We always stay at the Bewley's airport location the last night. Great prices for a real nice hotel, and free shuttle to the airport in the morning. That takes a lot of the stress off that last part of the trip. You can stay in Dublin for two nights and then take a bus back to the Dublin Airport for a few Euros and take the free shuttle from the airport to Bewley's. We have done that often.
Getting through customs, now that you are clearing on that end takes some patience, so you are right in thinking that you should be there early.
Bert
-- Edited by Bertrand on Friday 27th of January 2012 02:12:21 PM
We have the majority of our two week trip in July booked but I have a question about our last night in Dublin. We will drop our car off on 7/10 and are scheduled to depart from the Dublin airport at 10:30 am on 7/13. We were planning to spend 3 nights in Dublin but now I am wondering if we would be better off spending the last night near the airport rather than in the city center. Just concerned about transportation from the city at 7 am or earlier to be at the airport 3 hours in advance. Thanks for any advice you can provide.
Since your flight is early and you will be doing a "dawn patrol" to the airport, I agree that perhaps being close by will be best. It will give you that little extra shut eye time as you will not have to get up so early to contend with Dublin traffic. Although I've not stayed at Bewley's at the airport, I've heard good feedback and you have the rec from Bert. I usually stay at the Premier Inn. Although I understand they recently started charging a euro or two for the shuttle.