AIRPORT GUIDE: Dublin, what passengers can expect

Dublin Airport, located 10 kilometres north of Dublin’s city centre at Collinstown, serves as Ireland’s primary gateway, connecting millions of passengers to over 180 destinations across Europe, North America, and beyond. Operated by daa, the airport handles a bustling flow of travellers with a focus on convenience and comfort, making it a practical hub for both leisure and business trips. With modern amenities and a clear layout, it ensures a smooth journey for passengers from arrival to departure.

The airport’s two-terminal layout is intuitive, with Terminal 1 handling short-haul flights from airlines like Ryanair and Aer Lingus, and Terminal 2 serving long-haul routes and some Aer Lingus European flights. Clear signage and a connecting walkway between terminals ensure easy navigation, with check-in and security on the upper levels and arrivals below. 

Facilities are designed for passenger ease. Free Wi-Fi is unlimited across the airport, with charging stations and seating plentiful in both terminals. Accessibility features include ramps, lifts, accessible toilets, and assistance call points, with OCS staff providing support for passengers with reduced mobility or hidden disabilities when pre-arranged through airlines. 

Baby changing rooms, water refill stations, and sensory spaces in Terminal 1 cater to families and specific needs. Parking options include over 18,000 spaces across short-stay, long-stay, and express lots, with online booking advised for better rates. Hotels like the Maldron and Radisson Blu, connected by walkways, offer convenient stays.

On-time performance is generally strong, with Dublin ranking among Europe’s more reliable hubs, though its high volume means weather, air traffic control, or operational issues can cause delays, particularly in winter. The airport facilitates efficient connections, especially for transatlantic flights cleared for US Preclearance in Terminal 2, with minimum connection times of 45 minutes for domestic-to-international and 75 minutes for international-to-international. Self-transferring passengers should allow extra time for baggage rechecking and customs, as the Flight Connections Corridor speeds up security but not baggage processes.

Security

Security screening, equipped with C3 scanners allowing liquids and electronics to stay in bags, averages 10 to 15 minutes, but queues can extend to 30 minutes during peak morning hours or holidays. Passengers should arrive two hours early for short-haul flights or three for long-haul, and monitor flight status via the airport’s app or digital boards, as weather, air traffic control issues, or technical delays can occasionally disrupt schedules. The new C3 scanners are certified to scan bags thoroughly so liquids and laptops can be left in the bag, but there are a few glitches to be sorted out before EU regulators can allow them to be used again. Dublin has completed installation of the new scanners in Terminal 2 and most of Terminal 1. Head to the left if you want to pass through them.

Lounge access

Dublin Airport’s T1 Lounge has closed from August 31 for renovation and expansion and will remain closed for a period of six months, while the Liffey and Martello Lounges, nearer T2 on the corridor between the terminals, remain open with extended hours from 04:00-21:00. A new temporary lounge will be available next to Gate 202 from September 1 with operating hours from 07:00-17:00.

Business class passengers from airlines, including Aegean Airlines, Air Canada, Finnair, Hainan Airlines, Lufthansa, Turkish Airlines, Westjet and Wideroe, will have access to the temporary lounge space. Economy passengers can pay to use the lounge for a walk-in price of €35 (T1) and €30 (T2). Priority Pass, DragonPass, LoungeKey, and other card consolidator access is subject to availability. Aer Lingus has a two-story lounge in T2, and transatlantic passengers can use 51st and Green in Terminal 2. The T2 51st and Green? facility will also undergo refurbishment later this year.

Dublin Airport has installed more seats and even a play area. There is a great relaxation area in T1 as you approach the food hall with free WiFi and lots of power charge points, and another near security with window views of the apron.

Departure gates

TERMINAL 1: Remember, Terminal 1 hosts check-in for some long-haul flights, including Air Canada, Etihad, Hainan, and Qatar, Transavia, and Westjet.

• 100 gates: Ryanair
• 200 gates: British Airways and charters
• 300 gates: Air Canada, Air France, Egyptair, Etihad, Hainan, Iberia, KLM, Lufthansa, Qatar, Transavia, Vueling, and Westjet.

Terminal 2 is the Aer Lingus and USA terminal, also used by American, Delta, Emirates, and United. Gates 401-6 downstairs are blocked off for much of the day by US pre-clearance. Heathrow and Gatwick flights are always on the next nearest gates. If you are flying to the Canary Islands, prepare for a long walk to the last of the 400 gates. Even this is preferable to the walk from T2 back to the 300 gates at T1 for some Aer Lingus flights and the dreaded gate 335, from where you have to take a bus to the satellite terminal.

Dining and retail

Dining and retail options cater to diverse tastes across both terminals. In Terminal 1, airside outlets like Butler’s Chocolate Café and Supermac’s offer coffee, snacks, and Irish fast food, while The Oak serves pub-style meals. 

Terminal 2 features Croke Park Bar for hearty dishes and Marqette for artisan sandwiches. The Loop duty-free shops in both terminals stock luxury brands, Irish whiskeys, and souvenirs, with additional stores like WHSmith and Gucci providing essentials and high-end goods. See full list of dining options below.

App

Dublin Airport’s app keeps evolving to show wait times, distance to gates, check-in locations, baggage belts, and estimated time to clear security. The flight departures section now comes with a trendy map. Smartphones allow passengers to store any number of mobile boarding passes directly in the app, meaning that they do not need to have actual printed copies of their tickets. Airline apps have been updated to give gate and time-to-gate information. Sometimes a third-party app like FlightStats has gate change information before the information screens.

Baggage

The two big airlines have different baggage policies. Ryanair encourages carry-ons, while Aer Lingus encourages checked bags. Aer Lingus charges €10 for a 10kg carry-on, which they will allow you to check in for free. Ryanair charges between €6 and €36 for priority boarding to enable you to carry on an overnight bag. There is no free option for check-in. Prices are higher on some routes. Both allow a small handbag/laptop bag for free (Aer Lingus 25x33x20 cm, Ryanair 40x20x25 cm). Both allow 10kg for carry-on (Aer Lingus 55x40x24, Ryanair 4cm narrower at 55x40x20). These are among the more generous allowances in aviation. Be prepared for a 5kg or even 4kg limit when you are boarding some other airlines. Infants are not permitted any carry-on allowance.

Check in locations T1

• Aegean Airlines: Zone 8 (desks 80-90), Opening ~3 hours before.
• Air France: Zone 5 (desks 56-65), Shared with KLM; opening ~2 hours before.
• Air Canada: Zone 15 (desks 140-150, seasonal long-haul), Opening ~4 hours before; some flights may use T2.
• Air Transat: Zone 14 (desks 130-140)
• Air Baltic: Zone 4 (desks 35-45), Opening ~2.5 hours before.
• Air Moldova: Zone 12 (desks 110-120), Opening ~3 hours before.
• Aurigny: Zone 2 (desks 20-30)
• Blue Islands: Zone 2 (desks 20-30)
• Blue Air: Zone 9 (desks 90-100), Opening ~2.5 hours before.
• British Airways: Zone 1-3 (desks 1-30), Shared with some partners; opening ~2 hours before.
• Channel Islands; opening ~2 hours before.
• Charter/holiday flights; opening ~3 hours before.
• Croatia Airlines: Zone 10 (desks 100-110), Opening ~2 hours before.
• Eastern Airways: Zone 2 (desks 20-30)
• EgyptAir: Zone 13 (desks 120-130), Opening ~2 hours before.
• Etihad Airways: Zone 16 (desks 150-160, some flights)
• Eurowings: Zone 6 (desks 60-70), Opening ~4 hours before.
• Finnair: Zone 10 (desks 100-110), Opening ~2 hours before.
• FlyOne: Zone 12 (desks 110-120), Opening ~3 hours before.
• Guernsey routes; opening ~2.5 hours before.
• Iberia Express: Zone 9 (desks 90-100), Opening ~2.5 hours before; some flights may use T2.
• Iceland low-cost; opening ~2.5 hours before.
• Icelandair: Zone 14 (desks 130-140), Opening ~3 hours before.
• KLM: Zone 5 (desks 56-65, shared with Air France), Opening ~2 hours before.
• Loganair: Zone 2 (desks 20-30)
• Long-haul; opening ~3 hours before.
• Long-haul; opening ~4 hours before; occasional T2 use.
• Low-cost European; opening ~2 hours before.
• Lufthansa: Zone 5 (desks 45-55), Part of Star Alliance group; opening ~2.5 hours before.
• Luxair: Zone 4 (desks 35-45), Opening ~2 hours before.
• Norwegian regional; opening ~3 hours before.
• Norwegian: Zone 7 (desks 65-75)
• Play: Zone 7 (desks 65-75)
• Qatar Airways: Zone 16 (desks 150-160)
• Regional UK; opening ~2 hours before.
• Regional; opening ~2 hours before.
• Ryanair: Zone 11-13 (desks 300-360, dedicated area), Largest operator in T1; self-service kiosks available. Opening ~2.5 hours before departure.
• SAS: Zone 8 (desks 80-90), Opening ~3 hours before.
• Seasonal to Canada; opening ~4 hours before.
• Seasonal; opening ~2 hours before.
• SunExpress: Zone 7 (desks 65-75), Opening ~2 hours before.
• Swiss International Air Lines: Zone 5 (desks 45-55), Opening ~2.5 hours before.
• TAP Air Portugal: Zone 6 (desks 60-70), Opening ~2.5 hours before.
• Transavia: Zone 6 (desks 60-70), Opening ~2.5 hours before.
• TUI: Zone 3 (desks 30-40)
• Turkish Airlines: Zone 12 (desks 110-120), Opening ~3 hours before.
• Vueling: Zone 9 (desks 90-100), Opening ~2.5 hours before; some flights may use T2.
• WestJet: Zone 15 (desks 140-150)
• Widerøe: Zone 4 (desks 35-45).

Check in locations T2

Aer Lingus has the most check-in/bag-drop desks at T2, with 29. The number of desks dedicated to check-in versus bag-drop varies on a daily basis depending on passenger loads. There tend to be more bag-drop than check-in desks.

• Aer Lingus: Aer Lingus: Zone E/F (desks 200-250, right side, entire section), Main hub; self-service kiosks and evening bag drop available (17:00-19:45 for early flights). Opening from 03:00 for 06:00 departures.
• American Airlines: Zone A (desks 1-20, left side), US transatlantic; opening ~3-4 hours before; Preclearance required.
• British Airways: Zone B (desks 41-50, middle), Some long-haul; consult screens; opening varies.
• Delta Air Lines: Zone A (desks 21-40, left side), Opening ~06:30, closes 75 min before departure.
• Emirates: Zone C (desks 50-60, central)
• Etihad Airways: Zone C (desks 50-60, central; some T1)
• Iberia Express: Zone B (desks 41-50), Some flights; opening ~2.5 hours before.
• JetBlue: Zone A (desks 1-20), Seasonal US; grouped with other US carriers.
• Long-haul to Dubai; opening ~3-4 hours before.
• Occasional T1 use; opening ~4 hours before.
• United Airlines: Zone A (desks 21-40, left side), Opening ~06:20, closes 75 min before departure.
• Vueling: Zone B (desks 41-50), some flights; opening ~2.5 hours before; mostly T1.

Transport options

Multiple transport options linking it to Dublin and surrounding areas. Over 1,000 daily bus services, including Dublin Express and Aircoach, connect the airport to the city centre in 20 to 30 minutes for €7 to €10, though traffic on the M1 or M50 can extend travel times during rush hours.Taxis, available 24/7 outside both terminals, reach central Dublin in about 25 minutes for €25 to €30, with pre-booking recommended for larger groups.  Dublin airport is served by 18 bus operators, most served from the coach park opposite T1. There are notices in the terminal directing passengers to bus locations by zone. If you arrive at T2, it is quickest to exit by the left-hand doors and walk to the buses outdoors.

Drivers can access the airport via the M1, with clear signage guiding to short- and long-stay car parks, though congestion near the city or roadworks may cause delays. Dublin Airport has approximately 3,400 short-term and 18,600 long-term car parking spaces, plus a recently opened 6,122 spaces in the privately owned AIPCO car park (formerly Quickpark) on the Santry road, making the total nearly 30,000 spaces across all options. The car parks include T1 Short Term Block A (450 spaces), T1 Short Term Block C (1,500 spaces), T2 Short Term (1,800 spaces), the Express Red Car Park (8,000 spaces), Holiday Blue Car Park (8,000 spaces), and Terminal 2 Surface (270 spaces). A concierge parking service operates in T1.

No direct rail link exists, but a planned MetroLink is expected by 2030. Car rental desks from Hertz, Enterprise, and others are located in both terminals, with shuttles to nearby lots.

Bus operators and zones

• Aircoach (various routes, e.g., 700) Zone 15 (Terminal 1)Dublin city centre (multiple stops including O’Connell Street, St. Stephen’s Green), Leopardstown, Dalkey; Cork (704X), Belfast, Derry
• Citylink (various routes) Zones 12 and 13 (Atrium Road, near both terminals) Cork, Galway, Limerick, Castlebar, and more
• Dublin Bus Route 16 Zone 15 (Terminal 1, Dublin city centre (via Santry and Drumcondra), Route 41 Swords and Dublin city centre (24-hour service), Dublin Bus Route Zone 15 (Terminal 1), route 19 Dublin city centre (via Santry) Zone 11 (Terminal 1)
• Dublin Express (various routes, e.g., 784, 782, 783, Dublin city centre (15+ stops including Temple Bar, Trinity College, O’Connell Street, Heuston Station), Terenure, Charlotte Way, Belfast, Glengall Street) Terminal 1: Zone 2; Terminal 2: Zone 20
• Expressway / Bus Éireann (Multiple destinations across Ireland including Cork, Galway, Limerick, Waterford, Sligo, Donegal, Wexford, Drogheda, Navan, and many towns/villages, over 150 daily services) Terminal 1: Zone 1; Terminal 2: Zone 21:
• Go-Ahead Ireland Route 102  Zone 11 (Terminal 1) Sutton Station via Swords, Malahide, Portmarnock, Route 33A Zone 15 (Terminal 1) Balbriggan, Skerries, Rush, Lusk and Swords
• JJ Kavanagh & Sons, Zone 16
• Translink (e.g., to Belfast, Derry) Zone 13
• Wexford Bus Wexford and Co. Wexford areas (almost hourly), Zone 13

During and retail guide

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