Dublin Airport

Ell69

Hi
Have booked holidays for spain in a couple of months and our flight leaves from DA at 8am. Travelling from the south.
I've heard some horror stories about geting to and from the airport etc, I'm a nervous driver as it is, soeone was saying that youve loads of lanes to navigate when you come out and 3 or 4 roundabouts to head south again.
I'll have 4 kids in the car, have no option but to grin and bear it, but would welcome any traffic advise anyone has.
Ive never travelled from Dublin Airport before so thanks for any help in advance.
Believe it or not I have passed my driving test but live in a small town, which I think is unfair to those that have to do their test in the cities, as this must make them much more capable drivers.
Thanks all

MrJoeSoap

Where abouts in the south are you coming from, will you be taking the M50? It's really not that bad.

Victor

You could get a bus / train up the night before and head to the airport early in the morning.

HydeRoad

Find your way onto the M50.

Keep the LEFT lane. ALL the way.

Don't take the slip roads. Don't exit. Stay in that main left lane.

At the end of the M50, the lanes multiply. The gantries overhead sign for Belfast, etc.

KEEP LEFT.

Take the left lane. This lane drops gently to the left, down onto the M1 northbound.

KEEP LEFT.

If you keep the left lane, you will find yourself on the M1 northbound, in the lane bound for the Airport. Stay there. Don't try to merge out of it.

The lane eventually rises to the left again, bound for the Airport itself. Stay in lane.

KEEP LEFT.

Again, there are lots of traffic lanes. As before, keep to the left lane. No merging required.

The left lane then sweeps to the left again, AWAY from the Airport, bound for Santry. You do have to look over your right shoulder for traffic exiting the Airport roundabout, but you yourself will miss the roundabout. You are now heading AWAY from the Airport, towards Santry.

Now follow this road, passing a road to the left, until you come to a traffic light crossroads. Take a LEFT at these traffic lights.

You are now heading into the RED car park. Follow the signs, generally a large sign just past the entrance barriers will signify the zone to park in, say 'F' or 'Z' or whatever.

Park the car, and the bendybus will bring you to the terminal building. Don't park in the short term car parks next to the terminal, they are much dearer.

So in short, its LEFT LANE on the M50, all the way to the very end, STAY LEFT, KEEP LEFT, don't change lanes at all, LEFT, LEFT, LEFT, keep the left hand kerb always next to you. No roundabouts, no changing lanes, simple as pie. Remember one word. LEFT.

Coming out now, that's a whole different kettle of fish...

MrJoeSoap

They're RIGHT you know. Dead RIGHT. RIGHT, I'm off to bed. Hope you have a RIGHT good holiday.

Ell69

OMG, thanks a million for such good advise, you can't believe how much fretting i was doing about this,
This really will help , I thought I'd get some smart comments like ''learn to drive''. Much better directions than the AA website I was looking up.
When does traffic start to build up for early morning commuters? If I get there early enough I could avoid a lot of traffic or is it ever quiet?:)

MrJoeSoap

Ell69 wrote: »

OMG, thanks a million for such good advise, you can't believe how much fretting i was doing about this,
This really will help , I thought I'd get some smart comments like ''learn to drive''. Much better directions than the AA website I was looking up.
When does traffic start to build up for early morning commuters? If I get there early enough I could avoid a lot of traffic or is it ever quiet?:)

If your flight is at 8am, you'd probably have to be there for 6ish, yeah? It'd be fine at that hour.

HydeRoad

Exiting the Red car park, turn LEFT at the traffic lights.

Turn RIGHT at the next traffic lights. Long, narrow, bumpy road. About a mile.

Turn LEFT at the next traffic lights. Better road.

Then three sets of traffic lights on the M50 Ballymun roundabout, because you want the THIRD exit, bound for the M50 southbound. One, two, three.

Left, right, left, one, two, three.

Simple, really!

Wishbone Ash

Ell69 wrote: »

OMG, thanks a million for such good advise, you can't believe how much fretting i was doing about this,
This really will help , I thought I'd get some smart comments like ''learn to drive''. Much better directions than the AA website I was looking up.
When does traffic start to build up for early morning commuters? If I get there early enough I could avoid a lot of traffic or is it ever quiet?:)

The airport is always very well signposted so you shouldn't get lost.

If you aim to be at the airport prior to 6am you shouldn't really meet any heavy traffic. However that will be the busiest time for the Long Term Carparks especially on a Monday or Saturday.

As HydeRoad has said, check the signage at the entrance to the Red carpark to see which zone is in operation. There are 12 zones there (D,E,F,G,H,J,K,Q,R,S,Y and Z) but only one zone will be in operation. Electronic and ordinary signage will lead you to the operational zone. Follow those zones. The bus will only pick up at the open zone. There are 6 bendibuses operating from the Red carpark and should leave every 7-10 minutes or so (unless they are already full).

There are extensive roadworks on the northern section of the M50 at the moment and a 60kph limit is in place. If you are not very confident on motorways, stay in the left lane. Don't be attempted to use the overtaking lane unless it necessary.

Just to add to the confusion, if you are travelling at particularly busy times, eg. Easter, mid-term breaks, etc. the Green or Blue
Long Term Carparks may also be in operation and you may be diverted to them.

Wishbone Ash

Take your time, relax and concentrate on the signage.

Irish and Proud

HydeRoad wrote: »

Find your way onto the M50.

At the end of the M50, the lanes multiply. The gantries overhead sign for Belfast, etc.

KEEP LEFT.

I was on the M50 North yesterday and at least one of the gantries is blanked out because of the M50 Upgrade works in the area. Also, the traffic is forced to use the H/S and left lane between the N2 and M1 radials. Otherwise, the layout is very much the same as before. Just beware!

Regards!

serfboard

Just wondering. If your flight leaves at 8AM, then you're supposed to be in the airport for 6AM. You don't say where exactly in the South you're leaving from but let's imagine you're 2-3 hours away. This means you'll have to leave home at 3AM, means getting up at 2, or even 01:30. :eek: Is this really the way you want to start your holiday?

If you can manage it at all, why not go up the night before and stay somewhere like Bewleys (and no, I don't work for them). You get a room rate (regardless of people), you'll have an awful lot less hassle, you can give yourself plenty of time to leave and you'll have a good night's sleep. The hotel has a deal where you can park the car there for less than they charge at the airport. They also have a shuttle bus that takes you to the airport. Other hotels will have something similar.

Better IMO, then having no sleep and the stress of the journey, not to mention trying to shepherd 4 kids around the airport.

DublinWriter

Excellent idea serfboard.

I've been in that Bewleys Hotel a few times and it's pretty good. I think a lot of families going up to de shmoke to catch a redeye flight use it. Standard room rate is about €89 last time I looked.

tbh

+1 for the staying the night before bet. OP, there are loads of cheap but grand hotels all around the airport, if you are nervous, I'd advise getting a bus up to the airport, staying in one of the hotels and strolling up in the morning. Parkings pretty expensive too, book the hotel and you can start the holiday a day early

Hotblack Desiato

Ell69 wrote: »

This really will help , I thought I'd get some smart comments like ''learn to drive''.

Seriously though, if there is an aspect to driving - motorways or anything else - that makes you that nervous, consider getting a good instructor to take you for some lessons to brush up on it. It will make you a safer more confident and well rounded driver. Having taken lessons and an advanced (bike) test I have to say it was the best thing I ever did since passing the DoE test years before.

January

Days Hotel is only 79€ a room, and they have a shuttle bus to the airport too. I'd advise that... better than leaving home at around 2am...

Ell69

Thanks for the suggestions about the hotel, I agree would probably get a few hours sleep rather than none. I remember staying in Bewleys Newlands cross last year and their rooms are lovely and kids stay free. Great idea, thanks. I'm driving from Tipp., and was concernd about making a mistake and ending up on the wrong road, but your directions are great.
Ive heard of an airport bus that goes to dublin Airport from Heuston, if we were to get this the evening before, does anyone know if it'll drop us at say Bewleys or Days if we booked them and leave the car at home altogether.???:)

Wishbone Ash

Ell69 wrote: »

Ive heard of an airport bus that goes to dublin Airport from Heuston, if we were to get this the evening before, does anyone know if it'll drop us at say Bewleys or Days if we booked them and leave the car at home altogether.???:)

That bus only operates to the airport terminal and doesn't serve hotels.

Personally. I'm not a fan of staying in hotels overnight but that's probably because I'm used to awkward hours. I occasionally work at Dublin Airport and meet many families with young children who arrive at 2 or 3 am after travelling from Donegal, Mayo, Clare, Kerry etc. They are usually in great spirits and looking forward to the excitment of a holiday. I usually associate part of a holiday with arriving at an airport in the middle of the night!

Just my 2c worth.

Ham'nd'egger

Ell69 wrote: »

Thanks for the suggestions about the hotel, I agree would probably get a few hours sleep rather than none. I remember staying in Bewleys Newlands cross last year and their rooms are lovely and kids stay free. Great idea, thanks. I'm driving from Tipp., and was concernd about making a mistake and ending up on the wrong road, but your directions are great.
Ive heard of an airport bus that goes to dublin Airport from Heuston, if we were to get this the evening before, does anyone know if it'll drop us at say Bewleys or Days if we booked them and leave the car at home altogether.???:)

Bewley's is off the airport bus routes as is Days so that isn't a runner, though the 4/4A serve Days. There is a misnomer that "Airport Hotels" are in the airport. Most are close but are by no means walking distance close; only the Clarion and SAS Raddison are in the airport itself. Most hotels have mini buses between them and the airport so you might avail of them; a taxi from Days and Bewleys wouldn't cost too much as an alternative. Another hotel to consider is the Crown Plaza/Holiday Inn Santry; it is barely 2 miles from the airport.

Calina

Ell69 wrote: »

Ive heard of an airport bus that goes to dublin Airport from Heuston, if we were to get this the evening before, does anyone know if it'll drop us at say Bewleys or Days if we booked them and leave the car at home altogether.???:)

748 from Heuston goes to the airport. It does not serve the airport hotels. However, AFAIK, Bewleys, Days and the Santry Crowne Plaza (and the Hilton in Coolock as well) and the Premier Inn all have shuttle buses to the terminal so presumably you could get that to come and get you (and let you back there for the flight early in the morning).

Wishbone Ash

Just bear in mind that the public transport option can get messy especially on your return if the flight is delayed. Arriving back in Dublin Airport at 2am with 4 children in tow and waiting hours for a bus/train would not be a pleasant experience. At least with your own car, it doesn't really matter what time you return.

brettmirl

Some of the airport hotels offer deals where you can park your car at the hotel for a cheaper rate than the airport car parks. Would be worth looking into.

http://www.bewleyshotels.com/dublin_airport_hotel_park_and_fly.asp