Dublin and London are the two most visited English-speaking cities in Europe, and combining them is one of the most practical two-city trips you can do. Flights are short, frequent, and cheap, and the contrast between the two — Dublin's intimate, pub-centred energy versus London's sheer scale and diversity — is genuine.

Why This Combination Works

Dublin and London share a language and a long, complicated history, but they feel like different countries on the ground (because they are). Dublin is compact, personable, and moves at a human pace. London is one of the great world cities: overwhelming in the best way, with museums, food, and neighbourhoods that could absorb weeks. Together they cover a full range of what a British Isles city break can offer.

For a short trip (6 nights total): 2 nights Dublin, 4 nights London. London is significantly larger and needs more time to make sense.

For a longer trip (9 nights total): 3 nights Dublin, 6 nights London. This lets you go deep into one or two London neighbourhoods rather than skimming the surface.

Getting Between the Cities

The Dublin-London route is one of the busiest in Europe. Aer Lingus, Ryanair, British Airways, and easyJet all fly between Dublin (DUB) and Heathrow (LHR), Stansted (STN), or Gatwick (LGW) in about 1h20min. Fares start well under €30 one-way on budget carriers. Book as early as possible — prices on this route are volatile.

Note the airport: Heathrow is more convenient for central London, but Stansted is cheaper. Factor in the Stansted Express (£20+) versus the Tube from Heathrow (around £6).

Which City to Visit First

Start in Dublin. It's a warm, manageable entry point, and landing in London at the end of the trip with a few days of buffer before flying home is usually more convenient logistically. London also makes a stronger final impression.

What Each City Adds to the Trip

Dublin

Dublin delivers the Guinness Storehouse, the cobblestones of Temple Bar (go beyond it to the actual good pubs), Trinity College, and a craic-heavy pub culture that London's Irish bars can only approximate. It's also significantly cheaper for food and drink.

London

London adds the British Museum, the National Gallery, Borough Market, and the kind of neighbourhood variety that takes multiple trips to fully explore. South Bank, Shoreditch, Notting Hill, and Greenwich are all different cities within a city. There is no equivalent of this scale in Dublin, and that's the point.