8 Steps To Fly Through Dublin Airport US Preclearance
Welcome To The US (in Dublin)
When you fly from Dublin to the US, you clear US immigration and customs in Dublin Airport instead of when you land in the US. This is thanks to Dublin Airport's US Preclearance facility, one of the few in the world.
Here's what it means for you:
- It's much quicker than doing immigration in a US airport.
- You walk right off the plane in the US as if you were on a domestic flight.
- No passport, no customs, no security when you land in the US.
- You don't have to collect your bags and recheck them.
- You can book a shorter connection time for your next flight.
I Know Preclearance
I lived in the US for 20 years, have flown between the US & Ireland more than 100 times and have used US immigration in Dublin so many times that I'm on first name terms with its facial recognition scanner.
No Morning Rush To The Airport
The most important step to Preclearance is to stay near the airport the night before. Don't stay in the city or drive from the country.
You have to get to the airport 3 hours early. And even earlier if you are returning a rental car. Most US flights leave early and the M50 Road to the airport is notorious for traffic issues especially in the morning rush hour.
Instead, drop off your rental car the day before your flight and get a shuttle/taxi to your airport hotel. My two favorite airport hotels are
- The Grand Malahide. Stay in a lovely coastal village with excellent restaurants and wake up to sea views just 15 minutes from the airport.
- Radisson Blu Dublin Airport. Walk to the terminal from your hotel. Maximize your rest before you fly.
Ireland by Locals
Steps To Dublin Preclearance
Here are all the steps showing you how to do US Preclearance at Dublin Airport.
Check-in & Security
- Arrive at Dublin Airport 3 hours before your flight. All US flights leave from Terminal 2.
- Check in with your airline. The fastest way is to check-in online the night before with your airline and just do a bag drop at the airport.
- Aer Lingus have their own area. If you are traveling business class with Aer Lingus, there is a dedicated check-in on the right side of T2.
- United, jetBlue & American share a check-in area. Check-in at the kiosk, then go to bag drop.
- Delta have their own check-in area.
- Go up the escalators to the 3rd floor and through regular airport security. There is a Fast Track lane on the left for business class passengers. Dublin Airport now allows you to bring liquids up to 2L and leave your electronics in your bag.
US Preclearance Facility
- Look for "US Departing Flights" screens. See what time Preclearance opens for your flight. If it's not open for your flight yet, wait in the main terminal.
- Join the line to enter Preclearance. They'll check your documents here. This line is usually 5 minutes, but I've waited 45 minutes too.
- Walk downstairs to the US Preclearance Facility area. There are separate lines for US citizens & Non-US citizens. Global Entry & Mobile Passport (the CBP app) is available. There is no security check here anymore.
- Smile at the nice immigration officer who holds your fate in their hands. You have now passed US immigration & are in the boarding gate area.
- The lower Preclearance departure gate area is always packed. The upper level (Gates 407-426) is quieter and has more space. I hang out here even if my flight departs from the lower level.
Global Entry Dublin Airport
I see a lot of confusion on the Irish travel forums about the Global Entry and TSA PreCheck, so I'll clear that up here.
TSA PreCheck: This is for security in US airports only. You get no security privileges in any non-US airport with TSA.
Global Entry: Global Entry is the greatest thing in travel today. I have it and pass through immigration in 30 seconds. You can use Global Entry to go through US immigration in Dublin. It does not get you faster security privileges though.
Mobile Passport: This can be used in Dublin Airport. If you don't have Global Entry, then I highly recommend you download the Mobile Passport app.
Food & Drink & Shops in Dublin US Preclearance
There's just one restaurant, Whiskey Bread and it is always packed. There are some coffee shops. The coffee shops upstairs have shorter lines.
Buy all your newspapers, water, snacks before going through Preclearance. The shops are small and yes, packed.
There's a small duty-free shop after Preclearance. You've already cleared customs, so you can buy a little extra whiskey here. Not that we approve of breaking laws...
If Your Flight From Dublin is Delayed
Hope that it's longer than a 3 hour delay because if it is, you may be in for some compensation. The EU has strict laws about this. You can quickly check if you're eligible on Airhelp's site or read my post about Dublin flight delay compensation.
Ireland by Locals
Business Class Passengers in Preclearance
I fly business class often to the US from Dublin so I know the drill. You have priority lines everywhere except the entrance to US Preclearance area. Unfortunately, this is the one that can be long at times, so I still recommend getting there 3 hours early.
Darragh
51st & Green Lounge Dublin
51st & Green is the lounge in the US Preclearance area.
UPDATE : September 2025: The lounge is closed for (badly needed) renovations. They say it will reopen in Spring 2026. You'll probably get a voucher from your airline for food in one of the airport restaurants.
Darragh
Dublin Preclearance FAQs
The questions I get asked most about US Preclearance in Dublin
Do I go through Preclearance if I'm connecting through Dublin?
Yes, if your final destination is the US. If you're flying London→Dublin→New York on one ticket, you'll go through Preclearance in Dublin.
But if you're flying Dublin→Amsterdam→New York, you cannot use Preclearance. It only works for direct flights from Dublin to the US.
What happens to my luggage on connecting flights?
If you're on one ticket (like Manchester→Dublin→Chicago), your bags are checked through to your final US destination. You don't touch them in Dublin.
If you're on separate tickets (which I highly recommend you never do) you'll need to collect and recheck your bags before Preclearance.
Do I still need ESTA if I'm using Preclearance?
Yes. ESTA is required regardless of where you clear US immigration. Apply at least 72 hours before departure - they no longer approve applications in real time.
How early should I really arrive?
3 hours before departure. I'm usually through in 45 minutes, but I've also been stuck in long Preclearance lines and barely made my flight.
Better bored than stressed.
Can I bring food through Preclearance?
No. I learned this the hard way when my chicken sandwich was binned as a "threat to US biosecurity." You can buy food after Preclearance.
Will I actually save time, or just shift the wait to Dublin?
If you have Global Entry, I don't think Preclearance saves you time. You have to get to Dublin an hour earlier than normal when you could walk through immigration in the US in a minute these days with Global Entry.
But it's not optional. All US flights from Dublin do immigration in Dublin.
Can I use the regular lounges after Preclearance?
No. Once you've cleared Preclearance, you can only access the 51st & Green Lounge. Plan accordingly if you have lounge memberships. Priority Pass isn't accepted at 51st though.
Does Global Entry work in Dublin?
Yes, and it's brilliant. I zip through in 15 seconds while others wait in line. If you travel to the US regularly, Global Entry is worth every penny of the $100 fee.
Connecting in Dublin Airport?
Dublin Airport has transformed into a major hub with many passengers connecting in Dublin between the US and Europe. If you're connecting, you'll go through Preclearance. Here is more info on how to connect.
Darragh
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Ireland by Locals
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