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Please allow yourself a minimum of 3.5 hours to depart Ireland from Dublin Airport to the US when traveling from May thru October. Even in January, Aer Lingus recommends 3 hours.
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Ireland Travel Rules
Travel rules may change rapidly. Current rules for traveling to Ireland can be found here.
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Dublin Airport Tips for Arrival
Unlike many international airports with many multiple terminals, the Dublin airport has two, aptly named Terminal 1 and Terminal 2.
Terminal 2, which opened in 2010, serves Aer Lingus, US carriers Delta, US Air, American Airlines, and United as well as Emirates and Norwegian. All other airlines, including Air Canada, will arrive in Terminal 1.
The following tips are specific to Terminal 2. If your flight arrives in Terminal 1 you will find it much the same, if a wee bit smaller. As Terminal 1 serves more European carriers there are far more EU immigration lanes, so visitors holding a non-EU passport may have longer wait times.
Dublin Airport Arrival Tips
If you're arriving from the US or Canada, you have flown over night and are tired from not sleeping well on the plane, as well as excited to begin your trip.
After deplaning, everyone rushes toward immigration, anxious to begin their vacation. But that rushing is likely to result in a wait in the slowly snaking queue. I recommend taking a few minutes to ‘reset' after your flight.
Freshen Up
As you walk the long corridors toward immigration, you'll pass a few restrooms.
Continue past the first one as it is likely to be busiest. But stop at the next one.
Spend a few minutes to freshen up; change clothes, brush your teeth, use the restroom, wash your face… Do a bit to re-create your morning routine as this will help your body adjust to the time difference and beat jet lag.
Special Services at Dublin Airport
Dublin Airport has services to assist passengers with reduced mobility or hidden disabilities.
To best facilitate your travels be sure to notify your airline of your assistance requirements 48 hours prior to departure and assistance will be waiting upon arrival.
Multiple Help Points are located throughout the terminals. A press of the button on the blue box will bring assistance.
Passengers can also visit the OCS reception desk on the departures floor in Terminal 1 or the check-in level in Terminal 2.
It is strongly suggested that you book services in advance, though you may also inform airline staff as you check in for your flight (just know this could result in a wait if the airport is busy).
For more information and to reserve OCS assistance click here.
Clear Immigration
Feeling more human, make your way on to immigration. Join the queue and prepare for a bit of a wait, though the line moves quickly. If you happen to be from an EU country you'll barely have any wait at all.
As you wait, you may be tempted to dig out your cell phones. Don't bother- phones and cameras are not allowed in the immigration area and, if you are seen with them, you will be asked to put them away.
If you appear to have taken a photo with your phone it will be checked and, most likely, deleted.
Have your passport out and open to the photo page, ready to be stamped. The agent will ask about your stay – where you will be , how long you will be in the country. Just answer the questions and you'll be on your way.
What time does immigration open for flights arriving at Dublin Airport?
Immigration at Dublin Airport is open and available whenever a flight is scheduled to arrive. You will not have to wait for Immigration to ‘open' when your flight arrives at Dublin Airport.
Baggage Claim
After clearing immigration, you enter the baggage hall. If you had a wait in immigration your bag will probably be ready to pick up.
If you need to get Euros before leaving the airport: DO NOT use the currency exchange – instead head to the ATM in the baggage hall in Terminal 2. In Terminal 1 you will find an ATM in the baggage area and the arrivals hall.
Read: How and When Should I get Euros for My Ireland Vacation?
Exit the secure area to the Arrivals Hall.
Dublin Airport Car Rental
If you are renting a car, you'll find the rental companies across the skybridge of Terminal 2 (Irish Car Rentals/ EuropCar, Hertz, Avis/ Budget, Dooley/ Enterprise/ Alamo/ National, PayLess/NewWay, Sixt).
If your rental company isn't there it can be found in Terminal 1, on the lower level.
Read: 9 Tips for a Smooth Car Rental Experience at Dublin Airport
Rental car pickup may be off site, so exit the terminal and board agency's shuttle to be taken to your vehicle.
The car rental agents are very helpful and can tell you the best way to get out of the airport to begin your journey.
Take notes if you need to, or draw on the map, if they give you one – there is nothing worse than beginning your Ireland vacation by getting lost! (Save that experience for the picturesque countryside.)
Renting a car in Ireland? You MUST read this article!
Everything You Need to Know About Car Rental in Ireland
Tip: You do not need (or want!) a car in Dublin! Pick up your rental car after spending time in the city!
Read: How to get Around in Dublin & Picking Up Your Rental Car in Dublin City Centre
Bus and Taxi Transport
Bus and taxi transportation can be found at the lower level of both terminals, just follow the signs and join the queues, there is no need to prebook a taxi.
If you are taking a bus into Dublin, splurge on the Aircoach. Clean and roomy, it costs only a few euro more than the other options and offers multiple drop-off points.
Enjoy your Ireland Vacation!
Dublin Airport Departure Tips You Must Know
Dublin is a fickle airport to depart from.
I've had times when we have breezed right through to VAT turn in, picked up a couple last minute gifts, wandered through the tax free shop, and made it through security in under an hour.
But mosttimes check in can take 30-45 minutes and I've had toqueueto drop off my VAT.
So, err on the side of caution when flying out of Dublin airport and allow yourself 3.5 hours, at the least, for flight check in, security, VAT return, and any tax free shopping when returning to the US or Canada.
Keep Current on Travel Rules & Restrictions
There are currently no travel restrictions for United States citizens to return to the US.
Non-US citizens must be fully vaccinated and show proof of vaccination prior to boarding a US- bound flight.
Travel rules are subject to change. View current rules for returning to the United States here.
All travellers, with limited exceptions, whether entering Canada by air, land, rail or marine vessel,mustuse ArriveCAN unless you'reexempt from this requirementdue to an accessibility need. This information must be submitted within72 hoursbefore your arrival to Canada.
Note: Air Canada departs from Terminal 1. You will not clear US customs in Ireland if you have a layover in Canada.
Updated information for travelers entering Canada can be found here.
PCR Testing at Dublin Airport
Randox offers Rapid Antigen and RT-PCR testing at Dublin Airport.
Testing must be booked in advance. More information and booking can be found here.
Check in Online if Possible
If your airline allows online check in take advantage of it!
This will allow you to skip the queue, print your boarding pass and luggage tags at the airline kiosk, drop checked luggage at bag drop, and make your way to the first security checkpoint in a fraction of the time it takes to check in at the airline desk.
Flight Check in at Dublin Airport
The Terminal 2 Departure Hall is a crazy place.
Look for your airline and have your passport ready. You will print your tickets at the available kiosks, and airline employees are available to assist.
After printing your ticket you will complete a pre-checkinterview before you canactually check in for your flight, so be ready to tell the screener all about your amazing vacation- where you went, what you did, who you traveled with. A pre-screen sticker is added to your passport here- this is important later (keep reading).
If you are traveling with very young children they will pass through this with you, but if your children are a bit older they will be interviewed separately (at 9 & 11 mine each had their own interview).
Tip – have mom go first and dad bring up the rear, with the kids in between.
Now you're in line to check in to your flight. If luggage is being checked in under your children's tickets be sure they know which bag is ‘theirs'- this, also, is important later.
Thankfully your load lightens as your checked bags are taken here.
Security Screening #1
From the departures hall, catch the escalator or elevator to the Security Screening Departures level. Stand in line and wait your turn.
Again, you'll need your ticket and passport to enter the screening area.
Liquids, in the regulation baggie, and computers, mobile phones, and even Kindles need to be removed from your bags; shoes, jewelry, jackets and belts must be removed; all will be placed into plastic trays for x-ray screening. With the new pre-screening at check in this line had very little wait, which was a relief after the nearly hour-long queue we had just escaped.
Ahhh, you can relax a bit… You're in The Loop.
VAT return and last minute shopping.
Handle your VAT
It's likely you'll have at least two types of VAT refunds to turn in. Luckily, both can be handled in advance.
VAT refunds that require a receipt should be filled out and placed into the envelope before you arrive at the airport. All you have to do with this is drop the envelope at the proper company. If the line isn't too busy they will check the paperwork to make sure everything is filled out correctly.
If you are using the Horizon Card, be sure your account is set up online before you arrive at the airport. There are multiple kiosks available and you will need to finalize your purchases and refund before you leave.
Sometimes the lines for this are long. And if you get stuck behind someone who hasn't set up an account, the wait can seem like forever. During busy times you will, thankfully, find FEXCO agents offering assistance to help the lines move along.
Last minute shopping
Who isn't tempted by airport shops? You'll find plenty here – all tax free. You will have to show proof of your flight and items may be put in a sealed, clear plastic bag which can not be opened until you are past all security points.
Be sure to watch your time! If you're flying to the US you still have a couple of security steps before you can get to your gate!
And another security screening
Politically speaking, you are now on US soil, so US agents are doing the screening here. Protocol is much as stated above, removing all necessary items, placing them into a bin, and passing through x-ray.
Note: During high season the line for this begins above the escalators to control the crowd at security.
Past all security you will find convenient hydration stations to fill your water bottles.
US Preclearance and Declaration of Goods
No waiting at Customs when you arrive in the US! This line can be long and slow moving.
Two lines are available here- one for those with Global Entry, and one for those without.
A note on Global Entry: though it is handy I do not recommend purchasing Global Entry specifically for your trip to Ireland. It doesn't get you through security points any quicker, nor does it keep you from unloading computers and liquids from your bags.
As with the pre-screening at check in, you are interviewed and asked to verify your checked bag. Older kids will be interviewed separately- which is why they need to be able to identify ‘their' checked bag. This almost caused a problem for us as my husband's bag was checked in under my daughter's name.
“She doesn't know her own bag?” the customs agent practically yelled at me. I tried to calmly reply that it was her dad's bag, that the agent had just added bags to each ticket as we checked in, and, for all that is good and holy, she's only 9! Again, have one parent on either end of this process- just in case something like this happens.
Good to know: Aer Lingus recommends that all ticketed passengers be through US Preclearance 2 hours prior to scheduled departure.
Finally at your gate
Once past US screening, the gates are directly ahead. There is quite a bit of seating but the area is very busy as US bound flights wait to board.
You'll find only a handful of coffee shops and stores here, so be sure to make purchases before pre-clearance.
Boarding Your Flight
One final thing… remember that sticker I mentioned in the pre-check at ticketing? If your passport doesn't have that sticker on it you will be asked to step aside for one more round of questioning.
It made my girls a bit nervous to see me pulled aside; thankfully my husband was there to get them safely to the plane while I told yet another officer about our month in Ireland. But, hey, it was a good trip and I'm happy to talk about Ireland to anyone who will listen. 🙂
51st & Green Lounge at Dublin Airport
If you've followed my tips above you may find yourself with a fair amount of time before boarding your flight.The best way to wait comfortably is in the 51st & Green Lounge.
Located past the US departure gates the lounge serves US Preclearance passengers only.
Though entrance is complimentary to business class ticket holders, you don't have to be a VIP to gain entry. Admission is just€30 per person online or at reception.
Our Experience at 51st & Green Lounge
Our Aer Lingus business class tickets allowed entry into the US preclearance lounge, and it was the most relaxing spot I've ever experienced at Dublin Airport.
The reception desk is located at the very end of the US departures gates hallway. After checking in here you enter through a long passageway, every step taking you away from the loud, busy terminal. The large, bright lounge at the end of the passage has plentiful seating, floor to ceiling windows with runway views, and large bathrooms, complete with showers if you want to freshen up be fore your flight.
We chose a small table with cushioned bench seating on one side and plush swiveling chairs on the other. Our table had its own outlet in the center- so handy!
A few people stood near the bar and barista area, awaiting their special concoctions. More travelers were politely waiting their turns through the plentiful buffet.
The food options were impressive. Iced and hot beverages neatly in a row, warm appetizers led to hot soups, cold salads sat beside a charcuterie board, breads, pastries, and cookies perched above coolers of soda.
Comfortably seated with a plate of tasty nibbles, I was able to set my carry on bag to rights again, after the hectic passage through security gates. The peacefulness of the room was a dramatic difference from the bustling airport halls. There was no rush, no anxiety, no hard plastic chair.
If you have an hour or more before you flight I recommend spending it here. Especially if you're flying coach. You're likely to buy food, snacks & drinks in the departures area- why not spend a bit more and elevate your experience?
Handy Links for Dublin Airport
Transportation Options to and from the airport
