One of the items on my bucket list is to have a pint of Guinness (or other local stout) in an Irish pub.
Now it appears that I may be able to check this one off, but it’s going to be close and I need the advice and knowledge of any Irish dopers and experienced world travelers.
I am flying to Paris next month and, along the way, I have an approximately 6 hour layover in Dublin. I arrive at 8:05am and my flight to CDG departs at 1:45pm.
The way I see it, I need to:[ul][li] deplane [] clear customs, [] stash my luggage (1 bag, 1 carryon) [] catch a cab or Uber to a pub [] drink my pint [] return to airport [] retrieve luggage [] re-clear security [] get to my gate [/ul][/li]
Most airlines recommend/mildly insist that you are at the gate 2 hours before departure for international flights, but in my experience that usually isn’t necessary. However, I’ve never flown through DUB before.
Any and all advice is welcome! Is it possible? (please don’t recommend that I just have a pint at the airport, that doesn’t count due to my own complex and arcane rules)
No experience with the Dublin airport, but is stashing your luggage necessary and realistic? Most U.S. airports no longer have lockers or a bag check because of security concerns. And is there a need to clear your checked bag through customs - won’t they send it through to Paris?
That said, I don’t want to be a wet blanket on a very worthwhile endeavor.
A fair point, and I’m not sure. When you land in the US internationally (at least at ATL) you have to collect your checked bags and recheck them for your connection. I assumed that was the case everywhere.
I’ll be traveling light, only gone for 4 days, so if need be I’ll just carry everything. May not even check a bag.
When you fly into the U.S., you have to go through customs at the first stop because your next flight isn’t international. Here you’ll be on an international flight from Dublin to Paris, so I’d think any checked bags will go through. I’d say just deal with the carry-on in the shuttle and pub rather than trying to find a place to stash it. And enjoy your beer!
I think you can check your baggage straight through, so you’ll only need to deal with your carry-on. Left luggage at Dublin airport is 5-12 euros for 24 hours, depending on size.
As far as logistics, it is plenty of time. You’ll need to be back at the airport abut two hours before onward flight.
Go to GoogleMaps, enter /pub near dublin airport/. There are a half a dozen within a couple of miles of the airport, Kealy’s opens at 9 am. Here they are:
Kealy’s, by my view of the map, appears to be on the grounds of the airport and so is disqualified according to my own rules.
There is a pub called the Chancery Inn that is a 6 minute walk from the Airlink bus stop that appears to open at 7am. (BTW, the reviews for this place are terrible, but the reviews themselves are wonderful e.g. “Many people would overlook this gem, they’d be better for it”).
So I’m going to create a pessimistic timeline, but assume an on-time arrival.
805 - Arrive DUB
830 - Get off the plane after waiting for a gate, waiting for a jetbridge, etc
900 - Clear customs
915-945 - Bus to Dublin
955-1020 - Walk to Chancery, drink one or two pints
1030-1100- Bus to DUB
1100-1200- Transit security and walk to gate for flight to CDG.
Mission accomplished!
Anyone see any flaws in that plan? I’m quite excited for this opportunity!
Once you’re at the pub, there are a few things you need to know.
Ask for a “pint of Guinness”. If you ask for a “glass of Guinness” you’ll only get half a pint.
Be patient. They might leave your pint sitting for several minutes before topping it off and giving it to you, though this is less likely in the morning when there won’t be too many pints being poured.
Don’t leave a tip. The price they ask is the price you pay.
My side trip was a complete success! Took the Airlink Bus (Thanks Disheaval!) to the Temple Bar area, found a full Irish breakfast at a touristy pub, then followed their advice to a local pub that was serving Guinness at 10:30am. The buses were running a bit slow due to an incredible amount of road construction , but I factored in the extra time and made my way back to the airport in plenty of time.
The people I interacted with were, without exception, helpful and kind. I can’t wait to go back and spend more than 3.5 hours.
