Articles
Dublin Airport
The Airport
Dublin Airport is very easy to get to by car with excellent motorway transport links from Dublin (10km south) or Belfast to the North. Off the M1 Motorway Dublin Airport is within easy commute of the M50 motorway which skirts Dublin to the west of the city. The M50 is the gateway to the rest of Ireland with all main routes available from this recently upgraded bypass for the busy city. Please note that both the M1 north and M50 are toll motorways, please carry change for the M1 manned both and be prepared to pay later for the electronic tolling system located half way along the M50.
If you are traveling back to the airport in your hire car for additional passengers or to see someone off, there is a passenger drop off facility at both Terminal 1 and the new Terminal 2. If you are picking someone up though it may be best to park as you can not leave your vehicle or stay for even a short time at the drop off facilities. The airport police tow any unattended cars with a €140 recovery charge and a €35 charge per day after that to get the hire car back.
Car Hire Locations
A recent report showed that Dublin was one of the cheapest locations in Europe for a rental car but one of the most expensive for a meal out. The reasons for this is massive competition in the car rental marketplace with many competitors looking for trade. This is no more on show than in Dublin Airport with multiple desks and an extensive rental car parks.
Phone +353 1 844 5466 Hertz
Phone +353 1 844 5150 Budget
Phone +353 1 605 7500 Avis
Phone +353 1 812 0410 Sixt
Phone +353 1 8122800 Europcar
Phone +353 1 844 1950 Thrifty Car Hire
Phone +353 1 814 4043 Dan Dooley
Phone +353 1 460 5042 Enterprise
Phone +353 1 844 4162 353 Car Rentals
Phone +353 1 8445689 County Car Hire
Other Car Hire Locations
There is a proposed metro system from outside Terminal 2 into Dublin city center but until that is completed it is still relatively simple to get away from Dublin Airport. There are many coach companies operating routes to towns and cities across Ireland and Northern Ireland. Aircoach and Dublin Bus have routes to in and around Dublin. There is also a large taxi presence available from the well marshaled taxi rank.
Parking
The Dublin Airport Authority (DAA) offer 3,600 short-term and 14,400 long-term spaces to park your car at Dublin Airport. Other providers also offer long term parking solutions around the airport serviced by shuttle bus services.
There is no free parking at Dublin Airport with the charge applicable once you enter the car park and take a ticket. The short term car park charges are €3.00 for the first hour and then €4.50 per hour (or part thereof) up to a maximum charge of €40.00 per day.
Services
Dublin Airport with the new Terminal 2 in full operation will be handle 35 million passengers a year putting it in the top 30 airports in the world and the services available reflect this. The airport has large shopping areas, restaurants, bars and even a church found close to the car hire parking lots (Dublin Airport Church, Our Lady Queen of Heaven).
