Car rentals at Shannon Airport

How to Find Your Car Hire Desk at Shannon Airport (SNN)

• In-Terminal Desks: Shannon Airport operates a single, straightforward terminal, making it one of the easiest airports in Ireland to navigate on arrival. All car hire desks are located in the Arrivals Hall on the ground floor. After collecting your bags and clearing customs, turn right as you exit the baggage reclaim area and you will find all major supplier desks grouped together in a clearly signposted car hire zone. The compact layout means you can be at your desk and ready to collect your keys within minutes of landing.
• Shuttle to Car Park: While all car hire desks at Shannon Airport are located inside the Arrivals Hall, some suppliers require a short shuttle ride from the terminal to an off-site car park to collect your vehicle. The process starts at the in-terminal desk where all paperwork is completed, after which a complimentary shuttle transfers you to your car. The journey typically takes just a few minutes. Always check your booking confirmation before you travel to confirm whether your chosen supplier offers a direct walk-to-car experience or requires a brief shuttle transfer.

Pick-Up, Drop-Off, and Refuelling at Shannon Airport

• Out-of-Hours Returns: If your flight departs early in the morning or late at night, most car hire suppliers at Shannon Airport provide a secure key drop box for out-of-hours returns. Drop boxes are located at the supplier desks inside the Arrivals Hall terminal, so you can park your vehicle in the designated car hire returns area and leave the keys securely without needing staff to be present. Always confirm the exact out-of-hours return procedure with your desk agent at the time of pick-up, and allow yourself plenty of time before your flight to park and drop the keys without rushing.
• Nearest Petrol Station: The most convenient option for topping up before your car hire return is the Texaco station located at the airport entrance and exit, just 2 minutes from the car hire return area on the N19. It sits directly on the road as you approach or leave the terminal complex, making it easy to fill up and comply with a full-to-full fuel policy before heading straight to the return bay. If you are coming from the Limerick direction, there is also a petrol station on the Ennis Road on the outskirts of Limerick, approximately 20 minutes from the airport.

Top Car Hire Agencies at Shannon Airport (SNN)

Shannon Airport is Ireland's gateway to the west and is served by a solid range of well-known international car hire brands operating directly from the Arrivals Hall. You will find desks from Avis, Budget, Europcar, Enterprise, Hertz, Sixt, Alamo, National, and Thrifty, giving you strong choice across vehicle types and price points. Shannon is also notable as one of only a handful of airports in the world offering US pre-clearance, making it a particularly popular arrival point for transatlantic travellers. Use eCarBookers to compare live rates across all available suppliers in a single search and secure the best car hire deal for your trip to Clare, Limerick, Galway, and the Wild Atlantic Way.

Getting from Shannon Airport to Limerick City Centre

Shannon Airport is located just 24 kilometres west of Limerick city centre. Once you leave the car hire pick-up area, follow the signs for the N19 eastbound, which connects directly onto the N18 towards Limerick for a straightforward 25 to 30-minute drive into the heart of the city. From the N18 you also have easy onward access to the M18 northbound for Galway, the M7 eastbound for Dublin, and the N20 southbound for Cork.