Airport Tips&Tricks (incl baggage-drop;connecting-flight & terminal-info)

coylemj

That's a relatively quiet time to be flying, I wouldn't pay for Fasttrack. Excluding US flights (they will have gone through security much earlier), today there's only 6 flights departing T2 between 10 a.m. and 12.

Disclaimer....... the number of security queues in operation varies depending on passenger throughput and people on the early flights tend to be business travellers who know what not to pack so you could zoom through when it's mad busy at 6 a.m. and at 11 a.m. you could get stuck behind an elderly couple wearing chunky jewellery and with lots of liquids in their bags.

tiredblondie

coylemj wrote: »

That's a relatively quiet time to be flying, I wouldn't pay for Fasttrack. Excluding US flights (they will have gone through security much earlier), today there's only 6 flights departing T2 between 10 a.m. and 12.

Disclaimer....... the number of security queues in operation varies depending on passenger throughput and people on the early flights tend to be business travellers who know what not to pack so you could zoom through when it's mad busy at 6 a.m. and at 11 a.m. you could get stuck behind an elderly couple wearing chunky jewellery and with lots of liquids in their bags.

Its to the US that i am flying to.....

True that about being stuck behind someone not prepared - drives me insane when people only start emptying their pockets and taking off their belts and so on right when they get to the top and look and act like they had no idea to do that!!

ted1

coylemj wrote: »

That's a relatively quiet time to be flying, I wouldn't pay for Fasttrack. Excluding US flights (they will have gone through security much earlier), today there's only 6 flights departing T2 between 10 a.m. and 12.

Disclaimer....... the number of security queues in operation varies depending on passenger throughput and people on the early flights tend to be business travellers who know what not to pack so you could zoom through when it's mad busy at 6 a.m. and at 11 a.m. you could get stuck behind an elderly couple wearing chunky jewellery and with lots of liquids in their bags.

Did you count Aer Lingus ? They say T2 but really use T1...

Cathmandooo

tiredblondie wrote: »

Its to the US that i am flying to.....

True that about being stuck behind someone not prepared - drives me insane when people only start emptying their pockets and taking off their belts and so on right when they get to the top and look and act like they had no idea to do that!!

I flew to USA noon on Wednesday two weeks ago, security at t2 was a breeze but preclearance took over an hour and a half, it was packed all the way back to their security. I hear once you're in that queue the plane can't leave without you so they call your flight and pull you to the front if your flight is due to leave. We arrived in the airport 3 hours before the flight, had a quick coffee before preclearance but only just made final call for boarding.

coylemj

ted1 wrote: »

Did you count Aer Lingus ? They say T2 but really use T1...

Yes, I've had that long walk. It's only some flights and the flight will be marked as departing from T2 regardless.

Anyway, OP is flying to the US so it's definitely T2.

tiredblondie

Cathmandooo wrote: »

I flew to USA noon on Wednesday two weeks ago, security at t2 was a breeze but preclearance took over an hour and a half, it was packed all the way back to their security. I hear once you're in that queue the plane can't leave without you so they call your flight and pull you to the front if your flight is due to leave. We arrived in the airport 3 hours before the flight, had a quick coffee before preclearance but only just made final call for boarding.

Holy crap, you're joking!!
Thought maybe half an hour at most at pre clearance!!

Caranica

tiredblondie wrote: »

Holy crap, you're joking!!
Thought maybe half an hour at most at pre clearance!!

There can literally be a thousand people in the queue. It can be very stressful so leave lots of time.

anacc

tiredblondie wrote: »

Holy crap, you're joking!!
Thought maybe half an hour at most at pre clearance!!

I’ve been through preclearance in 10 minutes and it’s also taken 90 minutes. It’s unpredictable so best advice is to turn up at the airport 3 hours before departure time.

coylemj

tiredblondie wrote: »

Holy crap, you're joking!!
Thought maybe half an hour at most at pre clearance!!

You said you're flying on a Tuesday so on the Sunday or Monday before you're due to travel, go to https://www.dublinairport.com/flight-information/live-departures

Set the date to the Tuesday, the terminal to 'Terminal 2 only' and look at the list of US flights falling within 60 or 90 minutes before and after your flight. That will give you a feel for how many people are likely to be using pre-clearance that morning at about the same time as you.

You'll get a fair idea if you try it this Sunday or Monday as the schedule next Tuesday (Sept. 24th) will probably be the same as the Tuesday you will be flying.

Edit: I see that on a web browser, you have to continuously press a button 'show more flights' at the bottom of the listing whereas if you use the Dublin airport smartphone app, it shows you a full list of the flights for the date and terminal you select.

tiredblondie

coylemj wrote: »

You said you're flying on a Tuesday so on the Sunday or Monday before you're due to travel, go to https://www.dublinairport.com/flight-information/live-departures

Set the date to the Tuesday, the terminal to 'Terminal 2 only' and look at the list of US flights falling within 60 or 90 minutes before and after your flight. That will give you a feel for how many people are likely to be using pre-clearance that morning at about the same time as you.

You'll get a fair idea if you try it this Sunday or Monday as the schedule next Tuesday (Sept. 24th) will probably be the same as the Tuesday you will be flying.

Edit: I see that on a web browser, you have to continuously press a button 'show more flights' at the bottom of the listing whereas if you use the Dublin airport smartphone app, it shows you a full list of the flights for the date and terminal you select.

Thank you so much, that's really helpful!

tiredblondie

So....there were around 7 flights to the US 2 hours before and up to 1130 when i am flying out - i guess that's a lot of people to get through customs!!

JohnCleary

Hi all,
I can get to the Business Class Lounge (Aer Lingus... think it's the only one?) in my head no problem, but I need instructions for my father... can anyone assist?

After Security, I know you take a right... you walk down a bit, take a left and almost come back around on yourself, then take a right, down the escalator.

At the bottom of the escalator (I think there's a sign overhead?) you again turn back on yourself, walking behind the escalator and the lounge is in that area.

Can anyone improve on that? Thanks all

steve-o

Follow the signs for Gates 401-426.
When you leave the shopping area, take the lift down to the gate level and follow the signs for Airline Lounges.

If he's travelling to the US, it's a different lounge, after US Preclearance.

Yamanoto

As you've specified T1 (your own directions sound like T2), all your Father does after passing through security is go left, walk down the ramp and into a long corridor with a travelator. EI lounge is on the right.

JohnCleary

Yamanoto wrote: »

As you've specified T1 (your own directions sound like T2), all your Father does after passing through security is go left, walk down the ramp and into a long corridor with a travelator. EI lounge is on the right.

D'OH!!

Of course I meant T2 (Aer Lingus), thanks for spotting that.

I'm guessing your directions are for T1? T2 you take a right after security?

Yamanoto

JohnCleary wrote: »

D'OH!!

Of course I meant T2 (Aer Lingus), thanks for spotting that.

I'm guessing your directions are for T1? T2 you take a right after security?

The terminals are connected airside, so you can enter via security in T1 or T2. As you say, in T2 pass through security & move around to the right. Then left to the lifts. Go down 1 level and follow signs to airline lounges.

JohnCleary

Yamanoto wrote: »

The terminals are connected airside, so you can enter via security in T1 or T2. As you say, in T2 pass through security & move around to the right. Then left to the lifts. Go down 1 level and follow signs to airline lounges.

Thanks.

Yeah, aware they're conencted.... but i'll be sending the oul' lad through T2.

Cheers

goingnowhere

Since Aer Lingus only do business class on US/Canada the lounge setup is different

If travelling to the US
Follow the US pre clearance signs
E.g. https://goo.gl/maps/JmzR4rWqqocE1Hyo6
Go down the escalator and then another escalator
Do pre clearance
Walk to the very end of the gate area to the 51st and Green


If travelling to Canada (direct not via US)
Follow signs for gates 400-426
E.g. https://goo.gl/maps/JmzR4rWqqocE1Hyo6
When you leave the shopping area there are 3 lifts
Take the lift down to departures
Exit lift follow signs to the lounge

Caranica

You don't have to be flying business class to access the main Aer Lingus Lounge. You can do so by status on other EI flights.

JohnCleary

goingnowhere wrote: »

Since Aer Lingus only do business class on US/Canada the lounge setup is different

If travelling to the US
Follow the US pre clearance signs
E.g. https://goo.gl/maps/JmzR4rWqqocE1Hyo6
Go down the escalator and then another escalator
Do pre clearance
Walk to the very end of the gate area to the 51st and Green


If travelling to Canada (direct not via US)
Follow signs for gates 400-426
E.g. https://goo.gl/maps/JmzR4rWqqocE1Hyo6
When you leave the shopping area there are 3 lifts
Take the lift down to departures
Exit lift follow signs to the lounge

Thanks a million for this, exactly what I was looking for. Fair play to ya!

He's going to Canada, so the normal Aer Lingus lounge. Have been there a few times... nothing amazing but I like the self service drink

Whocare

Broken my wrist at Christmas will I have any problem with security in the airport I have few metal pins (going to Birmingham)

Stratvs

I'd imagine once you can lie totally still as they put you through the luggage scanner you'll be ok

Seriously though, this will be a regular enough occurrence, so if you have a hospital or doctors note clearly explaining the condition I couldn't imagine it being an issue.

coylemj

OP, that note from your doctor or hospital (as mentioned by the previous poster) will probably be required by the airline to state that you're ok to fly - you might get past security with or without a note from a doctor but the airline could turn you away without it. The air pressure in a plane is a lot lower than at sea level, this can cause complications for people with a non-removable cast. Hence they will see a person in a cast and may ask to see a letter from your doctor or the hospital to say you're ok to fly.

Your cast is on your wrist so I'd imagine it won't cause you any problem as that part of your body is mostly bone and you'll be on a short flight to Birmingham but the person at the gate or the cabin crew you meet on boarding may still need to see the paperwork.

ted1

Whocare wrote: »

Broken my wrist at Christmas will I have any problem with security in the airport I have few metal pins (going to Birmingham)

You’ll Only have a few grams of titanium which won’t show up. Should be grand.

How long has the cast bring on ? Can you get your cast cut before you fly? Likely that your wrist may swell in the flight and can be quite painful

Whocare

ted1 wrote: »

You’ll have i my a few grand if titanium which won’t show up. Should be grand.

How long has the cast bring on ? Can you get your cast cut before you fly? Likely that your wrist may swell in the flight and can be quite painful

Cast is on about 4 weeks

ted1

Whocare wrote: »

Cast is on about 4 weeks

4 weeks should be grand. No need to cut it.

Uncle Pierre

Apologies if needed for dragging up an old(ish) thread, but didn’t think this was worth starting a new one for. Also, the very fact that it’s old means there’s no recent info on this.

Will be getting a 6.45 a.m. Ryanair flight on Thursday Feb 13th with my wife and six-year-old. Been a long time since I flew at that hour of the morning. Can anybody advise what security queues might be like or how long we need to give ourselves to comfortably make the flight?

Will be parking the red car park. I’m thinking if we arrive there around 5.15 a.m., shuttle bus should get us to the terminal around 5.30, and that should be plenty of time? Or should we go a little earlier?

Thanks.

cmred

you will probably hear a load of replies stating way too late, but i think your bang on time to arrive at 5.30am. And i fly considerably from T1.
Cant help on the transfer or red car park, but hopefully someone else will be able to assist on transfer times etc

Uncle Pierre

Thanks. As regards the car park, the website says shuttle bus frequency is every 8 minutes and transfer time is 5 minutes, so I'm allowing 15 minutes total for getting from the car to the terminal. But if anybody knows differently, then I'm all ears.....

HeidiHeidi

Uncle Pierre wrote: »

Thanks. As regards the car park, the website says shuttle bus frequency is every 8 minutes and transfer time is 5 minutes, so I'm allowing 15 minutes total for getting from the car to the terminal. But if anybody knows differently, then I'm all ears.....

I'd agree, I've used the shuttle from the Red Car Park for a few very early morning flights, it's very frequent and is only a 5-minute run over.



However that's a very busy time at security - I've never got caught completely rotten to the point where I've nearly missed a flight, but if you wanted to treat yourself to fasttrack for security, that's the time of day it's most worth it IMO.

Uncle Pierre

HeidiHeidi wrote: »

if you wanted to treat yourself to fasttrack for security, that's the time of day it's most worth it IMO.

This is actually exactly what I'm wondering about. We'll be driving up from Co. Wexford and getting to the car park around 5.15 a.m. will mean leaving home around 3.30. Wonder if anybody else has an opinion too?

stargazer 68

Uncle Pierre wrote: »

This is actually exactly what I'm wondering about. We'll be driving up from Co. Wexford and getting to the car park around 5.15 a.m. will mean leaving home around 3.30. Wonder if anybody else has an opinion too?

With a 6 year old would you not consider staying at the Carlton the night before and leaving the car there - get their shuttle bus to the airport.

Uncle Pierre

Hi there.

Bit off the point since it’s nothing to do with the best time to arrive at the airport, whether we’re travelling from home or from a nearby hotel.

But to answer your question anyway - we did think briefly about staying in an airport hotel the night before, but really, to be in the terminal around 5.30 a.m. (if that’s time enough?), it would be a choice of:
a) Stay at home, set the clock for 3.15 a.m., be on the road at 3.30 a.m.,
or
b) Book into a hotel, set the clock for around 4.45 a.m., and boot down the stairs around 5 a.m. to get their shuttle bus.

So, we’d be paying for a hotel night for maybe 90 minutes of extra sleep, and little if any other benefit. And the price of the Carlton Hotel (which you suggest) for that night is currently €132. That’s a lot of money to pay for 90 minutes’ kip.

Dodge

Uncle Pierre wrote: »

Hi there.

Bit off the point since it’s nothing to do with the best time to arrive at the airport, whether we’re travelling from home or from a nearby hotel.

But to answer your question anyway - we did think briefly about staying in an airport hotel the night before, but really, to be in the terminal around 5.30 a.m. (if that’s time enough?), it would be a choice of:
a) Stay at home, set the clock for 3.15 a.m., be on the road at 3.30 a.m.,
or
b) Book into a hotel, set the clock for around 4.45 a.m., and boot down the stairs around 5 a.m. to get their shuttle bus.

So, we’d be paying for a hotel night for maybe 90 minutes of extra sleep, and little if any other benefit. And the price of the Carlton Hotel (which you suggest) for that night is currently €132. That’s a lot of money to pay for 90 minutes’ kip.

Slightly off top against but sometimes the hotels do weekend parking included and it can work out OK

Anyway, back to your question, it may depend on your 6 year old and how they move. How many bags etc

If you’re in the airport for 5.30 you should *easily* get through security and get to your gate in an hour. Just know where you’re going and make sure all your documents are ready and there’ll be no unnecessary delays at security etc

Caranica

You haven't factored in time to get around the red car park. Some of the zones are a long way away from the entrance so that extends the time needed. I stopped using that car park because I ended up so far away almost every time.

Personally I would buy fast track, or leave earlier. You haven't allowed any wiggle room for any unexpected issues. I travel at that time 10-15 times a year and would never consider such tight timelines.

Poochie05

I generally plan to arrive in the Red car park 2 hours before the flight, that allows for parking up and getting the shuttle. But if you want to leave it a bit later, at that time of the morning, Fast Track is probably a good investment.

Steve

You haven't mentioned bags, this could be 20+ mins to sort, even with the self service machines.

If you are cabin bags only and will have printed boarding passes before you leave the house then you should be ok.

(I'd never rely on phone based passes, if your battery goes or you can't get internet / mobile data for whatever reason, you're screwed).

Uncle Pierre

Thanks everybody.

It'll be cabin bags only and pre-printed boarding passes, so no issue there.

Anyway, wife and I decided last night that we may as well do the FastTrack thing. Will try hit the road 10 to 15 minutes earlier too. Should be okay then.

Thanks again.

Fitz*

Steve wrote: »

(I'd never rely on phone based passes, if your battery goes or you can't get internet / mobile data for whatever reason, you're screwed).

Take a screenshot of your boarding pass and save it to your gallery. You won't need internet data to access it. If more than one, send via whatsapp which can automatically save images to your gallery. And then have gallery as your last opened app so it is always the first thing to open on your phone.

Uncle Pierre

FitzShane wrote: »

Take a screenshot of your boarding pass and save it to your gallery. You won't need internet data to access it. If more than one, send via whatsapp which can automatically save images to your gallery. And then have gallery as your last opened app so it is always the first thing to open on your phone.

Or just print it like I do. About four times. I keep one in a coat pocket, one in a trouser pocket, one in my small carry-on bag, and one in the larger carry-on bag. Can’t lose them all!!

Fitz*

Uncle Pierre wrote: »

Or just print it like I do. About four times. I keep one in a coat pocket, one in a trouser pocket, one in my small carry-on bag, and one in the larger carry-on bag. Can’t lose them all!!

:pac:

newbie18892

Hi all, I will be flying out from Dublin airport Terminal 1 next week and due to bus times it seems i'll have a few hours to kill. Planning on getting lunch and was wondering if anyone has suggestions of good places to eat? The only place i've ever eaten there before is McDonalds

ted1

newbie18892 wrote: »

Hi all, I will be flying out from Dublin airport Terminal 1 next week and due to bus times it seems i'll have a few hours to kill. Planning on getting lunch and was wondering if anyone has suggestions of good places to eat? The only place i've ever eaten there before is McDonalds

Kyles above the ALSAA pool.
Radisson or Kealy s ate all good

VG31

Soma beside gate 301 is pretty good.

Strumms

ted1 wrote: »

Kyles above the ALSAA pool.
Radisson or Kealy s ate all good

Food, service, ambiance and surroundings in Kealys is really very very good but with heavy bags it’s a bit of a Trek up to the Terminal... 10-15 minute walk. Radisson is closer but there is quite a limited menu and it can feel like a rather business type hotel...

irish_goat

If you have a few hours to kill you can get into the lounge for €28.

woodchuck

I normally go to The Garden Terrace in terminal 1. It's upstairs, next to the Burger King or McDonalds (can't remember which!).

It's pub grub basically, burgers etc. Nothing amazing, but not bad for airport food! And it has more of a pub feel to it, so doesn't feel like you're just waiting around in an airport.

Fireball81

irish_goat wrote: »

If you have a few hours to kill you can get into the lounge for €28.

This is good value if you have a few hours to kill, won"t take you long to rack up €28 in snacks, sambos, soft drink, hot drinks, beers (and I think they had wine the last time I was in) in retail shops and restaurants.

michellie

The Slaney bar/restaurant in T2 is such a disgrace, flew through there on Friday. Waited 45 minutes for breakfast that was the wrong order when we got it. Major rehaul and staff training needed there. Also over charged by €19 which was refunded when I questioned her about it.

0/10 do not recommend.

shanec1928

Caranica wrote: »

You haven't factored in time to get around the red car park. Some of the zones are a long way away from the entrance so that extends the time needed. I stopped using that car park because I ended up so far away almost every time.

Personally I would buy fast track, or leave earlier. You haven't allowed any wiggle room for any unexpected issues. I travel at that time 10-15 times a year and would never consider such tight timelines.

thats not an issue for the first few flights of the day as they normally open up the first section in the red car park