US DublinlLayover and checked bag question

June 12, 2017 6:14 AM

Can I still check through a bag from US to Dublin Airport to Rome Airport if I leave the Dublin International Terminal 2 for a seven-hour layover at a Dublin airport hotel?

My carry-on bag and I are planning to spend the seven-hour layover in a Dublin airport hotel before catching a flight to Italy . This means I have to leave the International Terminal 2. I have a bag I plan to check through, if I can, to the Rome airport and not have to wait for it in Dublin then wait in line and recheck it again. Can I do this? Both flights are Aer Lingus, if that matters.

Related question: Anyone know wait times for Dublin Customs at 5:00 AM weekday then security wait times for the Rome flight at 1:00 PM? Thanks.

posted by Elsie to Travel & Transportation around Ireland (6 answers total)

You can call Aer Lingus to confirm but I have checked my bag on other outgoing international flights with long layovers in the middle and have not had to deal with it until my final destination. That's the beauty of flying with one airline. Now you might want to check if you need to pay an additional departure tax in Dublin. Usually those are folded into the airline ticket but sometimes if you go through immigration and are in country for more than a certain number of hours, it counts as an actual visit. I've not been to Ireland so I don't know the set up there.
posted by TWinbrook8 at 6:25 AM on June 12, 2017 [1 favorite]

Both flights are Aer Lingus, if that matters.

Are they also on the same ticket? If so, I doubt you have anything to worry about here, though I'd echo TWinbrook8 that calling them is the best way to be sure. I've definitely done this for layovers in other countries, but never specifically this country or this airline.
posted by solotoro at 6:32 AM on June 12, 2017 [2 favorites]

Response by poster: Yes, both flights are on the same ticket. Thanks for responses, which are quicker than waiting for an airline rep.
posted by Elsie at 6:45 AM on June 12, 2017

I understand that the twitter accounts of most major airlines is an excellent way to get questions answered - so you might try that too!
posted by dbmcd at 7:02 AM on June 12, 2017

In general, in my experience you can check your bags all the way through so long as you're checking in within 24 hours of the time the second flight leaves, but I think it does vary by airline. Worst case scenario is you have to recheck your bag, which you will likely be able to do before you leave the airport to go to the hotel.

I've transited through Dublin several times (I love pre-clearing US CBP on the way home, among other reasons) with layovers of various durations, but only with hand luggage, so I don't actually specifically know how it works there. The passport control and security lines have always been pretty fast-moving. Also my Boston-Dublin flights have often arrived early (not my favorite when I'm already planning on spending 5 hours in the airport, but nice for you if you already have a hotel booked).

Remember that in addition to security you will have to go through passport control again to go on to Rome because Ireland is not in the Schengen area. I wouldn't count on getting to spend more than 3 hours or so out of the layover in your hotel room. But the alternative is dicking around in the airport for 7 hours, which also sucks (I know!).

Also if you have questions after you land I have found that the person at the transit desk before you leave the secure area is generally helpful, and the people at the Aer Lingus ticket desks are often absent and/or actively unhelpful.
posted by mskyle at 7:36 AM on June 12, 2017

I tried to ring for you but eventually got an answer on Twitter from them. 5 AM will be max 40 minutes; I'd leave 90 minutes for the 1 PM departure because it can be a hike to your gate.
posted by DarlingBri at 12:40 PM on June 13, 2017