Airport Travel to and from Dublin
Getting There...
From the US, Ireland is one of the easiest overseas destinations to travel to. The flights and customs are relatively quick and painless which is always nice. Little things to keep in mind though are if you fly through Boston you will have to switch terminals and go back through security. So don't make the mistake that I do each and every time and fill your water bottle in the first leg of the trip. Once in Dublin, you will have to go through customs. The last two times I have gone through, there seem to be the Haves and the Have Nots. As in, I would glance around me and notice that half the travelers would have customs cards to hand in and half wouldn't. It remains a mystery to me how certain passengers on my same flight found those cards...perhaps I was sleeping. Either way, at least from the US, you do not NEED anything other than your passport. The agents have never asked me for more than a look at my passport, what I am doing in Ireland, how long I plan on staying and where I plan on staying. There are money exchanges all over the airport, even in the baggage area if you would like. They aren't the best rate but they are better than what you find in the US airports. Still probably best to exchange at your bank back home if you can think that far ahead. Once you leave the airport, if you are staying downtown, don't bother getting a taxi as it will cost you an absorbent amount of money. compared to the few Euros you will spend riding the bus to city center. The ride isn't too bad, the drivers are usually pretty friendly and helpful and if you need to grab a taxi once in the city center, it will still be much cheaper than taking it all the way from the airport.
Returning Home...
Be safe and get to the airport about 3 hours ahead. You MUST get through customs about an an hour and 45 minutes ahead of your flight and there are security checkpoints before to deal with...so give yourself plenty of time. Ticketing is on the first floor, you head upstairs to the second floor where you can buy food (although there is food available at every security checkpoint so don't worry about that being your last chance to eat).. Head upstairs one more time to security. You will see areas to fill out your Customs Declaration card. You do not need this card for the first security checkpoint so if you want to wait and do it once inside, go for it. Security is similar to the US other than the fact that you do not need to take your shoes off which is nice and speeds things up a bit.
After security you enter an area with shops, food and the VAT return area (to your far right). But sure to have any of the paperwork filled out for your VAT return before heading to the counter or kiosk. Do your last minute shopping, but make sure you head through customs by the time your boarding pass tells you to (hour and forty five min ahead of boarding). Through the hallway and down the stairs (twice) is the second security checkpoint for those heading to the US. You are now on US soil...technically speaking....and it is time to go through security and customs. Unlike the previous security checkpoint you do need to take your shoes off BUT you do not need to empty any drinks or water bottles. Make sure you have your passport handy as they will check. From security you go through US customs. I love that you can get this out of the way before landing in the US! You will NEED the Customs Declaration form filled out by now, so be sure to do it before heading to security. If you have the Global Entry pass like me, head to the left hand side to the kiosk. Super easy and absolutely no line!
If you happened to buy duty free liquor and have a layover in the US where you have to go through security again, technically you should be allowed to go through with the still completely sealed duty free package. If your TSA agent isn't quite up to date on his/rules you may have a bit of an issue though so be prepared to discuss options. From there on its smooth sailing.