Looking to maximize our trip and was wondering if it would be realistic to drive from Kilkenny to DUB for a 1pm. International flight? Google maps says it is just over an hour. We are flying Monday Aug 5 which is a bank holiday in Ottawa, not sure if so in Ireland. Typically light traffic on holidays in Canada 🇨🇦
@228jeffreyr, its possible. For international flights, you have to be there 3 hours in advance. So, if your flight is at 1pm, you would need to be at the airport by 10am. Which means that you would need to leave Kilkenny by 8:30am, just in case it takes over an hour for whatever reason. Were you thinking of doing a last minute sight-see the day of?
So Irina, if I'm flying to Copenhagen or Alicante, I need to be at the airport three hours before departure? And this new rule applies to all international flights? I think you might be talking out of your hoop.
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23 helpful votes Only Direct flights into the United States require 3 hours (or more) — due to US Customs & Immigration PreClearance.
Two hours prior to scheduled departure time SHOULD be sufficient for all other International flights.
That said, it could take as long as an hour to return the rental, finalize the paperwork and make it to the check in counter.
We’re it ME, I would allow at least TWO hours for the drive ( Google Maps says 1 hour 31 minutes) — and I would probably add a little extra!
Don’t forget paying the M50 Barrier Free Toll — It CAN be prepaid at any pay point shop — or online — but I would want to have a physical receipt — just in case the rental company asks for it.
@228jeffreyr
Monday 5th August is also a Bank Holiday in Ireland so traffic should be considerably lighter than usual on Monday morning heading to DUB. Traffic heading towards the capital can build up on Bank Holidays from mid afternoon as Dubliners weekending elsewhere in Ireland head for home but that shouldn't affect you.
Re. arrival times at Dublin Airport, the current advice from Dublin Airport is to arrive in the terminal 2 hours before shorthaul flights and 3 hours before long-haul flights. They also suggest leaving a bit extra time if you're checking in bags (and obviously you need to build in extra time if you're returning a vehicle).
https://www.dublinairport.com/at-the-airport/check-in
In practice short-haul tends to mean flights to European destinations and long-haul is non-European destinations. US pre-clearance requires arrival 3 hours before your flight but in our own experience we've also been recommended to arrive 3 hours before flights to other destinations beyond Europe.
@tapl
Thanks for the info intel.
Are there any towns closer to DUB that you would think are good for a stay over? We are coming from Cork.
Why not head to Malahide, a lovely coastal North County Dublin town just 15 minutes' drive from Dublin Airport? It's a very popular last night spot for international visitors. There's plenty of good restaurants and lively pubs, independent shops, sea views and Malahide Castle. You could return your car at Dublin Airport on your way and take a taxi or the no.102 bus from there to Malahide to give yourself a more leisurely departure the next morning. Or drive yourself to Malahide and park at your accommodation, then drive back to DUB for your outbound flight.
Skerries is another lovely, characterful coastal town about 30 minutes drive from DUB. Again lots of great pubs and restaurants, scenic views and windmills.....
@canadarose
Do you mean Malahide? It would certainly work for you. It's mostly flat, compact and easy to get around on foot. It's only about a 15 minute taxi journey back to Dublin Airport from Malahide. Where will you be coming from for your last night?
Edited: 12:52 pm, May 14, 2024@Caitlin, Its not a new rule, its on their website. Since the OP didn't mention they were going anywhere else in Europe (2 hours before departure), its safe to say that they're heading back home to Canada (3 hours before departure).
