Dublin International Airport (DUB) is the busiest airport in Ireland. It's just 6 miles (10km) from Dublin's city center, situated on the east coast. It has an extensive short- and medium-haul flight network around Ireland and the UK, although some larger international airlines do have direct flights to Dublin Airport from the Middle East, other parts of Europe and the United States.
Recently, there's been an increased demand to and from popular holiday spots in the Mediterranean and American shopping destinations like New York.
The airport itself is clean and functional, with a variety of shops and restaurants in all sections of the terminals. It's a great gateway into Dublin city, which is demographically one of the youngest cities in Europe (50% of the population is under 25). The area has a good public transport system and the airport is easily accessible by car or bus.
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<div class="rxbodyfield">Terminal 1 and Terminal 2 are in separate buildings, but annoyingly there's no shuttle operating between the two – you'll have to walk. Both have arrivals and departures sections, but for different airlines. All Ryanair departures and arrivals operate from Terminal 1, while most Aer Lingus flights operate from Terminal 2. It can get confusing – it's best to double-check with your airline where you'll be arriving or departing from.</div>
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Train: There is no train station at the airport. Several bus companies serve Heuston and Connolly rail stations, however.
Bus: The official airport bus provider, Airlink, use green double-decker buses that leave from just outside the arrivals terminal. You'll need €6 in exact change, or a ticket, which you can buy at Airlink machines in the airport. There are two routes: Route 747 goes to O'Connell Street and the Central Bus Station, and takes half an hour. Route 748 goes to Connolly Railway Station (Irish Rail), Bus Aras (Bus Eireann services), the city center and Heuston Station, and takes about an hour. Otherwise, there are literally hundreds of private buses going in and out of Dublin Airport every day, also stopping near the arrivals terminal. Depending on the bus company, it should cost you between €5 and €8 to get into town.
Taxi: Metered taxis leave from just outside Terminal 1 and Terminal 2. A trip into Dublin will cost between €20 and €30, excluding a customary 5-10% tip.
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Dublin Airport has 3,600 short-term parking spaces available, in two multi-story car parks across the road from the Terminal 1 and Terminal 2 buildings. The height restrictions are 1.85 and 2.2m respectively. The short-term parking costs €3 for the first hour and €4.50 per hour after that, up to a maximum daily rate of €40. You can save a lot of money by booking a space online, though – from only €10 a day. Long-term parking is also available in the Red Car Park and the Blue Car Park, with buses running from the lots to the terminal buildings every 10 or 20 minutes depending on the time of day. These cost €9.50 and €7.50 a day respectively, although again it's a lot cheaper if you book a space in advance online.
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Money and communications: ATMs and currency exchange throughout the airport.
Luggage: Left luggage facilities located in the short-term parking lot outside Terminal 1. It'll cost between €3 and €12 for 24 hours, depending on the size of the item. There's also a porter service in Terminal 1 if you need it.
Conference and business: There are several Executive Lounges, which you can access for €20. Each includes a business center.
Shopping: There's a world of stores in Dublin airport, especially once you're through check-in and security. You can even shop online at www.theloop.ie/Dublin/Splash.aspx, and collect your purchases when you get off the plane.
Food and drink: There's a wide variety of restaurants before and after security in both terminals – you'll have your pick of juice bars, coffee shops, sandwich shops, fine dining eateries and fast food joints. Although there's something for everyone during the day, keep in mind that most places will be closed by 9pm (or 5pm, for the smaller spots).
Other facilities: There's a small church about a minute's walk from Terminal 1, through the car park. You can send post through the green self-service kiosk in the departures hall of Terminal 1.
Wi-Fi: Wi-Fi is available throughout the airport, although it's not free. You'll need to buy vouchers from the Top Up kiosks located throughout the airport. You can also use the internet kiosks in Terminal 1, which charge 11.5c a minute. You can also print from these kiosks.
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