Dropping someone at Dublin Airport is free for the first 10 minutes at the Express Red set-down zones on both terminal forecourts, after which a per-minute charge starts. Number-plate cameras log your entry and exit, and there is no cash payment. The free alternative is to use a long-term car park and the shuttle. Prices checked August 2026.
The set-down charge
Express Red set-down zones operate at both the T1 and T2 forecourts. The first 10 minutes are free, which is enough to pull in, unload and pull away. After that, ANPR number-plate cameras that logged your arrival start a per-minute charge until you leave, so lingering to say goodbye can cost money. Payment is handled by the cameras rather than a barrier or a cash booth. The exact per-minute rate is not published on the page checked, so treat it as indicative and confirm on the day.
| Set-down zone | First 10 minutes | After 10 minutes |
|---|---|---|
| Express Red (T1 and T2 forecourts) | Free | Per-minute charge (indicative) |
The free alternative
If you expect to wait longer than 10 minutes, for example to meet an arriving passenger whose flight has not landed, the money-saving move is to skip the forecourt entirely. Drop off or wait at Holiday Blue or another long-term car park and use the free shuttle to the terminal, or have the passenger take the shuttle out to you. That keeps you clear of the per-minute set-down charge. See the parking page for the long-term car park rates.
Picking someone up
For pick-ups, the same rule applies: only the first 10 minutes are free at the set-down zones, and arriving passengers rarely clear the terminal that fast. It is usually cheaper and calmer to wait in a long-term car park and drive in once they are ready, or to arrange a spot away from the forecourt. If you would rather not drive at all, a metered taxi from the rank is available around the clock, and the coach and bus options run from early morning to late at night.
Drop-off FAQs
Is there a drop-off charge at Dublin Airport? The Express Red set-down zones give the first 10 minutes free, then charge per minute logged by number-plate cameras until you leave.
How long is drop-off free at Dublin Airport? The first 10 minutes are free at the Express Red set-down zones on both terminal forecourts.
How do I avoid the drop-off charge at Dublin Airport? Use a long-term car park such as Holiday Blue and the free shuttle instead of the forecourt, which keeps you clear of the per-minute set-down charge.
How is the drop-off charge paid at Dublin Airport? By ANPR number-plate cameras that log your entry and exit. There is no cash payment at a barrier or booth.
More: Overview, Taxis, Public transport, Parking, Routes, FAQs.
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Last verified August 2026 by the Dublin Airport Guide editorial team. Prices and timetables change, so confirm the specifics on the official Dublin Airport website before you travel.