Ireland is presently establishing full immigration and customs services for the United States in its Shannon airport, with a similar facility to follow at Dublin Airport itself. This means that traveling between the US and Ireland will be more like an interstate domestic flight.
What Does This Mean to the Budget Traveler to Greece?
What this means to the traveler looking for cheap flights to Greece is that you are not restricted to arriving back in the United States at a major international airport providing full customs, agricultural inspection, and immigration facilities. You may be able to use a smaller and cheaper alternative airport instead.Even if You Don't Save Money, You May Save Time
And if you live more than an hour or so from a major US airport, you may find going through a smaller U.S. airport saves you stress and shuttle or gas costs even if the ticket itself is not any cheaper.
What's the down side?
Much of the year there are few, if any, direct flights from Shannon or Dublin to Greece. During the high summer months, Aer Lingus does offer flights out of Dublin to Athens.
When Will This Go Into Effect in Ireland?
The full-service facility is expected to open at Shannon in summer 2009. The Dublin full-service facility is anticipated to open the following year, in 2010.
