flying to US from dublin airport

popepaisley1

leaving to san francisco at 1pm tomorrow. i just noticed that it says on the ticket that we must be at the gate before 11.15am or we will be refused entry. will this really happen if we are slightly late? we have already booked a bus from galway but looks like we wont make it to the airport until 11.30am

obplayer

American entry officials are very strict. They will refuse entry for any breaking of rules. I wold be aiming to get to the airport a lot earlier than 11:30.

MadsL

popepaisley1 wrote: »

leaving to san francisco at 1pm tomorrow. i just noticed that it says on the ticket that we must be at the gate before 11.15am or we will be refused entry. will this really happen if we are slightly late? we have already booked a bus from galway but looks like we wont make it to the airport until 11.30am

One and half hours is way too tight for transatlantic. You'll have to clear both US immigration and security either of which could take 45 mins. Flights like to be fully boarding 30-20 mins before departure time.

What are you thinking leaving Galway so late?

popepaisley1

didn't factor in the strictness of going through immigration on this side. not been in us in nearly 20 years. btw will it take long to go through immigration on the other side?

MadsL

http://www.gobus.ie/timetable.php?map=3

05.45am is the bus you need to be on. 06.45 at the very latest to get to the desk at 10am.

Your travel insurance will not cover you for not leaving for the airport on time.

popepaisley1

MadsL wrote: »

One and half hours is way too tight for transatlantic. You'll have to clear both US immigration and security either of which could take 45 mins. Flights like to be fully boarding 30-20 mins before departure time.

What are you thinking leaving Galway so late?

thought we were leaving in loads of time!! good job we read the ticket. im just to used to flying with ryanair where you can breeze up to the gate 5 mins before departure

athtrasna

Did you not read the airline instructions. 3 hours is the minimum recommended check in window for a Trans Atlantic flight...90 minutes is nowhere near enough, as the other posters have pointed out. A replacement bus ticket is much cheaper than a replacement flight. Take an earlier bus, ideally two hours earlier.

MadsL

popepaisley1 wrote: »

didn't factor in the strictness of going through immigration on this side. not been in us in nearly 20 years. btw will it take long to go through immigration on the other side?

You clear US immigration in Ireland, other side you land as domestic.

That is why you need plenty of time at the airport. If you miss your flight because they want to question you further, tough titty.

popepaisley1

MadsL wrote: »

http://www.gobus.ie/timetable.php?map=3

05.45am is the bus you need to be on. 06.45 at the very latest to get to the desk at 10am.

Your travel insurance will not cover you for not leaving for the airport on time.

we booked bus tickets for 8.30. d'ya think if we just rolled up with these tickets that we'll get on the early bus?

athtrasna

popepaisley1 wrote: »

didn't factor in the strictness of going through immigration on this side. not been in us in nearly 20 years. btw will it take long to go through immigration on the other side?

No immigration on arrival, all in Dublin pre-departure. You're treated as a domestic arrival on landing in the US.

MadsL

popepaisley1 wrote: »

thought we were leaving in loads of time!! good job we read the ticket. im just to used to flying with ryanair where you can breeze up to the gate 5 mins before departure

Ryanair, just the same as entering the US and clearing immigration...
*facepalm*

micosoft

popepaisley1 wrote: »

didn't factor in the strictness of going through immigration on this side. not been in us in nearly 20 years. btw will it take long to go through immigration on the other side?

You go through US immigration IN DUBLIN AIRPORT. So you arrive at the domestic terminal in the US - you walk straight out onto the street.

Hence you have got to be there way earlier. TBH this was always the way. I'd usually be there four hours in advance but the minimum really is three. US Immigration will not hurry up for you.

MadsL

popepaisley1 wrote: »

we booked bus tickets for 8.30. d'ya think if we just rolled up with these tickets that we'll get on the early bus?

I think buying an extra ticket would be preferable to forking out for another $1000 flight.

Do you have your ESTA? (he asks with bated breath)

popepaisley1

MadsL wrote: »

Ryanair, just the same as entering the US and clearing immigration...
*facepalm*

yep


tbh i thought immigration was on the other side

popepaisley1

MadsL wrote: »

I think buying an extra ticket would be preferable to forking out for another $1000 flight.

Do you have your ESTA? (he asks with bated breath)

esta.......whats that?



































































kidding....its done

and API

micosoft

MadsL wrote: »

I think buying an extra ticket would be preferable to forking out for another $1000 flight.

Do you have your ESTA? (he asks with bated breath)

Yes - ESTA too. And use the CORRECT site - not the hundred or so scam sites.

TBH OP - look and listen to the Video above...

MadsL

popepaisley1 wrote: »

esta.......whats that?

Go get yer bus...

irishfeen

Flying the exact same route later this summer - knew US Customs would be strict but 3-4 hrs before departure :eek: ... best of luck OP hopefully your plans workout.

athtrasna

popepaisley1 wrote: »

yep


tbh i thought immigration was on the other side

It's not and to be honest even if it was, getting through security in Dublin airport and the additional security questions at check-in for a flight to the US you'd have been cutting it too tight at 90 minutes.

popepaisley1

micosoft wrote: »

Yes - ESTA too. And use the CORRECT site - not the hundred or so scam sites.

TBH OP - look and listen to the Video above...

it was the link on the aer lingus confirmation. must be legit

sawdoubters

try and get earlier


check in online on the computer then its a bag drop,put in your passport details

you go up in the lift once you check in to the gates in terminal 2

it takes about 15 minutes to walk to airport from coach park,30 minutes to check in,30 minutes to go through security,45 minutes to go through us passport control,about 10 minutes to go through another security control,then 5 minutes to walk through to your plane

buses usually arrive 10 minutes late


try and give yourself 2 hours

popepaisley1

irishfeen wrote: »

Flying the exact same route later this summer - knew US Customs would be strict but 3-4 hrs before departure :eek: ... best of luck OP hopefully your plans workout.

booking bus tickets now. still have to pack!! not even booked a hotel yet

athtrasna

irishfeen wrote: »

Flying the exact same route later this summer - knew US Customs would be strict but 3-4 hrs before departure :eek: ... best of luck OP hopefully your plans workout.

It's sheer volume. A couple of thousand people board flights to the US between 6am and 2pm, there are only so many customs & immigration staff. Particularly in the summer I'd be aiming towards 4 hours as security in T2 can take 30-45 minutes if you don't use airport genie.

Getting there early and waiting around isn't a whole lot of fun, but it's a lot more fun and less stressful than potentially/actually missing your flight.

MadsL

popepaisley1 wrote: »

booking bus tickets now. still have to pack!! not even booked a hotel yet

No sleep for you.

Book a hotel, immigration ask for a US address on the form.

micosoft

popepaisley1 wrote: »

it was the link on the aer lingus confirmation. must be legit

It probably is then - parents got stung last year because they googled it and clicked on the first link - looked real professional.

irishfeen

athtrasna wrote: »

It's sheer volume. A couple of thousand people board flights to the US between 6am and 2pm, there are only so many customs & immigration staff. Particularly in the summer I'd be aiming towards 4 hours as security in T2 can take 30-45 minutes if you don't use airport genie.

Getting there early and waiting around isn't a whole lot of fun, but it's a lot more fun and less stressful than potentially/actually missing your flight.

Jaysus we're heading over at the height of the summer (around the 4th July weekend) so I can just imagine the waiting - thanks for the info though lads.

irishfeen

popepaisley1 wrote: »

booking bus tickets now. still have to pack!! not even booked a hotel yet

As others have said I knew they look for an address so get booking mate!

Stheno

You need way more time for immigration and security i was there recently at six thirty for a nine am flight queue quadrupled while i went through. You get photoed and fingerprinted too

popepaisley1

getting 6.15 bus. arrives 9am. gives us 4 hours before dept.

popepaisley1

btw....thanks for the info. this is our honeymoon. coulda been a disaster

irishfeen

popepaisley1 wrote: »

getting 6.15 bus. arrives 9am. gives us 4 hours before dept.

That's the job, enjoy the "City by the Bay" ... btw is it NY or where are you stopping off out of interest?

Stheno

popepaisley1 wrote: »

btw....thanks for the info. this is our honeymoon. coulda been a disaster

Have you booked accomodation? You'll' be going nowhere otherwise.

Also on the way home you clear the same obstacles in the US so be prepared, security is far tighter in most airports there than here.

popepaisley1

san francisco for a few days then in a car and heading south. no plans made. we only booked the holiday last friday week. we got married last friday so we haven't had much time think about what we want to do. id like to drive to the grand canyon but im thinking thats a bit ambitious. we'll see what happens

popepaisley1

Stheno wrote: »

Have you booked accomodation? You'll' be going nowhere otherwise.

Also on the way home you clear the same obstacles in the US so be prepared, security is far tighter in most airports there than here.

doing that right now!!!

irishfeen

popepaisley1 wrote: »

san francisco for a few days then in a car and heading south. no plans made. we only booked the holiday last friday week. we got married last friday so we haven't had much time think about what we want to do. id like to drive to the grand canyon but im thinking thats a bit ambitious. we'll see what happens

Direct flight from Dublin?

Stheno

popepaisley1 wrote: »

san francisco for a few days then in a car and heading south. no plans made. we only booked the holiday last friday week. we got married last friday so we haven't had much time think about what we want to do. id like to drive to the grand canyon but im thinking thats a bit ambitious. we'll see what happens

US immigration require an address you are staying at if you are not in transit, they will not let you through without a hotel/motel/apartment with a detailed address!

popepaisley1

irishfeen wrote: »

Direct flight from Dublin?

stopping in chicago for 2 hours

popepaisley1

Stheno wrote: »

US immigration require an address you are staying at if you are not in transit, they will not let you through without a hotel/motel/apartment with a detailed address!

on booking.com

Stheno

popepaisley1 wrote: »

stopping in chicago for 2 hours

How did you not investigate this? Booking.com the night before? And on a honeymoon?

Travelling to the US is a fairly onerous process, it's not like you can just hop on a plane and mooch on over like?

irishfeen

popepaisley1 wrote: »

stopping in chicago for 2 hours

Oh harsh - about 13.5 hours travelling so... We're direct from Dublin and 11 hours is going to be hell.... anyhow enjoy the honeymoon mate

popepaisley1

we only decided last week where we wanted to go. is it too late to book a hotel now???

popepaisley1

irishfeen wrote: »

Oh harsh - about 13.5 hours travelling so... We're direct from Dublin and 11 hours is going to be hell.... anyhow enjoy the honeymoon mate

cheers mate

Stheno

irishfeen wrote: »

Oh harsh - about 13.5 hours travelling so... We're direct from Dublin and 11 hours is going to be hell.... anyhow enjoy the honeymoon mate

popepaisley1 wrote: »

we only decided last week where we wanted to go. is it too late to book a hotel now???

I was 24 hours door to door out and 27 back! Three hops to Canada with big delays in the US due to bad weather

No it's not too late to book a hotel but you need to have one booked!

irishfeen

Stheno wrote: »

I was 24 hours door to door out and 27 back! Three hops to Canada with big delays in the US due to bad weather

No it's not too late to book a hotel but you need to have one booked!

Dear god almighty 27 hours :eek: ... that's sick! ... we decided to go direct rather then stopping, it was about €250 more expensive but for my own sanity its worth it - either we/the plane goes or not, simple as.

Ah-Watch

Sorry to hijack this but are all flights from T2 to USA pre cleared in Dublin, I'm not flying until July so haven't read up on it. Last year I had to fly to Heathrow first so was out of T1 that I flew and then had to clear customs and immigration or whatever in Chicago. Congrats on honeymoon and have a brilliant holiday !

Stheno

irishfeen wrote: »

Dear god almighty 27 hours :eek: ... that's sick! ... we decided to go direct rather then stopping, it was about €250 more expensive but for my own sanity its worth it - either we/the plane goes or not, simple as.

left hotel 4:30 am from hotel, actually got home with a six hour time difference at 9am the following day so it was actually longer, work trip, they refused to pay the extra for a shorter trip!

I'd go back to where I visited for a holiday, but plan it better, and it's not that expensive, our travel agents appear to be incompetent

By the time I hit airport three with a five hour wait and delay I was a zombie, all I remember of getting home was actually being home in the morning time and wondering why it was morning as opposed to night.

TLDR 27 hours in airports just to get home from a work assignment

Stheno

Ah-Watch wrote: »

Sorry to hijack this but are all flights from T2 to USA pre cleared in Dublin, I'm not flying until July so haven't read up on it. Last year I had to fly to Heathrow first so was out of T1 that I flew and then had to clear customs and immigration or whatever in Chicago. Congrats on honeymoon and have a brilliant holiday !

Yes

popepaisley1

Ah-Watch wrote: »

Sorry to hijack this but are all flights from T2 to USA pre cleared in Dublin, I'm not flying until July so haven't read up on it. Last year I had to fly to Heathrow first so was out of T1 that I flew and then had to clear customs and immigration or whatever in Chicago. Congrats on honeymoon and have a brilliant holiday !

i recommend not thinking about it until the night before you leave then coming on here and getting everyone else to sort it out for you :cool:

booked this place on booking...http://www.booking.com/hotel/us/parc-55.en-gb.html?aid=356998;label=gog235jc-index-XX-XX-XX-unspec-ie-com-L%3Aen-V%3A0CEIQFjAA-O%3Aunk-B%3Aunk;sid=9d11cea619f556d9bb1a3bd695533053;dcid=1;checkin=2014-02-18;checkout=2014-02-21;srfid=56b8028eb1ebbb9c600bd521433fc5fd9f9515b7X1;hide_back_to_sr=1


350 quid for a 4 star for 3 nights. has decent reviews too

Kathnora

I recommend the Orchard Garden Hotel 466 Bush Street...good location, comfy room, no breakfast but plenty of eating options close by...not too expensive.

Don't forget to book trip to Alcatraz online but may not be too hard to get a booking at this time of year.

Good deals going for 3 day travel ticket on the buses and trams.

phonypony

Hmm, i don't want to sway the OP one way or another, but for the past decade that i've been travelling to usa i've gotten the first Dublin Bus from where I live to arrive at the airport about 7.50am for a 9am flight. Drop the bag and go to immigration, be at the gate at 8.20 no issues.

popepaisley1

gonna get the 6.15 bus. no reason why we should get stopped...at least nothing she has told me about :eek: