Dublin Airport Delays: What's The Holdup?

Dublin Airport has two terminals, Terminal 1 and Terminal 2, with parking available at both. Terminal 1 is the main terminal, with airlines such as Air France, British Airways, Flybe, and Ryanair operating from there. Terminal 2 caters to long-haul flights with airlines such as Aer Lingus, American Airlines, Etihad Airways, and United Airlines. While there is no information on the current status of flight delays at Dublin Airport, a review from a traveller mentions the long walk from the main terminal to the Ryanair pier.

Check-in times and locations

Dublin Airport has two terminals, Terminal 1 and Terminal 2. The majority of airlines, including Air France, British Airways, Flybe, and Ryanair, operate from Terminal 1, which is the main terminal. Terminal 2 caters to long-haul flights with airlines such as Aer Lingus, American Airlines, Etihad Airways, and United Airlines.

When checking in for your flight at Dublin Airport, it is important to note that the check-in halls for the two terminals are located on different floors. The Terminal 1 check-in hall is located on the first floor, while Terminal 2 check-in is on the ground floor. It is recommended that you arrive at the airport at least 90 minutes before your domestic or European flight and three hours before long-haul flights to allow sufficient time for check-in and any other necessary procedures.

Most airlines operating from Dublin Airport offer online and mobile check-in options, providing added convenience for passengers. Additionally, bag drop desks are conveniently located in the check-in halls for those travelling with hold luggage. However, it is important to remember that online check-in and bag drop desk closing times may vary by airline, so be sure to confirm these details with your specific airline before heading to the airport.

For passengers travelling on certain early morning flights with Aer Lingus, the 'evening before' check-in option is available, allowing you to complete the check-in process ahead of time and enjoy a more relaxed start to your travel day.

Drop-off and parking

Dublin Airport provides designated set-down zones for anyone wishing to drop off passengers for a flight. These zones are located outside both Terminal 1 and Terminal 2. Motorists should follow signs for T1 Departures or T2 Departures to access these set-down areas. It is important to note that for security and passenger safety reasons, vehicles should not be left unattended at any time. Any vehicle left unattended outside a terminal will be either clamped or towed by the airport police, with a charge of €140 for recovery of the vehicle. If the vehicle is not collected on the day it is removed, there is an additional charge of €35 for each day of storage.

If you are picking up passengers, you should use the short-stay multi-storey car parks, which are clearly signposted when approaching Terminals 1 and 2. Hourly rates start from €3.

Dublin Airport also offers a Drop & Go Parking service, located on Level 3 of the T2 Short Term Car Park. This service offers easy and convenient parking just a short walk from Terminals 1 and 2, allowing you to hand over your keys and go directly to departures. To use this service, you must pre-book and arrive at the Terminal 2 Short Term Car Park, entering through the barriers at ground level. Follow the directional signage to Level 3, passing through another barrier to access the Drop & Go Parking zone. A team member will greet you, check in your vehicle, register your keys, and provide you with a personalised receipt card with a unique barcode. Upon your return, you can use this barcode to collect your keys from the secure self-service lockers and your car will be ready for collection in the same place you dropped it off.

Dublin Airport offers a range of parking options, including short-term and long-term car parks. Short-term car parks are located close to the terminal building and check-in areas in both Terminals 1 and 2. The rates for short-term parking are €3.00 for the first hour and €4.50 for each additional hour, with a maximum daily charge of €40.00. Long-term parking options include the Express Red Car Park, Holiday Blue Car Park, and Terminal 2 Long Term Surface Car Park. The rates for long-term parking vary depending on the car park chosen, with Express Red at €18.00 per day and Holiday Blue at €15.00 per day. It is recommended to book parking in advance, especially during busy travel periods, as drive-up car park spaces may not always be available.

Transport to and from the airport

Dublin Airport is located approximately 10km north of Dublin City Centre. There are several transport options for those travelling to the city centre and beyond.

By Bus

Dublin Airport is accessible by over 1,000 buses and coaches daily, reaching many areas in and around Dublin and other towns and cities across Ireland. There are several bus routes that serve the airport, including good express services that provide interchanges with Dublin trains and trams.

The Aircoach buses provide express services from the airport to the city centre, with several interchanges with key tram stops. The main route, the 700, runs every 30 minutes. There are additional Aircoach routes serving other parts of Dublin. Tickets can be bought online or from customer staff at the airport. Aircoach buses are wheelchair accessible, but wheelchair users must contact Aircoach 24 hours in advance.

The Dublin Express Route 782 takes you from the airport to the city centre, and is the best option if you need to travel to Heuston Station. Buses typically run every 15-20 minutes. Dublin Express also provides some additional routes from the airport to other parts of the city, including to Terenure and Charlotte Way.

There are also a number of other bus services that operate from the airport to various locations around the city, including:

• Dublin Bus and Go-Ahead Ireland services: 16, 41, 102, and 33A
• Airport Hopper: hourly shuttle buses to Maynooth and Tallaght, serving Lexlip, Liffey Valley, Lucan, Clondalkin, and various hotels en route
• Green Big Bus (by Dublin Coach): 36 daily direct express services between the airport, the Red Cow Luas tram stop, and Dundrum town

By Train

There isn't a direct train from the airport to the city centre, but you can make use of the interchanges with Dublin trains and trams from the bus routes mentioned above.

By Taxi

Taxis are available from the forecourts directly outside Terminal 1 and Terminal 2.

By Car

You can also reach the airport by car.

By Bicycle or Foot

Dublin Airport is also accessible by bicycle or on foot.

Airlines and terminals

Dublin Airport (DUB/EIDW) is an international airport serving Dublin, Ireland. It is located in Collinstown, 7km north of Dublin and 3km south of Swords. The airport is the 13th busiest in Europe and the busiest in Ireland, with 32.9 million passengers passing through in 2019, its busiest year on record.

Dublin Airport has two terminals, Terminal 1 and Terminal 2. Terminal 1, which opened in 1972, was designed to handle five million passengers per year. It has been extended and improved over the years and is currently home to all airlines except Aer Lingus, American Airlines, British Airways, Delta Air Lines, Emirates, Iberia Express, JetBlue, United Airlines, and Vueling. Terminal 2, which opened in 2010, is a 75,000 sqm terminal capable of handling 15 million passengers annually. It is the primary hub for Aer Lingus and houses IAG airlines Aer Lingus, British Airways, Iberia Express, and Vueling, as well as U.S. carriers American Airlines, Delta Air Lines, JetBlue, and United Airlines. Emirates also operates from Terminal 2.

Dublin Airport offers flights to a variety of destinations worldwide, including North America, the Middle East, Europe, and East Asia. The top routes from Dublin Airport include London Heathrow, Amsterdam, Manchester, Birmingham, and London Gatwick. The airport serves as a hub for Ireland's flag carrier, Aer Lingus, and is the home base for Europe's largest low-cost carrier, Ryanair.

In terms of airport delays, Dublin Airport currently has a very low delay status. However, there have been instances of delays and cancellations due to drone sightings in early 2023, which led to disruptions for several flights.

Security wait times

Dublin Airport has two terminals, Terminal 1 and Terminal 2. According to a user review, Terminal 1 has shown improvement in security check, with no need to remove electronics, although liquids are still an issue. The wait time is about 10 minutes. However, the user also mentions that 3D security scanners are not always available, and passengers still need to separate liquids and remove iPads, belts, etc. This can be inconvenient, especially considering the amount of money the airport makes.

Terminal 2 has been described as better than Terminal 1, but it also has similar issues with security scanners and the removal of certain items. The user review suggests that these issues are unacceptable for a hub airport.

It is recommended that passengers arrive at the airport at least 90 minutes before their flight for domestic or European flights and three hours before for long-haul flights. This allows ample time for check-in, bag drop, and security checks.

Frequently asked questions