12 Steps To Fly Through Dublin Airport US Preclearance
Why Dublin Preclearance Changes Everything
In my 45 years of flying through Dublin Airport, easily my happiest day was the day US Preclearance opened.
I lived in the US for 20 years and flown from the US to Ireland more than 100 times. Now I've used Dublin Preclearance so much that I'm on first name terms with its facial recognition scanner.
Mutterings at JFK
If you've ever landed at JFK at 8 hours flying over the Atlantic, waited an hour in immigration, grabbed your bags, rechecked them, gone through security again, and sprinted to your connection while muttering words your grandmother wouldn't approve of... well, this changes everything.
Welcome To The Northside, sorry, the US
With Dublin's US Preclearance, you clear US immigration and customs right here in Dublin Airport. Nothing like being told "Welcome to the US" in North Dublin.
Then you land in US as a domestic passenger. No immigration lines. No luggage relay race. No security redux. No stress.
Life-changing? For a frequent flyer like me, absolutely. Now this being Da' Northside, there's always a price to pay, with extra hoops to jump through in Dublin Airport. But trust me, it's worth it.
12 Steps To Dublin US Preclearance
Let me walk you through the whole process:
- Arrive at DUB airport 3 hours before your flight.
- Check in with your airline. Your bags will be check to your final destination.
- Go through regular airport security on the 3rd floor.
- Walk through Duty Free until you get to the main shopping area of T2.
- Look for this USCBP screen.
- See what time US Preclearance opens for your flight. If you're early, wait where you are. The USCBP area is small and overcrowded.
- At your appointed time, follow these signs down the steep escalators to the main T2 departures levels.
- At the bottom of the escalators is the entrance to USBCP. Have your passport, boarding pass and immigration papers ready to show before you join the line to enter the Preclearance area.
8. You'll go down more stairs and show your documents again. Then going the line for more security. It's ok to have liquids at this security.
9. Join the line for immigration itself. Lines are split into US Citizens & Non-US citizens. There is Global Entry and Mobile Passport.
10. Smile at the nice immigration officer who holds your fate in their hands. Breathe out when they approve your entry.
11. Board your plane and say goodbye to Ireland until the next time.
12. Land in the domestic terminal in the US. Don't collect your checked luggage, no need to go through security again. Just walk to your connecting gate.
Business Class Preclearance Dublin
Bad news. You don't get much special treatment here. There are three queues to pass through Preclearance. Let's take a look at each one just for you.
- To enter the Preclearance area. No priority line. There's often no wait, but I've also waited an hour. The underpaid staff will give you that look if you try to claim business class privilege.
- Security in Preclearance. Here you are treated with the respect you deserve with a priority line.
- Immigration. Back to reality here where you queue up with the rest. But if you're seated up front, you surely have Global Entry and will fly through.
51st & Green Lounge Dublin
Dublin Airport's best lounge isn't even a contest. 51st & Green sits at apron level after US Preclearance, giving you perfect views of aircraft right outside your window. Add proper barista coffee, good food, and your last chance at a proper pint of Guinness before leaving Ireland, and you can see why it's my favorite.
Where to Find 51st & Green Lounge
You'll find 51st & Green after you've survived US Preclearance. Yes, it's a bit of a hike all the way through T2, Preclearance and then it's at the very end of the US gates area. But at least you're done with all checkpoints and can properly relax until boarding.
Skip T2 The Liffey Lounge
The Liffey Lounge might tempt you since it's the OneWorld lounge in Terminal 2. Don't fall for it. It's before Preclearance, meaning you'll have to cut your lounge time short to queue for USBCP. Not worth it.
Lounge Access
Delta, United, American & Aer Lingus business class passengers get free access. Everyone else? Keep reading.
Save a Fiver. Pay For The Lounge
You can also pay in. Today it costs €41. Is it worth it ? If I'm there three hours before departure as I often am, this is what I can go through in the lounge that is included in the entry fee.
- Irish breakfast: €20
- Coffee & pastries: €6
- Guinness for dessert: €7
- Whiskey for the nerves: €8
- Water to sober up: €5
- Shower before boarding: priceless (your seatmate will thank you)
That's €46 in value for a €41 entry fee. You're up a fiver. At least that's how I justify it.
Tips For DUB Preclearance
Timing is Everything
- Leave lots of time! I counted 22 US flights one day. Preclearance can take an hour.
- Be ready when Preclearance opens for your flight
- From check-in to your airplane seat, you'll go up & down 5 different levels. It's the Dublin Airport alpine traverse. Consider booking assistance if needed.
Escape the Crowds
- The lower level gate area is always packed. Here's your secret: head to the ghost town upper level to wait. It's emptier than Pyongyang's airport.
- Download Mobile Passport app before you fly to skip the immigration queue.
- Global Entry is the second greatest thing in travel, get it if you can.
Food & Drink
- Don't buy food before Preclearance. You're passing through a US Customs area where no food is allowed. My chicken sambo was binned as a 'threat to US biosecurity'.
- Skip the packed restaurants downstairs and go upstairs to the upper level where the bored staff in the empty cafes will be delighted to see you.
- There's another duty-free shop after you pass customs so buy all you want! Not that we approve of breaking laws here at Ireland By Locals.
More Guides to Irish Travel
Don't book your flight before reading my guide to best flights from the US to Ireland.
Before you arrive at DUB, read my guide to Dublin Airport. More expert tips await you.
Have Questions?
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