Roberta Aguirre
Dublin Airport has a range of options for travellers looking for a place to sleep. The airport is open 24 hours, 364 days a year, and offers free unlimited WiFi. While there are several hotels within walking distance or a short shuttle ride away, sleeping in the airport itself is also possible. The airport has designated rest zones, especially in Terminal 1, and there are various cushioned benches, seats, and couches throughout the airport. There are also sleep pods in Terminal 1, although these are only accessible to passengers flying out of Dublin Airport. For those seeking more comfort, airport lounges offer additional comforts for a fee.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Location | About 30 minutes outside of Dublin |
| Sleeping options | Hotels, sleep pods, cushioned benches, couches, comfortable chairs, prayer room, designated rest zones |
| Terminals | 2 interconnected and walkable terminals |
| Terminal 1 | Services mainly short-haul regional flights |
| Terminal 2 | Handles most of the longer-haul international flights |
| Eateries | 24-hour eateries in both terminals |
| Security | Generally tolerates sleepers but may wake up or question loud or disruptive travellers |
| Earliest security checkpoint opening time | 3:30 AM |
| Latest security checkpoint opening time | 4:00 AM |
| Airport opening hours | 24 hours, 364 days a year |
| WiFi | Free and unlimited |
| Showers | Only available in Terminal 1 inside an Executive Lounge; requires Priority Pass or frequent flier lounge access |
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What You'll Learn
Sleep pods in Terminal 1
Dublin Airport has designated rest zones, especially in Terminal 1, where travellers can find a quiet place to rest. These areas are equipped with comfortable seating and are perfect for those looking to catch some sleep without booking a hotel or sleep pod.
Three years ago, Dublin Airport Authorities installed super-futuristic sleep pods in Terminal 1, which can be accessed after passing through security. These seating and sleeping pods were partly inspired by the Disney/Pixar movie 'Up', as it recreates the colourful balloons in the movie. The pods are only accessible if you are flying out of Dublin Airport, so they are perfect for a quick nap before an early morning flight.
The sleep pods are reasonably priced and can be booked on the spot or in advance. They are a good option if you arrive at the airport at midnight and have 5 to 6 hours to kill before check-in or security. The airport also has several 24-hour food options, such as Marqette Café (Terminal 1, Airside) and Wrights Food Fayre (Car Park Atrium).
If you are looking for a more comfortable option, there are a few hotels near Dublin Airport that provide airport shuttles, such as the Maldron Hotel Dublin Airport, which is a 10-minute walk from the airport and offers a free 24-hour airport shuttle. The Clayton Hotel, located near the airport, is another option, with rooms starting at €99.
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24-hour eateries
Dublin Airport has close to 50 food and beverage spots across its two terminals. While many of the eateries are open from 4 am until the last flight, there are 24-hour eateries in both Terminal 1 and Terminal 2.
In Terminal 1, there is a McDonald's upstairs, and there are cushioned benches and seats where people have been known to get some rest. There is also a prayer room in Terminal 2 where travellers have been permitted to sleep in the early hours of the morning.
If you're looking for a more substantial meal, The Fallow Kitchen and Bar in Terminal 1 offers an all-day menu with burgers, fish and chips, chicken katsu, mac and cheese, and sausage and mash. Burger King is also located in Terminal 1, at the top of the escalator, along with The Garden Terrace, which has Dublin Airport's only outdoor smoking terrace.
For a quieter dining experience, San Marco in Terminal 1 offers table service and a menu of Italian dishes made with local, seasonal produce.
If you're willing to leave the airport, there are several hotels nearby that provide airport shuttles, including the Maldron Hotel Dublin Airport, Radisson Blu Hotel Dublin Airport, Carlton Hotel, and Holiday Inn Express Dublin Airport. These hotels offer free 24-hour airport shuttles, making it convenient for travellers with early morning flights or late arrivals.
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$24.99
Free WiFi
Dublin Airport provides unlimited free WiFi in both Terminal 1 and Terminal 2. The service was first installed in 2011 and has recently been upgraded to be faster than ever. No sign-up or registration is required to access the WiFi. Simply find or enter the network name 'Dublin Airport WiFi' or 'Dublin Airport Free WiFi' in your WiFi settings and connect.
The airport provides free wireless broadband WiFi services, allowing you to download music, games, and TV shows, or even access your work before your flight. The availability of comfortable seating with access to power outlets is limited, so you may need to arrive early to secure a good spot.
The airport can be quite busy, and noise from announcements and general airport operations may disrupt your sleep or work. It is recommended that you bring earplugs and eye masks if you are a light sleeper.
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Hotels near the airport
If sleeping inside the airport doesn't sound like a good option, there are several hotels near Dublin Airport that you can consider. Here are some options:
Clayton Hotel
At €99, the Clayton Hotel was the cheapest hotel option available near the airport.
Maldron Hotel Dublin Airport
The Maldron Hotel is just a 10-minute walk from the airport and offers a free 24-hour airport shuttle.
Radisson Blu Hotel Dublin Airport
The Radisson Blu Hotel provides a free 24-hour airport shuttle.
Carlton Hotel
The Carlton Hotel is another option that provides a free 24-hour airport shuttle.
Holiday Inn Express Dublin Airport
This hotel offers a free airport shuttle bus from 4:00 AM to 11:30 PM. Departures from the hotel are every half hour, and from the airport, they are every quarter of an hour.
Other Options
In addition to the above, there are several other hotels near Dublin Airport, including Premier Inn Dublin Airport, Crowne Plaza Dublin Airport, Metro Hotel Dublin Airport, and Travelodge Dublin Airport Swords.
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Security and sleeping
Sleeping in an airport may be necessary in some situations, and Dublin Airport is open 24 hours, 364 days a year. However, it is not always the most comfortable or secure option. Security staff at Dublin Airport generally tolerate sleepers, but they may wake or question travellers who are loud or disruptive. They may also ask travellers for their plans and will remove anyone who is not flying that day. Security checkpoints begin to open around 3:30–4:00 am, so guards may wake sleepers at this time.
Sleeping in the multi-faith prayer room is possible, but some travellers who tried this were later asked to leave by security guards. Travellers may be better off finding a different place to sleep. Dublin Airport has designated rest zones, especially in Terminal 1, where travellers can find a quiet place to rest. Upstairs from the McDonald's, there are cushioned benches and seats, and the cafes close at night, so travellers can snuggle up on the couches. There are also some comfortable chairs in the Oak Café Bar in Terminal 2.
For uninterrupted sleep, there are several airport hotels within walking distance or easily reachable by a free shuttle. The Clayton Hotel is the cheapest option at €99 per night. There are also sleep pods in Terminal 1, but these are only accessible to passengers flying out of Dublin Airport.
To ensure a restful sleep, managing noise and light is crucial. The airport can be noisy due to announcements and cleaning crews, so earplugs or noise-cancelling headphones can help. An eye mask can also help block out the terminal lighting, which stays on all night.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, you can sleep at Dublin Airport. Security staff will likely ignore overnight sleepers, but they may wake up or question travellers who are particularly loud or disruptive.
There are super-futuristic sleep pods in Terminal 1, accessible only if you are flying out of Dublin Airport. There are also cushioned benches and seats upstairs near the McDonald's. There are comfortable chairs in the Oak Café Bar in Terminal 2, and there is a prayer room in the same terminal where travellers have been allowed to sleep. Dublin Airport also has designated rest zones, especially in Terminal 1.
Yes, there are 3-4 hotels right next to the airport, including the Clayton Hotel, Maldron Hotel Dublin Airport, Radisson Blu Hotel Dublin Airport, Carlton Hotel, and Holiday Inn Express Dublin Airport.
There are no public showers at Dublin Airport. The only showers are located in Terminal 1 inside an Executive Lounge, so you must have a Priority Pass or frequent flyer lounge access to use them.
