Please sign in to post.

How long to clear security upon arriving at Dublin Airport?

Posted by on

Hello, I am a Canadian travelling to Europe for the first time.

I am going to Bruges, and to arrive there I booked 2 one-way flight tickets rather than 1 flight ticket.
My path is Vancouver->Toronto->Dublin, arriving at 8:45 am August 19 (friday) at Dublin Airport. I then have the 9:50 am (same day) flight from Dublin airport to Charleroi airport, Belgium. So the time between landing and take-off of my next flight is just over 1 hr.

Will 1 hr 5 minutes be enough time to get through security customs at Dublin and board the flight to belgium?

I did not think about the time required to go through international security clearance, relying foolishly on my experiences flying from city to city in Canada, and I was also a bit blinded by the amount of money I thought I was saving by choosing this travel sequence. I'm very concerned now about the feasability of this travel plan.

What I want to ask this community is: Should I prepare to find another way to get from dublin to Bruges? Or can I try to follow through on the tickets that I've already paid for? How long does it take to clear security checks etc as a Canadian citizen arriving at Dublin Airport?

Foolishly again, I had chosen the cheapest option for my leg from YVR to DUB with WestJet, so the tickets are non-refundable and cannot change flights. The RyanAir tickets i bought for the Dublin to Charleroi flight are much much cheaper so i'm planning to replace that flight if needed- although I am actually quite struggling to find alternative flight options at the moment.

I appreciate any comments, feedback, or piss-taking ;(

Posted by
2267 posts

No way you’ll make Ryanair’s strict check-in cut off times. They have a weird document check rule, too.

Posted by
3948 posts

I too think you’ll need to book a much later flight on some airline to get you to Bruges or Brussels. Check skyscanner.com for options, look carefully at the baggage allowances/fees and book directly with the airline. I’d consider the ticket you already have as a throwaway ticket.

Posted by
14940 posts

Had you purchased this as one ticket you would not have to clear immigration in Dublin and could have just gone to your next gate. However since it's 2 separate tickets you have to clear immigration, clear customs and go through security again. No way it's going to happen.

Posted by
3948 posts

I see that a later in the day ticket on Aer Lingus is $$$ but with Dublin hotels also being $$$, I think you are going to just have to get out the credit card and pay the price. There are flights available at 11:45 am and 6:45 pm for 200€ On Aer Lingus.

Posted by
1280 posts

I agree with the other posters that you’re very unlikely to make the Dublin-Charleroi flight. If you fly with hand luggage only, you may have a chance because you can stay airside at Dublin Airport.
When you rebook a ticket, I would strongly recommend you to fly into a different airport. If your end destination is Bruges then Charleroi really isn’t a convenient airport to arrive at. It’s not served by trains, so you would first need to take a bus to Brussels and then transfer to a train to Bruges. Brussels Airport does have a train station and is therefore much more convenient.

Posted by
11154 posts

The Bag Drop desks close strictly 40 minutes before the scheduled time of departure. If you miss this deadline your booking could be cancelled without refund and you could be prevented from boarding the plane.

It’s important that you make it to your boarding gate in good time, at least 30 minutes before your flight departure time.

Boarding closes 20 minutes before departure. Please have your valid travel document and boarding pass ready at the boarding gate. https://help.ryanair.com/hc/en-ie/articles/360017824898-Airport-Timeframes

I suspect the odds of your making the flight are the same as Satan getting a glass of ice-water

Should I prepare to find another way to get from Dublin to Bruges?

Yes, do it now, not the morning of the 19th.

Posted by
2 posts

thanks for the help everyone.

I'm going to salvage the day by flying to cologne on a 12:35 noon flight (a bit less than 4 hrs after landing in dublin), and then taking a train to bruges. In between landing in Cologne and taking the train I might visit the Cologne Cathedral. All in all an extra $200 spent and a wasted ryanair ticket, but not the end of the world, and I'm very glad I discovered my error now rather than in Dublin Airport on August 19th at 9:50am!

Posted by
3948 posts

It was good to have that insight now rather than next Friday for sure! You made workable recovery for a first time international traveler. Now go enjoy your trip!

This topic has been automatically closed due to a period of inactivity.