Dublin Airport's Covid Testing: What You Need To Know

Dublin Airport has offered COVID-19 testing to passengers and the public since November 2020. The airport has opened testing facilities in partnership with private healthcare companies, including RocDoc and Randox. Tests range in price from €99 for a walk-through PCR test to €159 for a drive-thru LAMP express test. The airport has also partnered with the Carlton Hotel Dublin Airport, which offers a 'Test, Rest & Fly' package that includes an overnight stay, breakfast, and a Vida Care-administered PCR test.

Covid-19 testing centre at Dublin Airport

Dublin Airport has set up a Covid-19 testing centre to cope with the increase in passengers as Ireland exits lockdown. The centre was established to ensure that the spread of Covid-19 is limited as much as possible. The airport is looking to implement all possible measures to restrict the transmission of the virus.

Testing Facilities

The Covid-19 testing centre at Dublin Airport is operated by private healthcare companies RocDoc and Randox. They offer passengers and the general public the option of drive-thru or walk-in tests. The testing facilities are located in the Express Green car park, which can be accessed via the R132 (Old Airport Road), and close to the Terminal 2 multi-storey car park, respectively. Both facilities are clearly signposted and offer a range of tests to suit different budgets and time constraints.

Tests and Pricing

The tests offered include PCR and LAMP tests, with prices ranging from €99 to €159. PCR tests are the standard Covid-19 tests recognised by Irish health authorities and results are typically available within 24-48 hours. LAMP tests, which are not yet recognised for international travel in Ireland, offer a shorter turnaround time for results.

Booking and Results

Tests must be pre-booked online through the websites of the respective healthcare providers, RocDoc and Randox. Results are typically available within 24-48 hours for PCR tests and within five hours for express LAMP tests. Results are communicated via email and SMS, and a full Test Result Certificate is provided.

The Covid-19 testing centre at Dublin Airport provides a convenient and efficient service for passengers and the general public. With a range of testing options and quick turnaround times for results, the centre supports the safe resumption of travel and helps to limit the spread of Covid-19.

PCR Covid-19 testing at Carlton Hotel

PCR Covid-19 testing is available at the Carlton Hotel, Dublin Airport, for guests seeking extra peace of mind before or after their flight. The hotel has partnered with Vida Care, an Irish healthcare provider located on its grounds, to offer the 'Test, Rest & Fly' package. This includes an overnight stay, breakfast, and a PCR Covid-19 test for one person. The package costs €249 for one guest and €418 for two guests sharing a room, with additional tests available for purchase online.

To book the package, passengers must first make a reservation on the Carlton Hotel website. They will then receive a Vida Care consent form via email, which must be completed before their arrival at the hotel. The test involves a swab of the nose and throat, which is sent to an HSE-accredited lab for analysis. Results are typically delivered within 24 hours via SMS and email, with a full Test Result Certificate included. Should guests require a printed copy of their results, the hotel offers a complimentary printing service.

The 'Test, Rest & Fly' package provides travellers with the convenience of a comfortable stay, a hearty breakfast, and the assurance of a recognised PCR Covid-19 test result before they embark on their journey. This initiative addresses the anxiety that travellers may feel during the pandemic, offering a safe and secure solution to resume their travels with confidence.

In addition to the 'Test, Rest & Fly' package for departing passengers, the Carlton Hotel also offers a 'Test & Rest' package for those arriving in Ireland. This option provides peace of mind for individuals reconnecting with loved ones, ensuring a safe return to their families and communities.

RocDoc and Randox testing facilities

Dublin Airport has two COVID-19 testing facilities operated by private healthcare companies, RocDoc and Randox. The facilities offer passengers and the general public the option of either a drive-through or walk-in test. The drive-through facility is located in the Express Green Car Park, which is accessed via the R132 (Old Airport Road). The walk-through test is available to the public at the North Terminal building. The facilities will be clearly signposted.

RocDoc's drive-through facility is open from 02:00-19:00, Monday-Sunday. The walk-through test centre is open from 08:00-18:00, Monday-Friday, and 09:00-18:00, Saturday-Sunday. The tests are available for pre-booking through the RocDoc website or by calling their helpline.

The tests offered by RocDoc include the standard PCR test, which costs €129 with results available in 24-48 hours, and the LAMP test, which costs €149 with results available in 12 hours. The LAMP test is also available as an express service, with results available in 5 hours and costing €159.

Testing for travellers from 'red' and 'orange' regions

Testing for travellers from red and orange regions

Testing requirements for travellers arriving in Ireland vary depending on the region they are coming from. As of November 2020, the Irish government had adopted the EU 'traffic light' system, categorising regions as green, orange, red, or grey.

Orange Regions

Travellers arriving from orange regions do not need to restrict their movements if they can produce a negative COVID-19 test result from a test taken at least three days before their arrival. Those who do not have a negative test upon arrival in Ireland can take a test five days after arrival and must restrict their movements until they receive a negative result.

Red Regions

Travellers arriving from red regions must restrict their movements for a minimum of five days before they can take a test. If this test returns a negative result, their quarantine ends.

Testing Facilities at Dublin Airport

Dublin Airport has two COVID-19 testing facilities, operated by private healthcare companies RocDoc and Randox. These facilities offer drive-thru or walk-in tests, with prices ranging from €99 for a walk-through PCR test with Randox (results in 24-48 hours) to €159 for RocDoc's drive-thru LAMP "express" test (results within five hours).

In addition to the airport testing facilities, travellers can also avail of COVID-19 testing at the Carlton Hotel, located adjacent to Dublin Airport. The hotel offers a 'Test, Rest & Fly' package, which includes an overnight stay, breakfast, and a Vida Care-administered PCR COVID-19 test.

Random testing at Irish airports

In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, Ireland implemented various measures to limit the spread of the virus, including travel restrictions and advisories. As part of its comprehensive approach to pandemic management, Ireland introduced random testing at airports, including Dublin Airport, to curb the surge in COVID-19 cases and limit non-essential travel. This measure was announced by Health Minister Stephen Donnelly in April 2022, as a proactive step to address the increasing COVID-19 infections in Ireland and across Europe.

Testing Facilities and Process

Dublin Airport, being the busiest airport in Ireland, played a crucial role in this initiative. The airport collaborated with private healthcare companies, RocDoc and Randox, to establish two COVID-19 testing facilities: a drive-thru option and a walk-in centre. These facilities offered passengers and the general public convenient testing options with competitive pricing. The tests ranged from €99 for a walk-through PCR test to €159 for an express LAMP test, with results available within 24-48 hours and five hours, respectively.

Impact and Benefits

The introduction of random testing at Irish airports, including Dublin Airport, served multiple purposes. Firstly, it helped identify infected individuals, preventing them from boarding flights and potentially spreading the virus to others. Secondly, it provided peace of mind to travellers and their loved ones, reducing anxiety associated with air travel during the pandemic. Additionally, the testing facilities at Dublin Airport played a crucial role in boosting air travel and supporting the recovery of the aviation, hospitality, and tourism industries, which had been devastated by the pandemic.

The implementation of random COVID-19 testing at Irish airports, including Dublin Airport, was a proactive measure to address the surge in cases and limit non-essential travel. Through collaboration with private healthcare providers, Dublin Airport facilitated convenient and efficient testing for travellers, contributing to pandemic management and the gradual resumption of air travel. These testing facilities played a pivotal role in boosting traveller confidence and supporting the revival of the aviation and tourism sectors in Ireland.

Frequently asked questions