HMIreland

We finally booked our flights for our first trip to Ireland, but have run across a glitch in our travel itinerary. Our flight arrives in Shannon at 6AM, but we can't check into our B&B in Galway until 2! Since we don't want to be overwhelmed our first couple days in Ireland, we decided to take a bus from SNN to Galway and then rent a car once we arrive in Galway for the rest of our trip.

First, how long would you suggest we leave to get our luggage and go through customs (assuming our flight is on time)? Our bus leaves SNN at 7:15AM, and is supposed to arrive in Galway at 8:35AM. Is this going to be enough time?

Second, I envision my husband and me standing on the side of the street in Galway with our luggage at our side (tired due to the time change). I asked the B&B we are staying at if we can check in early – and she said that only if the room is available and is cleaned by that time (although at the time I thought we would be arriving at 11AM…). How have other people handled this situation? Is it possible to ask the B&B if we arrive around 9AM, can we just store our luggage there until the room is available? I know hotels usually have a place you can leave your luggage until check-in. Then my husband and I can go and get something to eat and explore a little…

tcreath

Shannon's airport is relatively small so I think you should be safe as far as getting to your 7:15 bus, but it all depends on how fast your luggage comes off of the carousel.

As far as your luggage is concerned, I have yet to find a hotel or b&b that won't hold your luggage for you. I would just plan on going straight to the b&b. Chances are the room won't be available (although you never know!), but your b&b host should be able to hold your luggage for you and may be able to tell you when he/she thinks the room will be available. Then I would just plan on spending the time exploring the town until its time to check in. Sometimes this can be a good thing, as it helps you fight off some of the jetlag. Galway is a great city and you will certainly have enough to see to keep you busy until its time to check in.

Hope this helps some!
Tracy

Padraig

I would be astonished if the B&B proprietor would not consent to your depositing your luggage early. It's not quite the same as checking in, when you would expect your room to be ready.

You might even want a breakfast, and I am sure you could arrange that with her, too.

Ask her, and if she can not meet your requirements, then see if somebody here has a helpful suggestion.

crazychick

Agree with Padraig if you give tehm a call and explain they sort some thing out. Most B7b's have a stardard time for checking but do not have a problem letting some people in earlier. When ever I have stayed in a B&B in ireland I found them lovely people who will go out of there way. One time we had a early ferry crossing back to Wales. She insisted on geting up at 4:30 to cook us a breakfast before left. We told her just leave out a tray with ceral, fruit and some drinks but she would not ahve it.

IrishEyes

What time of year are you traveling to Ireland? Off season you might have a better chance of the B&B not being full the night before your arrival and actually having an empty room available. In that case you could have an early check in. The B&B owner is assuming she will be full the night before you arrival. Then it would certainly take time for cleaning before you can check in. Even large hotels with hundreds of rooms have such policies. How much more so for a small B&B with 3 to 6 rooms?

All B&Bs that I know of will allow you to drop off your luggage.

You have another option that will cost you more money. Reserve a room at the B&B for the night before your arrival. Then it will be empty and awaiting your early check in. You will have paid for breakfast on arrival day too. Depending on your stamina it may be the way to go.

cavan97

When you consider the cost of your entire trip paying for your B&B for the night you fly is really insignificant. You can then arrive, eat the breakfast that you have paid for and go right to your awaiting room to rest and freshen up! It makes a huge difference at the start of your trip to avoid hassles with jetlag weqandering around Galway town exhausted just to kill time before check in!

janisj

As the others say - you may not have a room until 2 p.m. but you most likely can leave your bags there. My guess is you specifically asked "can we check in early" - and she was correct - only IF the room is empty and cleaned. But if you had asked "can we leave the bags there" her answer would probably have been different.

I agree also - when I have a really early flight I sometimes book the hotel/B&B/cottage for the night before so I have it from the moment I arrive.

NEDSIRELAND

Airline food, what there is of it, leaves a lot to be desired, so after passing thru Immigration & Customs at Shannon I head for the Cafeteria on the upper level (opens 7:00 AM) for coffee and a full Irish breakfast.

Then, if I'm going that way, I catch the 8:35 AM BusEireann to Galway via Ennis. I think the BusEireann counter at Shannon opens at 8:00 AM.

In Galway, I usually stop at Garvey's Hotel bar, across Forster Street from the Bus/Rail station and adjacent to Eyre Square (aka JFK Square). There are several Eircom Phone kiosks on the corner. You can buy an Eircom Phone card at a convenience store next door to Garvey's on Forster Street.

Then, around 11:00 AM you can call the B&B. B&B Operators are usually quite understanding. I prefer B&B's over Hotels because you're more likely to be allowed to check in early at a B&B.

tmt

I noticed that you were getting your car in Galway - will you need one right away? perhaps do the things that you don't need the car for first and then pick up the car