So, is Terminal 2 like an Embassy and we're all on US soil?
July 9, 2012 7:53 AM Subscribe
How much time do I need to leave to clear US Customs at Dublin airport before a flight to the US?
I just learned that at Dublin airport you clear USCBP *before* boarding the flight for US destinations - i.e., when I arrive home in Boston I will be treated the same as though I'd just arrived on a domestic flight from Detroit. This is new for me - I was vaguely aware that this happened on flights from Canadian airports to the US but in the past I've always gone through US customs/immigration stuff on arrival in the US.
How long does this take? Is it likely to take about the same amount of time to clear Customs/Immigration before my flight in Dublin as it normally does at a US airport? For some reason it seems like it ought to be easier and more organized at the beginning of a flight than at the end, but I don't know. I am a US citizen resident in the US and have no reason to expect any kind of customs/immigration trouble (fingers crossed).
I'm planning on flying to Dublin from London that morning (on a separate ticket). I'm looking at flights that get in to DUB around 11AM, which would leave me three hours before my 2:15PM flight to change terminals, go through security and customs, and ideally eat lunch. That seems like it would be reasonably safe, even if the the London-Dublin flight is a bit delayed, but am I being overoptimistic? Obviously I don't want to spend any more time hanging around in airports than necessary, but there are earlier flights I could take. If it makes any difference, this will be on August 9th, a Thursday during the London Olympics (not that the Olympics would have any impact on USCBP in Dublin, but it maybe makes it slightly more likely that I will have trouble/delays getting from London to Dublin).
I just learned that at Dublin airport you clear USCBP *before* boarding the flight for US destinations - i.e., when I arrive home in Boston I will be treated the same as though I'd just arrived on a domestic flight from Detroit. This is new for me - I was vaguely aware that this happened on flights from Canadian airports to the US but in the past I've always gone through US customs/immigration stuff on arrival in the US.
How long does this take? Is it likely to take about the same amount of time to clear Customs/Immigration before my flight in Dublin as it normally does at a US airport? For some reason it seems like it ought to be easier and more organized at the beginning of a flight than at the end, but I don't know. I am a US citizen resident in the US and have no reason to expect any kind of customs/immigration trouble (fingers crossed).
I'm planning on flying to Dublin from London that morning (on a separate ticket). I'm looking at flights that get in to DUB around 11AM, which would leave me three hours before my 2:15PM flight to change terminals, go through security and customs, and ideally eat lunch. That seems like it would be reasonably safe, even if the the London-Dublin flight is a bit delayed, but am I being overoptimistic? Obviously I don't want to spend any more time hanging around in airports than necessary, but there are earlier flights I could take. If it makes any difference, this will be on August 9th, a Thursday during the London Olympics (not that the Olympics would have any impact on USCBP in Dublin, but it maybe makes it slightly more likely that I will have trouble/delays getting from London to Dublin).
Best answer: It's rapid and it happens pretty much right at the gate. Three hours is more than safe.
posted by DarlingBri at 8:10 AM on July 9, 2012
posted by DarlingBri at 8:10 AM on July 9, 2012
Response by poster: Awesome, exactly the answer I was hoping for :)
posted by mskyle at 8:12 AM on July 9, 2012
posted by mskyle at 8:12 AM on July 9, 2012
I have done this 115-18 times--3 hours from the time you enter the airport if you want to have a stress free(coffee, etc) time. Early morning to mid morning at least 3 hours--late morning a little less than three hours. Have a good time, enjoy clearing immigration/customs in Ireland.
posted by rmhsinc at 10:45 AM on July 9, 2012
posted by rmhsinc at 10:45 AM on July 9, 2012
In case it matters, my recollection is that you go through immigration but not customs. When I've arrived at JFK from DUB/SNN, I've been directed past the passport control but still had to deal with the customs paperwork and possible inspection on the US side. However, I haven't done this in a few years.
posted by Grinder at 11:47 AM on July 9, 2012
posted by Grinder at 11:47 AM on July 9, 2012
Response by poster: Thanks all! I got back yesterday and three hours was a bit more time than necessary, but not so much that I felt like I was completely wasting my day. I went through Irish passport control/customs, picked up my checked bag, checked in for my onward journey and re-checked the bag, went through security, got and ate a pizza, went through USCBP, went through "American" security (like regular security, except you take your shoes off - no groping for me, yay), and then boarded. I would have been fine with a two-hour gap, especially if I'd skipped the pizza, but three hours was not bad.
And when I arrived in Boston I just picked up my bag and got on the bus! Fabulous!
posted by mskyle at 10:09 AM on August 10, 2012 [1 favorite]
And when I arrived in Boston I just picked up my bag and got on the bus! Fabulous!
posted by mskyle at 10:09 AM on August 10, 2012 [1 favorite]
« Older Ghostly smell of a thousand cats! | Creating a basic custom PivotTable style in Excel... Newer »
This thread is closed to new comments.
gropingpatdown and waiting while they wiped down and tested my bags to see if there was any nuclear/chemical/biological/explosive residue.posted by zombieflanders at 8:08 AM on July 9, 2012