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What time to be at the airport for a Ryan Air flight?

  • 11-07-2024 08:45AM
    #1
    [Deleted User]
    Posts: 1,768 ✭✭✭


    Say the flight departs at 3 pm.

    What time should one be at the airport, ideally?

    With online check in, if I showed up at 2:30, would I really be cutting it fine?

    If I get off at Drumcondra, there's a direct link to the airport, right?

    How long from Drumcondra to the airport?

    Just for those who are familiar with this route/process, might give me an idea of how much time I should ideally allocate.



«1

Comments

  • #2
    Kat1170
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2, Paid Member Posts: 3,814 ✭✭✭Kat1170


    If the flight departs at 3pm then the gate closes at 2:30pm



  • #3
    L1011
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 74,678 ✭✭✭✭L1011


    2:30 and you aren't getting on the flight. 2 and you probably aren't getting on the flight.

    1:30 minimum.

    Ryanair flights can leave from the gates furthest away from security in the entire airport.

    There are buses from Drumcondra to the Airport. Some of them are very slow. The fast one isn't frequent. Give at least 40 minutes for this.



  • #4
    LambshankRedemption
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 13,178 ✭✭✭✭LambshankRedemption


    https://www.boards.ie/discussion/2058359161/what-time-to-be-at-the-airport-for-a-ryan-air-flight

    The official guidelines are to be at the airport 2 hours before your flight. Its something I stick to and it hasnt let me down.

    It usually means I have time to kill at the airport but there have also been times when I was still cutting it fine. I have seen the queue going through security zig-zagging across the terminal building, and it taking 90 minutes to get through it.

    My last flight was a few weeks ago and the walk from getting through security to the gate(I think it was gate 24) was about 15 minutes.



  • #5
    [Deleted User]
    Posts: 1,768 ✭✭✭ [Deleted User]


    https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122366473#Comment_122366473

    Okay so, if the flight is leaving at 3 pm, my getting off at Drumcondra at 12 pm wouldn't be ahead of time?

    Maybe 40 minutes from there to the airport, then time enough to check in.

    I don't want to hanging about the airport for too long either.



  • #6
    [Deleted User]
    Posts: 1,768 ✭✭✭ [Deleted User]


    Also in terms of baggage, are Ryan Air real strict with carry on bag size?

    It says: 40cm x 20cm x 25cm

    A small backpack.

    I'm only jetting out for a couple nights so figure I can travel light.

    Backpack I have is like, 40cm x 20cm x 30cm.

    So slight over dimension in one plane? Can I get away with that?



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  • #7
    irelandrover
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 4,053 ✭✭✭irelandrover


    Its entirely dependant if you need to check in a bag or not. 12:00 - 15:00 is a busy time at the airport.

    If I had to check in a bag then I'd give it 2 hours. No check in bag and 90 minutes would be loads of time.



  • #8
    gipi
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 3,563 ✭✭✭gipi


    Get off what at Drumcondra? Train?

    Getting to the airport from Drumcondra could take an hour, depending on the bus schedule, traffic and the bus route.

    The walk from security to a Ryanair gate is a minimum of 15 mins (more if it's one of the distant gates), as Kat said the gate closes 30 mins before.

    Getting through security could take 5 mins, could take 15 or 20 mins.

    I would arrive at the airport about 90 mins before a Ryanair flight. Longer if you have to drop a bag.



  • #9
    [Deleted User]
    Posts: 1,768 ✭✭✭ [Deleted User]


    https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122366521#Comment_122366521

    Yes, Drumcondra train station.

    I've never done the transit from there to the airport but see a lot of passengers do it all the time with their bags etc.

    I don't have a bag to check in, just a carry-on back pack.

    Train pulls up at 12 pm, 1 hour further to the airport? Really?

    Is there no quicker way to get from Dublin City to Dublin Airport?



  • #10
    L1011
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 74,678 ✭✭✭✭L1011


    https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122366504#Comment_122366504

    Ryanair are usually incredibly strict.



  • #11
    irelandrover
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 4,053 ✭✭✭irelandrover


    https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122366504#Comment_122366504

    As long as it squishes into the dimensions it's fine. So if it's a soft bag you should be ok. A hard case and not so ok.

    My bag has been checked the last few flights I've got on.



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  • #12
    Strazdas
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 21,903 ✭✭✭✭Strazdas


    Definitely aim to be in the airport building around 90 mins before departure time at least. As others have said, there is a very long walk between the security gates and the actual Ryanair departure terminals…..a good 15 mins at least. I took a Ryanair flight out of there recently and had nearly forgotten how long the walk was.



  • #13
    Nigel Fairservice
    Moderators, Regional Abroad Moderators Posts: 2,595 Mod ✭✭✭✭Nigel Fairservice


    Get to the airport as early as you can. It's peak travel season now as well so the airport will be busy. I always arrive early for flights and just go for a nice lunch or coffee after security. I'd rather that than a mad dash to the airport wondering if I'll make the flight.

    Your bag should be fine if it's soft. My Ryanair bag is slightly bigger than the dimensions but I don't overpack it and draw attention to it.



  • #14
    No Bills
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 186 ✭✭No Bills


    https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122366535#Comment_122366535

    You could take a taxi from Drumcondra to the airport? FreeNow suggest that it would cost about €15.



  • #15
    artanevilla
    Moderators, Education Moderators, Sports Moderators, Paid Member Posts: 11,988 Mod ✭✭✭✭artanevilla


    If I had to get a flight at 3pm and was travelling into Drumcondra station, I would be aiming to be walking out the door at Drumcondra station at 12:45 latest. This gives me 45 minutes to get to the front door of the airport and 90 mins to get to my gate from the security queue.

    Remember, you'll never be stressed being early for a flight.

    Always leave time for uncertainties, not being able to find your passport on the way out the door, the bus to the train being late, the train itself being late, the bus to the airport breaking down, the x-ray machines at the airport breaking down…



  • #16
    HeidiHeidi
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2, Paid Member Posts: 32,628 ✭✭✭✭HeidiHeidi


    Trying to cut door-to-boarding-gate times to the bone is a fool's game, in which there is only ever one loser - you, because the flight will go without you.

    There are far too many variables to be able to say "X" time is just enough. All your forms of transport to get to the airport, the security queue, the length of walk to the gate, and anything else that might happen along the way to delay you.

    Re your backpack - I'd have said that will be fine, but I recently was in a Ryanair boarding queue (abroad) and the man ahead of me was pulled up on his wheelie suitcase, which was the tiniest one I've ever seen, but it was still too big for the cage (why he was singled out for measurement I have no idea, everyone was boarding normally until then) - the whole queue got held up while they had the argument, out came his credit card, and he had to pay whatever extra they wanted.

    Leave yourself a decent cushion of time and save yourself the stress.



  • #17
    loyatemu
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2, Paid Member Posts: 16,224 ✭✭✭✭loyatemu


    https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122366535#Comment_122366535

    are you going from the City Centre, or Drumcondra? Where are you actually starting from?

    The Dublin Express coach from outside the Custom House will have you at the airport in 20 minutes or so as it goes through the tunnel.

    Put your money where yer mouth is... Subscribe and Save Boards!

    https://subscriptions.boards.ie/



  • #18
    endofrainbow
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 3,245 ✭✭✭endofrainbow


    Better an hour early than a minute late.



  • #19
    Tenzor07
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 9,709 ✭✭✭Tenzor07


    Security screening at Dublin airport can take anything from 20 to 40 mins depending. The new scanners don't seem to have helped either.

    From the security screening allow 10 - 15 mins walk to the Ryanair gates depending how fast you walk.

    Usually when Ryanair says Gates close at 30 mins before then that's the time I aim for as usually everyone is left standing on the stairs waiting for the passengers to de-board your plane and the bags being taken off. So if you show up at the boarding Gate for 2.30 and the flight is allegedly leaving at 3pm then you'll make it.



  • #20
    callaway92
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 15,265 ✭✭✭✭callaway92


    Not sure I understand you saying ‘I don’t want to be hanging about the airport for too long’

    Who cares how long you’re waiting there. On a travel day I doubt you’d be doing too much exciting at home anyway! If you don’t want to fork out extortionate airport prices then being a packed lunch with you and eat there. The timings work out well in that sense.



  • #21
    The Phantom Jipper
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2, Paid Member Posts: 992 ✭✭✭The Phantom Jipper


    Of the cheaper options, the 41 bus is better as it avoids the detour through Beaumont that the 16 bus takes.

    The Aircoach stops near the train station and is a good option aswell - quicker than the 41 and a few quid more expensive.



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  • #22
    Lewis_Benson
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,670 ✭✭✭Lewis_Benson


    Be at the airport 2 hours before flight departure.



  • #23
    Sarn
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 3,164 ✭✭✭Sarn


    Regarding the aircoach, it can sometimes be full by the time it hits Drumcondra, unless you’ve pre-booked a seat.



  • #24
    Vote4Squirrels
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,487 ✭✭✭Vote4Squirrels


    https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122366535#Comment_122366535

    I've done the Gresham to the airport in rush hour on the light blue Aircoach on 50 mins (and as little as 30 at other times) - no way it takes an hour from Drumcondra station - leaving there at noon and getting the Aircoach outside, you'll be at security 12.45 max.

    Use the Travel Assistant on the Ryanair app and it will give you real time help - get a cuppa or a drink as near to your gate as you can and you won't go wrong.

    That backpack will be grand as long as it's not massively overpacked! Happy trip!



  • #25
    [Deleted User]
    Posts: 1,768 ✭✭✭ [Deleted User]


    Excellent, well informed info here.

    Seems as we're on a roll, I might as well address other possibilities?

    On returning (just a flying visit), I have the option to book a mid-afternoon arrival (3 pm), or evening arrival (7:10 pm).

    Naturally I'd prefer the evening arrival as it means I don't have to depart as early, but getting transport that late is of course more difficult.

    Am I correct in saying that, Dublin to Mullingar, my only option is really the Express Coach from the airport?

    Or I'm seeing the number 23 bus from the airport also, departing at 8:20 pm?



  • #26
    Sheep Shagger
    Moderators, Business & Finance Moderators Posts: 7,293 Mod ✭✭✭✭Sheep Shagger


    https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122367621#Comment_122367621

    90 mins is plenty if you are not checking in a bag.



  • #27
    breezy1985
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 32,667 ✭✭✭✭breezy1985


    https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122366458#Comment_122366458

    With Ryanair if the flight departs at 3pm then they start boarding at 3pm. By boarding I mean making you stand in a hallway because the plane hasn't even landed at the time the gate "closed at 2:30"

    This isn't just a joke about a delayed flight. It is every Ryanair flight I have been on the past 10 years.

    I'm a big fan of getting to the airport very early. I like to get through security and relax but I never get in the Ryanair queue until the last second.



  • #28
    bilbot79
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,172 ✭✭✭bilbot79


    Can you run fast?



  • #29
    [Deleted User]
    Posts: 1,768 ✭✭✭ [Deleted User]


    https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122366963#Comment_122366963

    Was taking the train from Mullingar to Drumcondra, or that was the plan.

    But perhaps going to Connolly and catching the express coach would be as easy?



  • #30
    beachhead
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 3,684 ✭✭✭beachhead


    https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122366535#Comment_122366535

    You would be incredibly unlucky if it took an hour from Drumcondra to the airport.There is a buslane most of the way.Traffic light junctions might cause a delay.But an hour I doubt it.Midday to 3.00pm not exactly the rush hour



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  • #31
    The Mulk
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,377 ✭✭✭The Mulk


    https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122368169#Comment_122368169

    There's an airport hopper from Maynooth, 50 mins, not sure whether this suits your train journey or is a risk you're willing to take

    https://airporthopper.ie/search-buses?from=2&to=1&date=11-07-2024&tftType_0=1&tftType_6=0&tftType_7=0&tftType_8=0&srcType=1



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