Dublin Airport (DUB) is Ireland's primary international gateway and the busiest airport in the country.
It is located 10 kilometers north of Dublin's city center, near the town of Swords. The airport is well-connected to most of Europe, North America’s east coast, and the Middle East.
In 2024, it handled over 34 million passengers, ranking in the top 15 busiest airports in Europe.
Major Airlines - Aer Lingus, Ryanair, TUI Airways
Dublin Airport is the primary hub of Aer Lingus, Ireland’s national carrier. It offers an extensive network of flights across Europe and to North America.
The airport is a home base for the low-cost Irish airline Ryanair. It also offers many flights to European destinations, including smaller airports and holiday hotspots.
The British airline TUI Airways also uses Dublin Airport as a home base during the summer months when it offers many seasonal flights to holiday destinations in Spain, Greece, Mexico, and others.
Some of the full-service airlines that operate at DUB include American Airlines, Delta Air Lines, and United Airlines which provide direct flights to various U.S. cities, as well as British Airways, Air France, and Lufthansa for direct flights to European hubs.
Over 45 different airlines have scheduled flights to and from Dublin Airport. See the whole list here.
Terminal Layout and Gates
Dublin Airport has two passenger terminals. They are connected before and after Security, and you can freely walk between them. Changing terminals takes no more than five to ten minutes of walking.
Terminal 1 is the older of the two but has been extended and renovated multiple times since its construction in the 1970s. The terminal primarily serves short-haul flights within Europe and the majority of airlines use it, most notably Ryanair.
Terminal 2 is the newer and more modern terminal at DUB and handles most long-haul flights, including all transatlantic routes. Because of the US Preclearance facility at T2, all US airlines use it for flights between the US and Ireland. Notably, the terminal is the base for Aer Lingus.
See all destinations from Dublin Airport.
Connecting Flights and Transit
Transiting through Dublin Airport is no cause for concern and is quite easy, given the airport’s compact design and the fact that T1 and T2 are connected via a covered walkway.
When you land, follow the signs for Flight Connections. Proceed through the dedicated channel for connecting passengers and check your new gate on the monitors. If you’re flying to the US, go to the US Preclearance facility, otherwise, proceed directly to your new gate.
This assumes your bags are checked through to your final destination. If this isn’t the case, you will need to clear Immigration and Customs, re-check your bags, and enter the Security area of the airport again.
If you’re traveling with just carry-on luggage, even if you have 2 flights booked on separate tickets and with different airlines, you are still eligible to use the Flight Connections service.
U.S. Preclearance
Dublin Airport is one of only 2 airports in Europe that have a U.S. Preclearance facilities (the other being Shannon Airport also in Ireland).
The facility is located in T2 and enables you to complete U.S. immigration and customs procedures before departure. Thus, you will be treated as a domestic arrival when you land in the USA.
Wi-Fi at DUB
Dublin Airport offers complimentary Wi-Fi throughout both terminals. You can connect to the "Dublin Airport Free Wi-Fi" network. The service is unlimited and does not require registration.
Dining Options at Dublin Airport
Dublin Airport offers a diverse selection of dining establishments, bars, cafes, and fast food kiosks.
You can find a place to eat and drink in both terminals both before and after the Security Screening.
At Terminal 1, before Security, some of your options include:
Burger King’s famous flame-frilled burgers and fries.
Cloud Picker: a popular coffee and pastry shop.
The Lansdowne: a bar and restaurant where you can watch your favorite sports game on the fitted large screens.
At Terminal 1, after Security, these are just some of the dining places:
Bluebird Coffee Roasters: While specialty coffee is the primary offering, this cafe also serves luxury pastries, gourmet sandwiches, wine and cheeseboards.
Guinness Bar: Nothing more Irish than a Guinness Bar.
Marqette: A food market selling salads, sandwiches, soups, and baked goods.
At Terminal 2, before Security you will find:
Craft Coffee: an Irish coffee chain also offering pastries.
Fitzgerald’s: A restaurant and bar promising a delectable dining experience.
Lastly, in Terminal 2, after Security, you will have the choice of:
Dubh: an awesome place for last-minute snacks, sandwiches, coffee, or confectionery.
Fruitality: Healthy eats and fresh juices.
Phoenix Lane: Offers a range of hot toasties, salads, cold drinks, pint beers and wines.
Lounges at Dublin Airport
With so many airlines serving the airport, it is no surprise that there are more than a few VIP Lounges to choose from.
The only lounge located in Terminal 1 is the aptly named Terminal 1 Lounge. It’s suitable for anyone flying premium on British Airways or another Oneworld member airline. Regardless, the lounge is open to all guests who are departing from Dublin Airport, and has no restrictions on class, airline, or even terminal, though it’s not available after U.S. Preclearance.
The T1 Lounge offers a full range of soft drinks, alcoholic beverages (although limited to 2 per guest), teas, and coffee. Food isn’t its strongest point, but the breakfast served until 11 AM is good enough. After that, it’s mostly just light snacks and soups.
At Terminal 2, you have a lot more choices, especially when it comes to airline-specific lounges.
If you’re flying to the US, your only real choice is 51st&Green - a premium lounge located after U.S. Preclearance in T2. The lounge has workspaces, and entertainment areas, as well as a dining area where the food is a mix of Irish staples with American influences. Offered are also complimentary cocktails, non-alcoholic beverages, teas, and coffee.
If you’re looking for a lounge before U.S. Preclearance, The Liffey Lounge is a good option. It was recently renovated and has the mandatory comfortable seating and charging stations, as well as a ton of food options. It’s open to all passengers for a fee.
Worth mentioning are also:
Aer Lingus Lounge - one in the Arrivals area and one in Departures. Perfect choice for business travelers for its steaming and pressing service, TV area, and complimentary newspapers.
Etihad Airways First & Business Class Lounge: The absolute top luxury of airport lounges. If you’re a premium flier with Etihad, you must try this plane-shaped lounge and its full-service a la carte dining and a fully-stocked bar.
Transportation to and from Dublin Airport
Dublin Airport is well-connected to the capital and the rest of Ireland.
Buses are ubiquitous and travel between the airport and numerous destinations in the country. Most notably, Dublin Bus Route 41 runs 24/7 and connects downtown Dublin to Swords, passing through Dublin Airport.
Other buses that travel to the city center are the Dublin Express (via the Port tunnel), Route 782 (with stops between Georges Quay and Custom House Quay via Heuston Station), and Route 782 (with stops between Harcourt Luas and 3Arena). These buses operate between 04:05 and 00:35.
Intercity buses are too many to list. Some notable destinations served from Dublin Airport include:
Belfast: Buses “Aircoach 705X”, “Translink X1 / X2”, and “Dublin Express 785”.
Cork: Buses “Aircoach 704X” and “GoBus 707”.
Dundalk: Bus “Expressway 100X”.
Of course, you can opt for private transport to reach your final destination:
Taxis: Available outside both terminals at all times. All taxis use a fare meter with predetermined rates. A trip to Dublin city center costs approximately 25-30 EUR.
Car Rentals: Over 15 car rental companies operate on-site at the airport, offering a range of vehicles for hire. This includes major players like Europcar, SIXT, and Hertz. Find their offices in the Arrivals area.
For private transfer options at Dublin Airport, click here.
Parking at DUB
Dublin Airport offers many parking options for all sorts of intended stays and budget constraints.
For Short-Term Parking, there are two car parks (A and C) in front of Terminal 1 and one more in front of Terminal 2. They are located within 5-6 minutes of walking from the respective terminal. The parking rates are 3 EUR for the first hour, 4.50 EUR for each additional hour, and a maximum limit of 40 EUR per day.
The airport also offers a premium Drop & Go Parking concierge service, available at Level 3 of the T2 Short Term Car Park. Hand over your keys and go straight to Departures - let the parking staff worry about the rest.
For Long-Term Parking, a few more economical options are situated a short shuttle ride from the terminals. Namely, Express Red, Holiday Blue, and Express Green provide over 18000 parking spaces between them and are connected to the terminals via a complimentary shuttle bus. The prices are set at the daily rate displayed at the entrance.
The former QuickPark parking lot has reopened under new management under the brand Park2Travel. This facility offers 6100 parking spaces and a 24/7 shuttle service to the terminals operating every 12 minutes during peak hours.
Last but not least, it’s worth noting that you can safely park your bicycle at Dublin Airport if that’s your chosen mode of transport. There are 3 places for that:
In the T1 Multi-Storey Car Park Area A;
At the shelter between T2 and the T1 Multi Storey Car Park;
Opposite the T2 Multi Storey Car Park.
All shelters are covered and offer bicycle stands for locking.
Hotels near Dublin Airport
There are no hotels inside the terminals but the airport partners with 2 hotels in a very close proximity:
Maldron Hotel Dublin Airport: Located just 267 meters from the terminals and offers a free shuttle. The hotel is a lot of value for its on-site parking and airline check-in and the comfy rooms and classy restaurant only add to it.
Radisson Blu Hotel Dublin Airport: Also located just as close to the terminals and also provides a complimentary shuttle. This hotel is more suited towards business and events travelers though makes for a convenient stay near the airport and an upscale experience.
Dublin, Ireland
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