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PRE-ARRIVAL ESSENTIALSFOR STUDENTSPROGRAMS IN IRELANDOUR SERVICESFAQsCONTACT
Spring 2017

REPUBLIC OF IRELAND

Pre-Arrival Essentials:
Making Your Travel Arrangements

   

Booking Your Travel 
You must arrange for your U.S. domestic and international flights to participate in your IFSA-Butler program. Read all flight information carefully and do not purchase a ticket until you have been accepted into a program.

Click here to download tips for international travelers.
 
Group Flight Option:
Advantage Travel arranges an optional group flight for most IFSA-Butler programs in the Republic of Ireland. Below are some details about the group flight option:
  • The group flight goes to Dublin or Shannon (depending on your program) and arrives on the program start date. If you want to fly to Ireland with the group, you must reserve a spot and pay for it by the deadline listed. Please note that group flights can sell out before the deadline.
  • Fill out the Advantage Travel group flight reservation form for your program and submit your payment online, or download the form and mail it to Advantage Travel with your payment.  
  • The group flight fee includes a return fare to the group flight U.S. city of departure. Add-on tickets for other U.S. cities are available for an additional fee. Be sure to specify a return date when booking your group flight ticket.
  • Students travel as a group on the outbound flight to Ireland only and choose their own return date to the United States, as well as make their own way to the airport for their trip home.
  • Check out more FAQs about taking the group flight.
Advantages of taking the group flight:
  • IFSA-Butler staff will meet you at the airport upon arrival and transport you to the orientation site.
  • You will meet other students on the program before arriving abroad.
  • An experienced travel agent will work on your behalf to re-issue your ticket if you miss a flight.  
  • Ticket change fees may be lower than tickets you buy independently
  • We have representatives monitoring flight departures to ensure that you make the group flight. If you are delayed for any reason, we will contact our office abroad so our staff know when to expect your arrival. IFSA-Butler staff do not monitor return flights.
  • IFSA-Butler staff do not travel on the flight, but they will be at the airport to meet group flight participants.
  • Advantage Travel can also assist with booking domestic travel. 
 Group flight reservation form

Independent Travel Option: 
If you don't choose to participate in the optional group flight, you'll be considered an independent traveler and you'll need to make your own travel arrangements. Things to keep in mind if you book your own travel: 
  • You must meet at your programs designated meeting point in Ireland by 1 p.m. on the program start date.
  • You must attend the mandatory IFSA-Butler orientation at the start of your program. 
  • You must arrange your own transportation from the airport to the meeting point. If you are arriving before or at the same time as the scheduled group flight, you may be counted into the group transportation. You must update your travel itinerary in the student portal to make sure you are included.
  • Directions to each program's meeting point will be provided in the Travel Essentials newsletter prior to your departure.
Advantages of traveling independently:
  • While you won't have the additional services provided with the group flight, it could be a more budget-friendly option to purchase flights on your own.
  • You can set your own flight schedule that works best for you, as long as you arrive at designated meeting point in Ireland by 1 p.m. on the program start date.
  • It may be more cost effective to fly directly from elsewhere if you live farther from the group flight departing airport.
  • If you plan to arrive early, you'll be able to explore Ireland on your own prior to IFSA-Butler orientation. See the 'Arriving Early' section below for further planning details.
Return Flights:
You must schedule a return flight that leaves no earlier than your program end date. See the Dates and Fees tab on your program's page of the IFSA-Butler website for the program end date, but remember dates are subject to change. Be sure to confirm the exam schedule and the last date of your program once you arrive at your host university.
Arriving Early? 
IFSA-Butler cannot accommodate early arrivals or store luggage. Keep in mind that your visa may restrict how far in advance of the program start date you can arrive.

If you plan to arrive in Ireland before the program start date, you'll need to book your own accommodations. We recommend a youth hostel or hotel. Make advance reservations since these places fill up early!

If you will be in Dublin prior to your program start date, our Ireland office recommends:  
 
1/4 Merrion Square
Dublin 2

Kinlay House Hostel
2-12 Lord Edward Street
Temple Bar
Dublin 2 
Log Your Travel Plans 
Have your travel plans squared away? Be sure to share the details on your student portal as soon as you've finalized your plans so our Ireland staff will know when to greet you!