Book St. Patrick's Day Flights to Ireland & Top US Celebration Cities
St. Patrick's Day on March 17 is one of the world's most widely celebrated cultural holidays — and it creates one of the most popular spring travel windows of the year. Whether you're flying to Dublin for the 5-day St. Patrick's Festival or heading to Chicago to watch the river turn green, FareOptic helps you find the best flight deals for your March celebration.
Transatlantic fares to Ireland spike in the 3–4 weeks before St. Patrick's Day — book early and compare all available airlines on FareOptic to lock in the best price before demand peaks.
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Top Irish Destinations to Fly for St. Patrick's Day
Celebrate in the country that invented St. Patrick's Day — Dublin, Galway, and Cork each offer a distinct and unforgettable way to mark March 17.
Dublin, Ireland
St. Patrick's Festival · Temple Bar · Guinness Storehouse · Trinity College
Dublin's St. Patrick's Festival spans five days around March 17 — featuring the Grand Parade down O'Connell Street, live music throughout the city, and celebrations that transform the entire Irish capital into a sea of green.
How to Fly There
Direct flights from JFK, BOS, ORD, MIA, LAX, SFO via Aer Lingus & United
Galway, Ireland
Galway Races · Claddagh Village · Connemara Gateway · Live Music Pubs
Galway's St. Patrick's Day celebrations have an authentically Irish feel — vibrant pub sessions, traditional music on every corner, and the city's unique bohemian energy make this a favourite for travellers seeking something beyond the main parade.
How to Fly There
Fly into Shannon (SNN) or Dublin (DUB), then 2-hour train to Galway
Cork, Ireland
Blarney Castle · English Market · Patrick's Street Parade · Cork Harbour
Cork hosts one of Ireland's most colourful St. Patrick's Day parades along Patrick's Street, with floats, bands, and Irish dancers. A day trip to Blarney Castle (20 minutes away) makes Cork an excellent St. Patrick's Day base.
How to Fly There
Fly into Cork (ORK) from London, Paris, and Amsterdam with connecting US routes
Best US Cities for St. Patrick's Day Celebrations
Can't make it to Ireland? These US cities host some of the most spectacular St. Patrick's Day celebrations in the world — and they're a domestic flight away.
Chicago, Illinois
Chicago River Dyeing & Downtown Parade
Chicago dyes the Chicago River bright green every year — a tradition since 1962. The city also hosts the South Side Irish Parade, one of the largest neighbourhood parades in the US.
New York City, New York
NYC St. Patrick's Day Parade — World's Oldest
New York's 5th Avenue parade has been running since 1762 — older than the United States itself. Over 150,000 marchers participate each year, making it the world's largest St. Patrick's Day parade.
Boston, Massachusetts
South Boston Parade & Irish Heritage
Boston has the largest Irish-American population of any US city. The South Boston St. Patrick's Day Parade draws hundreds of thousands of spectators along East Broadway every March.
Savannah, Georgia
Second Largest US St. Patrick's Day Parade
Savannah's St. Patrick's Day parade is the second largest in the US by attendance. The entire city turns green — even the famous Savannah fountains. A uniquely Southern take on Irish celebrations.
Airlines Offering Flights to Ireland for St. Patrick's Day
How to Find the Best St. Patrick's Day Flight Deals
Book 8–10 Weeks Ahead for Dublin Flights
Flights to Dublin around March 17 are among the most in-demand March bookings. Book 8–10 weeks ahead to secure the best transatlantic fares before prices spike in the weeks before St. Patrick's Day.
Fly Into Dublin, Explore All of Ireland
Dublin is the cheapest transatlantic entry point for Ireland. From Dublin, Cork is 2.5 hours by train and Galway is 2 hours — making Dublin the ideal hub for a wider Irish St. Patrick's Day tour.
Consider US Celebrations if Transatlantic Fares Are Too High
Chicago, NYC, Boston, and Savannah host world-class St. Patrick's Day celebrations. Domestic flights to these cities are significantly cheaper — often under $200 round-trip — for an equally festive experience.
Stay at Least 5 Nights for the Full Dublin Festival
Dublin's St. Patrick's Festival runs for 5 days around March 17. A stay of at least 5 nights ensures you catch the Grand Parade, outdoor concerts, theatre events, and the city's nightly live music throughout the festival.
Most Popular Airlines
Best Airlines for Domestic & International Routes
Frequently Asked Questions
Everything you need to know about St. Patrick's Day flight deals to Ireland and the USA
When is St. Patrick's Day?
St. Patrick's Day falls on March 17 every year. In, March 17 is a Tuesday. In, it fell on Monday, March 17, creating a long weekend for US travelers. Planning around a Monday or Friday St. Patrick's Day maximises your long-weekend travel window.
Which city has the biggest St. Patrick's Day celebration?
Dublin, Ireland hosts the largest St. Patrick's Festival, spanning 5 days around March 17 with the Grand Parade, concerts, and city-wide events. In the USA, New York City's 5th Avenue parade (since 1762) is the world's oldest, while Chicago's river-dyeing tradition and Boston's South Boston parade are also iconic St. Patrick's Day events.
How far in advance should I book flights to Dublin for St. Patrick's Day?
Book Dublin flights 8–10 weeks in advance for St. Patrick's Day. Transatlantic demand to Dublin spikes dramatically in the weeks before March 17 — early booking is the most reliable way to secure reasonable fares on this high-demand travel window.
Which airlines fly direct from the USA to Dublin for St. Patrick's Day?
Aer Lingus offers direct flights from New York JFK, Boston, Chicago O'Hare, Miami, Los Angeles, and San Francisco. United Airlines flies direct from Newark (EWR). American, Delta, and British Airways connect via London or other European hubs.
Is it cheaper to celebrate St. Patrick's Day in the USA or fly to Ireland?
Celebrating in the USA is significantly cheaper. Chicago, New York, Boston, and Savannah all host world-class St. Patrick's Day events with domestic round-trip flights often under $200–$300. A transatlantic trip to Dublin typically costs $500–$900+ per person for the flight alone during peak St. Patrick's Day week.
What US cities have the best St. Patrick's Day celebrations?
Chicago (river-dyeing + two major parades), New York City (world's oldest parade on 5th Avenue), Boston (largest Irish-American city by population), and Savannah, Georgia (second largest US St. Patrick's Day parade) are consistently rated the best US cities for St. Patrick's Day.
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