Flash Deal: Fly to Ireland on Aer Lingus for $499 roundtrip (book by September 21)

Jet off to Ireland for $499. Photo: James Wang

More good news from the land of travel deals: The cheap flight offers to Europe just keep on rolling in. The latest deal is for travelers looking to take off on a getaway to the Emerald Isle this winter or for spring 2017.

The deal

Right now, Aer Lingus is offering fares under $500 direct to Ireland from the East Coast of the US. The $499 round-trip fare is good from New York JFK and Newark International Airport to Dublin and from Boston to Shannon.

If you live in Washington, DC, the price jumps a little bit to $579, and even more from the West Coast.

Travel Period: You can travel anytime between November 1, 2016 and March 31, 2017. Aer Lingus has an easy-to-use fare finder system where you can quickly scroll through the calendar to compare prices on different days of the week.

Booking Period: You have until September 21, 2016, at 7 pm to book your flight. However, as with any great flight deal, reserve your tickets as soon as possible to have the best chance at securing the dates you want to travel.

How to book: Check availability and book on the Aer Lingus website.

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Is it a good value?

Anytime we can find a direct, round-trip flight to anywhere in Europe for $500 or less, our cheapo alarm bells go off. For budget travelers like us, flying to Europe is always the most expensive cost of our trip. With many flights to Europe tipping toward the $800-900 price range on a regular basis, we’re always on the hunt for deals like this.

Plus, Aer Lingus also lets you take one checked bag on your journey, so you don’t have to worry about hidden baggage costs at the gate. That $499 also includes all taxes and fees.

On the downside, the travel window is limited, and you can’t use this deal to go in the high season. But when the temperatures drop across Ireland in January and February at least you won’t have to worry about the summer crowds. And if you’re used to winter in New York, the “off season” in Ireland might just feel downright tropical compared to the frozen thermometer back home.

Related: Baggage fees for airlines flying from the US to Europe

St. Patrick’s Day in Ireland

Looking to spend St. Paddy’s Day in Ireland? This might be the year to skip the parade down Fifth Avenue in New York City and head straight for Dublin. We found flights leaving on March 13, 2017 and coming back on March 20 for the $499 price.

Dublin hosts a popular St. Patrick’s Festival every year including a parade through the city streets. Dig out your favorite green outfit and start packing your bags. Just book those hotel reservations early, because you can expect to join over 500,000 other revelers in the streets of Dublin on March 17th.

Cheers! The scene at Temple Bar after the St. Patrick’s Day Parade in Dublin. Photo: lendog64

Hotels and hostels in Dublin

Once you score a great deal on your flight, finding a room for under $100 is easier than you might think when you visit Dublin. If you want to really save, there are several cheap hostels in Dublin and you can find private double rooms starting for around $50.

Search the best value hotels in Dublin on EuroCheapo