TRAVEL headaches for Munster fans continue after a Cork-based travel company decided not to run day trip packages to the European Champions Cup semi-final due to the high costs for chartering special flights.

Dawson Travel's 189 overnight packages for the game in Bordeaux, where Munster take on Racing 92, sold out just an hour and a half after going on sale at €499 plus tax – including flights, accommodation and transfers.

However, the company decided to pull the plug on day trips with the costs for chartering an aircraft making the day trip more expensive at €520.

Fans organising their own travel to the game have been hit in the pocket with Ryanair flights from Cork to southwestern France coming in at €510 for a two-day return trip.

Aer Lingus flights from Dublin leaving on the Friday before the game and returning the night of the match are now selling for €847.

Some fans are now considering flying into Paris and flying onward to Bordeaux from there.

Paul Dawson, of Dawson Travel, said the company did all it could to ensure affordable day trips went ahead but did not want to proceed with what they felt were "over the odds" airfares.

“We were trying to get extra flights going but the airfares were just too high with the airlines. The chartered flights were coming in at ridiculous money which means the that the customers would have to be paying about €520 for a day trip, which is just silly money.

“I know Killester Travel put on a bigger aircraft, but they weren't able to get another airplane because they were coming up at the same prices as we were.

“I think it would have sold out at €520 but the cost is too high for supporters and we were willing to work for next to nothing just to get extra fans out there.

“We're concentrating now heavily on the final [in Bilbao] should Munster qualify. We'll be doing loads of day trips for that.

“We sold out the one-night package in one hour and a half with 189 seats. For €499 plus tax.

However, there are still further options left for supporters wanting to travel to the game.

Shandon Travel is offering overnight packages departing from Dublin and Cork starting at €575, while Dublin-based Killester travel is running day packages from Shannon and Cork.