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No booking fees. Free cancellation on most cars
Save by finding great deals and securing low price rentals
Find lower rental car prices at Shannon Airport with Road Genius. Find live rates for SUVs, compact cars and people movers, and reserve with no booking fees. Pick up from the arrivals hall and be on the N19 in minutes for the Wild Atlantic Way, Galway((cars/rental/ireland/galway)) or Limerick. Compare on-airport and off-airport car hire at Shannon((cars/rental/ireland/shannon)) to trim surcharges, and book early in summer if you want an automatic.
| Location | 👍 Pros | 👎 Cons |
|---|---|---|
| Shannon Airport Terminal |
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| Off-Airport Providers |
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| Ennis (Nearby Town) |
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Pickup Process: After clearing immigration and customs, rental desks are located in the main arrivals hall. The walk to the car park is short, and no shuttle is required. Most companies use the same parking area directly opposite the terminal.
On average, car rentals at Shannon Airport cost around €65 per day, with the lowest-priced rentals available from €13 per day.
Compare pickup locations. On-airport is fastest, but off-airport near Shannon or in Ennis can be cheaper. Factor in a 10-15 minute shuttle and limited hours. If you’re staying in Ennis first, pick up there the next morning to save.
Match booking timing to season. For June to August or if you need an automatic, book 2-3 months ahead. In Nov–Mar, prices are softer. Hold a free-cancel deal and re-check rates to rebook if they drop.
Go small and manual. Manuals in Ireland((cars/rental/ireland)) are often ~€10/day cheaper. A compact car saves on fuel and fits Clare’s narrow roads. For 5+, compare two smaller cars vs one large van for both price and drivability.
Flex dates and times. Shifting pickup/return by a day or avoiding weekend starts in shoulder season can lower rates. Keep pickup and drop-off at the same time to avoid an extra rental day.
| Location | Parking Options | Est. Rates | Tips |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cliffs of Moher | Large visitor car park | Included entry | Arrive early (before 10 AM) or late (after 4 PM) to avoid crowds. |
| Limerick City |
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Paid | City centre can be congested; consider parking at edge and walking in. |
| Ennis |
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Paid | Narrow streets in town centre; larger car parks on outskirts are easier. |
| Bunratty Castle | On-site car park | Included entry | Large, well-organised parking area plenty of space. |
| Lahinch/Doolin | Public car parks and on-street | Paid | These towns get extremely busy in summer; arrive early. |
Local Driving Rules:
Toll Roads: The only toll near Shannon is the Limerick Tunnel. All other major routes from Shannon Airport are toll-free. If heading to Dublin, you'll encounter the M7 toll and possibly the M50 electronic toll.
Book a rental car to get to:
Cliffs of Moher
The Burren
Galway
Limerick
Doolin – Aran Islands ferry
Bunratty Castle
Is Shannon Airport a good place to start a Wild Atlantic Way journey? Yes. Shannon gives you direct access to the Wild Atlantic Way, so you'll have very little city driving. You can reach beautiful coastal spots about an hour after leaving the airport.
How far in advance should I book a car from Shannon? For summer, you should book your car 3 or more months in advance. For winter (except Christmas), you can often find a car even if you book in the same week.
Can I pick up at Shannon and drop off in Dublin((cars/rental/ireland/dublin))? Yes, most major companies let you do this. They usually charge a one-way fee, which is often between €40 and €100, depending on the company and car.
What's the best day trip from Shannon? For a great day trip, we suggest visiting the Cliffs of Moher and driving through the Burren. You can stop at Burren National Park and Poulnabrone Dolmen on your drive.
Do I need a special permit to drive to Northern Ireland? You don't need a special permit, but you should tell your rental company that you're crossing the border. Some companies charge a fee, often around €30-40, for extra insurance.
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