Hello all! My wife and I will be flying into Dublin from the US on 3/19 and then flying over to London on 3/21. Will we have to go through customs for this flight? I’ve tried googling but keep seeing mixed answers. Just trying to plan how early we’ll need to get to the airport.
We’ve applied for the ETA and only have carry ons.
Thanks!
Not quite sure what you are asking. You will go thru passport control when you arrive in Dublin. You will go thru security and passport control when you fly from Dublin to London. Customs is something you walk past unless you have something to declare upon entry.
Ireland and the UK have a Common Travel Area agreement, so most times, traveling from Ireland to the UK, or UK to Ireland, there is no immigration or passport checks (other than as ID).
So yes, you arrive in Ireland from the US, you will go through Irish Immigration in Dublin (passport checked, maybe stamped if they still do that).
Dublin to London flight, you go through security, and have to show your passport, but no separate exit immigration from Ireland, On arrival in London, you should just be able to exit the airport without immigration. Should qualify that as "nearly always", some airports and some airlines may implement immigration measures beyond the minimum.
As for time to allow, you could get by with the two hours typically used for domestic flights, as opposed to the three hours typically suggested for International flights. Of course, take into account your own comfort level, strange airport, how busy security might be, whether you have to check in vs just head to security, etc.
I have flown between the UK and Ireland numerous times and I hold a US passport. (Some of the information above is incorrect.)
When you arrive in Dublin, you will go through Irish immigration and customs. (This will also give you entry into the UK.)
When you fly from Dublin to London, it is treated like a domestic flight and you won't have to go through immigration or customs upon arrival in London.
However.....if you are returning the same route.....when you arrive back in Ireland from the UK, if you are holding a US or Canadian passport you will go through Irish immigration. Passport free travel from the UK to Ireland is only for British and Irish subjects.
If you are flying back to the US from Ireland, you will go through US immigration and customs at Dublin Airport. So, when you arrive back in the US it will be like a domestic flight. You just walk off the plane and get on with your day.
Neither the UK nor Ireland has exit immigration. Just security prior to every flight.
The ETA is only needed for the UK. Not Ireland.
Thank you all for the help!
