Reaching DUB airport at 5 am

Dam92

Hello.
I am moving in Dublin this month for a job offer at the airport and I will be having shifts that start at 5am in the morning.
At first I will be relying a lot on public or private transportation and I am really worried about it.
As I am still looking for a room to rent I thought it was best to live in santry or swords, in houses that are appoximately 5 to 7 km away from the airport.
Is it very frustrating because it seems like the first bus would take me at the airport between 6 or 6.30 am, hoping on its on time performance.
In Santry I know there is a shuttle bus from the Crowne Plaza Hotel (2€) that departs at 4.30am and 5.00am; in Swords there is a similar service in other B&Bs or hotels like the Premier Inn or the Glennhouse B&B.
I got an email from Aircoach informing me that they have discounted fares for Dublin Airport's employees (showing an ID) but the closest stop to the aiport will be next to the train station/quinn's bar (depending on the route) in Drumcondra priced at €3.50. 
I read that going by bike it is not the better option because of weather and safety reasons. I don't think it is a good idea either because I'll have a uniform and I don't think I will have a locker room to use.
A taxi will cost approximately 10-15 € from Santry and Swords.

At this point I think that finding an accomodation in Santry (very hard to find though) or Drumcondra will be the best option.
What I would like to ask you is if any of you have information about any better option to reach the airport at 5am. Maybe something that only a Dubliner or airport employee may know.

I am open to any suggestion because I am still looking for a definitive accomodation.

I opened this thread hoping to find some extra info and also to gather it for people that may have a similar situation in the present or the future months.
I don't know if Aviation would be a more suitable topic, I hope I did not get it wrong.
Thank you to anyone that will like to share their advices/suggestion with me.
I really appreciate it.

magicbastarder

would cycling be an option you'd consider?

Dam92

Well, I would but I also read (in this website) that parking a bike is difficult and that it is not recommended because of poor lighting and roads conditions as well as unpredictable weather. If I have the chance to change clothes at the airport I think it may be an option though (but not more than 13/15 mins away from airport).

punisher5112

Buy a 50cc scooter.

vectorvictor

I would strongly suggest looking at the option of a city centre hostel for your first month. I say this for a couple of reasons;

1) A slightly negative point but necessary. If this is a ground handling/check-in or cabin crew position, the training is tough with many dropping out during training so you don't want to have taken on a lease and paid deposits etc.. until you have at least completed and passed training. A hostel will set you back between 12 and 15 euro per night (slightly more at weekends)

2) A city centre hostel will place you on the airport bus routes and have you to the airport in 15-20 minutes at that time of day. Remember one or two latenesses leads to immediate dismissal due to the nature of the job so you don't want to panicking in your early days.

But my main reason for the hostel suggestion is that once you get into the job you will find hundreds of potential roommates. These jobs have a high staff turnover and there is always someone looking for a room mate. The majority are in Northwood Santry which is handy as you have the Crowne Plaza shuttle direct to the airport. I would avoid Swords if at all possible as the transport options aren't great although it's a nice little town. If by any chance the employer is Ryanair or Dalmac/Crewlink, then they do have a resource for teaming people up for house shares.

The airport is a great place to work and I hope you get on well.

Dam92

vectorvictor wrote: »

I would strongly suggest looking at the option of a city centre hostel for your first month. I say this for a couple of reasons;

1) A slightly negative point but necessary. If this is a ground handling/check-in or cabin crew position, the training is tough with many dropping out during training so you don't want to have taken on a lease and paid deposits etc.. until you have at least completed and passed training. A hostel will set you back between 12 and 15 euro per night (slightly more at weekends)

2) A city centre hostel will place you on the airport bus routes and have you to the airport in 15-20 minutes at that time of day. Remember one or two latenesses leads to immediate dismissal due to the nature of the job so you don't want to panicking in your early days.

But my main reason for the hostel suggestion is that once you get into the job you will find hundreds of potential roommates. These jobs have a high staff turnover and there is always someone looking for a room mate. The majority are in Northwood Santry which is handy as you have the Crowne Plaza shuttle direct to the airport. I would avoid Swords if at all possible as the transport options aren't great although it's a nice little town.  If by any chance the employer is Ryanair or Dalmac/Crewlink, then they do have a resource for teaming people up for house shares.

The airport is a great place to work and I hope you get on well.

I thank very much for this post because it seems very thoughtful. In this case I am already trained for this company and I am sure I will be alright with it. 
What you said about airport employees looking for roomates really makes my heart lighter because the accomodation hunting is the thing I am most worried about. I have recently helped a friend finding a room in London and it was not so difficult, in half a day we found a decent room with a decent price.
But anyway another big issue remains the public transportation because I don't think it may be convenient to buy a scooter or car at the moment. 
The aircoach fare for employees is not bad though and Drumcondra has a variety of rooms to choose from..

If anyone has anything else to share, please do

Many thanks to everyone!

BowSideChamp

You could try https://www.logonhopon.com/index.php

Basically a staff bus for Dublin Airport for out of hours employees.

SmartinMartin

Northwood is within walking distance of the airport, and a popular renting spot.

Del2005

Dam92 wrote: »

Well, I would but I also read (in this website) that parking a bike is difficult and that it is not recommended because of poor lighting and roads conditions as well as unpredictable weather. If I have the chance to change clothes at the airport I think it may be an option though (but not more than 13/15 mins away from airport).

Who doesn't recommend cycling? Poor road, get a bike with strong wheels, a mountain bike on skinny tyres. Poor lighting, with the current selection of LED lights you can be as bright as a motorbike from a few years ago. It doesn't actually rain that much on the East coast and for a short cycle even cheap waterproofs will be suitable.

magicbastarder

Del2005 wrote: »

Who doesn't recommend cycling? Poor road, get a bike with strong wheels, a mountain bike on skinny tyres. Poor lighting, with the current selection of LED lights you can be as bright as a motorbike from a few years ago. It doesn't actually rain that much on the East coast and for a short cycle even cheap waterproofs will be suitable.

looks like we picked the wrong week to recommend cycling.
https://www.met.ie/nationalwarnings/default.asp

Inquitus

magicbastarder wrote: »

looks like we picked the wrong week to recommend cycling.
https://www.met.ie/nationalwarnings/default.asp

To be fair the main road from Swords, or Santry, to the airport is always in a rideable condition due to the traffic. A place to change is mandatory, but if one is available, it is a valid way of getting to the airport, if you are a hardy soul!

keeponrockin

We use this bus company to get to the airport and back from south dublin for very early morning and late night flights..there are a lot of airport employees on it but never full..so many properties for rent
around the red cow/clondalkin area of dublin and it is 15/20 minutes on bus from red cow to airport terminals.

www.dublincoach.ie

Costs €5 each way but you will prob save on rent. Just another option for you.

ted1

I cycle from Killiney to the airport daily. It’s grand. There’s great bike lanes by the airport and bus lanes from the omniplex.

A good few if my colleagues line in Northwood and enjoy it. That might be an option for you.

JeffK88

Like another poster said Dublin Coach is another option. Im living in Newbridge and work in the Airport. Its €5 from anywhere along the N7 route except redcow which is €3 on when you show driver badge. Its also a 24 hour service on half past hour departures from Airport Coach park ( beside church) and portlaoise

SmartinMartin

http://www.thejournal.ie/dublin-bus-24-hour-3879221-Mar2018/

Dam92

Dam92 wrote: »

Well, I would but I also read (in this website) that parking a bike is difficult and that it is not recommended because of poor lighting and roads conditions as well as unpredictable weather. If I have the chance to change clothes at the airport I think it may be an option though (but not more than 13/15 mins away from airport).

I cycle 20km from north Dublin into the city about 3 days a week and it's fine. The road that the airport is on actually has a dedicated cycle lane that's separate from traffic.

Though I appreciate if you can't shower/change when you get there it probably isn't an option.

Stephen15

SmartinMartin wrote: »

http://www.thejournal.ie/dublin-bus-24-hour-3879221-Mar2018/

Won't be operational until next year

SmartinMartin

I know, but it's relevant and it'll certainly help in long term decision making.

Stephen15

SmartinMartin wrote: »

I know, but it's relevant and it'll certainly help in long term decision making.

Yes but for the time being the OP will need to use alternative means