Useful Car Rental and Visitor Information for Dublin Airport

Dublin Airport 

Dublin Airport is a busy, constantly changing, business hub which welcomes over 21 million visitors each year and is being upgraded continually. New facilities are being brought online regularly to improve the experience for our valued customers in addition to the ever increasing number of Airlines that use the airport. Dublin Airport serves both international and domestic airlines and is the main airport in Ireland. Flying time to Ireland is 6½ hours from New York, 7½ hours from Chicago, 10 hours from Los Angeles and approximately 1 hour from most British cities. 

Getting to and from the Airport
Traffic is always busy around and to and from Dublin Airport, especially at peak times so please allow plenty of time for you to return your rental car and check in for your return flight. You can get up to the minute traffic information by radio at: 103.2 FM Dublin City Anna Livia or alternatively if you rent one of our new Sat Nav (GPS) systems these will help you avoid traffic "hotspots" and delays. Real Time Flight Information is also available from your Hotel on Teletext (RTE1) and online at http://www.dublinairport.com/flight-information/ 

Most traffic approaches Dublin Airport via the new M50 motorway which circumnavigates Dublin city. This motorway is currently undergoing some improvements and widening therefore traffic at peak times is very heavy. This work is not expected to complete until early 2009 so please allow extra time for your journey.

Arriving on Your Flight to Dublin
Flying into Dublin Airport is "hassle-free" and although a comparatively small airport by International standards an increase in traffic over recent years may cause some minor flight and baggage delays. Customs and immigration in Ireland is normal, naturally no contraband items will be tolerated. You can get all the information about incoming and outbound flights from the Dublin Airport Website Here: Allow at least an hour to 90 minutes or so to disembark, collect luggage, clear customs and arrange transportation. Most major hotels will arrange for you to be collected and quality tour operators will have someone meet you or your group at the Airport. Visitors arriving will either Rent a car, or travel to the city centre or their Hotel by Airlink, Bus or Taxi.

Dublin Airport Facilities
There are several Bureau de Change offices located in the Airport, operated by Bank of Ireland and independent companies, A 24 hour Foreign currency ATM machine (US Dollars, £ Sterling, Euro) is also located on the Departures Floor (Next to the Bank of Ireland Counter). As a busy Capital Airport, Dublin has good Shopping, Restaurants, Public Area's and Restrooms. Disabled passengers are well catered for and a "take to plane" service is available when required. You can view the latest Duty Free Bargains on line at: http://www.airportshopping.ie/airportshop/index.html . Dublin Airport has a modern security and search facility and the latest information as to "acceptable items" in baggage and packing luggage instructions can be viewed on line here: 

Transport information for Dublin Airport

Setting down passengers
If you are setting down passengers at the airport, there is a designated set down point located outside the terminal. Although you can set down on the departures road, waiting is not permitted. Airport Police patrol the road on a regular basis and ask waiting vehicles to move on.

Picking up passengers
Waiting is not permitted on the departures road at any time. If you are meeting someone from a flight we advise you to use the short stay car park, located opposite the terminal building.

Unattended vehicles
For security reasons, vehicles should not be left unattended at any time. Any vehicle left unattended outside a terminal will be clamped by the police. There is a charge to have the clamp removed.

Ongoing Transport
Renting a car from Dublin Airport for your ongoing journey is the best option as currently there is no direct Rail Link to the City Centre from the Airport. Taxis are available from outside the Arrivals Area of the Airport between 06.30 and 11.30 pm freely but at peak periods in the morning and evening long queues can develop so our best advice is to pre book. Outside of these hours you may still find it difficult to get a cab so again we suggest you pre book. Taxi Fares are about EUR 20 (US$25) from the Airport to the City Centre, the ride is about 20 minutes, 40 at peak times. 

Aircoach provides a 24-hour luxury coach service between Dublin Airport and Dublin city. They operate five routes, Ballsbridge and Leopardstown, which serve Dublins top hotels and places of business, Cork, and Belfast. You can view their prices online here Bus Eireann also ofer coach and bus services to many destinations, for further details on of the services offered by Bus Eireann click here to visit their website. Among the destinations covered are O'Connell Street, Merrion Square, Mount Street, Northumberland Road, Ballsbridge and Donnybrook. A shuttle bus runs from outside the arrivals gate to the City Centre and serves the main Rail stations to the South west and North of Ireland. Train services and links to the rest of Ireland are available from Ironrod Eireann, the Irish Train company. For further details of please visit their website at: 'Iarnrod Eireann'.