7 Ways to Make Flying Home From Ireland Less Stressful
You've a long enough day of flying ahead of you, you don't want to make it longer with driving and the stress of getting there on time.
I am a very frequent flier from Dublin Airport and here's how to keep stress low when you fly.
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1. Come Back To Dublin The Night Before Your Flight
If you've been traveling around Ireland on your vacation, you definitely should come back to Dublin the night before your flight home.
If you look at Google Maps and say "oh Kilkenny to Dublin is only 90 minutes, I'll just drive straight to the airport", you haven't met the M50. The M50 is the ring road around Dublin and is notorious for accidents that bring traffic to a crawl.
2. Stay Near The Airport
But don't stay in Dublin city on your last night. You've probably got a rental car. The city is busy. Traffic in the morning is busy. Instead stay right by the airport or in Malahide and only 15 minutes from Dublin Airport. It's a gorgeous seaside village for your last night in Ireland.
Ireland by Locals
3. Return Your Rental Car Early
To make your travel day even easier, and save a few bucks, I recommend returning your rental car the night before your flight. Drop your car off, take a short cab to your airport hotel.
It just saves you another hour on your travel day & might even save a day's rental.
No last minute taxi stress. Book your airport transfer now.
4. Know What To Expect With US Preclearance
If you're flying to the US, you clear US customs and immigration in Dublin Airport. Get to DUB at least 3 hours early. Read my Dublin Preclearance guide so you know exactly what to expect at the US border in Dublin.
5. Book A Lounge
Preclearance is great, but you have to get to the airport early. If you're lucky and get through Preclearance quickly, then you have time to kill.
Book the lounge to relax before your flight. It's less than $50 but worth it for breakfast, showers, and priceless peace. US fliers use 51st & Green Lounge. Here's my review of it.
6.Make Money From A Delay
We have very strong EU laws here that allow you to claim compensation in the case of a delayed flight. It's a complicated, so I wrote a post about it. Or just put your flight details into Airhelp below (note: they take a cut if you use them but do all the work)
7. Fly Business Class
Fly business class if you can afford it. I can't afford it, but I still fly business these days, thanks to airmiles, not bank balance. Here's my most recent United Polaris Business Class review to see what you're getting for your money.
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