Minibus and coach meets at Ireland West Airport Knock
On the N17 midway between Galway and Sligo, Ireland West Airport Knock is handy for pilgrims, family reunions and anyone touring the north-west. It's a small airport with firm rules about waiting, so your meeting point is settled before you fly.
Why your meeting point is planned ahead
Knock doesn't publish a coach park, and waiting isn't allowed in the terminal's drop-off zone. The airport asks people meeting arrivals to use its on-site car park. For a minibus or coach, the operator works out where the vehicle will wait and where your driver will meet you, and confirms it before you travel. Please don't expect to find it by the front door.
Share that plan with everyone in your party, along with the group leader's mobile, so the driver and leader can speak as soon as you land.
Terminals
- Single passenger terminal
Worth knowing at Ireland West Airport Knock
- Bus Éireann Expressway routes 64 (Galway-Sligo-Derry) and 440 (Athlone-Westport) serve the airport.
- Knock Shrine is about 20 km from the airport.
- On the N17, halfway between Galway and Sligo; Galway is about 1 h to 1 h 15 min away and Athlone just over an hour.
Pilgrim groups for Knock Shrine
It's roughly 20 km from the airport to the shrine, where coaches and cars park in the North Car Park off the Ballyhaunis road. The shrine is busiest during the annual Novena, 14 to 22 August, and on the first Saturday of each month, so allow extra time on those days.
If a member of the group travels in a wheelchair, request a wheelchair-accessible minibus. Typical layouts seat 10 to 16 plus wheelchair spaces, and those spaces reduce room for luggage, so tell us what bags are coming.
Where you'll head from Knock
Sligo is roughly 45 minutes (about 55 km) north. The county council there has a dedicated coach set-down and pick-up spot on Markievicz Road, a short way from the centre, and from Sligo you're 15 minutes from Yeats's grave at Drumcliffe and 10 from the passage tombs at Carrowmore.
Galway is about an hour south of the airport, and Athlone a little over an hour.
If someone misses the group transfer
Bus Éireann stops less than a minute's walk from the terminal, with Expressway routes towards Galway, Sligo, Athlone and Westport. It's a useful fall-back for a traveller whose flight lands long after everyone else's.
A vehicle that suits western roads
Minibuses and midi coaches cope with narrow country roads and small-town streets more easily than a 12–14 m coach. If everyone brings a big case, though, a full-size coach with underfloor bays may be the better fit.
Questions
Where will our driver meet us at Knock?
The airport has no published coach park and doesn't allow waiting in the drop-off zone, so the operator agrees a meeting point with you before you travel.
How far is Knock Shrine from the airport?
About 20 km. The shrine's North Car Park, off the Ballyhaunis road, takes cars and coaches.
Can a wheelchair user travel with the group?
Yes. Ask for a wheelchair-accessible minibus and tell us how many wheelchair spaces you need.
How long is the drive to Sligo?
About 45 minutes for roughly 55 km.
Cities
Vehicles
- Full-size coach — 49-57 seats
- Midi coach — 29-35 seats
- Minibus — 16-19 seats
- Executive van (Mercedes V-Class / Sprinter class) — 7-8 seats
- Executive car (E-Class saloon class) — 1-3 seats
- Wheelchair-accessible minibus — 10-16 plus wheelchair spaces seats
Flying into Knock with a group?
Let us know flight times, numbers, any wheelchair users and your first address. A licensed, insured operator quotes and plans the meeting point with you.
Request a quote or call 35312659159