Useful Car Rental and Visitor Information for Shannon Airport

Shannon Airport Useful Information

If you plan on visiting the west of Ireland, you may like to arrange your itinerary to begin and end at Shannon, this makes for an excellent tour of Ireland if planned in a loop to include some of the countries major towns, saves you a few hours in travel time!.

Shannon Airport - Check in

Passengers are advised to arrive at the airport in plenty of time to complete check-in and security procedures. Please make sure that you check the opening times and close out times for check-in for your particular flight. This information is provided on your flight ticket or itinerary. Airlines enforce a strict closing time for check in, after which you will not be allowed to check in. 
The check-in area is located on the ground floor of the departures terminal. Check-in information monitors, giving the check-in desk number allocated to your flight, are located in the lobby at the entrance to the terminal and inside the check-in area directly in front of each bank of check-in desks. Maximum weight for checked baggage can vary from airline to airline and you should check the relevant limits with the airline. As a general rule airlines allow only one piece of hand baggage per passenger. It is recommended that this should not exceed 10 kilos (21lbs) and should be small enough to fit in the overhead bin or under the seat in front of you. A minimum amount of hand baggage can also help to speed up the security screening process.

On Arrival at Shannon Airport

Flying into Ireland is relatively hassle-free, although an increase in traffic over recent years has caused some flight and baggage delays. Customs and immigration in Ireland is normal, naturally no contraband items will be tolerated. Visitors arriving will either rent a car, or travel onwards by Bus Eirann Coach or Taxi. If you are arriving early morning or late night we suggest you pre book your onwards transport. Alternatively you can use the IARNROD EIREANN'S frequent InterCity Train Service to and from Limerick which has a regular bus connection from its Railway Station to Shannon Airport.

Banking and Bureau de Change Facilities

These facilities are operated by First Rate (Bank of Ireland Group) in the following locations:
Arrivals Concourse
Opening hours: 06.00 - 10.00 daily
Check-In Area
Opening hours: 06.00 - 21.00 daily
Customs Hall (arriving passengers only)
Opening hours: 06.30 - 13.00 daily
Departures Lounge (departing passengers only)
Opening hours: 07.00 - 17.00 daily

ATM Machines 
ATM Machines are located in the arrivals concourse, the check in area and the departures lounge. These machines dispense in Euro, US Dollars and Sterling.

Bank
Bank of Ireland operate in the arrivals concourse. 
Opening hours: 10.00 - 17.00 Monday, 10.00 - 16.00 Tuesday, Thursday & Friday, 10.30 - 16.00 Wednesday 

Bars and Restaurants

The Estuary Cafe
The Estuary Cafe is located on the first floor to the terminal building, overlooking the check-in area and offering panoramic views of the Shannon Estuary from the open-air balcony. This self-service restaurant offers high quality meals from breakfast to lunch as well as a range of delicious snacks. Opening hours: 06.00 - 15.00 daily 
The Sheridan Bar
The Sheridan Bar is located in the departures lounge and is available to passengers only. It is an ideal place to relax and enjoy a drink or a snack prior to departure. The bar is named after Joe Sheridan, a former chef at Shannon Airport. Joe invented the world famous Irish Coffee in 1943. Today, over 50 years later Irish Coffee is firmly established and still tasting great. So, why not try this special drink, which we will make to the original receipt developed by Joe. Opening Hours: 24 hours
The Coffee Exchange
The Coffee Exchange is located in the arrivals concourse to the right of the passenger arrivals gate. The caf石erves freshly brewed bean-to-cup coffees, a selection of soft drinks and a range of sandwiches and pastries. The Coffee Exchange is ideal for those waiting to meet and greet passengers as the seating area offers a perfect vantage point to view the arrivals door. Opening Hours: 06.00 - 24.00 daily

Special Needs and Reduced Mobility:

This guide is designed to aid passengers with special needs as they travel through Shannon Airport, offering information about the services available and how to make the journey more enjoyable and manageable. If you experience any difficulty during your visit to Shannon please do not hesitate to contact any of our staff who will be happy to assist.

General Information
If you have a special need and require assistance some of the points below are worth taking into consideration:

* Compare arrangements offered by different airlines before making your booking.
* Check whether the cost of any special assistance is included in the price of your ticket.
* Inform your Airline of your particular needs at the time of booking.
* Bear in mind that there are often long walking distances within the Airport and some assistance may be required as a result.

For general enquiries contact Shannon Airport on +353 (0)61 712000, LoCall 1890 SHANNON (742666).

Parking Your Car
Drivers with reduced mobility may avail of special car-parking facilities close to the main terminal. Passengers who may require assistance from the car park can contact our porterage service staff who will be happy to assist. Facilities for set down and pick-up are available for people with reduced mobility at the entrances to our Arrivals and Departures concourses.

In The Terminal
Toilets
There are toilet facilities throughout the Airport building for people with reduced mobility. All facilities are clearly indicated by directional and overhead signage. 
Lifts/Escalators
There are a number of lifts and escalators located in the terminal building. Clear directional signage points the way to each. Most lifts have directional inbuilt voiceovers and braille control buttons.
Telephone & Snack Vending Machine Facilities
Low-level coin, credit card telephones and snack vending machines are located throughout the Terminal Building to facilitate passengers in wheelchairs.
Facilities for Partially Sighted
Guide dogs and hearing dogs are the only dogs permitted in the terminal building.
The airport directional and information signage is clearly placed, well lit and uses optimum colour contrast to ensure everyone can read them correctly.
Security Check
All passengers must pass through the security check before reaching the departures lounge. Such a search may be carried out by hand or by using hand-held detectors. If required, a private search area away from the main area can be provided. 
Wheelchair Rental
Shannon Airport has wheelchairs available free of charge for use within the airport. Should you wish to rent a wheelchair for use during your stay in Ireland please contact:
The Irish Wheelchair Association, Unit 10, Docklands Business Park, Dock Road, Limerick. Email: servicelk@iwa.ie Tel: +353 (0)61 313691 

Transport
Car Rental

It is wise to ensure your onward travel plans prior to arriving at Shannon, there are several Car Hire Companies at Shannon Airport, open 8am to 8pm, and many will be pre-booked, especially in Peak Season.

Bus & Rail

You can get to and from Shannon Airport from virtually any point throughout Ireland with Bus Eireann. Regular services are available via the main terminals at ENNIS or LIMERICK. Onward connections are available to and from Dublin, Cork, Galway, Kerry, Waterford, Wexford and all other parts of Ireland. There is also a Bus Eireann desk in the Arrivals Hall of the Airport. Passengers arriving by Taxi will be set down on the Departures Courtyard, directly outside the Terminal Building. For further details on of the services offered by 'Bus Eireann' click here to visit their website. For further details of the services offered by 'Iarnrod Eireann' visit their website.

Taxis 

Taxis are available at the 24 hour Taxi deskin the Arrivals Hall. Peak Times are 8.30 - 10 am and 4.30 -6pm. Limerick - Dublin - Limerick 10 Trains in either direction on weekdays - average journey time 2 hours 15 minutes. Limerick - Cork - Limerick 8 trains in either direction on weekdays - average journey time 1 hour 45 minutes. Belfast - Limerick - Belfast Average journey time 5 to 6 hours.

Shannon Airport is owned and operated by 'AerRianta' visit their website.