Getting from Dublin to Shannon (and return)
Located in the heart of the Shannon Region, Shannon is a city which appeals to those who prefer a laid-back atmosphere and to explore the lovely scenery outside its city limits. Whether you travel to Shannon from Dublin to explore the sights or need to get to Shannon airport, it’s important to know all travel options between the two cities.
Quick summary
There aren’t any direct connections between Dublin and Shannon. The flights go via Manchester, London or Edinburgh , which make them crazy expensive, and the train stops at Limerick. There’s a bus which links Dublin city center to Shannon Airport, and from there you can catch another bus to go to the city center. In other words, you can choose a combination of train and bus or travel by bus the entire way but change buses at the airport. The cheapest option is to travel by bus.
Flights from Dublin (airport code: DUB) to Shannon
The city is served by Shannon Airport (SNN), one of top three airports in Ireland. It is hub for both Aer Lingus and Ryanair, the low cost carrier.
However, there aren’t any direct flights between Dublin and Shannon. You could to fly via Manchester, Edinburgh or London, which means a single adult fare starts at €366 (during the shoulder season).
>>read more about Airfare to Dublin
Buses from Dublin to Shannon
On Bus Eireann you can travel from Dublin Busaras to Limerick Bus Station (service nr. 12) and from there to Shannon Town (service nr. 343).
Service nr. 12 runs daily, every hour and the single adult or child fare is €10.45. The travel time is 3 h 15 min.
Service nr. 343 runs daily, every two hours and the single adult fare is €6.08. The travel time is 35 minutes.
JJ Kavanagh & Sons runs a direct service from Dublin to Shannon Airport. There are only two departures a day (at 7:30 p.m. and at 00:45 a.m.). The travel time is 4 h 25 min. The single adult fare is €16.
>>read more about Bus Travel in Ireland
Trains from Dublin to Shannon
Although Shannon is not served by a railway station, you can travel by train to Limerick and then take a bus or a taxi to Shannon.
The Dublin to Limerick route is served by Iarnród Éireann , the national railway. There are hourly services, every day. Trains leave from Dublin Heuston and arrive at Limerick Junction. The travel time is 1h 45 min. The single adult fare is €30.
From Limerick, take service 343 bus , run by Bus Eireann . This is the Shannon Airport Link but it also stops in the town. There are departures every 2 hours, starting at 7 a.m., every day. The travel time is 35 minutes. An adult single fare is €6.08 and the child single fare is €3.80.
Read more about:
>> Getting from Dublin to Limerick
>> Train Travel in Ireland
Driving from Dublin to Shannon
If you prefer to rent a car and drive between the two cities, you can choose between two routes. The shortest is 217 km and you’ll drive on M7 and N7. The drive time is about 2 ¼ h. Please note that you’ll be driving on toll roads.
Photo credit: Dublin Heuston Station
