Dublin Airport: Tips For Navigating DUB Like a Pro

Welcome to Dublin Airport: My Second Home

Greta won't love me for this, but I can't even count how many times I've taken a flight from Dublin Airport.

I've been flying through Dublin Airport for more than 40 years. I fly every month.

I've flown from DUB to the U.S. around 100 times, so I know the U.S. Pre-Clearance area as well as my own home. I even interned at the airport when I was in college.

This isn't a humblebrag; I'm giving my credentials so you know you can trust my Dublin Airport tips and advice.

Dublin Airport Basics

I've been a plane-spotting nerd since I was a kid. I spent weekends at DUB with a logbook. Back then, seeing anything other than Aer Lingus was exotic. Today, 50 airlines fly to 190 destinations in 40 countries.

30 million passengers fly through Dublin every year. With a population of 5 million, looks like I'm not the only frequent flyer in the country. We're a small island, with no bridges or tunnels, so air routes are our connections to the world.

Dublin Airport Terminals

Dublin Airport has two terminals: the chaotic Terminal 1 and the modern zen Terminal 2.

Dublin Airport Terminal 1 (T1)

Ah, the excitement of arriving at T1 as a kid in the 80s when we were going off on the annual summer holiday. I can remember the smell of the jet fuel and the noise of those old engines.

Today T1 is a little less exciting. It's clean and well-kept, but you know it's a 70s building as soon as you walk into it.

T1 is home to Ryanair, Qatar, Turkish, Air France, KLM, Lufthansa, the Canadian airlines, and many others.

Dublin Airport Terminal 1 Arrivals

Irish people still go to the airport to collect their friends and family. We're an island of emigrants and seeing families reunite makes for a fun wait. There's a piano you can play while you wait, but that's as fun as it gets. Time your arrival 15 minutes after their plane lands to minimize wait time & the expensive parking charges.

Dublin Airport Terminal 1 Departures

On the upper levels is the departures area. It's busy, but not big and there's plenty of staff to direct you. Security is at the far left of the terminal. There is a food court upstairs, but it's quite dark and grim.

Dublin Airport Terminal 1 Security

Because T1 is home to Ryanair, it has a huge number of passengers. Security is busy. In Dublin Airport, you can go through security in either Terminal 1 or Terminal 2, no matter which one you fly from.

Dublin Airport's website has live security wait times. Check what the wait times are at each terminal. It can be worth going through the quieter terminal and walking between the terminal airside. It's a 10 minute walk.

Dublin Airport Fast Track Security

Dublin Airport does have a fast-track option that you can pay for. I'm usually through regular security in 15 minutes, so I rarely pay for it. But I have used it when I fly business class. If you're on the company dime or running late, it's a good option.

Dublin Airport Terminal 1 Airside

Once you've made it past security, be ready for crowds. Remember, this is an old terminal, with low ceilings, and it's very busy. I minimize my time in T1.

T1 is a bit of a maze. Don't just blindly follow the crowd; there are many turns for different gates and areas. The Ryanair gates are a solid 15-minute walk from security. If you're a bit slower or have kids, leave lots of time to get to your gate!

Dublin Airport Terminal 1 Shopping and Duty-Free

You'll be forgiven for thinking you are in a shopping mall and not an airport. There are so many shops in T1. Duty-free is where you'll want to pick up your Irish Whiskey.

Dublin Airport Terminal 1 Restaurants and Bars

No matter what time your flight is at, 6 a.m. or 6 p.m., the bars in Dublin Airport are full. It's like Temple Bar on New Year's Eve. Those days are over for me, but to each their own!

Food options in Terminal 1 are fine; there are local Irish restaurants, not just the usual chains. But it's just so busy.

If you're starting to get the idea that I don't love T1, you're right.

Dublin Airport Terminal 1 Lounges

The Terminal 1 Business Lounge is just after security and is not signposted.

I'm a frequent visitor and like it. When you enter the lounge, you can turn left or right. Most people go right, but I always go left. The left is quieter and has a barista. Barista good. Machine bad.

Don't get too cozy in the lounge. Leave time to get to your gate. Ask the agent at the lounge check-in how long it will take to get to your gate.

The East Lounge, for Qatar, Etihad, Emirates, and EgyptAir, is a few minutes' walk to the left after security. I haven't been in it yet, but I will be next month, and I'll add my notes here then.

Ryanair at Dublin Airport

I love Ryanair. There you go. I've no problem saying it.

I'm an Arsenal fan, and I fly to London to see them play every month. When I was a teenager, I'd have to save up a fortune to buy a flight to LHR with Aer Lingus. I'm going to Arsenal this Saturday; my day trip return is 29 euros. Thanks, Mick.

But you must know their rules. They're clearly stated on their website. Don't yell at any gate agents because you didn't read the rules. The golden rule with Ryanair: BE AT THE GATE VERY EARLY.

Ryanair will cut off and deny boarding if you are not there 30 minutes before the flight. It doesn't matter if the plane hasn't arrived yet. I've seen it happen so many times.Their quick turnarounds are why they can offer such cheap fares.

Dublin Airport Terminal 2

I love T2. It's calm, it's quiet, it's airy, it's underused. It's everything that T1 isn't.

Tip: If I'm flying from T1 and there's a long delay, I'll walk airside over to T2 and relax there. Just don't miss your flight!

Which Airlines Fly From Dublin Airport Terminal 2?

This is easy. There are 3 distinct groups of airlines that fly from T2.

1. The OneWorld airlines. Aer Lingus, British Airways & Iberia.
2. The US airlines. Delta Airlines, American Airlines & United Airlines.
3. Emirates Airlines

Terminal 2 is busiest in the morning when the US flights are heading out and then gets much quieter in the afternoon & evening.

Flying between Ireland & the US

I have written the Complete Guide to Flying Between the US and Ireland, be sure to read that much more information. It includes how to use the Dublin Airport US Pre-Clearance Area and how to pick your flights to get your trip off to the best possible start.

US Destinations from Dublin Airport

Dublin Airport (DUB) offers direct flights to these US cities:

New York (JFK, EWR) | Boston (BOS) | Chicago (ORD) | Minneapolis (MSP) Hartford (BDL) | Seattle (SEA) | Denver (DEN) | Los Angeles (LAX) | Las Vegas (LAS) San Francisco (SFO) | Dallas (DFW) | Atlanta (ATL) | Charlotte (CLT) Orlando (MCO) | Miami (MIA) | Washington D.C. (IAD) | Philadelphia (PHL) | Cleveland (CLE) Detroit (DTW)

This extensive network covers major hubs and popular destinations across the United States, making Dublin an excellent gateway for transatlantic travel.

Dublin Airport Terminal 2 Check-In Area

Check-in is on the ground floor. No lugging luggage up narrow escalators here.

Aer Lingus has the entire right side of the check-in area. They have very helpful staff to help with the self check-in. They have some strange baggage policies so be sure to check when you book.

The left half is for the US airlines and Emirates. BA & Iberia are in the middle.

Something unique about Dublin Airport is that if you are flying to the US direct, you do US immigration in Dublin Airport US Pre-Clearance (USCBP) area. So you should arrive at least 3 hours before your flight to allow for this. My guide to flying between the US & Ireland gives full details and tips for getting through the US Pre-Clearance area.

Dublin Airport Terminal 2 Level 2 Arrivals

On the second level is the arrivals area. There are a number of restaurants and coffee shops here, all well designed and laid out. It's a nice space to spend some time in as you wait.

Dublin Airport Terminal 2 Security

To access the boarding gates, go up two levels to security. I already wrote about how you can check the security waiting times on Dublin Airport's website. T2 is generally quick except for the morning rush for the US flights.

The fast track priority & business class line is easy to miss. It's on the far left and not well signed.

Dublin Airport Terminal 2 Duty Free & Shops

If you like your whiskey, buy it here. Dublin Airport has some rare and exclusive whiskeys here. They know they have thousands of American passengers coming through T2 every day, and many of the distilleries give them exclusives on the rare stuff.

Dublin Airport Terminal 2 Bars & Restaurants

I intentionally get to the airport early so I can get my final Irish Breakfast at the restaurant overlooking the apron in T2. Watching planes land is something I can do all day. The food is good, the views are better.

Dublin Airport Terminal 2 Lounges

There are 3 lounges in Terminal 2. They're all hidden away though.

Go through the main shopping area past security, follow the signs for the boarding gates. You'll go down a big escalator.

For the Aer Lingus & East Lounge, you do a U-turn at the bottom of the escalator and walk under it. Then follow signs.

The 51st & Green Lounge is in the US boarding area, so go through US immigration and you'll find it.

The Aer Lingus/Oneworld Lounge

This is a very nice lounge. Recently renovated with views over the apron. Friendly staff at the entrance will check you in. There's an underused upstairs part of the lounge than many people miss. That's where I spend my time in the lounge.

The East Lounge

This is for eastbound passengers on Qatar, Etihad, Emirates & Egyptair. This lounge is further along the corridor from Aer Lingus, so don't worry, you're not lost. It's midway between T1 & T2.

I will be in it in a couple of months and will report back then, but I hear it's very nice.

51st & Green Lounge

If you are flying to the US, go to this lounge, not the others. This is the lounge for all US bound flights. It is located after the US Pre-Clearance Area. Apart from being the nicest lounge, it's located after all check and controls, so you can relax until boarding time. More details in my US flights guide.

How To Get To Dublin Airport

It's not easy to get to Dublin Airport. Dublin is one of the very few capital city airports in Europe to not have a rail connection. And we won't be getting one anytime soon.

Taxi to Dublin Airport

If you are going somewhere in Dublin, and you can afford it, just take a taxi. Dublin isn't that big. A taxi to the city centre will cost about €30-40.

I've seen people spend thousands on their once-in-a-lifetime trip to Ireland and get the bus to the airport.

You're tired after flying. You have luggage. You don't know the city. This isn't the time to try to save a few bucks.

Bus to Dublin Airport from Downtown Dublin/Dublin City Centre

The Aircoach can have you in Dublin City Centre within 40 minutes. It even goes to the other side of the city (which would cost a lot in a taxi). When choosing your hotel, it's worth checking if it's close to an Aircoach stop.

Cork, Limerick, Galway, Belfast to Dublin Airport

There are coach services to all parts of Ireland from the airport. Dublin Airport website has details of these.

Chauffeur Car Service from Dublin Airport

Travel in style and have someone waiting for you in the arrivals house. Book your limousine service with one of these companies.

A good friend of mine, Niall Docherty, has a 9 seater taxi van available for Dublin Airport pickup, hotel transfers and tours of the thirty two counties specifically tailored to your needs. Driver with twenty plus years experience. You can contact Niall on +353 87 985 3004 or email.

Platinum Service Dublin Airport

Dublin Airport has a private terminal for the rich, famous and Regular Joes celebrating special occasions. From their website: "All passengers, no matter airline or class of ticket, can enjoy VIP personalised treatment at Platinum Services with private check-in, Security, suites for relaxation, drinks and dining, and chauffeur-driven to your aircraft."

The price isn't unreasonable. €395 and up. I don't use it on my Ryanair flights to Stansted, but for a special occasion, it's something fun & memorable. Have Questions?

If you still have questions about Dublin Airport, leave a comment below and I'll respond quickly to it.