Shannon Airport

Shannon Airport (SNN)

Shannon Airport, in the southwest of Ireland, has an interesting history. The airport was developed in a time when airplanes could not fly long distances without filling up. Flights from North American landed in Shannon to get kerosene. When airplanes could cover longer distances, Ireland continued to protect Shannon Airport. For a long time there was an agreement that only American airlines could fly into Dublin like they also did with Shannon. Since 1993 the Americans could fly directly into Dublin, but they must have the same number of flights into Shannon. This regulation was made more relaxed since November 2006 and will completely expire two years after that.

The question is then what will happen with Shannon Airport. It will probably become a combination airport for budget airline Ryanair and a military airport. The airport is already being used for filling up American combat planes. In Ireland there is a lot of resistance and in the pasts few years the airport was the target of protests.

Local transport

Train

There is no train connection with Shannon Airport. There are plans to extend the railway line between Limerick and Ennis to the airport.

Car and bus
The airport is 24 kilometers from Limerick and 22 kilometers from Ennis. These two towns are connected by the N18. The exit to the airport is at Bunratty Castle and is clearly indicated. Follow the last part of the N19. From Limerick the N7 goes to the Irish capital Dublin. Galway is about 90 kilometers from the airport.

Bus Eireann (tel: +353(0)61 313 333) has connections to all the important places in Ireland. The prices to all destinations are given on the website. This company has a counter in the Arrivals Hall (tel: +353(0)61 474 311).

Citylink (tel: +353(0)91 564 163) has a direct bus connection with Galway.

Car rental Shannon Airport

The following car rental companies have a counter in the Arrivals Hall: Avis, Budget, Dollar Thrifty, Dooley Car Rentals, Europcar, Hertz, Irish Car Rentals and National. You can also reserve a rental car in advance using the service EasyTerra provides. They compare the rates of several providers in a single quote.

Taxi

There is a taxi counter in the Arrivals Hall (tel: +353(0)61 471 538). A taxi ride costs € 1.30 per kilometer with a minimum of € 7.00 per ride. A ride to Limerick or Ennis costs about € 30, and a ride to Galway costs € 110.

Limousines with a chauffeur: VIP Chauffeur (tel: +353(0)868 175 500).

Airport Parking

The short term parking area is right in front of the terminal. Prices: € 2.80 for the first hour and up to two hours costs € 5.00. There are four long term parking areas. The price is € 8.50 per day or € 42.00 per week. A Frequent User Card costs € 780 per year (tel: +353(0)61 712 200).

Services

Hotels

The Shannon Great Southern Hotel (tel: +353(0)61 471 122) is by the airport. Other hotels in the area of the airport are: Lynch Clare Inn Hotel (tel: +353(0)61 368 161), Oak Wood Arms Hotel (tel: +353(0)61 361 500), Shannon Court Hotel (tel: +353(0)61 364 588) and Bunratty Shannon Shamrock (tel: +353(0)61 361 177). For more hotels and reserving online you can go to Booking.com. They have a large offering of hotels with great internet rates. For more information we refer to our own page about hotels in Shannon.

Shops and restaurants

There are a few bars and coffee shops in the terminal. There is one restaurant – Estuary Café (self-service) – with an open air terrace. That terrace offers a nice view over the Shannon river mouth.

For the general public there are only three shops including a shop with typical Irish products. The duty-free section (tel: +353(0)61 475 047) is a little bigger (five stores).

Baggage

Baggage safes are available. For that you must contact the Airport Operations Office (tel: +353(0)61 712 408). This number is also used for lost and found items and for hiring a porter (per suitcase € 1.00, minimum € 6.00).

Information

There is a general information counter in the Arrivals Hall (tel: +353(0)61 712 400). There is also a tourist counter (tel: +353(0)61 471 664) where you can reserve hotel rooms.

Business

Contact the Terminal Manager (tel: +353(0)61 712 295) for renting facilities for meetings or press conferences.

Handicapped persons

Shannon Airport is very accessible for handicapped persons. There are wheelchair ramps and adapted telephones, restrooms and elevators. The candy and drink vending machines are able to be operated from a wheelchair. There are reserved parking places close to the terminal.

Other services

On the ground floor there is a branch of the Bank of Ireland (opening times: 06:30 – 17:30), and there are cash machines. There is a post box next to the Londis shop in the Arrivals Hall.

Contact

Address

Shannon Airport
County Clare
Ireland

Telephone, fax, email

Telephone: +353(0)61 712 000
Fax: +353(0)61 712 282
Email: feedback@shannonairport.com

Airport codes

IATA airport code: SNN
ICAO airport code: EINN