If you’re out in Dublin on Saturday, 25th February, you might find yourself wondering whether you’re in the right city. What’s with the crowds of blue-clad visitors? Where are they all going? And why are they speaking French? Well, don’t be scared. There’s a perfectly reasonable explanation for this Gallic explosion. Rugby season is back, and with Dublin hosting their first home game of the tournament on the 25th, all signs are pointing to a French invasion.
According to an analysis of KAYAK flight searches, there is a staggering 184% increase in searches for return flights from France to Dublin for this weekend versus the same weekend last year. Match day flights have also seen a 60% increase in searches as compared to the weekend prior to the match (which is an off-week for the tournament).
With that in mind, any Irish supporters planning a trip in to Dublin for the match should be advised: hotel prices are also seeing quite a spike, with costs expected to rise 23% compared with the same weekend in 2016, to an average price of €133 per night for 3-4 star hotels.
If you’re looking for something in the thick of the action, try searching with KAYAK’s Heat Map. This handy feature allows you to see the most popular areas for nightlife, restaurants, sightseeing and shopping at any destination in relation to a hotel’s location. Not a fan of rugby? Just find an area well away from the red clouds.
Ireland are currently riding high following their smashing victory in their last match against Italy, but if they are to beat back the French hordes and defeat the boys in bleu, they’ll need the crowd to be well up for it – with so many French supporters planning to attend, Irish fans will need to bring their singing voices with them to the Aviva.
To plan a rugby-themed trip of your own, visit KAYAK.ie or download the KAYAK app.
Why not try for one of these upcoming matches:
Dublin, 25 Feb: Ireland v France Hire a car or Find a hotel
Cardiff, 10 March: Wales v Ireland Flights to Cardiff
Dublin, 18 March: Ireland v England Hire a car or Find a hotel
Flight data is based on searches on KAYAK.fr between 12.08.15-12.02.16 and 12.08.16-12.02.17 for return flights from France to Dublin between 26.02.16-28.02.16, 17.02.17-19.02.17 and 24.02.17-26.02.17 respectively. Hotel data is based on clicks on all KAYAK sites between 12.08.15-12.02.16 and 12.08.16-12.02.17 for 3-4 star hotels in Dublin between 26.02.16-28.02.16, 17.02.17-19.02.17 and 24.02.17-26.02.17 respectively.
