We love London as much as the next person. There are always things going on and there is always something to do, but sometimes, you crave a break from this big mess of a city. If we were to pick one of our favourite things about London life, it would be how easy it is to escape it for a short break or weekend. With five airports within a fairly close distance and budget airlines like Ryanair, escaping has never been easier. But where should we go?
The destination
We were once again inspired by TikTok for this city break. If your For You page looks anything like ours, it’s been busy with videos of groups of girls going to Dublin for 24 hours. Some even claim a round trip to Dublin would set them back less than a night out in London would. But it does seem fun, with the Guinness flowing, live music playing and happy people with Irish accents. Their videos have got us intrigued, could this be the best city break from London ever?
How to get there
Ryanair is known for its cheap prices, but it’s not for the weak. The best-priced flights are often the ones departing early morning or late at night, so be prepared to get up at 5am for fly-out day. Luckily, there’s around ten flights a day from London Stansted to Dublin, so if you’re willing to spend a bit more, you can fly at a more comfortable hour. Prices range from £15-£70, depending on the time. We paid about £40 round trip for our flights.
Where to stay
Dublin’s hotel prices aren’t that bad. We paid £100 for a night, and I can highly recommend the Easy Hotel which was newly renovated. If you want to go even cheaper, opt for a hostel in the city centre, where prices start at €18 per night. We arrived in Dublin around mid-morning, with plenty of time to explore Dublin before the pubs opened… Just kidding, we are in Ireland; the pubs are always open.
Top three attractions in Dublin
Dublin offers a range of activities that don’t involve drinking. If you’re a fan of Normal People, Trinity College – where main characters Connell and Marianne attend – is free to visit. You can take a free walking tour with Guruwalk, where you will be guided through the city by a local and educated on the city’s rich history – and also the best spots to grab a pint of Guinness. If you’re happy to spend some money, we recommend dropping by The Guinness Storehouse, where you’ll go behind the scenes of the making of the iconic beer.
The nightlife
The answer to that is that you can go anywhere, there is a pub in every corner of the capital. Out of every building, you can hear the tones of a live band playing. Like any other city, there are tourist traps – the biggest one here is Temple Bar. We would recommend a visit though, as the outside is stunning and they have a live band playing from 10am to 2am. A beer will set you back €11, so keep the visit short if you’re trying to save. As for the best affordable spot, I asked my friend, Shane, who lives locally: “If you want to go where people from Dublin hang out, head to Camden [Street]. It’s an area with bars and pubs. It is always crowded, but the vibe there is always good.”
What do the locals think
Shane, 26, tells me: “We like the English, we are all mixed up now anyway. Sure, when it comes to rugby we hate them, but it’s not deeper than that. I don’t mind the tourists, most of them only hang out at the Temple Bar area.”
What do the Londoners think
Sofia, 23, is from West London: “It’s my first time here and I like it. I feel like the price was the reason that I came here instead of any place else. A train to Manchester would have cost me so much more.”
Connor, 27, is Irish but lives in North London. He told me he was not even going home for the weekend, he just came for the fun: “Dublin has a different feeling to it, I like the music and the people. I work in London, but if I get the chance I always come back here.”
Our verdict
With everything this city has to offer, it is the perfect city break from London. With the flight being around an hour, you barely feel like you’ve travelled anywhere. Sure, it’s not cheaper than London and the price for food and drinks is average. Though, it’s a lot of fun and the people are friendly. If you also crave a break, something new and fresh, but don’t want to spend hours on a plane, this trip is perfect for you.