Irish Rail, Dublin Airport and Bus Éireann reveal busiest days to travel over Christmas

Those planning to travel over the Christmas period have been advised to book seats ahead of time, keep track of timetables for changes and not to pack wrapped presents in hand luggage.

“It’ll be consistently busy from Thursday through to Sunday, Christmas Eve, probably peaking on Friday afternoon into Saturday,” said Barry Kenny, communications manager with Iarnród Éireann.

“We would urge people to book in advance for those busiest times,” he said.

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He also advised passengers to monitor the rail timetables in case of any changes from Christmas Eve until New Year’s Day.

“Then through the Christmas period itself from Christmas Eve until January 1, check timetables before travel for any changes during that time,” Mr Kenny told RTÉ’s Morning Ireland.

While there are no services on Christmas Day or Stephen’s Day, there will be a Saturday service running from December 27 until December 30 and late night services on DART and commuter lines available on New Year’s Eve.

Dublin Airport will see between 40 and 50 thousand passengers arrive in Dublin airport every day this week with the same numbers flying out on a daily basis until Christmas eve, Graeme McQueen, Media Relations Manager of the DAA said.

Friday is expected to be the busiest day for Dublin Airport when around 102,000 passengers are expected to arrive and depart the airport.

“Friday will be our busiest day. Just over 100,000 passengers going through in total on Friday. Saturday is busy then [but] a little bit quieter on Christmas Eve but still that steady flow,” Mr McQueen said.

While Christmas Day will see airports close, the week after will be a busy one for the airport.

“A well earned break for the staff and then we are back open on Stephen’s Day. We have a very busy week between Christmas and New Year. Lots of people heading off on ski holidays and trips abroad. So, we are going to stay busy right through the festive period,” he added.

Mr McQueen advised passengers to avoid packing wrapped presents in their hand luggage and warned that butter should also not be packed in carry on bags.

“If you’re taking presents in hand luggage, don’t wrap them because our guys will make you open them up. Nobody wants to reopen them on the other side.

“Butter is classed as a liquid. Don’t bring it through in your hand luggage. You can buy it in duty free though,” he said.

Mr McQueen also advised those due to travel through the airport during the next week to arrive two hours before a short haul flight and three hours before a long haul flight.

“Stick to that and you’ll be absolutely fine this Christmas.”

Meanwhile Stephen Kent, chief executive of Bus Éireann said they will expect 500,000 passengers to travel from Thursday.

Mr Kent advised those using the airport bus service to book their seat in advance to avoid disappointment.

“It’s going to be a very busy time,” Mr Kent said. “We’ll have a lot of expressway services going to Dublin airport...if you are going there go on to Expressway.ie, reserve your seat so we are not disappointing anybody and you’ll also get better fares,” he added.

Sunday timetables will be in operation on Christmas Eve for Bus Éireann and services will resume on St Stephen’s Day from 9am with some commuter routes starting at 7am.

“There’s a huge amount of additional frequency that will hopefully help people with their shopping and their socialising this Christmas,” he said.