Holiday Blue Car Park at Dublin Airport
Holiday Blue is the long-stay car park DAA positions for value. It is one of the two large on-airport car parks at Dublin, with around 8,000 spaces beside the airport's main runway, and it is designed for travellers leaving a car for several days or more who are prepared to accept a longer shuttle in exchange for a lower price. This guide explains how Holiday Blue works day to day, what the transfer really involves, how pricing behaves and where it fits against the other long-stay options.
Holiday Blue is DAA's value long-term car park at Dublin Airport. It has around 8,000 spaces and 24-hour security, and a free shuttle runs every 15 minutes, taking about 15 minutes to reach Terminal 1 or Terminal 2. Pre-booked through us, it starts from €27.99 for 3 days and €56.99 for a week, against a drive-up rate of €20 per day.
Holiday Blue suits holidays of several days or longer where price matters more than transfer time. Allow more time than you would at Express Red, and pre-book, because drive-up spaces are limited and the car park fills on peak dates.
Holiday Blue at a Glance
| Operator | DAA (daa plc) |
|---|---|
| Type | On-airport, open-air long-stay car park |
| Capacity | About 8,000 spaces |
| Shuttle | Free, every 15 minutes, 24/7, about 15 minutes to both terminals; wheelchair accessible |
| Return pick-up | Terminal 1: Zone 8 of the Bus Park. Terminal 2: Zone 21 |
| Recommended time to allow | At least 30 minutes to park and transfer (DAA guidance) |
| Price with us | From €27.99 for 3 days, €56.99 for 7 days |
| Drive-up rate | €20 per day; limited spaces, same card required at entry and exit |
| Vehicle rules | No trucks, HGVs, large commercial vehicles or trailers |
| Security | 24-hour security |
| EV charging | 2 x 50 kW chargers near the exit |
| Customer service | 01 944 0440 (bookings). 24-hour car parks line: +353 1 944 4828 |
Checked against DAA's published information on [DD Month YYYY].
Location and Directions
Holiday Blue sits on the airport campus next to the main runway, and the route is signposted for long-term parking as you approach the airport. Use "Holiday Blue Car Park Dublin Airport" as your destination in Google Maps or Apple Maps rather than the airport's general address, which takes you to the terminal forecourts.
Because Holiday Blue is further from the terminals than Express Red, the drive in and the shuttle together take longer than many first-time users expect. Plan your journey around the total time from the motorway to the terminal door, not the shuttle time alone.
Arriving and Entering
If you have pre-booked, the barrier reads your licence plate and lets you in without a ticket, and you can arrive up to four hours before your selected entry time. If it does not lift, or you are driving a different car from the one booked, scan the QR code on your booking confirmation from the Dublin Airport app or your email, or press the intercom.
If you have not pre-booked, entry depends on drive-up availability, which is limited and may not be available at times of very high demand. Drive-up customers enter using a debit or credit card, and the same card must be used at the exit, where the fee is calculated at the daily rate displayed at the entrance, currently €20 per day.
Once inside, park in any available space, note your zone and walk to the nearest designated bus shelter.
How Long Does the Holiday Blue Shuttle Take?
The Holiday Blue shuttle takes around 15 minutes to reach Terminal 1 or Terminal 2, and buses are scheduled every 15 minutes. The service is free, wheelchair accessible and operates 24 hours a day.
The worst case is the one to plan for. If you arrive at the shelter just as a bus leaves, you can wait up to 15 minutes before a 15-minute journey, which is half an hour before you reach the terminal. DAA's own recommendation is to allow 30 minutes if parking a car, and traffic can lengthen the transfer. On busy mornings, allow more again.
By comparison, the Express Red shuttle runs every 10 minutes and takes about 5. That difference is the main thing you trade for Holiday Blue's lower price. See our guide on how early to arrive when parking.
Where Do You Catch the Holiday Blue Shuttle on Return?
At Terminal 1, the Holiday Blue shuttle collects from Zone 8 of the Bus Park. At Terminal 2, it collects from Zone 21, opposite the ground floor entrance to Terminal 2 departures.
The Terminal 1 Bus Park is behind Blocks A and B of the Terminal 1 multi-storey car park, around a two to four minute walk from Terminal 1 Arrivals. The Express Red shuttle and the Park2Travel collection point use the neighbouring Zone 9, so check the destination on the front of the bus before boarding.
Before you leave your car, save the location with the My Parking feature in the Dublin Airport app or photograph your zone and space. If you cannot find your car, ask a member of staff or use an intercom.
Is Holiday Blue the Cheapest Car Park at Dublin Airport?
Holiday Blue is usually the cheapest of DAA's own car parks and often the cheapest long-stay option overall. Through us, it starts from €27.99 for 3 days, €56.99 for 7 days and €112.99 for 14 days. Independent car parks such as Park2Travel can undercut it on some dates.
In its June 2025 analysis, the CCPC found that Park2Travel was on average 3.6% cheaper than Holiday Blue, while noting that Holiday Blue is about nine minutes further from the airport. In a 2026 price snapshot, a typical 10-day stay at Holiday Blue was listed at €95, the joint-lowest figure in that comparison and below Express Red at €132 and Park2Travel at €148. Our own checks for 2026 and 2027 dates found Holiday Blue cheaper than Park2Travel's own prices in both off-peak and peak weeks.
The findings measure different things. The CCPC looked at average prices over a period, while a snapshot captures a single set of dates. In practice, Holiday Blue is consistently cheaper than Express Red and highly competitive with the independents.
| Length of stay | Holiday Blue, pre-booked with us | Holiday Blue drive-up |
|---|---|---|
| 3 days | From €27.99 | €60 |
| 7 days | From €56.99 | €140 |
| 14 days | From €112.99 | €280 |
Our lowest year-round price for each stay length. Prices vary by date and are higher during school holidays, Christmas and summer. Search your dates for the live price. Drive-up figures calculated from DAA's €20 daily rate.
Three practical points on price:
- Pricing is per 24 hours. DAA extends your exit time on the final day to match your entry time at no extra cost, so set your times accurately.
- Holiday Blue fills quickly at peak. As the lowest-priced DAA option, it is often among the first to sell out. Booking early protects both the price and the space.
- Drive-up costs more. At €20 per day, a 10-day drive-up stay costs €200, more than double the €95 snapshot price.
UK cardholders should note that charges are in euro and the exchange rate is applied by the card provider. For current offers, see our discount codes page.
Changing, Cancelling or Overstaying
Changes and cancellations. DAA bookings can be amended or cancelled free of charge up to four hours before your pre-booked arrival time, through Manage My Booking or by calling 01 944 0440. Refunds are processed within five business days.
Returning late. If you return after your booked exit time, the extra time is charged when you leave. Press the help button close to the exit barrier, or at the pay stations in Terminal 1 or Terminal 2 Arrivals. DAA says it will try to apply the best available rate when the original parking was pre-booked.
Extending your stay. Call customer service on 01 944 0440 to extend your booking before you return.
Facilities and Services
Security. Holiday Blue has 24-hour security. Lock your car and keep valuables out of sight. See is Dublin Airport parking safe?
Breakdown assistance. DAA's on-site car parks team can help with a flat tyre or flat battery. Use an intercom or call +353 1 944 4828.
EV charging. Two 50 kW chargers are located near the exit. See our guide to EV charging at Dublin Airport.
Car cleaning. Crystal Valet offers valet options from €59 to €179, bookable with your parking.
Accessibility and Vehicle Restrictions
DAA states that accessible parking options are available at all of its car parks and that all long-term car park shuttles are wheelchair accessible. It does not publish a separate count of accessible bays at Holiday Blue; its largest concentrations are in the Terminal 1 and Terminal 2 short-term car parks and at Express Red, which has 65 accessible bays beside its shuttle stops. Blue Badge holders can request a PRM code for DAA's reduced rate. If you need accessible parking on a long stay, Express Red offers the most certainty. See our guide to disabled parking at Dublin Airport.
Trucks and HGVs are not permitted at Holiday Blue, and DAA does not accept large commercial vehicles or trailers in any of its car parks. DAA does not publish a height limit for Holiday Blue, unlike Express Red, which has no height restriction, so drivers of high-top vans or motorhomes should check with DAA or choose Express Red. See our guide to van and campervan parking at Dublin Airport.
Who Holiday Blue Suits Best
- Holidays of a week or longer, where the saving over Express Red builds up across the stay.
- Families and groups on a budget who are comfortable with a longer transfer.
- Travellers with flexible timings, such as mid-morning or afternoon departures.
It is less suited to tight early-morning departures and to anyone who prioritises a quick transfer over price. Our Holiday Blue vs Express Red comparison sets out the trade-off in detail, and our guide to Dublin Airport long term parking covers every long-stay option, including Park2Travel.
Frequently Asked Questions
For every parking option at the airport, see our main guide to Dublin Airport parking.
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