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Dublin Airport offers a variety of options for travellers seeking a place to sleep and rest. The airport consists of two interconnected terminals, with Terminal 1 servicing mainly short-haul regional flights and Terminal 2 handling longer-haul international flights. While the airport is open 24 hours a day, 364 days a year, finding a comfortable spot to sleep overnight can be challenging. Terminal 1 has designated rest zones with soft chairs, and travellers can also find couches around Gates 301-307 and near the end of the duty-free area. Terminal 2 offers comfortable chairs in the Oak Café Bar and a prayer room that some people use for sleeping during the early morning hours. Additionally, travellers can purchase lounge passes for access to premium airline lounges with comfortable spots to rest and additional amenities. For those on a tight budget, sleeping in the airport is a viable option, but it may not be the most comfortable choice.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Airport Opening Hours | 24 hours a day, 364 days a year. Closed for a 24-hour period on Christmas Day |
| Terminal Lighting | Remains on throughout the night |
| Security | Checkpoints begin to open around 3:30 AM – 4:00 AM |
| Safety Precautions | Stay in well-lit areas with regular foot traffic, keep valuables secure, be aware of your surroundings |
| Sleeping Spots | Terminal 1: couches around Gates 301-307, Gates 333-335, and near the end of the Duty-Free area. Terminal 2: PRM Room near Gates 407-408 has couches, upstairs McDonald's has cushioned benches and seats, Oak Café Bar has comfortable chairs, prayer room |
| Eateries | Terminal 1: Burger King (4:00am-8:30pm), Cafe Bar (4:00am-last flight), Cafe Nero (5:00am-11:00pm). Terminal 2: Burger King (4:00am-9:00pm), Cafe Bar (open all night), another cafe that closes at night |
| Sleep Pods | Available in Terminal 1 after passing through security. Reasonably priced and can be booked on the spot or in advance |
| Lounges | Various lounges with pay-at-the-door, prepaid passes, membership programs, or complimentary entry. Aer Lingus business lounge has a comfortable spot, showers, food, and drink |
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What You'll Learn
Tips for sleeping in Dublin Airport
Dublin Airport is open 24 hours a day, 364 days a year, closing only for a 24-hour period on Christmas Day. The airport consists of two interconnected and walkable terminals, with Terminal 1 servicing mainly short-haul regional flights and Terminal 2 handling most of the longer-haul international flights. Here are some tips for sleeping in Dublin Airport:
Plan your arrival time
If you arrive too early in the evening, the airport will still be busy, and if you arrive too late, all the best seats and couches will be taken. It is recommended to arrive around 11 pm to get a few hours of sleep before an early morning flight.
Choose a suitable sleeping spot
There are various options for sleeping spots in Dublin Airport. Terminal 1 has couches around Gates 301-307, Gates 333-335, and near the end of the Duty-Free area. There is also a rest zone with soft chairs for sleeping. Terminal 2 has a PRM Room near the water fountain and escalator at Gates 407-408, with a few couches. Additionally, there are some comfortable chairs in the Oak Café Bar in Terminal 2, and a prayer room where people have been allowed to sleep in the early morning hours. If you're looking for more privacy and comfort, you can book a sleep pod in Terminal 1 or consider purchasing a lounge pass, which provides access to comfortable resting areas, free snacks, drinks, showers, and outlets for your devices.
Take necessary precautions
The terminal lighting remains on throughout the night, so consider bringing an eye mask to block out the light. Ensure your devices are charged, and bring a reusable water bottle to take advantage of the free water fill stations. Keep your valuables secure by using a bag lock and keeping them out of sight. Stay in well-lit areas with regular foot traffic and try to sleep near security checkpoints or other travellers to enhance your safety.
Explore nearby accommodation options
If you prefer a more comfortable option, there are hotels near Dublin Airport that provide airport shuttles, such as the Maldron Hotel, which is just a 10-minute walk from the airport and offers a free 24-hour airport shuttle. Alternatively, you can find Airbnbs near the airport for as low as €24 per night.
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Terminal 2 recommendations
Dublin Airport is open 24 hours a day, 364 days a year, closing only for a 24-hour period on Christmas Day. The airport consists of two interconnected and walkable terminals, with Terminal 2 handling most of the longer-haul international flights. If you're looking to spend the night in Terminal 2, here are some recommendations for places to sleep and things to keep in mind:
- Upstairs in Terminal 2, there is a cafe that stays open all night on the right and one that closes on the left. The Oak Café Bar in Terminal 2 has comfortable chairs that can be good for sleeping if you can manage to get two together.
- The PRM Room near the water fountain and escalator at Gates 407-408 has a few couches, offering another potential spot to rest.
- There is a prayer room in Terminal 2 where travellers are sometimes allowed to sleep during the early morning hours when it's not in use. However, be cautious as security may ask you to leave.
- The catering area on the first floor of Terminal 2 is usually quiet and dimly lit between 10 pm and 5 am, providing an option for a more peaceful rest.
- If you're looking for additional comfort, you can purchase a lounge pass. Lounges offer access to free snacks, drinks, showers, and outlets for your devices. Aer Lingus has a business lounge with comfortable spots to rest, showers, and food and drink options.
- If you plan to sleep in the airport, it's essential to take security precautions. Choose well-lit areas with regular foot traffic, keep your valuables secure, and stay near security checkpoints or other travellers for added safety.
- The airport can be quite cold at night, so bring a jacket or a sleeping bag to stay warm.
- Make sure your electronic devices are fully charged, as you'll need them to last through the night.
- If you prefer more privacy and comfort, there are hotels near Dublin Airport that provide airport shuttles, such as the Maldron Hotel, which is just a 10-minute walk away.
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Terminal 1 recommendations
Terminal 1 at Dublin Airport services mainly short-haul regional flights. The airport is open 24 hours a day, 364 days a year, closing only on Christmas Day. If you're spending the night here, there are several recommendations to improve your experience.
Firstly, for food and drink, the Burger King in Terminal 1 opens at 4:00 am and closes at 8:30 pm, while Cafe Nero opens from 5:00 am to 11:00 pm. There is also a Cafe Bar in Terminal 1 that is open from 4:00 am until the last flight of the day.
For sleeping spots, there are designated rest zones in Terminal 1, equipped with comfortable seating. One such rest zone is located after you pass through security, go through duty-free shopping, pass a restaurant, and head up an escalator to the left of Starbucks. Here, you'll find soft chairs suitable for sleeping. Alternatively, there are couches located near Gates 301-307 and Gates 333-335, as well as near the end of the Duty-Free area. If you're looking for more comfort, you can book a sleep pod in Terminal 1, located after security, or stay at a nearby hotel like the Maldron Hotel, which offers a free 24-hour airport shuttle.
If you need to freshen up, there are water bottle filling stations and shower facilities available in both terminals. Terminal 1 also has a variety of lounges, including the T1 Lounge, which offers quiet zones with charging stations, a buffet, and a selection of drinks.
Lastly, for shopping, Terminal 1 has a wide range of options, including duty-free shopping with renowned brands such as Jo Malone, Tom Ford, La Mer, Dior, and Chanel. You can also purchase electronics from InMotion and souvenirs from Irish Memories.
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Safety advice
If you plan to spend the night at Dublin Airport, there are several safety precautions you should take into account. Here is some safety advice to consider:
Lighting and Location
The terminal lighting remains on throughout the night, so consider bringing an eye mask to block out the light and create a more suitable sleeping environment. When choosing a place to sleep, select spots that are well-lit and have regular foot traffic to ensure your safety. It is also recommended to stay near security checkpoints or other travellers to reduce the risk of theft.
Valuables and Personal Belongings
Keep your valuables secure and out of sight. Use a bag lock, and consider sleeping with your bag against a wall or secured to your body. Be aware of your surroundings and keep your belongings within reach at all times.
Security and Advice
Take note of where the security office is located and look for video cameras in the area where you plan to sleep. You can also approach the security personnel for advice on the safest places to spend the night within the airport. They may have specific recommendations or suggestions for areas to avoid.
Timing and Comfort
If you arrive too early in the evening, the airport will still be busy, and if you arrive too late, comfortable seats and couches may be taken. Aim to arrive around 11 pm to secure a good spot for resting before an early morning flight. It is also essential to ensure that your electronic devices are fully charged, especially if you plan to stay overnight at the airport.
Alternative Options
If you prefer more comfort and privacy, consider purchasing a lounge pass or booking a sleep pod. Lounges offer additional comforts, such as free snacks, drinks, showers, and outlets for your devices. Sleep pods are located in Terminal 1 and are perfect for a quick nap before an early morning flight. If you are on a tight budget, there are also hotels near Dublin Airport that provide airport shuttles.
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Nearby hotels
While it is possible to spend the night at Dublin Airport, the lighting stays on and it can be quite cold. If you're looking for a more comfortable sleep, there are a few hotels nearby.
Maldron Hotel Dublin Airport is located just a 5-minute walk from both terminals. The hotel offers a complimentary 24-hour airport shuttle service, on-site parking, and Park, Stay & Fly packages.
Radisson Blu Hotel Dublin Airport is another option, situated a 10-minute walk or shuttle ride from the terminals. The hotel provides a 24-hour shuttle service to all terminal buildings, and the shuttle stop is located outside the Terminal 2 building. The hotel has 13 meeting rooms and a recently refurbished conference centre.
If you're looking for a more luxurious experience, Dublin Airport also has premium airline lounges accessible through various methods, including pay-at-the-door and lounge membership programs.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, you can sleep in Terminal 2 of Dublin Airport overnight. There are some seats in T2 arrivals, and there are almost no overnight flights so you probably won't be disturbed. There is also a prayer room in Terminal 2 where people have been allowed to sleep in the early morning hours.
There are some comfortable chairs in the Oak Café Bar in Terminal 2, which are great for sleeping if you can get two together. There is also a catering area on the first floor of Terminal 2 that is usually quiet and has leather chairs.
No, the sleep pods are only in Terminal 1. However, there is an area between the food court in Terminal 1 and the walkway to the 10x gates that has pod-like shapes in the wall that you can curl up in and sleep.
Yes, there are designated rest zones in Terminal 1, and there are also some cushioned benches and seats near the McDonald's. You can also buy a lounge pass for one of the airlines, which will give you access to more comfortable spots to sleep as well as free snacks, drinks, a shower, and outlets for your devices.
