Dublin Airport: 10 tips for navigating the security queues – from the ‘evening’ check-in to the ‘VIP terminal’
Queues at DUBLIN Airport are dominating travel news at the moment. So how can you make your airport trip less stressful?
The worst queues are at peak times, such as early morning (i.e. around 4am to 8am in Terminal 1 but may take longer in T2 due to transatlantic flights), weekends and holiday periods. If you can book flights outside of these times, try this.
2. Before you go
The airport is not the place to check that your passport is up-to-date or to prepare the Covid Certificates or Personal Locator Forms needed at your destination.
Have this (as well as your travel insurance) in order well in advance of your trip. You can check the latest Covid-19 travel restrictions for your destination at reopen.europa.eu or dfa.ie/travel.
Online check-in and the use of self-service baggage drop also save time.
3. Book parking in advance
“Demand is currently extremely high and we are sold out on certain dates”, Dublin Airport says about its valet services. “Our lowest fares are always available when you book online in advance.”
“We expect Easter to be another very busy period, with peak day on April 16,” a spokesman said Independent.ie. “However, the new capacities that will become available at the Green Car Park at Easter will ease this restriction somewhat.”
If you’re parking at one of the airport’s longer-term facilities that are farther from the terminals, it’s best to extra park 30 minutes before your flight.
4. Arrive early
It’s not a very satisfying hack, but it’s a way of at least guaranteeing some peace of mind – 3.5 hours is it the current recommendation at peak times.
You can monitor security queue times “live”. dublinairport.com, and the airport says these will be added back to its app shortly. But don’t take this as gospel. “The times represent the average wait time of passengers who cleared security in the last 15 minutes,” the airport says. “Individual passenger times can be longer/shorter than the displayed time.”
Not only do early risers have more time to contend with queues at security, they also have leeway for delays at counter check-in or the queues some passengers have reported at airside aid stations (another tip – before eating at a screen). or kiosk, check the waiting times).
5. Arrive even earlier
Aer Lingus has resumed its “evening night” check-in and baggage drop for passengers flying between 5:30am and 8:00am.
“You can check in at the airport between 4pm and 7.45pm the night before.” it says.
“Each passenger must present themselves for check-in and baggage drop, but if you are traveling with immediate family, a family member can check in and drop bags for the group the night before,” the airline adds.
“Passports/ID cards are required for all traveling passengers and must be presented the night before. A baggage drop kiosk is also available for all passengers using this service.”
Of course, this doesn’t exempt you from security queues.
Dublin Airport Platinum Services
6. Remember the safety rules
Don’t be the passenger who has liquids buried at the bottom of their suitcase (liquids should be kept in containers of 100ml or less and in a small plastic bag) or take the laptop out of their bag.
If you haven’t flown in a while, read Dublin Airport information again Safety rules and tips to make sure you don’t hold up the queue.
Should you try the T2 safety lanes when flying from T1?
This has been anecdotally suggested as a hack as T2 queues can be lighter at certain times and the terminals are connected via airside walkways.
But boarding passes include your terminal information in their barcodes, and staff can point this out to you. I don’t think it’s worth the risk.
7. Hose down at a VIP terminal
Business Class passengers often have Fast Track included in their fares, and there’s another level of luxury – Platinum Services.
Taylor Swift and Ed Sheeran are just two of the celebs who have used Dublin Airport’s VIP terminal, but be prepared to pay for the pleasure – for €295 per person you get access to private lounges and a special one, among other perks security channel.
Cork Airport has launched a WhatsApp notification service
8. Fly from another airport
Cork, Shannon and Ireland West do not experience the same delays so passengers arriving from outside Dublin can take these into account.
Shannon has also introduced new screening technology that means passengers no longer have to remove their laptops and “eliminates the 100ml rule” for liquids.
Cork is also upping the tech stakes with a new WhatsApp service providing real-time updates for passengers…let’s hope it’s not due to delays.
9. Keep an eye on Fast Track
The system, which gives you access to a faster security gate for €6.99 to €12.99, has been temporarily suspended at Dublin Airport but may come back online in the coming weeks once staffing issues are resolved. The airport says it’s still honoring bookings made before the queue problems.
10. Be kind
I know, I know waiting is frustrating. Especially when it’s not your fault. But it’s not the fault of Dublin Airport staff in pink vests either.
https://www.independent.ie/life/travel/travel-talk/dublin-airport-10-tips-for-tackling-the-security-queues-from-evening-before-check-in-to-a-vip-terminal-41522830.html Dublin Airport: 10 tips for navigating the security queues – from the ‘evening’ check-in to the ‘VIP terminal’