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July 29, 2016Dublin Intl. Airport – Spotting Guide
- last modified on July 9, 2026
Dublin Airport, (Irish: Aerfort Bhaile Átha Cliath) (IATA: DUB, ICAO: EIDW), is an international airport serving Dublin, the capital city of Ireland. The airport is located 5.4 nmi (10.0 km; 6.2 mi) north of Dublin in Collinstown, County Fingal. In 2024, over 34,6 million passengers passed through the airport making it the airport’s busiest year on record. It is also the busiest of the state’s airports by total passenger traffic. It also has the greatest traffic levels on the island of Ireland followed by Belfast International Airport, County Antrim.
The airport has an extensive short and medium haul network, served by an array of carriers as well as some intercontinental routes focused in the Middle East and North America. It serves as the headquarters of Ireland’s flag carrier – Aer Lingus, regional airline Stobart Air, Europe’s largest lowcost carrier – Ryanair, ASL Airlines Ireland. United States border preclearance services are available at the airport for US bound passengers. Shannon Airport is the only other airport in Europe to offer this facility.
Written by Peter Adams, Alberto J. Sierra D., Conor Ewings, Thomas Okaty, Mick Barry and Jan Seba. Last Change: June 2026 – Spot 10 and 11 added
| Rating | |
| Movements |  |
| Airline Variety |  |
| Photo Locations | |
| Weather |  |
| Airport Information | |
| Runways | |
| 10R/28L | 2.637 m (8.652 ft) |
| 10L/28R | 3,660 m (12,008 ft) |
| 16/34 | 2,072 m (6,798 ft) |
| Terminals | |
| Terminal 1 | WestJet, Vueling, Cobalt Air, Ethiopian, ASL Airlines, Arkia, Air Transat, Air Canada Rouge, etc. |
| Terminal 2 | United, Etihad, Emirates, Delta, American, & Aer Lingus |
| Spotting Information | |
| Ladder | Necessary at the part of spot 2 (line-up at the fence) and highly recommended at the mounds (Spot 2 & 4) to avoid the fence in your pictures for heavies. |
| Car/Public Transport | A car is recommend to get around the airport, but you can also use the airport buses and walk to get to most of the spots, so it is not absolutely required. |
| Restrooms | Only at the terminal. Nothing at the spots. |
| Drinks/Food | In the airport and around the airport there is petrol station and fast food places. |
| Hotels | Around the airport there are hotels but very expensive. |
| Season | Best in autumn or spring as the weather will be a bit better. The weather is best in summer, but the high sun altitude might be disturbing. |
| Runway Usage | |
| General Info | During westerly operations, 30 percent of the year, and if both runways are fully operational:
Departures: 28R During easterly operations, 70 percent of the year, and if both runways are fully operational: More details about the runway usage can be found on the official airport website. |
| 10R/28L | Mainly used for 10R departures or 28L arrivals. |
| 10L/28R | New runway which opened August 28th 2022. Currently in operation from 07:00 to 23:00 each day. Mainly used for 10L arrivals or 28R departures. |
| 16/34 | Crosswind runway which is barely in use! |
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Spot #1 – ILS Lights – 28L arrivals |
|---|---|
| WHERE | Follow the road from the terminal past T2, pass the traffic lights then there’s a side walk you can follow. This spot is 15 mins walk from the main terminal till you will see the fence and ILS lights on your right hand side. |
| WHAT | Runway 28L arrivals. |
| TIME | Morning and afternoon but mostly AM arrivals until about 0930 am stick on the terminal side for AM arrivals then go over other side runway for after 0930 the light moves round so its good. |
| MISC. | There is nothing nearby, so take what you need with you. |
| FOCAL LENGTH | 18-200 mm |
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Spot #2 – The Mound – 28 Movements |
|---|---|
| WHERE | This is Dublin’s most famous spot. From spot 1 follow the road that runs with the perimeter fence. Then across the road there’s a car park with a raised up mound. From here you can positions yourself on different points.
By public transport: from the terminal or the city center take bus lines 19 or 24 and use stop “Ballymum Kickhams”. From there its possible to walk to the location. |
| WHAT | Runway 28L landings and line up. In the morning and when the sun is not completely moved behind the runway you can position yourself more to the east for the line-ups when the planes make the right turn onto the runway. You should have a 3-step ladder to shoot between the fence and the barbed wire. For the line-ups on the mound we also recommend 2-3 steps to avoid parts of the fence in your picture for the long heavies like the A333 or 77W. Narrowbodies are fine without one. |
| TIME | From 0930 am until late afternoon. In winter all day long. |
| MISC. | There is nothing nearby, so take what you need with you. Also the road you follow its dangerous to walk a lot of bad drivers use the road so walk with care. Also at this spot there is no shelter when it rains so you end up being soaked. |
| FOCAL LENGTH | 18-300 mm |
Pictures taken from the major eastern position with a ladder
Pictures taken from the western smaller mound with a ladder
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- Overview of the mound
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- View from the western positions at the parking with the higher fence
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- Postion for the line ups more to the east with the lower fence
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Spot #3 – Parking Lot Entrance – All 10R/28L movements |
|---|---|
| WHERE | The Spot is next to the Blue Car park along the road next to the R108. Follow the Old AIrport road from the mound until you reach some traffic lights. Then take 1st right and follow the road along and the spots next to the Blue Car Park entrance where you can park your car. From the terminal there’s a free Blue Car park bus you can take then a few minutes walk by foot. Sometimes we receive experiences, that this bus isn’t for “everybody” and the driver won’t let you go with the bus, but we already heard (too), that they will let you drive with the bus although you are not entitled, too.By public transport: from the terminal or the city center take bus lines 19 or 24 and use stop “Ballymum Kickhams”. From there its possible to walk to the location. |
| WHAT | Best for runway 28L rotation shots but in general all can be photographed from here. |
| TIME | From 0930 am until late afternoon. In winter all day long. |
| MISC. | There is nothing nearby, so take what you need with you. |
| FOCAL LENGTH | 70-200 mm |
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Spot #4 – Parking Lot Entrance – 10R Movements
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|---|---|
| WHERE | Its a 5 minutes walk from the last spot at the end of the grass embankment. The Blue Car park bus from the terminals also can be used for this spot. Sometimes we receive experiences, that this bus isn’t for “everybody” and the driver won’t let you go with the bus, but we already heard (too), that they will let you drive with the bus although you are not entitled, too.
Update SEP 2025: the vegetation grew a lot here thus spotting is tricky here now. You can only take a few shots before the plane disappears behind bushes. By public transport: from the terminal or the city center take bus lines 19 or 24 and use stop “Ballymum Kickhams”. From there its possible to walk to the location. |
| WHAT | Runway 10R line-ups and landing shots. |
| TIME | From 0930 am until late afternoon. In winter all day long.. |
| MISC. | There is nothing nearby, so take what you need with you. |
| FOCAL LENGTH | 18-200 depending on motive |
 |
Spot #5 – Gate – 10R Movements
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|---|---|
| WHERE | Its located in the northern side of the 10R/28L runway in he road R108. Park your car on the grass along the road. Parking in front of a gate is no longer possible. To access the point simply go through the fence (there is a hole) and climb the small hill from behind.
|
| WHAT | Taxing, Taking Off and Landings in Runway 10R, morning humidity can create nice condensations. Well, I think in Dublin you can see condensations all day long on a wet day. Its possible to catch planes taxing to the 10R Runway and taking very good close ups to them, even got few pilots waving to me. |
| TIME | This is a summer spot only! In the winter you have backlit the whole day. The spot is recommended for use when runway 10R is active in the morning hours or late evening. |
| MISC. | There is nothing nearby. Be careful as its Ireland and rains a lot so it can be very slippery and although the climb is short its very steep. |
| FOCAL LENGTH | 18/200 lens. Lower length for taxiway even 70mm is too much for an ATR. |
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- View from the parking
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- Way up to the mound
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- View from the mound
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Spot #6 – Perimeter Fence – 16 arrivals
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|---|---|
| WHERE | This spot can only be reached by car. From spot 4 take R108 westbound until it merges with R122, then follow the road northbound towards the town of Swords. Alternatively, coming from the airport take R132 northbound towards Swords, then turn left onto L2020/Naul Rd towards Naul in the next roundabout. As soon as you have arrived in the approach zone of runway 16 find a spot to park your car along the road (L3132/new R108), for instance in the gateway west of the roundabout, which blocks the now closed old R108. |
| WHAT | From here you can photograph 16 arrivals. |
| TIME | Technically you can stay here all day. In the morning you can catch arrivals from east of the roundabout. At around 1100 am move to a spot along the road west of the roundabout/runway approach zone. |
| MISC. | There is nothing nearby, so take what you need with you and also very hard to get to without transport. Currently no ladder needed for planes on the ground (line-ups) as the temporary fence, which has been put up due to the construction for the new runway, is low enough to shoot over it. |
| FOCAL LENGTH | 70-300 mm |
 |
Spot #7 – Crash Gate – 10L arrivals |
|---|---|
| WHERE | The spot is located close to the junction of R108 with L3132 at a crash gate. Turn into the R108 and look for a place to park on the side of the road but do not block the emergency gate. |
| WHAT | 10L arrivals only, touchdowns are not visible from this spot. |
| TIME | From 0930 am until late afternoon. In winter all day long.. |
| MISC. | There is nothing here so be sure to bring everything you need. There is no public transport and walking is not really an option. A ladder is not required here. |
| FOCAL LENGTH | 70-200 mm A320=150mm |
 |
Spot #8 – Crash Gate – 10L arrivals |
|---|---|
| WHERE | A car is required as there is no public transport and it not within walking distance. Continue along the R108 from spot 7. Inside the fence is a long blast shield with a break about half along the road. opposite the break in the blast shield is a small mound. This is spot A. A ladder is not essential as all but the heaviest will be clear of the fence. Parking is not a problem as this road is not busy and it possible to park on the verge.
To reach spot B, continue on along the R108 until you reach the entrance to the runway works site on your right hand side. This would be the spot favoured by local spotters for 28R departures. There is a low mound running alongside the road where you can pick your position. It is OK to park on the verge. A ladder is recommended but not essential (Play A320 below taken without a ladder). A car is required as there is no public transport and it would be a very long walk. |
| WHAT | Until the runway enters full service in 2023 this location is for rotating departures on 28R. Most medium and heavy aircraft should have cleared the fence at spot A but most biz will be quite high at this point. From spot B, good rotation shots are available. |
| TIME | From 0930 am until late afternoon. In winter all day long (currently the runway is only in operation from 9am to 1pm each day mainly in use for departures 28R) |
| MISC. | This road is very quite so it is unlikely you will get any vehicles blocking your view but there are no facilities available so take what you need with you. |
| FOCAL LENGTH | 70-200 mm Spot A: B777- 100mm; A319 – 300mm Spot B: PAL B737 160mm; American B777 – 100mm; Play A320 -120mm |
Position A:
Position B:
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Spot #9 – Park2Travel Car Park – 28 Arrivals |
|---|---|
| WHERE | Coming from Spot 1, continue along Swords Rd until you reach the entrance of the parking on the right hand side. Short term parking is not possible as the minimum stay is 24h. but it is easy accessible for pedestrians. There is a bus shuttle from the terminals every 12 minutes 24/7. |
| WHAT | Runway 28 arrivals. |
| TIME | From 0930 am until late afternoon. In winter all day long. |
| MISC. | The waiting area at the shuttle bus stops is provided with walls and roof, so you have some shelter from wind and rain.More detail on the official website. |
| FOCAL LENGTH | 120mm (A333) – 300mm |
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Spot #10 – Keelings Farm Shop – 10L arrivals and 28R departures |
|---|---|
| WHERE | The spot can be found at Keelings Farm Shop at Food Central, on their parking lot. Access to this place is again via the L108. |
| WHAT | Best for 10L arrivals (easterly ops) and 28R heavy departures (westerly ops). |
| TIME | Usable in summer mornings and evenings only. Backlit in winter. |
| MISC. | No ladder needed. The shop is open from 07:30-18:00 on weekdays and 10:00-18:00 on Saturday and Sunday. |
| FOCAL LENGTH | 70-300mm EY & UA 777, AC 787 = 80mm; United 757 = 105mm; Buzz 737 = 130mm |
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Spot #11 – Parking Lot – All 10L/28R movements |
|---|---|
| WHERE | There is a small public parking lot at the R108, almost in the middle of the northern runway where you can stay and spot from. |
| WHAT | All movements on runway 10L/28R. |
| TIME | Usable in summer mornings and evenings only. Backlit in winter. |
| MISC. | Even the lot is on a higher level than the runway, the use of a ladder is recommended. All ground photos were taken from a ladder, except the JetBlue A321. The road is particularly busy and is frequently used by HGVs on early mornings and even with a ladder, it is difficult to shoot above them. |
| FOCAL LENGTH | 55-200mm 10L Arrivals Air Baltic A220 = 135mm; Delta A330 = 112mm28R Arrival and Departures; Amelia E190 = 155mm; EY 787 = 80mm; FedEx, DHL 737, JB A321 = 110 mm |
Two good spots on the north side of the runway which are not on here, one can be found at 53°26’19.2″N 6°16’13.7″W, there is parking here, ladder highly recommended but not strictly necessary, 55-200mm will cover most aircraft, useable for 28R departures and 10L touchdowns. It is worth noting that the road is particularly busy and is frequently used by HGVs on early mornings and even with a ladder, it is difficult to shoot above them.
The other spot can be found at Keelings Farm Shop at 53°26’24.3″N 6°17’02.2″W, there is also parking here, ladder not needed, 70-300mm will cover most aircraft, it is useable for 28R departures but I would recommend it more so for 10L arrivals. The shop is open from 07:30-18:00 on weekdays and 10:00-18:00 on Saturday and Sunday.
For both spots, lighting only any good early morning and evenings in the summer, not useable in the winter. I can supply pictures for both spots if needed.
Hi Conor, thanks for sharing these two locations with us. Both are now in the guide as spots 10 and 11. Please send us some sample photos to support@spotterguide.net
Thanks, Julian
Hi Julian, no problem, just sent email there, thanks.
I will be visiting Dublin Airport in July. Any update in regards to “The Mount”. Have they started their renovation project yet? Thank you.
Nothing started yet Roy
Thank you for the update.
For Spots 2,3 and 4. There are two new Bus routes that pass ‘the Mound’, numbers 19 and 24, Both from operate from the airport and take the scenic route into the city centre. Use either if these and get off after the mound at the Ballymum Kickhams stop. Then walk back carefully to the mound or ahead to the 10R end.
Good to know, thanks for the hint Mark. I left a note.
-Julian
Spot 4 now has a massively restricted view, bushes well overgrown and only about 6 frames worth of shots before the plane disappears, not suitable anymore.
Thanks, Lewis, just added a note.
The mound access at spot 5 is gone in recent weeks. Can still spot along fence but need a 2/3 step ladder
Is the mound gone or what happened?
-Julian
I would speculate the gap in the fence has been repaired!
Gap in the fence and the large pile of gravel outside is gone. Builders compound going in.
Need a folding step/2 step ladder over beside the actual fence now
Anyone know is spot 5 still usable ?
Very overgrown at the minute but spotting still viable from same area but a ladder is recommended
Is stop 2 walk able from from terminal two
The operating hours for runway 28R/10L have now been extended from 7am to 11pm. Still mainly used for westerly operations i.e. 10L arrivals and 28R departures.
Thanks for the hint Mick!
-Julian
The new Runway is currently in operation from 9am to 1pm each day mainly in use for departures 28R. Spotting on the southside of the runway is possible all day. Car and ladder are recommended but you will get away without a ladder as most aircraft have lifted enough to clear the fence. The spot most popular with local spotters is on the R108 just past the entrance to the works area for the runway build . For easterly operations on 10L nice approach shots can be got on the R108 near the junction with the L3132.
Hi Mick, is it possible that you send us some more details and photos via our update-form please. This is the link: https://www.spotterguide.net/guide-update/
Cheers, Julian
According to information from the IAA the 2nd runway will open 28th AUG 2022 with the following operating concept:
Initial operations 07:00 lcl > 13:00 lcl to be extended later to 18:00 lcl.
During westerly operations and if both runways are operational:
Departures: 28R
Arrivals: 28L
During easterly operations and if both runways are operational:
Departures: 10R
Arrivals: 10L
I have added these info to the guide. Thank you for the input Stephan!
-Julian