Plane spotting / Viewing Guide to Dublin Airport by Adam Ryan
© Adam Ryan 2019 - AdamRyanAviationPhotography.com
Planespotting at Dublin Airport (DUB/EIDW)
Are you looking to visit Dublin Airport to do some planespotting or take pictures? Well look no further than my planespotting guide to Dublin Airport! The best and most detailed guide you are going to find on the internet!
I have explained all the best locations to plane-spot / photograph from depending on the runway in use! I have also posted my own sample pictures and videos on each location so you will have a better idea of what the location looks like!
~ Some quick information about the airport ~
Dublin Airport has currently has two runways: 10/28 and 16/34
Runway 10/28 is usually the runway in use with Runway 16/34 being used very rarely in strong wind conditions.
I have been spotting and taking pictures at Dublin Airport for years now so all information regarding spotting locations below is from my experience of using the locations during my visits to the airport. Unlike some airports, (eg: Manchester Airport in the UK which has has the Runway Visitor Park as a viewing area), there are no official spotting areas at Dublin Airport. All locations are free to use / no charge to view aircraft.
Also on a point of note, to visiting fellow spotters there is *NO COVER* from the elements (i.e: Rain and bad weather). We have a saying in Ireland: 'It's either raining or it's going to rain!'.
As well as that, there are no shop facilities nearby so before you leave the terminal you need to stock up on food and water for the day!
If you have any further questions, please don't hesitate to contact me and i will get back to you as soon as possible!
*N.B: Some locations may require a car to drive around the airport (eg: back of the airport, Cityjet hanger, Runway 10 mounds etc.) to get to them, otherwise you would be in for alot of waking! The locations are explained fully below so you would know if / when a car may be needed. If you are traveling to the airport by bus, they tend stop at the spotting location you need to get to if you just ask (Either Runway 28 or Runway 10 mounds). Otherwise, they will stop outside the terminals!
It is possible to get to spotting locations by walking from the terminals itself, it generally takes about 25 minutes.
© Adam Ryan 2019 - AdamRyanAviationPhotography.com
Planespotting at Dublin Airport (DUB/EIDW)
Are you looking to visit Dublin Airport to do some planespotting or take pictures? Well look no further than my planespotting guide to Dublin Airport! The best and most detailed guide you are going to find on the internet!
I have explained all the best locations to plane-spot / photograph from depending on the runway in use! I have also posted my own sample pictures and videos on each location so you will have a better idea of what the location looks like!
~ Some quick information about the airport ~
Dublin Airport has currently has two runways: 10/28 and 16/34
Runway 10/28 is usually the runway in use with Runway 16/34 being used very rarely in strong wind conditions.
I have been spotting and taking pictures at Dublin Airport for years now so all information regarding spotting locations below is from my experience of using the locations during my visits to the airport. Unlike some airports, (eg: Manchester Airport in the UK which has has the Runway Visitor Park as a viewing area), there are no official spotting areas at Dublin Airport. All locations are free to use / no charge to view aircraft.
Also on a point of note, to visiting fellow spotters there is *NO COVER* from the elements (i.e: Rain and bad weather). We have a saying in Ireland: 'It's either raining or it's going to rain!'.
As well as that, there are no shop facilities nearby so before you leave the terminal you need to stock up on food and water for the day!
If you have any further questions, please don't hesitate to contact me and i will get back to you as soon as possible!
*N.B: Some locations may require a car to drive around the airport (eg: back of the airport, Cityjet hanger, Runway 10 mounds etc.) to get to them, otherwise you would be in for alot of waking! The locations are explained fully below so you would know if / when a car may be needed. If you are traveling to the airport by bus, they tend stop at the spotting location you need to get to if you just ask (Either Runway 28 or Runway 10 mounds). Otherwise, they will stop outside the terminals!
It is possible to get to spotting locations by walking from the terminals itself, it generally takes about 25 minutes.
Location A - Runway 28 Car Park lay-BY
Probably the most popular location used by spotters when visiting the airport. The raised mound makes for fantastic views of aircraft arriving and departing Runway 28. It is also a great location to spot aircraft when they become airbourne from Runway 10.
Stepladders can be used here but it is not an issue if you have no way to bring one with you. As you can see from the below location photos, there is an 'unofficial' lay-by where you can park your car.
To explain this I have divided this mound into two sides - the left and the right. Lets start with the left:
Stepladders can be used here but it is not an issue if you have no way to bring one with you. As you can see from the below location photos, there is an 'unofficial' lay-by where you can park your car.
To explain this I have divided this mound into two sides - the left and the right. Lets start with the left:
LOCATION PHOTOS: (Left Mound)
Sample Pictures & Videos - Runway 28 in use
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Sample Photos - Runway 10 in use
Sample Photos - Runway 10 in use
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And now the 'Right' Mound:
This mound is directly opposite the left mound. The good thing about this spot is that the perimeter fence is slightly lower than the rest of the airport.
As like the left side of the mound, you can shoot here without a stepladder but it can help to have one in the particular location. When aircraft land here they taxi in on the further side of the airport, so if you try and photograph them there you will have a bit of the fence in your shot so you would need to crop it out when editing your pictures! (I have used an Emirates B777 aircraft in the sample pictures below to explain this)
Also if the aircraft are operating on Runway 10 and if you want shots of the aircraft when airbourne, DO NOT use this spot as the aircraft will already be airbourne a couple of seconds and the only shots you can achieve are basically of the belly, so stand on the left mound for those types of shots! This mound can be mucky if it becomes wet!
And now the 'Right' Mound:
This mound is directly opposite the left mound. The good thing about this spot is that the perimeter fence is slightly lower than the rest of the airport.
As like the left side of the mound, you can shoot here without a stepladder but it can help to have one in the particular location. When aircraft land here they taxi in on the further side of the airport, so if you try and photograph them there you will have a bit of the fence in your shot so you would need to crop it out when editing your pictures! (I have used an Emirates B777 aircraft in the sample pictures below to explain this)
Also if the aircraft are operating on Runway 10 and if you want shots of the aircraft when airbourne, DO NOT use this spot as the aircraft will already be airbourne a couple of seconds and the only shots you can achieve are basically of the belly, so stand on the left mound for those types of shots! This mound can be mucky if it becomes wet!
Location Photo's:
Sample Pictures & Videos - Runway 28 in use
Location b - rUNWAY 10 MOUNDS
The mounds at Runway 10 are also a brilliant place to spot / photograph at. There is room for cars to park and much like the car park at Runway 28, there is two mounds opposite each other, one on the left and one on the right. Both mounds provide great views of arriving and departing aircraft. However, advice if you are going to be photographing aircraft, the left mound will result in shots being obstructed while the mound on the right has no obstruction whatsoever.
These mounds are great for when aircraft are operating on both Runway 10 and Runway 28. When Runway 28 is active you can achieve great shots of aircraft lifting of the ground and becoming airbourne.
I will explain both mounds below, beginning with the left mound.
(a) LEFT mound
This mound is good if you are only going to be spotting aircraft and sometimes photographing them. There is a fair bit of obstruction (eg: fencing, signs). No need for a step-ladder. On a hot day, this mound is great for lying down and watching the aircraft!
If you are photographing aircraft, you can get good shots of them landing and taxiing to the runway but when they line up, there is fencing. Please see the sample photos below and you can decide for yourself on what you feel is best. I would recommend the right mound though for photographing as the fence just dips and the runway is in plain view and the aircraft literally line-up, land and depart right in front of you.
These mounds are great for when aircraft are operating on both Runway 10 and Runway 28. When Runway 28 is active you can achieve great shots of aircraft lifting of the ground and becoming airbourne.
I will explain both mounds below, beginning with the left mound.
(a) LEFT mound
This mound is good if you are only going to be spotting aircraft and sometimes photographing them. There is a fair bit of obstruction (eg: fencing, signs). No need for a step-ladder. On a hot day, this mound is great for lying down and watching the aircraft!
If you are photographing aircraft, you can get good shots of them landing and taxiing to the runway but when they line up, there is fencing. Please see the sample photos below and you can decide for yourself on what you feel is best. I would recommend the right mound though for photographing as the fence just dips and the runway is in plain view and the aircraft literally line-up, land and depart right in front of you.
Location Photo's:
Sample Pictures - Runway 10 in use
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(b) RIGHT mound
(b) RIGHT mound
This is the most popular of the two mounds. Here, the fence dips downwards and the aircraft literally line up, land and depart in front of you so great shots can be achieved. No need for a step-ladder. This mound is perfect for when aircraft are operating on Runway 28 aswell as you can get great air-bourne shots.
Also, this mound stretches further down (about a 5-10 minute walk lets say) just beside the entrance to the long term blue car park. So, if aircraft are operating on Runway 28, if you walk further down you will get great shots of aircraft taking off and taxing off the runway right in front of you. The only problem is the walk itself. About 1/4 of the mound is clear while the rest is covered in nettles and bushes. You just have to push through them but be prepared for nettle stings because they can grow pretty damn big!
You can also use that same spot beside the entrance to the long term blue for landing shots when they operate on Runway 10 as you can get the smokey touchdowns!!
Also, this mound stretches further down (about a 5-10 minute walk lets say) just beside the entrance to the long term blue car park. So, if aircraft are operating on Runway 28, if you walk further down you will get great shots of aircraft taking off and taxing off the runway right in front of you. The only problem is the walk itself. About 1/4 of the mound is clear while the rest is covered in nettles and bushes. You just have to push through them but be prepared for nettle stings because they can grow pretty damn big!
You can also use that same spot beside the entrance to the long term blue for landing shots when they operate on Runway 10 as you can get the smokey touchdowns!!
Location Photo's:
(i) Sample Pictures & Videos - Runway 10 in use
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(ii) Sample Pictures & Videos - Runway 28 in use, shooting from right mound at Runway 10
(ii) Sample Pictures & Videos - Runway 28 in use, shooting from right mound at Runway 10
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(c) Further down the right mound (Beside the entrance to the Long Term Blue car park)
As i've mentioned above, the right mound stretches further down (about a 5 minute walk lets say). So, if aircraft are operating on Runway 28, if you walk further down you will get great shots of aircraft taking off and landing (Rolling out and taxiing off the runway) right in front of you. The only problem is the walk itself. About 1/4 of the mound is clear while the rest is covered in nettles and bushes.
You can also use that same spot that is further down for landing shots when they operate on Runway 10.
You can also use that same spot that is further down for landing shots when they operate on Runway 10.
Location Photo's:
(i) Sample Pictures - Runway 10 in use, shooting from further down the right mound
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(ii) Sample Pictures - Runway 28 in use, shooting from further down the right mound (same spot as above beside the Long Term Blue)
(ii) Sample Pictures - Runway 28 in use, shooting from further down the right mound (same spot as above beside the Long Term Blue)
LOCATION C - Back of the airport
The back of the airport (One of my favourite locations because of how close aircraft are) has some great views of aircraft taxiing off / to either Runway 10 or 28, aircraft arriving and departing Runway 10 and aircraft arriving and departing Runway 28. Also the West Apron around it sometimes has aircraft parked there that are gone tech, stored for later flights etc.. You will have the sun in your face for most of the day in this spot (if it actually shows at all haha!) so if you spend a lot of time here your shots will be backlit.
Locations around the back are not official spots, the airport perimeter fence surrounds the back of the airport so a two / three step-ladder is needed to rise over the fencing. I use this spot sometimes when I visit Dublin Airport but i have been stopped by Airport Police at times telling me to make sure I don't be obstructing the perimeter (sticking lens over the fence etc.) so i use a three step-ladder to have no obstructions whatsoever. Just be warned when using this spot as it's not an official spot like the car parks at Runway 28 or Runway 10 so you may be stopped by Airport Police.
This location will be long enough to explain so i am going to divide the perimeter fence into the left side and the right side.
Locations around the back are not official spots, the airport perimeter fence surrounds the back of the airport so a two / three step-ladder is needed to rise over the fencing. I use this spot sometimes when I visit Dublin Airport but i have been stopped by Airport Police at times telling me to make sure I don't be obstructing the perimeter (sticking lens over the fence etc.) so i use a three step-ladder to have no obstructions whatsoever. Just be warned when using this spot as it's not an official spot like the car parks at Runway 28 or Runway 10 so you may be stopped by Airport Police.
This location will be long enough to explain so i am going to divide the perimeter fence into the left side and the right side.
(i) Left side of the Perimeter Fence
This side of the fence is only good for when aircraft are taxiing to Runway 10 and Taking off on Runway 10, while the right side is perfect for every type of situation regarding Runway 10 and Runway 28. The West Apron (which i have explained further down), is located here aswell.
Location Photo's - Left side of Perimeter Fence
Sample Pictures - Left side of Perimeter Fence, aircraft taxiing to and departing Runway 10
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(ii) Right side of the Perimeter Fence
(ii) Right side of the Perimeter Fence
The right side of the Perimeter Fence provides great views of aircraft in any situation (eg: arriving, departing, taxiing to/from Runway 10 or Runway 28). One of my favourite locations at the aircraft are nearly in touching distance and makes great photo's! As i've said above, this is not an official spot so you may be stopped by Airport Police. A two / three stepladder is needed for spotting and photographing aircraft here. I will divide the sample shots into five sections numbered (1) - (5) below.
Location Photo's
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(1) Sample Pictures - Aircraft departing Runway 28
(1) Sample Pictures - Aircraft departing Runway 28
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(2) Sample Pictures - Aircraft landing Runway 28
(2) Sample Pictures - Aircraft landing Runway 28
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(3) Sample Pictures & Videos - Aircraft taxiing off Runway 28
(3) Sample Pictures & Videos - Aircraft taxiing off Runway 28
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(4) Sample Pictures - Aircraft Landing Runway 10
(4) Sample Pictures - Aircraft Landing Runway 10
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(5) Sample Pictures - Aircraft taxiing to Runway 10
(5) Sample Pictures - Aircraft taxiing to Runway 10
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(iii) West Apron
This spot is very distinguishable due to the old B737 Ryanair training aircraft parked on the West Apron. As i've said above, aircraft are stored here when there is a problem or for a later flight. You cannot spot from here but you can photograph. (obstruction like fencing and poles is a problem). You may get some nice aircraft parked here which would make a great photograph to have. (I have manged to get Fedex A300F's and other aircraft like the B747 and B757 here).
Location Photo's
Sample Pictures - West Apron
LOCATION D - CITYJET HANGER
Also just a quick scoot down the road from the back of the airport is the Cityjet's maintenance hanger. This wouldn't be a spotting point as there are no movements around here but sometimes when aircraft come out of the hangers they are parked on PIER D before they leave, so photo's of the aircraft can be taken from here. Also Ryanair aircraft can be viewed parked in PIER D. All the tails can make a great photo.
Sample Pictures & Videos - Cityjet Hanager
Location E - RUNWAY 16
As i have mentioned, Runway 16 is rarely in use which is why I currently have a limited amount of shots from this particular spot.
However, from this vantage point, airlines that have sadly gone bust sometimes have their aircraft sent to Dublin Airport and they are stored on the disused runway 11/29 at the back of the airport. If you go further around the back, you have a view of the aircraft stored there up-close and PIER - D that belongs to Ryanair. Some nice shots can be got here. (*It must be noted that there are days when aircraft can be stored inside hangers with doors fully shut so can disappoint*)
If Runway 16 happens to be active, there are great views of aircraft landing and taking off from the spot at the back of the airport. Aircraft taking off and becoming airbourne can also be viewed from either the left or right mound at Runway 28.
There are two sample videos posted below which will explain the locations better, one showing an aircraft landing on Runway 16 from the back of the airport and the other showing an aircraft taking off from Runway 16 but videoed from the left mound at Runway 28.
*Update - December 2017 - This side of the airport has gone under renovation including the road to spot from so this location will be updated on my website at some time early 2018.
However, from this vantage point, airlines that have sadly gone bust sometimes have their aircraft sent to Dublin Airport and they are stored on the disused runway 11/29 at the back of the airport. If you go further around the back, you have a view of the aircraft stored there up-close and PIER - D that belongs to Ryanair. Some nice shots can be got here. (*It must be noted that there are days when aircraft can be stored inside hangers with doors fully shut so can disappoint*)
If Runway 16 happens to be active, there are great views of aircraft landing and taking off from the spot at the back of the airport. Aircraft taking off and becoming airbourne can also be viewed from either the left or right mound at Runway 28.
There are two sample videos posted below which will explain the locations better, one showing an aircraft landing on Runway 16 from the back of the airport and the other showing an aircraft taking off from Runway 16 but videoed from the left mound at Runway 28.
*Update - December 2017 - This side of the airport has gone under renovation including the road to spot from so this location will be updated on my website at some time early 2018.
Sample Pictures & Videos - Runway 16 in use and dis-used runway 11/29
AIRPORT SPOTTING LOCATIONS - GOOGLE MAPS
Here is a quick picture showing where the Runway 28 car park is from Terminal 2 at Dublin Airport. You can walk fom T2 to the runway 28 car park, it will take about 25-30 mins (approx). When you leave the Terminal grounds, you will eventually see a green perimeter fence so just follow that! Otherwise, you could try a taxi etc.
**Disclaimer** - All information provided is purely to serve as a 'guide only' to assist the aviation enthusiast and visitors. No responsibility will be accepted for loss / bad weather / visibility affecting aircraft movements etc. It is a guide only and please do take note of all points raised and information provided. If any additional information is required in advance of your trip, please do not hesitate to email [email protected].
© Adam Ryan 2019 - AdamRyanAviationPhotography.com