My teen is flying solo to Paris through Dublin, with a 6 hour layover in each direction. Is that enough time for her to clear customs/immigration and take a quick public transit trip somewhere interesting? She found Swords Castle on a map and wants to go. She wasn't planning on checking on checking a bag, but we read that she could leave her carryon at a baggage storage area in Terminal 1.
Posted by
Lynnwood, Washington
8375 posts
Leaving the airport means going through immigration on the way out the door and standing in security lines on the way back in. I am an experienced traveler that is familiar with the airport, but I would hesitate to do this during the summer of airport upheavals.
Posted by
Colorado Springs
2825 posts
It's all about the timing I think. If the trip is scheduled within the next month or so, ie during the summer rush, then I agree with Carol that it's probably just not worth the risk.
If, however, it's later in the year (mid-September or later) then it might be doable with a reasonable level of comfort. It sounds like an arrival day decision to me: if things appear to be moving smoothly then I'd say go for it, maybe after checking with a customer service rep at the airport itself to get their take on whether leaving the airport that day is a particularly good idea.
Posted by
1367 posts
I definitely would not do it on the way back to the US. She will need to pre-clear US immigration in Dublin on the return leg. The recommended time to allow for Irish security checks, US security checks and US immigration is 3 hours. If she stays airside on the return trip she will not go through Irish security. However she will still need to go through US security and US immigration.
Posted by
Freedonia
15003 posts
How old is your teen?
Posted by
Lynnwood, Washington
8375 posts
On another thread the teen is described as a recent high school graduate, so probably about 18.
Posted by
OP
11 posts
That's correct - she is 18, and has not traveled on her own before (except for one non-stop along the west coast.) Thanks everyone for you advice - it sounds like unless her outbound flights are known to be delayed, there isn't quite enough time. Darn it!
Posted by
Lynnwood, Washington
8375 posts
You can’t always count on “flight delayed” announcements. A flight delay of two hours can be announced, something changes, and 30 minutes after the first announcement they are boarding. I think that for an inexperienced traveler to travel to Europe by herself is a great adventure on its own without adding in extra hurdles of trying to sightsee on a layover this summer.
Posted by
Edmonds, WA 🌨 ☂
11179 posts
If I am looking at the correct place, the castle is 3 miles from the airport
If she arrives on time, I would think 6 hrs is enough time to clear immigration, store her bag, go visit and get back with enough time to retrieve her bag, clear security and get to her next flight. Just do not loose track of time while wandering the castle.
Posted by
Downingtown, USA
2367 posts
If she arrives on time from the US and ongoing flight is delayed it is possible to do it. However would not suggest she does it on way home from Paris landing in Dublin as she would at that point have US pre clearance and that alone can take quite a while. also only you know how mature she is and are comfortable with her trying this on her own. My granddaughter could easily do it but her brother would be totally over whelmed. Good luck.
Posted by
Paris
9570 posts
With the massive problems at Dublin Airport this summer and the hours -long lines to get into the airport and through security, no way would I suggest a first-time solo teen traveler attempt this.
You might Google about the problems at Dublin Airport this summer - the stories you will find will unfortunately show you that it's an exceptionally bad summer precisely at that airport.
I admire her research and willingness to think out of the box, but unfortunately the travel problems this summer make anything like this impossible.