It’s music to the ears. Avoid air tax hikes and fly through Dublin.
With British travellers feeling the pinch of Chancellor Rachel Reeves’ money grab for their air pounds many are looking to their neighbours.
Just like they did when there was a rush on Irish passports after Brexit, Britons are looking to cash in on Ireland’s easier relationship with the world.
Particularly when they are flying transatlantic.
Which we’ve been advising here for all Bandanini and Bandanistas to do since we moved back from Ireland.
Because, of course, as well as being exempt from the tax, unique to the UK, Ireland boasts pre-clearance for visitors going to North America.
Dublin for the night
It’s a route I know well and confession time here there is a right way and a stressful way of doing things here.
And you won’t be surprised to hear that your Accidental Tourist has more often than not chosen the stressful option.
Through on the day connections from Edinburgh to Dublin and then the States.
Only however many hours you think you have on your side ‘domestic’ flights will usually let you down.
And you may well find yourself rushing through customs and finding yourself still catching your breath on board for your connecting flight to Chicago.
Even if your lemon suitcase takes another four days to join you.
So you might consider a stop-off in the Irish capital the night before and what’s not to like about that option.
Particularly as you’ll still be in pocket through the money you would have spent on those extra Rachel Reeves surcharges.
Turk an overnighter in Istanbul
So you’re going long-haul the other way to Asia or Australia and New Zealand.
Travel expert Simon Calder of the Independent, advises, as we do, Istanbul as your stop-off point.
Where again you can take advantage of the rules by taking a 24-hour plus break in your journey to avoid those extra costs.
Which you won’t regret as you cross continents on a boat trip on the Bosphorus, count your blessings in the Blue Mosque.
And detox from your kofti and Antalya wine in the Cagaloglu Hamam, just like Florence Nightingale, John Travolta, Oprah Winfrey et al have done.
So while all these Rachel Rates have been taxing Britons this week and for years to come, stick with us.
To avoid air tax hikes and fly through Dublin and the jewel of Turkey.
And we’ll keep you straight and with more cash in your pocket through our Holidos and Holidon’ts tips.
