Dublin Airport: A Convenient Choice for U.S. Travelers

If time is money, Dublin Airport may provide savings on both when returning to the United States from a European vacation.

Understanding U.S. Preclearance

The airport’s Terminal 2 features a unique “U.S. Preclearance” facility, allowing passengers to clear both U.S. Security (TSA) and U.S. Customs before flying back to the United States. Therefore, travelers can save approximately two hours by utilizing this invaluable service.

An informational video hosted by the U.S. Customs and Border Protection Port Director at Dublin Airport, Tish Lagerwey, describes the process as “simple and fast.”

Security and Customs Process

The process requires passengers to go through a security screening from the TSA and Customs. Passengers must present both their passport and boarding pass. Moreover, similar to how Customs operates at international arrival airports, such as JFK or Atlanta, passengers are required to declare purchases made abroad (i.e., watches or purses), possession of more than $10,000 in currency, and any agricultural products (fruits, seeds, or meat).

After clearing the security area, passengers then navigate through the Duty-Free shopping area. Additionally, those enrolled in the Global Entry program may also use this service as part of the Dublin Airport process for flights returning to the United States, while non-Global Entry passengers will go through the traditional U.S. Customs process.

Passenger Experience with U.S. Preclearance

Frequent travelers find this process to be both convenient and a substantial time-saver. “You’re treated as domestic arrivals once you arrive in the U.S., meaning you don’t have to go through immigration. You just pick up your bags and go,” explains Sarah Dekola, a travel expert, in a recent social media post summarizing her experience.

Time Savings and Affordability of Dublin Airport

Travelers should keep in mind that U.S. Preclearance requires minimal additional time and planning, as there are a few extra steps before departure. The airport recommends arriving three hours before a scheduled international flight and allowing additional time if checking luggage.

While the time savings are beneficial for busy travelers, Dublin Airport has also been ranked as one of the most affordable airports to fly out of from Europe to the United States by various travel search platforms including Hopper and CheapFlights. Furthermore, the Dublin Airport reported a total of 28.1 million passengers in 2022, according to available airport data.