Your Dublin Airport Guide

So, you’ve booked your trip away and you’re flying into or out of Dublin Airport - great choice! Whether you’re nipping off for a weekend getaway, going on your summer holidays or visiting home, you want to start your trip off on the right foot and make sure everything goes smoothly at the airport. 

To help, we’ve put together this handy Dublin Airport guide to answer any questions you might have. We’ll cover how many terminals there are, which terminal your airline is in, transport options, how early to arrive, what shops and restaurants you can explore, and how to continue your journey around Ireland and Northern Ireland. 

How many terminals are in Dublin Airport?

There are two terminals at Dublin Airport. With only a 10 minute walk between them, they’re pretty close together which makes it easy to switch terminals if your travel plans change at the last minute.

Terminal 1

If you’re travelling to / from elsewhere in Europe, your flight will probably land or depart from Terminal 1. With popular airlines like Ryanair, Lufthansa, Eurowings and more flying out of Terminal 1, popular travel routes include Dublin to London, Edinburgh, Amsterdam, Barcelona and more. Of the 2 terminals, this is the most popular hub, so expect it to be busy and plan ahead!

Terminal 2

Terminal 2 was opened to accommodate larger international flights. Here, you’ll find Aer Lingus, American Airlines, Emirates and many other long-haul carriers. If you’re off to the likes of New York or Dubai, chances are you’ll be departing from here. It’s spacious, modern, and has some great views of the runway!

Travelling to / from Dublin Airport

One of the main things you’ll be considering when planning your trip, is how to get to Dublin Airport. Luckily you have a few different options, let’s break them down. 

Arriving by car

If you, friends or family live in Ireland, one of your first thoughts for getting to / from the airport might be to drive. If so, you have a few different options. 

The easiest option is to have friends or family drive and take or meet you at the pick up / drop off zone directly outside the terminals. 

Or if you’re driving yourself, there are various different car parks to choose from: Express Red Car Park, Holiday Blue Car Park and Terminal 2 Long Term Surface Car Park. However, these car parks are located slightly further away from the airport so plan for at least an additional 30 minutes of travel via the shuttle bus, or more during peak seasons! Parking also comes at quite a steep cost, so it won’t be the most cost effective option for you.

Arriving by taxi

Another option is to travel by taxi. With pick up and drop off zones directly outside the terminals this can be a convenient option. However, even more so than the cost of parking your car, fares can be quite steep - particularly during rush hours or if you’re travelling by yourself, so keep this in mind.

Arriving by bus

If you’re looking for a more cost-effective and stress-free option than travelling by car or taxi, you should consider travelling with Aircoach. Our coaches connect Dublin Airport with Dublin City Centre, Dublin South, Cork, Belfast and Derry / Londonderry 364 days of the year. With prices starting from as little as €12, this is by far the cheapest and easiest way to get to the airport.

Unlike other coach operators, you’ll find our stands located directly outside of Terminal 1 and 2 so you’ll arrive exactly where you need to be. Tickets are available to buy on-board or online today.

How early should you arrive at Dublin Airport?

Aim to arrive at Dublin Airport at least 2 hours before your flight if it’s short haul, or at least 3 hours before if you have a long-haul flight. 

This will give you time to check-in any baggage (we recommend checking in for your flight online ahead of time), get through security, browse duty free and maybe even grab a coffee or pre-flight drink all in plenty of time before your flight.

However, if you’re travelling in peak season (May - September) you might want to consider adding an extra hour or so to your arrival time, as check in and security ques can get pretty long. Better to be safe than sorry!

What shops and restaurants are at Dublin Airport?

You won’t go hungry or bored at Dublin Airport! Here’s a quick rundown of what you can expect.

Shops

You won’t be stuck for shopping options. There are plenty of duty-free stores, newsagents and souvenir shops in Terminal 1 and 2. Dublin Airport even offers a click and collect service, so you can shop your favourite brands and put an order in for collection to be picked up upon your arrival - perfect if you need to pick up some last minute holiday clothes!

Restaurants

From traditional Irish pubs to quick bites, you’ll find options like Wrights of Howth where you can try an array of local food items, including the world famous Oak Smoked Irish Organic Salmon. Other options include Tap and Brewery, The Mezz, Upercrust and more for a sit-down meal or a speedy snack.

Cafes

If you’re looking for something a little lighter and want to grab a coffee or a pastry before your flight, there are plenty of cafes like Costa, Craft Coffee, Bluebird and more to choose from. 

Planning your onwards journey from Dublin Airport

Once you’ve landed in Dublin Airport, the world’s your oyster. If you’re heading into the city centre, take our Aircoach 700 and get dropped off right outside popular tourist spots like O’Connell Street. Or if you’re travelling further afield, see our timetable information for onward travel to Cork, Belfast or Derry / Londonderry. The stands for all our coaches are right outside the airport!

And there you have it - a complete guide to navigating Dublin Airport! We hope this helps you have a stress-free travel experience.