Travelling through Dublin Airport with a disability, reduced mobility or additional needs can feel daunting, but the airport provides a wide range of accessible facilities and assistance services to help make your journey as smooth as possible. Whether you are travelling with a wheelchair, autism, a hidden disability or medical equipment, planning ahead and making use of the available support can greatly reduce stress on the day of travel.
Quick wins for using disabled facilities at Dublin Airport:
- Use the Dublin Airport interactive map to locate the services you need
- Sensory rooms are available at Dublin Airport but must be booked in advance
- You can contact the special assistance provider (OCS) on +353 1 944 6108
- Use the PRM Assist app to make assistance bookings
- Use the Flush App to find public toilets anywhere
- Plan your trip to Dublin using my Dublin with kids guide
Airport Special Assistance at Dublin Airport
Dublin Airport offers free special assistance for passengers with disabilities and reduced mobility. This service should be requested through your airline or travel agent at least 48 hours before your flight, although the airport will always try to assist passengers who have not booked in advance. To learn more about the type of support you can request, I have a guide to getting help at the airport which breaks it all down for you.
Special assistance can include:
- Help from the car park or terminal entrance to check-in
- Assistance through security and passport control
- Help reaching your departure gate
- Boarding and disembarking assistance
- Support collecting baggage after arrival
- Assistance throughout your airport journey
There are designated Assistance Desks in both Terminal 1 and Terminal 2, along with clearly marked assistance call points outside the terminals and within the airport car parks.
You’ll find the Dublin Airport special assistance desks in the following locations:
Terminal 1
- On the departure floor of terminal 1 facing check-in area 11
- Near gates 332-335
Terminal 2
- On the lower floor of T2 beside the Aer Lingus check-in desks
Hidden Disabilities
Dublin Airport is a member of the Hidden Disabilities Sunflower programme. Passengers with autism, ADHD, anxiety, dementia or other non-visible disabilities can wear a Sunflower Lanyard to discreetly let airport staff know they may need additional support, more time or extra patience.
Airport staff receive training to recognise the sunflower symbol and understand that not every disability is visible.
Wheelchair Accessibility at Dublin Airport
Dublin Airport has step-free access throughout both terminals.
Facilities include:
- Automatic entrance doors
- Lifts serving every floor
- Ramps where required
- Wide corridors
- Accessible security screening lanes
- Wheelchair-accessible seating areas
If you require an airport wheelchair, this should be arranged through your airline before you travel. Passengers bringing their own wheelchair or mobility aid will also receive assistance with check-in, boarding and arrival if requested.
Accessible Toilets and Changing Places
Accessible toilets are available throughout both terminals.
Terminal 2 also features a Changing Places facility, providing additional space and specialist equipment for passengers with more complex care needs.
The facility includes:
- Height-adjustable changing bench
- Ceiling-mounted hoist
- Accessible toilet
- Accessible wash basin
- Space for carers
This facility is particularly valuable for families travelling with older children or adults who require full personal care.
Security Assistance at Dublin Airport
Passengers requiring assistance can receive support while passing through airport security.
Staff can:
- Explain security procedures
- Allow additional time
- Carry out private searches if required
- Assist with mobility equipment
- Help passengers who may become anxious during screening
If you are travelling with medical equipment, medication or liquids required for medical reasons, inform security staff before screening begins. My guide to flying with medical luggage explains this in more detail.
Parking for Diabled Passengers at Dublin Airport
Accessible parking spaces are available within Dublin Airport’s official car parks and are located close to terminal entrances where possible. You can book parking spaces for those with reduced mobility ahead of time using the Dublin Airport Accessible Parking webpage. Before you reserve a reduced mobility parking space you need to fill in the PRM form for parking to recieve a PRM code to use on the booking form.
Blue Badge holders should pre-book parking whenever possible to ensure an accessible space is available. Those with a Blue Badge are entitled to reduced price parking at Dublin Airport.
If you have ant further questions about the parking at Dublin Airport you can use the dedicated parking information line to reach out for clarification: +353 1 944 0440
Car Park Help Points
Help Points are located throughout the car parks if assistance is required getting from your vehicle to the terminal. You’ll find the Help Points near the accessible parking spaces and use them by pressing the intercom button to alert the team that you require assistance.
Long Distance Car Parks
All of the long distance car parks at Dublin Airport have free shuttle bus services that are wheelchair accessible.
Getting From the Car Park to the Terminal Building
If you require help to get from your parking space to the airport building, you can use one of the free shuttle buses at the long stay car parks or you can contact the assistance service provider OCS to request the help you need: +353 1 944 6108
Autism and Sensory Support
Many autistic travellers use Dublin Airport’s special assistance service to reduce waiting times and make the airport experience more predictable.
Dublin Airport have a webpage dedicated to their support for those with hidden disabilities where you can find more information about everything they offer.
Sensory Rooms
Dublin Airport offers sensory rooms for those who are travelling with autism or sensory processing disorder. You have to book time in the sensory room in advance and walk-ins are not accepted. You can learn more about the Dublin Airport sensory rooms on their website and you can also use the online sensory room booking form to book time in the sensory room in either Terminal 1 or Terminal 2.
The Important Flyer
Dublin Airport operates their own system similar to the Hidden Disabilities Sunflower Lanyard called The Important Flyer. You can use the application form on their website to apply for an Important Flyer lanyard or writband to help alert Dublin Airport staff that you require extra support when travelling through the airport. This service is only available to those who actually live in Ireland or Northern Ireland and have an Irish postal address to recieve their Important Flyer lanyard or wristband via postal mail.
For those without an Irish or Northern Irish postal address, you can rely on the Sunflower Lanyard as Dunlin Airport joined the scheme in 2024.
Assistance Dogs
Registered assistance dogs are welcome throughout Dublin Airport.
Airport staff can assist passengers travelling with assistance dogs, and designated relief areas are available to ensure the animals remain comfortable before or after a flight.
Boarding Assistance at Dublin Airport
Passengers using special assistance are normally invited to board the aircraft before general boarding begins, although boarding last can also be arranged if preferred.
Airport staff can assist with:
- Transport to the aircraft
- Boarding via ambulifts where necessary
- Help reaching your seat
- Assistance when leaving the aircraft after landing
Medical Equipment
Passengers travelling with medical equipment such as CPAP machines, portable oxygen concentrators, feeding equipment or mobility aids should contact their airline before travelling to ensure everything is approved for carriage.
Medical liquids and essential medications are permitted through security, although they may require additional screening. It is helpful to have a doctors letter with you when you travel with medications and I have a guide which clarifies exactly what to include on a doctors travel letter.
It is always advisable to carry medication in your hand luggage along with a copy of your prescription or doctor’s letter if appropriate.
Family Travel Tips for Dublin Airport
If you’re travelling with children or someone who has additional needs:
- Book airport special assistance at least 48 hours before departure.
- Arrive at the airport with plenty of time.
- Bring sensory aids such as headphones, fidget toys or familiar comfort items.
- Use the Hidden Disabilities Sunflower Lanyard if it would benefit your journey.
- Keep medication and essential medical supplies in your hand luggage.
- Tell airport staff if you need extra time or support, they are there to help.
Dublin Airport offers a good range of facilities for disabled travellers, including comprehensive special assistance services, accessible toilets, Changing Places facilities, wheelchair access and support for hidden disabilities. Planning ahead and requesting assistance before you travel can make your journey significantly easier, allowing you to focus on enjoying your trip rather than worrying about navigating the airport.
Continue Planning Your Trip With Autistic Children
- Find out about the help available if you are travelling through an airport
- Discover whether a cruise with an autistic child would work for your family
- Find out how to make travelling with ADHD manageable
- Learn more about the Hidden Disabilities Sunflower Lanyard
- Check out guides to all of the different destinations we have travelled to with autistic children
- Learn step-by-step how to set up the accessibility feature on Google maps
- Learn more about our favourite sensory toys for travelling
- Discover an app that helps you locate a playground anywhere in the world
- Always alerted at the last minute that the little one needs a toilet? Find a toilet anywhere with this app
Continue Planning Your Accessible Trip With My Guides
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