Shannon Airport

gnight · Veteran Member

Shannon Airport

Itallian Chauffeur · Moderator

Actually, 6 AM Shannon time equals Midnight, US Central Time, so that's what it will feel like, to your INTERNAL clock!

In any event Bus Eirean departs at 6 AM, 8 AM and 9 AM, so you have PLENTY of time to visit the Toilet (The PROPER European and Irish Term -- If you ask for a Rest Room or Bath Room, it might confuse folks!), catch a bite to eat and/or visit the shops or Tourist Office!

It's been a while since I've flown into SNN, but I would 'Guesstimate' about 1 Hour, or less, to (In the following order):

Take the inevitable, Irish 'Walking Tour' of the building -- up some stairs down long corridors, down some stairs and along more long corridors -- to:

Clear Immigration / Passport Control. Often a very long line (unless you are flight crew, or have an EU Passport). Agent will ask how long you are staying, purpose of visit, where are you staying, etc. and stamp your passport.

Collect your checked Luggage. There may be a wait, before your luggage appears. There are ATM machines in the Baggage Claim Area -- as well as in the Arrivals Hall. If your luggage hasn't yet arrived, it's a good time to grab some Euro.

Pass through Customs and enter the Arrivals Hall. This is usually a mere formality -- You walk through an area that may -- or may NOT be staffed. If it is, the staff usually just nod, or sometimes say, "Hello". Don't think I've ever seen them stop, or question anyone. biggrin

It COULD be under 30 minutes, depending upon Passenger load, etc., but probably not much less.

Bob

tony2phones · Guru

"I want to get through fast and catch an early tour but have no idea how much time to allow. I'll arrive at 6 a.m. " What time is your Tour and Where From?

gnight · Veteran Member

Thank you, Bob. That's just what I need to know. Perhaps an hour or an hour and a half is enough to get through everything and be on our way???

Tony, I have not booked the tour. I'm looking at it and want to take it but I wasn't sure if I would get there on time. We want to hit the road running, even if we're really tired because our time is so short. We can't waste a day just hanging out resting. Thus, a day tour instead of driving ourselves. My hope is to take Bus Eireann to Galway from Shannon and hook up with the Cliffs of Moher 1/2 day tour from Galway Tours that leaves at 11. The bus ride takes about 1 hr. and 45 minutes from Shannon to Galway, according to the bus schedule. I have contacted Galway Tours as to their advice and our options, including picking us up at the Bus station if we can make the times work out. (They say they do that.) They also pick up at the B and B where the proprietress says we can leave our luggage if we arrive in time. Lots of "ifs" and uncertainties that make me a little anxious. I'm wondering if I can book that last minute when we get there or if risk getting nothing at all. I'm not interested in Galway, per se, as far as seeing it. Crowded places make me nervous so I don't care for cities so we are staying out in Salthill along the promenade and taking tours out of there while enjoying the seaside. I hope. :)

Thank you so much for all the sage advice. I don't know how I would plan this trip without you guys!

tony2phones · Guru

Not sure where Bob got his bus schedule but the first Galway bus is 07.55 which still gets you into Galway for 10am (should be 09.45 but I use that route, 10 might be closer)

gnight · Veteran Member

Thanks, Tony. That's the time schedule I saw too and was hoping to make that first bus. I, too, was thinking closer to ten to allow a little extra time. Sounds as if I should be able to make it without a problem. Yay!

Itallian Chauffeur · Moderator

Yar -- I'm not sure, either, as the link now shows the 7:55 time ...

confuse confuse confuse

It would be a good idea to catch breakfast before boarding the Bus, since you'll have an hour or more of 'Free Time' and your next opportunity to eat probably won't be until around 12 or 1 PM. biggrin

Try to spare a few minutes to stand outside the airport, just to drink in the atmosphere, if at all possible. There's something QUINTESSENTIALLY 'Irish' about the experience. Since I generally am forced to fly via Dublin now-a-days, I find I REALLY miss standing curbside at Shannon, inhaling that faint, sweet scent of peat-tinged air!

In any event, that allows for a Galway arrival with enough time for the tour. If time is too pressing for check-in at the B&B, there are Left Luggage Services available: http://www.galwaytransport.info/2010/05/left-luggage-services-in-galway.html .

Bob

tony2phones · Guru

Even the "local" Ennis bus doesn't run until 8am, it used to be the City Link that ran on the Hour from 6am but they don't detour any more. If folk are pushed then the "local" to Limerick starts every half hour from 6am and possibly hook onto the City Link there.

Michele Erdvig · Host

Why not ask the tour company if you can book on arrrival? Sometimes flights arrive late. Hopefully not. But you never know. Or do they offer a refund if you can't make the tour?

Roy · Guru

I fly into Shannon and usually have everything done well under an hour.

yesiree · Guru

You might want to consider contacting Rail Tours Ireland and seeing if you can join the bus-only part of their Cliffs tour (http://www.railtoursireland.com/train-tour/Cliffs-of-Moher-Bunratty-Castle-The-Burren-and-Galway-Bay/dh06/)... they're pretty accommodating. Then you'd only have to catch the bus or a taxi to Limerick (or you could meet them at Bunratty)... you'd get a tour of Bunratty, the Cliffs, and the Burren and the day finishes at the train station in Galway just off of Eyre Square. You won't have to backtrack.

It kind of depends on what kind of tour you were looking at booking from Galway and see how it compares.

Roy · Guru

Bob, ah those first breathes of the Irish air standing outside Shannon Airport...

gnight · Veteran Member

Corey, what a good idea. I didn't know about it but will definitely check it out! Thank you.

cavan97 · Member

Bob and Roy...I thought it was just me that had that experience at Shannon...hate going in to Dublin its just not the same!

Judy · Guru

To Bob, Roy and cavan97......

Me too, first thing I do is stand outside at Shannon to take a deep breath of that Ireland air. There is nothing like it. That is why during the summer we burn turf in our outdoor fireplace. It helps but it's not quite the same. By the way, it doesn't work burning it in our indoor fireplace, you have to go outside to smell the beautiful aroma. Hurry summer...I need a Ireland fix.

gnight · Veteran Member

Bob mentioned getting a bite to eat before hopping on a bus. Is there a good place inside the airport to get a real breakfast?

Michele Erdvig · Host

Yes, there is a cafe and coffee shop in the airport.

This link will tell you lots more about the airport: http://www.shannonairport.ie/home.aspx