12 Steps To Fly Through Dublin Airport US Preclearance
Why Dublin Preclearance Changes Everything
In my 45 years of flying through Dublin Airport, easily my happiest day was the day US Preclearance opened.
I lived in the US for 20 years and flown from the US to Ireland more than 100 times. Now I've used Dublin Preclearance so much that I'm on first name terms with its facial recognition scanner.
Mutterings at JFK
If you've ever landed at JFK after 8 hours flying over the Atlantic, waited an hour in immigration, grabbed your bags, rechecked them, gone through security again, and sprinted to your connection while muttering words your grandmother wouldn't approve of... well, this changes everything.
Welcome To The Northside, sorry, the US
With Dublin's US Preclearance, you clear US immigration and customs right here in Dublin Airport. Nothing like being told "Welcome to the US" in North Dublin.
Then you land in US as a domestic passenger. No immigration lines. No luggage relay race. No security redux. No stress.
Life-changing? For a frequent flyer like me, absolutely. Now this being Da' Northside, there's always a price to pay, with extra hoops to jump through in Dublin Airport. But trust me, it's worth it.
The best part of Dublin? It’s not in the city. It’s out by the sea
Come on a walking tour with me as we stroll along Dublin's most spectacular stretch of coastline, Watch the brave (or mad) swimmers take the cold plunge at the Forty Foot. Taste Dublin's best ice cream at Teddy's. The views will make you understand why these are Dublin's most exclusive villages.
- Private and small group tours available
- Just 20 minutes from the city by train. Easy.
12 Steps To Dublin US 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.
- Check in with your airline as normal. Your bags will be checked to your final destination. Double check this when checking in, just to be very safe.
- 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.
Finding US Preclearance
- Walk through the winding Duty Free section of T2.
- The screens will tell what time US Preclearance opens for your flight. If you're early, wait where you are. The Preclearance area is small and overcrowded.
- Follow the signs down the steep escalators to the main T2 departures levels.
In The Preclearance Area
- 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 have also waited 45 minutes too. There is no priority line for business class passengers here.
- Join the line for secondary security. Just your bags and shoes are scanned, not your body. It's ok to have liquids at this security. There is a priority business class lane here.
- Join the line for immigration. There are separate lines for US citizens & Non-US citizens. There is Global Entry & Mobile Passport here.
- 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 Area
- 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.
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Tips For DUB Preclearance
Timing is Everything
- Leave lots of time! There are more than 20 US flights every day. I always get to Dublin Airport an absolute minimum of three hours before my flight.
- Be ready when Preclearance opens for your flight and go there straight away.
- Dublin Airport Website has live security waiting times. This is for regular security (Step 3) not for security in the Preclearance area (Step 8).
- From check-in to your airplane seat, you'll go up & down 5 different levels. It's like a Dublin Airport alpine traverse. Consider booking assistance if needed.
Escape the Crowds
- Once you've gone through Preclearance, the lower level departure gate area is always packed. Here's your secret: head to the ghost town upper level to wait. It's emptier than Pyongyang's airport.
- Download Mobile Passport app before you fly to skip the immigration queue.
- Global Entry is the second greatest thing in travel, get it if you can.
Food & Drink
- Don't buy food before Preclearance. You're passing through a US Customs area where no food is allowed. My chicken sandwich was binned as a 'threat to US biosecurity'.
- Skip the packed restaurants in the lower level area. Instead go upstairs to the upper level where the bored staff in the empty cafes will be delighted to see you.
- It's worth paying into the lounge. Read why further below this page.
- There's another duty-free shop after you pass customs so buy all you want! Not that we approve of breaking laws here at Ireland By Locals.
I've Flown From The US to Dublin 100 Times
- Don't book with your flight before reading my guide.
- See the 6 things I take into account before choosing a flight
- Learn about the Two Waves of flights
- Which airline has outdated IT and which has outdated planes
Business Class Preclearance Dublin
You'll encounter five queues before seating in your throne.
- Airline Check-in. You have a priority lane to check in here. It rarely takes me more than 10 minutes to check in.
- Regular Airport Security. You have a priority lane to the left of security here.
- Enter the Preclearance area. No priority line. There's often no wait, but I've also waited an hour. The underpaid staff will give you that look if you try to claim business class privilege.
- Security in Preclearance. Here you are treated with the respect you deserve with a priority line.
- Immigration. Back to reality here where you queue up with the rest. But if you're seated up front, you surely have Global Entry and will fly through.
My Experience Flying In Business Class and Preclearance
I fly in business class a few times a year to the US from Dublin. From arriving at the airport (Step 1) until I am through immigration (Step 10), it usually takes me 45 minutes. I have Global Entry.
But I still always get to the airport 3 hours early. Why?
- Because Dublin traffic can be busy. One accident on the M50 road and it shuts down.
- In peak season, it can take 90 minutes from Step 1 to 10.
- You just never know when that line to enter Preclearance will be very long. And it's the one step where business class doesn't get priority lane.
- I like airports
- The 51st & Green lounge is a nice one. My review of it is further down the page.
- My guide to flying from the US to Ireland will give you more tips on picking the best business class across the Atlantic.
51st & Green Lounge Dublin
Dublin Airport's best lounge isn't even a contest. 51st & Green sits at apron level after US Preclearance, giving you perfect views of aircraft right outside your window. Add proper barista coffee, good food, and your last chance at a proper pint of Guinness before leaving Ireland, and you can see why it's my favorite.
Where to Find 51st & Green Lounge
You'll find 51st & Green after you've survived US Preclearance. Yes, it's a bit of a hike all the way through T2, Preclearance and then it's at the very end of the US gates area. But at least you're done with all checkpoints and can properly relax until boarding.
Read My "What To Do In Dublin" Guide
- There's more to Dublin than the Book of Kells & Guinness
- The best of Dublin is in our coastal villages. Not the city.
- Routes for 5 scenic walks in Dublin
- The best guide to Howth on the internet
- Where locals go at night and it's not awful Temple Bar
See Dublin Better. More Local. More Authentic
Skip T2 The Liffey Lounge
The Liffey Lounge might tempt you since it's the OneWorld lounge in Terminal 2. Don't fall for it. It's before Preclearance, meaning you'll have to cut your lounge time short to queue for USBCP. Not worth it.
Plus they just remodeled it and part of the improvements involved taking away the hot food. Cold food only here now. A shame.
Lounge Access
Delta, United, American & Aer Lingus business class passengers get free access. Everyone else? Keep reading.
Save a Fiver. Pay For The Lounge
You can also pay in. Today it costs €41. Is it worth it? If I'm there three hours before departure as I often am, this is what I can go through in the lounge that is included in the entry fee.
- Irish breakfast: €20
- Coffee & pastries: €6
- Guinness for dessert: €7
- Whiskey for the nerves: €8
- Water to sober up: €5
- Shower before boarding: priceless (your seatmate will thank you)
That's €46 in value for a €41 entry fee. You're up a fiver. At least that's how I justify it.
More Guides to Irish Travel
Here is your guide to Dublin Airport. Read it before you get here.
Darragh
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