New York holidays from Ireland: the honest verdict

Weather Upgrade · right now

+5°C

Dublin 9° RainNew York 14° Sunshine

Rain → Sunshine

Warmer, but you’ll still want a layer.

Worth the bother?

3/10 I wouldn’t.

“Only 4°C better. Ask yourself if it’s the weather or the trip you’re after.”

4°C warmer than Ireland’s usual 14°C
8 rainy days a month, against Ireland’s 12
7 hours of sun a day, against 3
Long haul: 7h 45m direct

How we work this out

Worth the bother is worked out from the same facts every time: how much warmer, drier and sunnier it usually is there than in Ireland that month, how long the flight is, how good the place is, whether something’s on and, when we have enough fares for the route, whether the month is unusually dear or cheap. We use the usual weather for the month so one freak day can’t swing it. When you tell us what you’re after (snow, Christmas markets, walking and so on), the weather part asks how well the usual weather fits that, not just how warm it is. Nobody can pay to change a score, and plenty of places score low on purpose.

The Bottom Line

Who should go: Best for city-break fans.
Who shouldn’t: Skip it if you hate crowds or you won’t sit through a long flight or you’re watching the budget.
How long: Give it a week or more. The flight alone eats a day.
Worth the money?: Only on a good fare. It isn’t cheap.
Would we go?: Not this month. Try another.

The honest verdict

Is New York worth it?

“Loud, dear and absolutely brilliant. Clear US immigration in Ireland and land like a local.”

Seven dots means go. One dot means stay home and put the heating on.

Sun: 6/10 · Hot summers, freezing winters
Value: 3/10 · Very expensive
Crowds: 4/10 · Times Square is chaos
Irish pub within 50m: 10/10 · Irish bars on every block

Getting to New York from Ireland

Dublin → New York7h 45m · Aer LingusReturns from €551
Shannon → New YorkAer Lingus

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What New York is actually like

The city that never sleeps: Central Park, Broadway, the Statue of Liberty, museums, rooftop bars and food from everywhere. Flights leave from Dublin and Shannon, and both airports have US preclearance, so you go through American immigration before you take off.

Who New York suits

First-time USA visitors
Christmas shoppers
Couples and groups of friends

Best time to go to New York from Ireland

April to June and September to November. December is magical but cold. July and August are hot and humid.

Where to stay in New York

Midtown: Central for shows and sights, but busy. See hotels in Midtown (opens in a new tab)
Lower East Side: Bars, restaurants and character. See hotels in Lower East Side (opens in a new tab)
Brooklyn: Williamsburg and Dumbo for a more local feel. See hotels in Brooklyn (opens in a new tab)

Compare hotels and apartments in New York (opens in a new tab)

Hotel prices in New York

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What nobody tells you about New York

Apply for your ESTA online well before you fly, and only on the official US government site.
Tip 18 to 20 percent in restaurants and bars. It is expected.
Get a MetroCard or tap your card on the subway. It beats taxis.

New York weather by month

Month	Avg high	vs Ireland	Sun a day	Rainy days
January	4°C	-4°	5h	11
February	6°C	-3°	6h	10
March	10°C	-1°	7h	11
April	17°C	+4°	8h	11
May	22°C	+6°	8h	11
June	27°C	+9°	9h	10
July	29°C	+9°	10h	10
August	28°C	+9°	9h	9
September	24°C	+7°	8h	8
October	18°C	+4°	7h	8
November	12°C	+2°	5h	9
December	6°C	-2°	5h	11

Long-term averages, rounded. "vs Ireland" compares with a typical Dublin high. Rainy days have at least 1mm of rain.

What's on in New York

NovemberThanksgiving Day Parade, the fourth Thursday of November.
DecemberThe Rockefeller Center tree, the shop windows and the ice rinks.
MarchSt Patrick’s Day Parade on Fifth Avenue, 17 March.

Dates move from year to year. Check before you book.

Questions people actually ask

Which Irish airports fly direct to New York?

Direct flights go from Dublin (7h 45m), Shannon.

Is New York warm in October?

Average daily highs are around 18°C in October, compared with about 14°C in Ireland. Pleasant, but pack a jumper for the evenings.

When is the best time to visit New York?

For warm sun without frying, go in May, June, August and September. July can be properly hot, often over 28°C.

Is New York worth it?

We give it 7 out of 7 blue dots. Loud, dear and absolutely brilliant. Clear US immigration in Ireland and land like a local.

Checked October 2026

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