Few things feel better than a good airport shopping find—especially when you know you’re actually saving money. At Dublin Airport, The Loop is the go-to duty-free destination for travelers, with over 100 brands and savings that can hit 40% on beauty buys.

4 related posts

Brands available: Over 100 brands ·
Beauty savings: At least 15% off, up to 40% on select items ·
Click and collect: Available at The Loop ·
Terminals: Shops in Terminal 1 and Terminal 2

Quick snapshot

1What is The Loop?
2Savings and Pricing
3Click and Collect
  • Order online before flying (Dublin & Cork Airport Duty Free click-and-collect)
  • Collect after security at designated counters (Dublin & Cork Airport Duty Free click-and-collect)
  • Boarding pass required (Dublin & Cork Airport Duty Free help page)
4Opening Hours
  • Align with flight schedules (Dublin Airport official site)
  • Typically open 04:00 to 21:00 (main page) or 04:00 to 22:00 (terminal guide) (Dublin Airport official site)
  • Check official site for exact daily times (Dublin Airport terminal shops guide)

Six key facts distill what every traveler needs to know before stepping into The Loop.

Fact Value
Number of brands Over 100 (Dublin Airport official site)
Minimum beauty saving 15% (Dublin Airport official site)
Maximum beauty saving 40% (Dublin Airport official site)
Click and collect Yes (Dublin & Cork Airport Duty Free click-and-collect)
Terminals with shops Terminal 1 and Terminal 2 (Dublin Airport terminal shops guide)
Online pre-order Available at theloop.ie (Dublin & Cork Airport Duty Free click-and-collect)

What is The Loop at Dublin Airport?

Overview of duty-free shopping at Dublin Airport

The Loop is the branded duty-free shopping area at Dublin Airport, operated by daa. It offers Irish produce, international beauty brands, alcohol, confectionery, and more. According to the Dublin Airport official site, The Loop promises savings of at least 15% on top beauty brands, with select items up to 40% off. Travelers consistently rate the selection highly on platforms like Tripadvisor (user review site), which notes the store carries “hundreds of top brands.”

Terminal locations and access

  • Terminal 1: after security in the departures area.
  • Terminal 2: similarly past the security checkpoint.

Both terminals are accessible to all departing passengers with a valid boarding pass. The Dublin Airport terminal shops guide confirms that The Loop operates in both locations.

Bottom line: The Loop is Dublin Airport’s primary duty-free zone, located in both terminals, with over 100 brands and guaranteed beauty savings. For one-time flyers: stick to the terminal that matches your departure gate. For repeat travelers: register online for pre-ordering to lock in the best deals.

What is the price list for The Loop at Dublin Airport?

Typical savings on beauty and alcohol

The Dublin Airport official site states that shoppers can save at least 15% on top beauty brands, with up to 40% off select items. Alcohol pricing is competitive though less publicly itemized; the Dublin & Cork Airport Duty Free help page notes that prices vary by product and current promotions.

How to find current prices online

You can browse and pre-order at Dublin & Cork Airport Duty Free click-and-collect where prices are displayed before travel. The Shop Duty Free (online duty-free platform) also lists a “Reserve & Collect” option that lets you see prices and lock in items.

The implication: The Loop’s pricing is not fixed; dynamic promotions and terminal-specific stock mean you should check online within 72 hours of your flight for the most accurate numbers.

The catch

The Loop advertises 15–40% off beauty, but the exact percentage depends on the brand and travel date. A traveler who does not pre-order may miss out on the deepest discounts, which are often online-only.

Which shops are in Dublin Airport Terminal 1 and Terminal 2?

Terminal 1 shops

According to the Dublin Airport terminal shops guide, Terminal 1’s duty-free area carries brands such as MAC, Jo Malone, Estée Lauder, and Irish whiskey selections. Boots is also open Monday–Sunday 04:00–20:00.

Terminal 2 shops

Terminal 2 adds Victoria’s Secret, Tom Ford, Bobbi Brown, and a larger fragrance section. The Dublin Airport terminal shops guide lists these alongside the main duty-free store.

InMotion and other specialty stores

InMotion, an electronics retailer, is present at Dublin Airport. The terminal shops guide includes it as a specialty store for headphones, travel gadgets, and accessories.

Why this matters

Terminal selection can determine whether you find your desired brand. Terminal 2 tends to have more premium beauty lines, while Terminal 1 is better for traditional pharmacy items like Boots. Plan your terminal based on your shopping list.

How does click and collect work at The Loop Dublin Airport?

Step-by-step ordering process

  1. Visit Dublin & Cork Airport Duty Free click-and-collect and browse products.
  2. Add items to your cart and proceed to checkout.
  3. Select your collection point (Terminal 1 Departures, Terminal 2, or Arrivals Hall WHSmith).
  4. Complete the order; you’ll receive a confirmation email.

Collection points and required documents

The Dublin & Cork Airport Duty Free click-and-collect page details three collection points: in the confectionery area within the store, at the right-hand side of the bank of registers before exiting, and inside the WHSmith in the Arrivals Hall. You must show your boarding pass and order confirmation. The help page clarifies that scanning your boarding card only tracks whether your flight is duty-free or duty-paid and whether VAT applies; no personal information is recorded.

What to watch

If you change terminals after ordering, your collection counter may be inaccessible. Always select the collection point that matches your departure terminal. The WHSmith in Arrivals is only available for arriving passengers.

What are the opening hours of Duty Free at Dublin Airport?

Typical operating times

The Dublin Airport official shopping page lists The Loop as open daily from 04:00 to 21:00. However, the terminal shops guide shows one listing as Monday–Sunday 04:00–22:00, indicating slight variations by terminal. Tripadvisor (user review site) also records hours of 4:00 AM to 10:00 PM.

Holiday and flight schedule variations

Hours can shift during public holidays or when flight schedules change. The official advice from Dublin Airport official site is to check the website for the latest times before travel.

Bottom line: Opening hours are broadly 04:00–22:00, but terminal-specific and seasonal variations exist. For early-morning departures before 04:00, The Loop may not be open. For late-night flights after 22:00, only basic shops remain open. Pre-ordering with click and collect is the safest hedge against closed counters.

What travelers say about The Loop

Browse the best of Irish produce, as well as hundreds of top brands.

— Tripadvisor (user review site)

Shop online at Dublin & Cork Airport Duty Free: exclusive Irish and international products.

— Dublin & Cork Airport Duty Free (official retailer)

Save at least 15% off top beauty brands, with up to 40% off select items.

— Dublin Airport (airport authority)

The Loop offers a genuine pricing edge over high-street retailers, but the real value depends on planning. For the traveler who pre-orders and chooses the right terminal, The Loop is a reliable duty-free winner. For the spontaneous shopper, the 15% baseline is a decent floor but the 40% deals require advance action. The trade-off is clear: invest five minutes online, save up to 40%. For any departing passenger from Dublin, the implication is simple: pre-order or pay more.

Related reading: Click and collect at Dublin & Cork Airport Duty Free · Dublin Airport Duty Free opening hours and shopping guide

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Frequently asked questions

Can I return items bought at The Loop?

Returns are accepted within 30 days of purchase with the original receipt, provided the item is unused and in its original packaging. Check the Dublin & Cork Airport Duty Free help page for the full policy.

Is The Loop open 24 hours a day?

No. Published hours are generally 04:00–21:00 or 04:00–22:00 depending on the terminal. Confirm current times on the Dublin Airport official site.

Do I need to show my boarding pass when shopping at The Loop?

Yes. The boarding pass is scanned to determine duty-free or duty-paid status and VAT applicability. No personal data is stored. Source

What payment methods are accepted at The Loop?

Major credit and debit cards (Visa, Mastercard, Amex) and contactless payments are accepted. Some terminals also accept Apple Pay and Google Pay.

Are there any exclusive Irish products at The Loop?

Yes. The Loop stocks Irish whiskey (Jameson, Bushmills, Tullamore DEW), Irish linen, and food items like Butler’s chocolates and Tayto crisps.

What is the duty free allowance for departing passengers?

For EU destinations, there is no duty-free allowance because VAT is included in the price. For non-EU destinations, standard limits apply (1 liter of spirits, 200 cigarettes, etc.). Confirm with the Dublin Airport official site.

Are there any restrictions on buying alcohol at The Loop?

You must be 18 or over to purchase alcohol. Non-EU flights may impose quantity limits. Always check your destination country’s customs rules.