Shannon Airport
IATA Code: SNN
ICAO Code: EINN
Passengers: ~ 1.500.000
Shannon Airport (SNN) or Aerfort na Sionainne in Irish, is an international airport serving the Mid-West Region in the Republic of Ireland. The airport is mostly used by passengers who travel to Limerick, but also Galway and Killarney. It usually handles around 1.5 million passengers per year, which makes it among the busiest airports in Ireland. However, in the year of COVID-19, the airport suffered a nearly 80% decrease in the number of passengers. As a result, flights from the main carrier Aer Lingus are currently reduced. Despite that, SNN offers flights to a good number of European destinations, as well as some US destinations.
If flying to Shannon Airport, the following guide will present you with all the necessary information to prepare for your trip.
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How to get to and from Shannon Airport
Due to its position, SNN Airport can be a choice if visiting nearby cities such as Limerick or Ennis, but it can also be an alternative airport when travelling to Galway. Find out all the ways of getting to and from the airport in the text below.
Bus
Regular bus lines operate from Shannon Airport to multiple destinations including Limerick, Cork and Galway. Buses are operated by Bus Éireann. This is also the fastest and most convenient way to reach the cities. Below are the routes offered at the airport:
- Bus line no. 343 Limerick – Shannon – Ennis, see timetable
- Bus line no. 51 Cork – Limerick – Shannon Airport – Ennis – Galway and return, see timetable
If you change a bus to Cork, Ennis, Galway or Limerick, you can continue to many other destinations, here are a few:
- Bus no. X12 Limerick to Dublin (and Dublin Airport), see timetable
- Bus no. 13 Limerick to Tralee, see timetable
You can buy the bus tickets in the Arrivals Hall or on the bus and the bus station is located outside the main terminal.
Taxi
If you prefer a more comfortable ride or carrying a lot of luggage, consider taking a taxi. At SNN Airport you will see official airport taxis and their desks in the Arrivals Hall. However, it is advisable to book a taxi in advance to avoid the potentially long queues at the terminal. The ride from the airport to Limerick is about 20 minutes which might cost you around €35 or more.
Transfer
Another way to travel from Shannon Airport is with a private, door-to-door transfer directly to your accommodation in the city. You can pre-book a transfer for a hassle-free experience, a professional driver will wait for you at the airport and take you to your destination.
Car hire at Shannon Airport
For those who prefer to explore the area on their own, the best option would be a car hire directly at the airport. At SNN Airport, you will find major rental agencies such as Avis, Budget and Europcar. However, you can rent a car online and avoid the potentially long queues at the airport.
Rent a bus at Shannon Airport
Larger groups of passengers should consider renting a bus at the airport. However, it is recommended to book it online, so the bus rental companies have enough time to advise you on the meeting point and all other information.
Shannon Airport airlines
SNN Airport has several airlines operating, the most important ones being Aer Lingus and Ryanair. However, the year of the pandemic reduced the number of flights and connections and it will take some time to return to the full flight schedule.
However, these airlines along with several others operate regular scheduled and charter flights to and from multiple destinations in Europe such as the UK (Heathrow Airport, Gatwick Airport), Spain (Tenerife South) and Poland (Modlin Airport).
Aer Lingus carrier also provided a flight connection to the US JFK Airport.
Below is the list of airlines usually offering arrivals and departures from SNN Airport:
- Aer Lingus
- Air Canada
- American Airlines
- Delta Air
- Lufthansa
- Ryanair
- United Airlines
- TUI Airlines
Shannon Airport facilities
The airport offers several amenities to passengers on a layover or simply waiting for the flight. Here is the list of some of the services offered by SNN Airport:
- Duty-free shops
- Car hire
- Bars and restaurants
- Parking lot
- Airport hotel
- Currency exchange
- WiFi
Accommodation
Shannon Airport FAQs
That shouldn’t be a problem since buses operate till evening hours, some even during the night (check out the timetables above). So depending on where you go, you will most likely be able to get there by bus. If that’s not an option, you can always order a taxi or a private transfer.
Yes, you will find ATMs and currency exchange offices throughout the airport where you can easily withdraw or exchange money.
Yes, the airport provides free and unlimited WiFi connection for passengers. It also offers free charging points and printing stations.
Yes, the airport provides a luggage storage service in the Arrivals Hall. The price of the service depends on the item and its size, they vary from €3 to €7 per item/per day.
Yes, as already stated in the text above. Bus lines are connecting the airport to cities such as Limerick, Ennis or Galway. However, changing a bus in any of these cities can take you even further, to multiple locations in Ireland. You can also check out any desired route directly on Getbybus.
Although there was a huge decrease in the number of passengers and the airport’s main carrier Aer Lingus announced the closure of their base in SNN, the airport is not closing.
As already said, the airport is mainly used by passengers who want to travel to Limerick and Ennis, but also as an alternative airport when travelling to Galway, Cork etc.
