📋 Trip Report: The Perfect Day Trip - Leeds to Dublin with Ryanair

[Aviador]

The Perfect Day Trip - Leeds to Dublin with Ryanair​

Leeds Bradford Airport by @Aviador at Forums4airports.com

For anyone considering a day return to Dublin from Leeds Bradford (LBA), our recent Friday experience proved that if you travel light and stay ahead of the clock, it’s a remarkably efficient way to hop across the Irish Sea.

Outbound: LBA to DUB (08:10 Departure)​

Our day began at Leeds Bradford for the 08:10 departure. Knowing LBA’s security can be unpredictable particularly as the airport is still undergoing it's REGEN, we arrived in plenty of time to avoid any rushing. Since we had no bags to drop, we headed straight for the security queue which, at 40 minutes, was the only real bottleneck of the morning.

The Ryanair "Hustle": The flight was called for boarding the moment the inbound aircraft touched the tarmac. This is a classic Ryanair move that I actually find quite helpful; it gets the "slow and unresponsive" passengers moving early, ensuring the turnaround is lightning-fast and preventing a late departure. We were in the air on time, enjoyed a brief but friendly in-flight service, and landed at Dublin Terminal 1. Within minutes, we were off the plane and on the bus to the city centre.

Dublin Airport Sunset by @Aviador at Forums4airports.com

The Return: DUB to LBA​

After a day in the city, we caught the Airport Express back to Dublin Airport ,a perfected, regular service that takes the stress out of the return leg.

Dublin Efficiency:
Security at Dublin was a standout experience: super fast, professional, and efficient. We sailed straight through to departures. Our inbound aircraft was running a little late, but true to form, Ryanair called the flight for boarding the second the wheels touched the ground. This urgency worked wonders; we were on our way back to Yorkshire before the delay could even settle in.


Dublin Airport Terminal 1 by @Aviador on Forums4airports.con

Back on Home Soil:
A mere 35 minutes later, we were back on the ground at Leeds Bradford. Despite the current "rabbit warren" layout of the LBA arrivals hall due to the construction work, the actual speed of getting from the aircraft to the terminal exit was incredibly fast.

Final Verdict: A High Five for Ryanair​

Starting and finishing in Leeds, the entire day was a masterclass in efficiency.

• Flight Time: 35 minutes on the return leg.
• Service: Friendly and incredibly punctual.
• Top Tip: Travel light and be ready to move when that gate is called

For a stress-free day return, Ryanair delivered exactly what we needed. High five!

Ryanair at Leeds by @Aviador on Forums4airports.com

 

[Jerry]

Funnily enough I'm doing this for a bit of planespotting in July. Flying out with Ryanair but back with Aer Lingus.

 

[Aviador]

Funnily enough I'm doing this for a bit of planespotting in July. Flying out with Ryanair but back with Aer Lingus.

The only tip I can offer is the north runway seems to be used primarily for departures, the south for arrivals. I didn't do any spotting as I was with the family so I can't recommend any spotting locations but I am sure you will have an enjoyable day nonetheless.

 

[Jerry]

The only tip I can offer is the north runway seems to be used primarily for departures, the south for arrivals. I didn't do any spotting as I was with the family so I can't recommend any spotting locations but I am sure you will have an enjoyable day nonetheless.

The plan is too make my way to the mound planespotting location and go from there.

 

[Seasider]

I intend going this summer but I would to include a trip to Weston Airfield.

 

[Aviador]

From Yorkshire to the Liffey: A Masterclass in the Dublin Day Return

For those flying out of West Yorkshire, the allure of a day trip to Dublin is hard to beat. It’s a journey that promises a complete change of scenery in less time than it takes to drive to the coast. Our recent Friday excursion proved that with a bit of legwork and a light backpack, you can conquer the Irish capital and be back in your own bed by midnight.

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Breakfast on Grafton Street
After a smooth hop across the Irish Sea, the Dublin Airport Express lived up to its reputation. It is a perfected, high-frequency service that whisked us into the heart of the city in no time. Our first port of call was the iconic Grafton Street. Amidst the morning busyness of the premier shopping district, we stopped at Marks & Spencer for a quick bite to eat, soaking up the atmosphere of street performers and early-morning shoppers before heading to the historic Dublin Castle to tour the ornate State Apartments.

The Scenic Route to Kilmainham
From the castle, we decided to tackle the city on foot, taking a scenic walk west toward one of Dublin's most sombre and moving landmarks: Kilmainham Gaol.



Arriving a little ahead of our scheduled tour, we found a hidden gem directly across the road. LOAF Café is more than just a place for lunch; it is a social enterprise that supports adults with learning difficulties into meaningful employment. The food was excellent, and the mission behind it made the stop even more rewarding before we entered the haunting corridors of the prison museum for a truly memorable tour.

Pints, Parks, and Teatime Showers
The journey back toward the city centre was a highlights reel of Dublin’s landscape:

The IMMA Walk: We wandered back through the tranquil and beautifully maintained grounds of the Irish Museum of Modern Art.
The Brewery: We passed the towering Guinness Brewery, where the heavy, malty scent of roasting hops hangs thick in the air.
The Brazen Head: It would have been rude not to stop at Ireland’s oldest pub. A couple of pints in a building dating back to 1198 felt like the only appropriate way to toast the afternoon.





As "teatime" approached, a classic Dublin shower moved in, but we found sanctuary in the vibrant enclave of Temple Bar. A final drink while listening to live music was the perfect end-cap to the city tour before catching the express bus back to the airport.

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Efficiency at its Peak
The logistics of the day were handled with typical Ryanair precision. From the boarding "hustle" that ensures everyone is ready to go the moment the plane touches down, to a lightning-fast 35-minute flight back to Leeds, the travel felt like a mere footnote to a brilliant day out.

Final Verdict
Starting and finishing in Leeds, the day was a whirlwind of history, social enterprise, and legendary hospitality. While the airports at either end provide the gateways, it’s the ease of traversing Dublin on foot, from the bustle outside M&S to the quiet reflections of the IMMA walk, that makes the Dublin day return the ultimate micro-adventure.

High fives all round!

 

[Finger66]

Spent many a Sunday afternoon in the Brazen Head for their music session on LBA day trips to DUB. A splendid atmosphere. Sometimes venturing to Darkey Kelly's on Fishamble Street afterwards for a VERY traditional theme. However this is not for the political faint hearted amongst us but treated right is also fantastic. Take it for what it is and embrace the clientele and all will be fine as long as you sing along!

 

[Jerry]

Although not cheap I found the hop on hop off bus was a good way to see the city and many of its sites

 

[Aviador]

Although not cheap I found the hop on hop off bus was a good way to see the city and many of its sites

We looked at that and decided it was too expensive although we heard the driver of the Airport Express saying people who had a ticket for the hop on hop off service were also accepted onto the Airport Express coach. It might have made it doable had we known that beforehand.