick Luas trips, and all very enjoyable.

Another vote for Belfast - I have visited both