Getting Around, Limerick Travel, Transport and Car Rental

(Limerick, County Limerick, Republic of Ireland)

Limerick is well-connected to the Greater Irish region and the rest of Europe. A proud history of aviation includes the first landing of a plane from North America, and Shannon Airport continued the tradition by becoming the first airport in Europe to offer outbound passengers pre-clearance screening for US customs. Train travel and long-distance coaches are also popular means of transport in Limerick.

Local transportation is provided by taxis and public buses, adequate for travel between towns and villages, but the real way to explore the countryside of County Limerick is with a rental car.

Shannon Airport (SNN) / Arriving by Air

Address: Airport Road (N19), Shannon, County Clare, Republic of Ireland, IE
Tel: +353 061 712 000
Shannon International Airport is to be found just 24 km / 15 miles west of Limerick and can be reached by car in 30 minutes. This is a modern, single-terminal facility that operates routes to cities across the UK, mainland Europe and North America, being used by almost three million passengers every year. British Airways and the infamous Ryanair are major carriers, but dozens more offer services.

Getting from the airport to the city centre is easy. Taxis are on hand 24 hours a day outside the arrivals area, or passengers can opt to hire a car and do their own driving. Bus Eireann transport is also available and runs affordable services to Colbert Station in Limerick.

Car Rental

Arranging a hire car goes a long way toward simplifying your time in Limerick. The museums and Georgian architecture of the city centre are close together, meaning getting around on foot is no problem, but there are several destinations in the surrounding countryside well worth the drive. Lough Gur is particularly scenic, and a hire car is essential for reaching the various towns on the lakeshore.

Book your Shannon Car Rental here.

Book your Limerick Car Rental here.

Buses and Coaches

Bus Eireann provides the major bus routes in and around Limerick. This is the most affordable way to get around, though you sacrifice a degree of freedom in dealing with the routes and timetables. Local bus transport connects the majority of neighbouring county towns and villages, with some of the most popular destinations including Adare, Bruff, Castleconnell, Galbally, Kilmallock, Newcastle West, Pallas Green and Rathkeale. Families qualify for group rates, and week-long travel passes are available, offering good value for money.

Trains

Irish Rail operates services to Colbert Station, which is located on Parnell Street, close to Jackman Park, People's Park and the Roxboro Shopping Centre. Trains travel to and from Belfast, Cork, Dublin, Ennis, Rosslare and Tralee, amongst other routes. It is worth noting that there are no local services as such, and so trains aren't viable as a means of getting around the surrounding countryside.

Taxis

Taxis are affordable by European standards, and some travellers opt for local sightseeing on foot while relying on taxis for visits to neighbouring communities.

Many taxis queue outside of Shannon International Airport and Colbert Station, and they are also easy to hail anywhere on Cecil Street or Thomas Street.