Kristinelaine

Without a car would we be better off staying in Ennis or Shannon the last night before a 10:45 am flight out of Shannon? I know Shannon is closer, but is there anything there if we have part of a day there? Can you inexpensively taxi from either? Or bus? I don't see hotels with shuttle service.

Padraig

Shannon is about the most uninteresting town in Ireland.

Hotels and B&Bs in Ennis will sort out a taxi for you: they do it all the time.

TPAYT

The Old Ground Hotel in Ennis is 20 min. from the airport.
http://www.tripadvisor.com/Hotel_Rev...nty_Clare.html

http://www.flynnhotels.com/Old_Groun..._Ennis/Welcome

I don't know about a shuttle or transportation but Ennis is a good town to walk around for 1/2 a day. You might email the hotel and ask about transportation.
The Poet's Corner restaurant(in the hotel)has music and great food or they have a more high end restaurant.

If there is someway to get there without a car, I highly suggest it.

Kristinelaine

Thanks! I suspected that Shannon would not be the best place if we have any time at all to be there. Thanks for the confirmation and for the info on Ennis.

Tony2phones

No Shuttle to SNN from anywhere but give it 30 minutes drive time cab would be €27 from the centre but there is bus that would get you there for 08.50 or for 07.55 (local bus takes an hour going round via Carrigoan.) Brogans is our bar of choice for food beer and music.

soozireland

we have stayed in Ennis at the Old Ground Hotel and they arrange a taxi to the airport for you. I have done that a couple of times....I think it was about 45 euros.
Ennis is a great town to walk around in and the Old Ground Hotel is the perfect location

lemoxster

We enjoyed the Avarest B&B(www.avarest.ie) near Bunratty Castle....Also enjoyed the Creamery for our dinner. Take a look and see if it would suit your needs

Kristinelaine

Tony2phones or soozireland -- Is two hours(arrival before flight) enough time for international flight out of Shannon to USA?

HappyTrvlr

Another vote for the Old Ground in Ennis.

soozireland

for international flights its usually 3 hours arrival at airport before your flight.

Tony2phones

2 hours would be a minimum with Pre Clearance..Unlike Dublin where 3 hours would be a must SNN will probably only be pre clearing One flight in the time scale, three at most and lets be honest Shannon is a far more efficient operation. If you are flying to Europe not the US then 1 hour before Gate close would be plenty,, I generally get there an hour before take off for UK flights.

Kristinelaine

So 2 1/2 hours would be pretty safe at SNN?

Tony2phones

For a US flight clearing customs in SNN.. Should leave time to spare.

Kristinelaine

Just home from Ireland. Shannon works so well I think we could have cut the time even closer. It's a dream airport.

Tony2phones

Hope the rest of your trip was as good as the departure

Kristinelaine

You must be psychic, Tony! The rest of the trip (flights) were terrible. We had 4 flights cancelled on us. Ended us stuck in New York City overnight, before we could get home! But we're happily home now! (Being IN Ireland was wonderful and nearly all my plans worked out perfectly, thanks to lots of good advice from many Fodorites!)