12 Steps To Fly Through Dublin Airport US Preclearance
Welcome To The US (in Dublin)
When you fly from Dublin to the US, Dublin Airport's US Preclearance facility lets you clear US immigration and customs right here in Dublin.
Here's what it means for you:
- You land in the US as a domestic passenger.
- It's much quicker than doing immigration in a US airport.
- You walk right off the plane in the US as if you landed on a domestic flight.
- No passport, no customs, no security when you land in the US.
- You don't have to collect your bags for customs and recheck them.
- You can book a shorter connection time for your next flight.
Preclearance Changed Everything!
Before the Preclearance Facility opened in Dublin, you landed tired in JFK after 8 hours flying over the Atlantic, then waited an hour in a long immigration line, collected your bags, went through customs, rechecked your bags, went through security again, and then sprinted to your connecting flight.
The day that Preclearance opened and you could clear American immigration in Dublin was a very happy day for this veteran Atlantic flier.
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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.
Stay Close To The Airport
It's going to a long travel day if you are flying to the US, so do yourself a favor and make it easier. Stay at an airport hotel, not in the city. Drop your rental car back the night before you fly, it's one less thing to do and one more hour in bed.
My two favorite airport hotels are
- The Grand Malahide. You can read here why I love it.
- Radisson Blu Dublin Airport. Walk to the terminal from your hotel.
Reliable. Less Stress. More Comfort.
👉 Book your Dublin airport transfer
12 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 Terminal 2 at least 3 hours before your flight to allow time to get through Preclearance.
- Check in with your airline as normal.
- 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.
US Preclearance Facility
- Walk through the winding Duty Free area & look for "US Departing Flights" screens.
- See what time Preclearance opens for your flight. If it's not open yet, wait in the main terminal. If it's open, go there now.
- Follow the signs down the steep escalators to the main T2 departures levels.
- At the bottom of the escalators, join the line to enter Preclearance. Have your passport, boarding pass and immigration papers ready to show. This line is usually 5 minutes, but I've waited 45 minutes too. There is no priority line for business class passengers here.
- Walk downstairs to the US Preclearance Facility area. Join the line for security. It's ok to have liquids at this security.
- After security is US immigration. There are separate lines for US citizens & Non-US citizens. Global Entry & Mobile Passport (the CBP app) is available.
- Smile at the nice immigration officer who holds your fate in their hands. Breathe out when they approve your entry. You have now passed US immigration and customs.
The Boarding Gate
- Have one last Guinness before boarding your plane.
- Land in the domestic terminal in the US. You don't go through immigration here. If you have a connecting flight don't collect your checked luggage.
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.
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 Irish airport with TSA.
Global Entry: Global Entry is the greatest thing in travel today. I have it and pass through immigration in 15 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 and use it whenever you enter any US immigration facility.
Ireland by Locals
Dublin Preclearance Tips
For A Smoother Journey
- The Preclearance departure gate area is always packed. Go to the ghost town upper level to wait. It's emptier than Pyongyang's airport.
- Don't buy food before Preclearance. US Customs area may take it. My chicken sandwich was binned as a 'threat to US biosecurity'.
- There's another duty-free shop after Preclearance. Buy all you want there, you've already cleared customs. Not that we approve of breaking laws...
- You can save money by paying for lounge access. More about this later
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?
A minimum of 3 hours before departure, even though I've done it in 45 minutes. Dublin traffic is unpredictable, and I've waited over an hour just to get into Preclearance.
Morning flights (departing 8am-1pm) are busiest. If you're on a later flight, you might get away with 2.5 hours, but why risk missing your flight to save 30 minutes?
The M50 is the main road to Dublin Airport and takes just one fender bender to come to a crawl. It happens a lot.
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.
Is there really a second security check?
Yes. You go through regular Irish airport security first, then a separate US security screening in the Preclearance facility.
It's usually quicker than the Irish security, but you still need to follow liquid rules.
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.
It's important if you are connecting after you land in the US & don't have GE, then you can book a shorter connection because you've already done immigration and don't have the uncertainty of how long the lines will be when you land.
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.
Business Class Passengers in Preclearance
I fly business class often to the US from Dublin so I know the drill. You'll encounter five queues before seating in your throne seat.
- Airline Check-in: Priority check-in lane.
- Regular Airport Security: Priority lane on the left.
- To Enter Preclearance: No priority line. The underpaid staff will give you that look if you try to claim business class privilege.
- Preclearance Security: There is a priority line.
- Immigration: No priority But if you're seated up front, you surely have Global Entry.
My average time from airport arrival to clearing Preclearance when traveling in business class is 45 minutes. But I still always get to the airport 3 hours early.
- Dublin traffic is heavy. One accident and you're missing your flight.
- I've waited an hour in the line to get into Preclearance before. Business class doesn't get priority lane. That has only happened once, but it does happen.
Darragh
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51st & Green Lounge Dublin
51st & Green is Dublin Airport's lounge in the US Preclearance area. It's at the very end of the pier.
51st & Green Lounge Access
Lounge access is free for business class but all transatlantic passengers can go to the lounge. Today it costs €39 to enter the lounge.
Save Money By Paying For The Lounge
I happily pay for the lounge because this is what I normally get in the quiet lounge vs. paying airport prices in the packed general area:
- Irish breakfast: €20
- Guinness for dessert: €8
- Whiskey for the nerves: €8
- Water to sober up: €4
- Shower before boarding: priceless
That's €40 value for the €39 entry fee. Buy a lotto ticket with the Euro you saved. Send me a cut if you win.
Darragh
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The Aer Lingus Lounge
The Aer Lingus Lounge is before Preclearance. You shouldn't go there unless you're very early and Preclearance isn't open for your flight yet.
Darragh
Connecting in Dublin Airport?
Dublin Airport has transformed into a major hub with many passengers connecting in Dublin between the US and Europe.
Darragh
1. Take a Nap! Walk to the terminal from hotel Check availability
2. See theCliffs of Howth. Have 4+ hours? Take This Tour.
More Dublin Airport Tips
Darragh
Your Ireland Trip Essentials
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- Book your flight
- Get a rental car
- Arrange your airport transfer
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- Have eSim data when you land
- Find A Hotel
- Things To Do
