Arriving Early At Dublin Airport: How Early Is Too Early?

Dublin Airport advises passengers to arrive at their terminal two hours before their scheduled departure time for short-haul flights, and three hours before long-haul flights. However, some travellers recommend arriving even earlier, especially if you are checking bags or travelling in a group. If you are flying to the US, you should allow three hours, and if you are continuing on to Europe, you should allow two hours.

How early to arrive for a short-haul flight

Dublin Airport advises passengers to arrive at their terminal two hours before their scheduled departure time for short-haul flights. However, if you are checking bags or travelling in a group, you should allow more time. It is recommended that you arrive three hours before boarding for international flights, as you will need time to deplane, grab bags, check in, and get through security. Boarding time on international flights out of Dublin is usually 60 minutes, so your timeline is less than the window recommended, especially in the busiest travel season. If you are continuing on to Europe, you should return to Dublin Airport at least two hours before boarding to check in for your flight and clear all security checkpoints.

How early to arrive for a long-haul flight

Dublin Airport advises passengers to arrive at their terminal three hours before their scheduled departure time for long-haul flights. If you are checking bags or travelling in a group, you should allow more time. It is also recommended that you consult your airline for check-in desk and bag drop opening times.

If you are flying to the US, you should allow even more time, as you will need to go through US security, customs and immigration before boarding. One source recommends arriving four hours early for US flights. Another source recommends arriving at the airport six hours before your flight to the US, to allow time to deplane, grab bags, check in, and get through security.

If you are continuing on to Europe, you should return to Dublin Airport at least two hours before boarding to check in and clear security.

How early to arrive for a US flight

It is recommended that you arrive at the airport three hours before your long-haul flight to the US. If you are checking bags or travelling in a group, you should allow even more time. Peak times at security in Terminal 2 (where US flights depart) are between 5am and 12pm, so if you are flying during this time, you should allow yourself plenty of time to check in, go through security screening and US preclearance.

US preclearance is a purpose-built facility that allows US-bound passengers to undertake all US immigration, customs and agriculture inspections at Dublin Airport prior to departure. You will need to go through regular check-in and security, and then US security, customs and immigration before boarding.

One passenger who was flying back to New York at 11am said they had heard horror stories about the lines at the airport and had been told to arrive four hours early. However, they were seeking advice on whether this was really necessary.

Dublin Airport advises passengers to always consult their airline for check-in desk and bag drop opening hours.

How early to arrive for an international flight

It is recommended that you arrive at Dublin Airport at least 3 hours before your scheduled departure time for long-haul international flights. This is to allow enough time for checking in, bag drop, and getting through security. If you are checking bags, it is advised that you allow for an extra hour.

Dublin Airport advises passengers to arrive 2 hours before their departure time for short-haul flights and 3 hours before long-haul flights. Security in Terminal 1 is open 24 hours a day, while security in Terminal 2 opens at 04:00, so passengers flying from Terminal 2 should factor this into their arrival time.

It is always a good idea to consult your airline for up-to-date advice on check-in and bag drop opening times, as these can vary. Boarding time for international flights out of Dublin is usually 60 minutes, so it is important to arrive well in advance to allow for any potential delays.

If you are travelling to the US, it is recommended that you arrive at the airport 3-4 hours early to account for additional security and customs checks.

How early to arrive for a layover

It is recommended that passengers arrive at their terminal two hours before their scheduled departure time for short-haul flights, and three hours before long-haul flights. If you are checking bags or travelling in a group, you should allow more time. Security in T1 is open 24 hours a day, seven days a week, while security in T2 opens at 4 am, so people flying from T2 should factor this in. If you are checking a bag, verify your airline's check-in and bag drop desk opening times, and if possible, allow up to one hour of additional time to check-in luggage. Boarding time on international flights out of Dublin is usually 60 minutes, so your timeline is less than the window recommended, especially in the busiest travel season.

If you are on a layover, it is recommended that you return to Dublin Airport at least two hours prior to boarding if you are continuing on to Europe, and three hours if you are going to the US, to check in for your flight and clear all security checkpoints.

Frequently asked questions