Van and Campervan Parking at Dublin Airport
Parking a van, campervan or any tall vehicle at Dublin Airport takes more planning than parking a car. The terminal car parks are multi-storeys with height barriers, several hotel car parks are underground, and DAA does not accept large commercial vehicles or trailers in any of its car parks. Arrive at the wrong barrier and you face a difficult reversal in traffic and a hurried search for an alternative. This guide sets out the height limit and vehicle rules for every main car park serving Dublin Airport, and tells you exactly where taller vehicles can park.
For vans and campervans at Dublin Airport, use Express Red, which DAA lists as having no height restriction, or Park2Travel, which has a 4.40 metre entrance height. Avoid the terminal multi-storeys: all Terminal 1 short-term car parks have a 1.85 metre limit and Terminal 2 has 2.1 metres.
DAA does not accommodate large commercial vehicles or vehicles towing trailers in any of its car parks. Measure your vehicle's full height, including roof boxes and racks, before choosing where to park.
What Are the Height Limits at Dublin Airport Car Parks?
The Terminal 1 short-term car parks (Blocks A, B and C) have a 1.85 metre limit, the Terminal 2 short-term car park has 2.1 metres, Express Red has no height restriction and Park2Travel's entrance is 4.40 metres. Hotel car parks range from 2 to 2.1 metres where limits are published.
| Car park | Type | Height limit | Other vehicle rules | Suitable for vans and campervans? |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| T1 Short Term Car Park A | DAA | 1.85 m | No large commercial vehicles or trailers | No |
| T1 Short Term Car Park B | DAA multi-storey | 1.85 m | As above | No |
| T1 Short Term Car Park C | DAA multi-storey | 1.85 m | As above | No |
| T2 Short Term | DAA multi-storey | 2.1 m | As above | Low-roof vans only |
| Drop & Go | DAA, inside T1 Car Park C and T2 Short Term | Host car park limits apply | As above | Generally no |
| Express Red | DAA long stay, surface | No height restriction | No trailers; no large commercial vehicles | Yes |
| Holiday Blue | DAA long stay, surface | Not published | No trucks or HGVs; no trailers | Confirm with DAA |
| Park2Travel | Independent, surface | 4.40 m entrance | Check trailers with operator | Yes |
| Clayton Hotel | Hotel, underground and surface | 2 m (underground) | Underground excludes large commercial vehicles and trailers | Surface area only; confirm |
| Crowne Plaza | Hotel multi-storey | 2.1 m | - | No |
| Metro Park and Ride | Hotel underground | 2.1 m gate | - | No |
| Meet and greet (one major product) | Independent | Must fit a 2.4 m x 4.8 m bay | No vans, minibuses or trailers | No |
| Meet and greet (multi-storey facility) | Independent | 2.1 m | - | No |
Can You Park a Van at Dublin Airport?
Yes, provided it is not a large commercial vehicle and is not towing a trailer. Standard vans and campervans that would not clear the terminal multi-storeys can park at Express Red, which has no height restriction, or at Park2Travel, with its 4.40 metre entrance.
DAA states that all of its car parks accommodate standard family cars and SUVs, but that it does not accommodate large commercial vehicles or vehicles with trailers attached. That distinction matters for tradespeople and small businesses: a car-derived van or a private campervan is treated differently from a large commercial vehicle. If your van is at the larger end of the scale, confirm with DAA on +353 1 944 0440 before travelling.
Express Red: the default for tall vehicles
Express Red is DAA's closest long-stay car park, with a shuttle of about five minutes every ten minutes. DAA lists it as having no height restriction, which makes it the only DAA car park suitable for high-roof vans on a long stay. Trailers cannot enter or park there. Read more in our guide to the Express Red car park.
Park2Travel: the independent option
Park2Travel is a surface car park with a 4.40 metre entrance height, comfortably above any standard van or campervan. Its shuttle takes about six minutes to the terminals and runs 24 hours a day. Confirm trailer and length rules with the operator before booking. Read more in our Park2Travel Dublin Airport review.
Where Can You Park a Campervan at Dublin Airport?
Express Red and Park2Travel are the practical choices for campervans. Both are surface car parks without low height barriers. Large motorhomes may count as large commercial-sized vehicles under DAA's rules, so confirm before you travel.
Campervans add complications beyond height. Many have roof-mounted solar panels, awnings, bike racks or roof boxes that add to the stated height. Some are longer than a standard bay. Before booking:
- Measure the total height from ground to the highest point, including all fittings.
- Note the overall length, including rear-mounted bike racks or tow bars.
- Check whether the car park uses standard bays that your vehicle might overhang.
- Do not plan to tow a trailer or caravan into any DAA car park.
Overnight sleeping in vehicles is not permitted within Dublin City Council boundaries, and airport car parks are not campsites. If you are arriving in a campervan the night before an early flight, book a campsite or a hotel nearby instead.
Cars with Roof Boxes, Bike Racks and Tall SUVs
It is not only vans that get caught out. A family car with a roof box, a tall SUV with roof bars or a car carrying bikes on the roof can exceed 1.85 metres, the limit for every Terminal 1 short-term car park. If your car is close to the limit:
- Use the Terminal 2 Short Term car park (2.1 m) for short stays, or a surface long-stay car park.
- Remember that Drop & Go operates inside the multi-storeys, so the same limits apply.
- Hotel underground car parks (2 to 2.1 m) are unsuitable for vehicles above those heights.
Trailers, Caravans and Minibuses
| Vehicle | DAA car parks | Alternatives |
|---|---|---|
| Car towing a trailer or caravan | Not accepted in any DAA car park | Contact independent operators directly; most standard airport products exclude trailers |
| Minibus | Depends on size; large commercial vehicles not accepted | Confirm with DAA; some meet and greet products exclude minibuses |
| HGV or truck | Not accepted (Holiday Blue explicitly excludes trucks and HGVs) | Not suitable for airport car parks |
Practical Checklist for Van and Campervan Drivers
- Measure your vehicle's full height, including roof equipment.
- Choose Express Red or Park2Travel for long stays.
- Pre-book, so you are not forced to look for an alternative at a full barrier. See our guide to parking without a booking.
- Avoid the terminal multi-storeys, hotel underground car parks and meet and greet products that exclude vans.
- Remove valuables and tools from view while parked. See our guide to Dublin Airport parking security.
- For drop-offs, use the set-down zones; for collections in a tall vehicle, a surface car park avoids height barriers. See drop-off and pick-up rules.
For general guidance on parking vans and over-height vehicles at airports, see our [existing van and overheight vehicle parking guide].
Frequently Asked Questions
For every parking option at the airport, see our main guide to Dublin Airport parking.
.png)
.png)