Too Many Hotels, Not Enough Cars… the Rules for Trip Planning Have Changed

Some things in Ireland never change… the stunning coastline, the magnificent rolling hills, the ancient churches and forts, and the friendly welcome from her people. However, the travel industry has been turned on end this year. That’s both good and bad for travelers.

After hearing reports of this being the “year of the bargain,” trip planners are suffering a bit of sticker shock when looking for air fare and car rentals quotes. With fewer flights, seats on planes to Ireland during the high season are still pricey (however, there are deals out there). Meanwhile, the number of available rental cars has contracted from 30,000 in 2006 to 12,500 this year… leading to threats of a car shortage and higher prices.

Once travelers get beyond those two factors, things start looking markedly better for a trip to Ireland. There are a lot of empty hotels in Ireland right now, so rooms are at their lowest prices in years. Even Ireland’s charming B&Bs and guest houses have lowered rates.

The euro has weakened against the dollar… meaning €1 is only costing about $1.35 right now (vs $1.65 two years ago). Considering that after airfare, most other expenses are paid in euros, these numbers can significantly bring down overall costs.

Restaurants have gotten creative with their menus as well. Many are offering multi-course meals at a set price or offering some nice “extras” to spice up the experience.

And I’d be remiss if I didn’t mention the package deals for Irish travel. Bargains on both bus tours and self-drive packages are springing up every week… just make sure you know the difference between a land package and a land+air package (I’ll give you a hint, one includes airfare).

My advice… don’t let airfare and car rental prices scare you away. Look a little deeper before making your decision of whether or not to book your trip.