Meeting your minibus at Shannon Airport
Shannon is the gentle way into Clare, Limerick and the west, and the airport where US-bound travellers clear American immigration before they fly. Your minibus or coach won't be parked by the door, though, so it helps to know where you'll meet.
Your vehicle waits in a coach park
Minibuses and coaches aren't allowed to park outside the terminal at any time. Instead they wait in one of two dedicated coach and bus parks; the one by departures, Coach Park 2, is also where on-hire minibuses and limousines wait.
Before you fly, agree with the operator where the driver will meet you inside the terminal, then pass it on to everyone. It saves a cluster of tired travellers searching the pavement for a vehicle that isn't there.
Short hops to Bunratty, Ennis and Limerick
Limerick city is about 27 km, roughly 25 minutes, and Ennis about 22 km. If you'd like to ease into the trip, Bunratty Castle and Folk Park is ten minutes from the airport along the N18, and visitors park free.
Galway is further, about 94 km or an hour and ten minutes.
Terminals
- Single passenger terminal
Worth knowing at Shannon Airport
- US Preclearance: passengers flying to the United States clear US immigration and customs at Shannon before departure.
- About 22-25 km from Ennis; Galway is about 1 h 10 min to 1 h 15 min (90-94 km) by road.
Touring Clare, Limerick and Kerry
From Limerick, Adare's thatched cottages are about 25 minutes away and the Cliffs of Moher about an hour and a quarter. Every coach and every group of ten or more has to book the Cliffs ahead, so settle that day before you travel.
Killarney is about 1.75 hours from Limerick. Going south, your route may use the Limerick Tunnel under the Shannon, which is tolled, so ask whether tolls are included. Here for the Ryder Cup? Adare Manor hosts the competition on 17–19 September 2027, so book vehicles early.
Flying home to the US
Anyone flying on to the United States clears US immigration and customs at Shannon before boarding. Ask your airline how early to arrive and set the pick-up from that, not from the usual check-in time.
Long flights, big cases
Transatlantic travellers usually bring a large case each. A minibus suits a family or small party; for a bigger tour group, a coach with underfloor bays keeps everyone's luggage on board. Send flight numbers, as time a driver spends waiting for a late plane still counts towards the working day.
Questions
Why can't the minibus wait outside the terminal?
Airport rules: no minibus or coach may park outside the terminal, ever. Vehicles wait in the dedicated coach parks, and your driver meets you as arranged.
Is Bunratty a good first stop?
It's about 10 minutes from the airport, off the N18, with free visitor parking: an easy leg-stretch after a long flight.
How far is Galway from Shannon?
About 94 km, roughly an hour and ten minutes by road.
Do we need extra time on the way home?
If you're flying to the US, yes. Preclearance happens at Shannon before departure, so follow your airline's advice.
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
Touring the west from Shannon?
Send your flights, the size of your party and your first night's address. We pass the details to a licensed, insured operator and you get a price to accept or decline.
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