Dublin Airport

Not Verified | I departed from Dublin airport a few times this year, and I was shocked by the aggressive and rude manner in which passengers were treated by the Airport security staff. Maybe it is time to call on the Irish Tourism Board to protect tourists from this type of humiliation and abuse.

✅ Trip Verified | I cannot overstate my disappointment and frustration with the treatment I received at Dublin Airport on two separate occasions. Ireland's immigration system is already infamous for its massive backlog of permit and GNIB card approvals or renewals, and these delays are putting people at serious risk of being unfairly denied entry. It is unacceptable that individuals who are deserving of entry—who live and work here legally—are subjected to unnecessary chaos, hostility, and disrespect from immigration officers. Returning from Scotland Despite carrying a printed email from immigration confirming my work permit approval—an email that explicitly instructs individuals to have it on hand while traveling—the officer I encountered dismissed it outright. When I offered to show my expired GNIB card alongside the email, his response was shockingly unprofessional. This level of hostility is absolutely unacceptable from someone in a public-facing role. While he eventually stamped my passport, the interaction left me feeling humiliated and undeserving of such treatment. Arriving from Manila The second experience was even more infuriating. I had been waiting in the non-European line when an immigration officer directed individuals with approved GNIB cards to the EU line. I approached her, explained that my card was expired but my renewal was approved (with documentation in hand), and she told me to proceed. When I reached the desk and handed over my printed documents, the officer dismissed them outright, stating, "I’m not letting you through because you don’t have the proper documentation." I explained that my documents were approved and that I was waiting for the physical card due to delays caused by the government backlog. When I mentioned the other officer's instructions and pointed her out, he retorted with, "Well, I didn’t tell you to do that, did I? Back of the line." I was exhausted but persisted, explaining my situation again and offering my expired GNIB card for review. He begrudgingly looked at it, rolled his eyes, and sarcastically stated, "Why didn’t you just show me this to begin with?" I explained that during a previous interaction, I was explicitly told expired cards were not valid. His dismissive response: "I’m not that immigration officer." After much unnecessary back-and-forth, he finally stamped my passport and remarked snidely, "Well, I guess you’re in." A System That Enables Hostility These demeaning encounters reflect a deeper, systemic problem within Ireland’s immigration process. Immigration officers appear to have too much power and anonymity in making decisions, with no consistency in following protocols or language guidelines. For a country that promotes itself as welcoming and progressive, this kind of treatment is disgraceful. The first point of contact for travelers and residents should be professional &respectful.

Not Verified | Had an excellent experience travelling through Dublin airport to Miami. The security was efficient We precleared US customs and immigration which took 30 minutes, saving us from having to do it through Miami. There was a good choice of food and drink but very limited once you enter the US zone.

✅ Trip Verified | Terrible treatment for wheel chair assistance passenger. I was locked in the lift for 20 minutes with no air circulation and no customer support with me. All passengers boarded the flight before me. Although wheel chair assisted passengers always board first to allow enough time, but no at this airport. We had to bang on the walls to get the attention of customer service. When we finally boarded there was no space for our bags.

Not Verified | This airport is functional. Not what one would expect of an international Airport. It is NOT a "beacon of luxury" as another review indicated! Obviously a joke. The staff is mostly courteous, some are abrupt and seem tolerant with an air of irritation they keep to themselves. Definitely not friendly or welcoming. I had 6 hours to spend here, let me just say, if you are hungry, get a small snack and hope your flight crew serves you something you can eat. One actual restaurant with a long line and I passed by several times to get a view of the food, understaffed and very long wait times to get a seat, and have food brought to you. I saw several tables waiting about 45 minutes without anything. The souvenirs... mostly cheap junk. I passed. The decor? Missing or dated. Interesting picture of a woman serving tea at the Dublin airport in the 60's, I believe. ATTENTION ENTREPRENEURS! There is a huge opportunity here! Travelers with money and nothing really to spend it on. Food. Souvenirs. Coffee. Restaurants. Even a good bookstore. All modern endeavors would make a killing. There is one decent coffee place. The pastries are not fresh or very good. Save yourself for Italy or France. I don't normally rate things so poorly and i personally enjoy my time wherever I am and enjoy different experiences. This airport though could be so much better with a refreshed management vision. Safe travels.

✅ Trip Verified | From the moment you set foot inside, Dublin Airport immediately distinguishes itself as a beacon of luxury, especially noticeable within the sleek and sophisticated confines of Terminal 2. Its modern aesthetic and design set it apart from the majority of international airports, presenting an atmosphere not just of transit but of refined travel experience. The layout of Dublin Airport is a testament to thoughtful design and planning. The check-in areas are remarkably clear and well-organized, making navigation a breeze for travelers. This accessibility extends throughout the airport, with ample space, lifts, and escalators ensuring that everyone, regardless of mobility, can easily move around. Perhaps most impressive is the airport's commitment to leveraging cutting-edge technology for security processes. The advanced systems in place mean that passengers don't need to remove liquids or electronics from their bags, streamlining what is often a cumbersome process. This efficiency is further highlighted by the minimal queues, with most travelers getting through security in less than five minutes—a clear indication of Dublin Airport's effective use of technology and operational management. The warmth and helpfulness of the staff at Dublin Airport cannot go unmentioned. Each interaction is marked by genuine care, making the travel experience exceptionally personal and pleasant. Dublin Airport also excels in its retail and dining offerings. The duty-free selection is impressive, featuring sought-after brands and exclusive products at prices that challenge those of high street shops. The food outlets, including some newly launched ones, offer a wide array of options catering to diverse tastes and dietary needs, all at reasonable prices. For travelers seeking a moment of tranquility or needing to attend to work, the airport provides numerous lounges and workspaces, alongside impeccably clean toilets and abundant seating areas. Navigation through the airport is foolproof, with gates clearly marked and the overall layout intuitively designed. Also has free reliable WiFi unlike other major airports. A unique feature that sets Dublin Airport apart on the global stage is its US Customs and Border Protection Preclearance facility, allowing travelers to complete all immigration procedures before boarding. This means arriving in the USA as if on a domestic flight, bypassing the usual long queues upon arrival—an invaluable convenience. In summary, Dublin Airport is not just a travel hub but a remarkable experience in its own right. Its commitment to luxury, modernity, and efficiency makes it a must-use airport for anyone looking to elevate their travel experience. The seamless blend of advanced technology, outstanding customer service, and thoughtful amenities positions Dublin Airport as a hidden gem in the world of air travel. My advice? Run, don't walk, to Dublin Airport for your next journey. It’s an experience that not only facilitates travel but inspires more of it.

✅ Trip Verified | After reading some of the reviews here, I was expecting a real hellscape, but instead I found a functional if not very exceptional airport with no real issues for me beyond all the walking (more about that later). I was arriving from and returning to the US through Terminal 2, using United Airlines, traveling at what appeared to be busy times for arrival and departure. Arrival was uneventful with a quick trip through immigration. The terminal seemed well organized and signed. ATMS will give you pounds, Euros or dollars. I was taking an express bus to Belfast which meant going through a labyrinth of covered walkways in the ground transportation area outside the terminal---despite being able, fit, and used to walking a lot at home, this was more than what I wanted after an overnight flight and the signage could have been better--it was easy to get off track. The ground transportation area looks like an former surface lot repurposed for shuttles, long and short-distance buses, etc. Some areas serve both terminals, such as those for hotels, while others are meant to serve Terminal 1 or 2. Regardless, a lot of walking. Ditto on departure. Departure was easy and went quickly--immigration and security didn't have much in the way of lines. Security had less of the militant hurry up and wait I usually experience in the US and elsewhere. There could have been better spaces for putting bags and gear back together after security, but otherwise, fine. There was less in the way of shopping and food service than I expected. If you live in a place that heavily taxes liquor, you might find some values, but otherwise the prices weren't great, though not as bad some airports I've used. The seating was adequate, although it tended to be toward the end of the shopping area. The currency exchange couldn't change my leftover pounds to dollars w/o converting them to Euros which seemed ridiculous given that there's a nother country that uses Pounds on the island. US Customs is available about 3 hours before your flight. There wasn't much of a line and I didn't have to go through security a second time - I didn't know if this was because of Global Access, but it meant I didn't have to give up my water (yes, they don't let you bring water through this checkpoint). Immigration also was quick, although it was easy to miss the path to Global Access. The US terminal has an abbreviated set of shops and a café, so you can wait until your gate to buy water. I didn't see a currency exchange or ATM. The gates are posted once you pass customs and immigration. The seating was adequate unless you were boarding a jumbo jet. This was the one part of the airport where I saw moving walkways, but the whole process of getting there involved a lot of walking. The general tone of things was more businesslike than friendly which was fine with me. Not a bad airport, overall, but it would be a lot better with less walking.

✅ Trip Verified | The place is dirty, uncared for, inefficient and a dump. Clearly there is no pride in this place. All they want is our money. Greedy barstewards. This place needs a serious overhaul. The picture is bird poo right down the wall where you eat.

Not Verified | I think Dublin airport does a very good job of dealing with large number of passengers efficiently and with courtesy. I travel through there at least once a month and rarely come across any issues. I think when they get more of the enhanced security scanners, it will be even better.

Not Verified | I have traveled through Dublin Airport a few times. For the most part, it is clean and efficient. Unfortunately, there is a lot if walking and then sometimes a shuttle to get to the gate! We definitely got our steps in on our last visit. Shuttles, though crowded, are efficient and timely.