Booking LHR to Dublin flights should be the easiest thing you do all year. It’s a literal bridge in the sky. It's one of the busiest international routes on the planet, yet people still manage to mess it up by overpaying or getting stuck in the Heathrow maze.
Honestly, it’s just an hour. You spend more time waiting for a soggy sandwich at the gate than you do in the actual air. But because British Airways and Aer Lingus have such a stranglehold on this specific corridor, the pricing logic is often complete nonsense. You’ll see a flight for £45 one minute, and then, because a rugby match got announced or a corporate conference in the Silicon Docks bumped up demand, it’s suddenly £300 for a middle seat.
The Heathrow Terminal Trap
London Heathrow isn't a single airport; it’s a collection of stressors masquerading as a transit hub. If you’re flying to Dublin, you are almost certainly going to be in Terminal 2 or Terminal 5.
Aer Lingus operates out of Terminal 2 (The Queen’s Terminal). It’s bright. It’s modern. It’s also a hike. If you’re flying "Emerald Airlines" (the regional partner), you might find yourself walking for what feels like miles to the 80-series gates. British Airways, on the other hand, owns Terminal 5. T5 is a beast. If you’re connecting from an international flight, give yourself at least 90 minutes. Don't listen to the "Minimum Connection Time" (MCT) stats that say 60 minutes is fine. It’s not. One slow security line and you’re watching your plane push back while you’re still clutching a clear plastic bag of toiletries.
British Airways and Aer Lingus are basically siblings under the IAG (International Airlines Group) umbrella, but they feel very different. BA gives you that "legacy carrier" vibe, though they’ve stripped back the perks so much that you’re basically paying for the brand name and a tiny packet of pretzels. Aer Lingus feels a bit more "national pride." Their "AerSpace" product is actually decent if you want a guaranteed empty middle seat and a lounge pass, which, let’s be real, is the only way to survive Heathrow during peak hours.
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Timing Your LHR to Dublin Flights for Maximum Sanity
The schedule is relentless. There are upwards of 35 flights a day.
You’d think that much supply would keep prices floor-level, but the business traffic is a juggernaut. Monday mornings and Friday evenings are war zones. If you can fly on a Tuesday or Wednesday afternoon, do it. The cabin will be half-empty, the bins will have space for your carry-on, and you won’t have to fight a guy in a suit for the armrest.
Flight time is technically 1 hour and 15 minutes. In reality? You’re in the air for 50 minutes. You spend more time taxiing at LHR—passing those giant A380s—than you do crossing the Irish Sea.
What No One Tells You About Dublin Airport (DUB)
Once you land in Dublin, the experience depends entirely on which terminal you hit. Aer Lingus uses Terminal 2. It’s sleek. It’s fast. British Airways uses Terminal 1. T1 is... vintage. Let’s call it "well-loved." If you land in T1, be prepared for a slightly longer walk to the taxi rank.
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Also, the bus situation at Dublin Airport is actually better than the taxi situation half the time. The Aircoach or the Dublin Express will get you to the city center in 30 minutes for a fraction of the cost of a cab. Taxis in Dublin aren't cheap anymore, and if there’s a bottleneck at the M50 junction, you’ll watch that meter climb while you sit in traffic near Santry.
The Hidden Cost of "Hand Baggage Only"
We’ve all done it. You see a "Hand Baggage Only" fare and think you’re a genius. Then you realize your "standard" carry-on is 2cm too wide for the sizer.
British Airways is generally more relaxed about the weight of your cabin bag—they care more about the size. Aer Lingus is stricter, especially on those smaller regional planes. If you’re on an ATR-72 (the propeller planes), your "standard" suitcase isn't going in the overhead bin. It’s going in the hold at the aircraft side. Don't be that person holding up the line because you tried to shove a 20kg bag into a bin meant for a briefcase.
Why You Should Consider London City Instead (Wait, Hear Me Out)
If you live in East London or work in the City, Heathrow is a nightmare. LCY to Dublin is a game-changer. You can arrive 20 minutes before your flight and still make it.
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But if you’re stuck with Heathrow, just use the Elizabeth Line. Don't get suckered into the Heathrow Express unless you’ve got money to burn and exactly 15 minutes to spare. The "Lizzy Line" is cheaper, cleaner, and gets you to the same place with way less stress.
The Brexit Factor and Your Passport
Yes, there’s a Common Travel Area (CTA). No, that doesn’t mean you can just stroll through without ID.
While Irish and British citizens don't technically need a passport to travel between the two countries, airlines require it. Don't show up with a library card. If you’re a non-EU/UK national, the rules get stickier. Even though there’s no formal passport control when arriving in Dublin from the UK (usually), you still need to be "in status." Don't gamble with your visa.
Actionable Steps for Your Next Trip
Stop over-complicating this route. It’s a bus ride with wings.
- Book 4-6 weeks out: This is the sweet spot. Any earlier and the "business" fares haven't dropped; any later and the "last-minute panic" fares kick in.
- Check "Multi-City" bookings: Sometimes, if you’re flying into Dublin and out of Shannon or Cork, it’s cheaper to book a multi-city ticket than two separate one-ways.
- Use the Avios trick: If the cash price is over £150, check the Avios redemption. LHR to Dublin is a Zone 1 flight. It’s often one of the best uses of points for a short-haul flight when cash prices spike.
- The "Right Side" Hack: Sit on the left side of the plane (Seat A) when flying into Dublin. If the wind is right and you’re landing on Runway 28, you get a stunning view of the Dublin Mountains and the city as you swoop in.
- Skip the Meal: It’s an hour. Eat at the airport. The "buy on board" options are overpriced and usually sold out of the one thing you actually want by the time they reach row 14.
Don't let the airport stress ruin the trip. Dublin is a great city, and Heathrow is just a hurdle you have to jump to get there. Get your boarding pass on your phone, stick to a backpack if you can, and head straight for the Guinness when you land. You’ve earned it.