We are visiting Ireland at the end of September into the first 8 days of October. We want to travel on to Paris for a few days but there are not flights on Ryanair available for our days; already checked. My husband has suggested we drop our car off at Shannon Airport, go into Limerick and catch a train to Dublin then fly Ryanair from Dublin to Paris; there were sets for this. Can we do this logistically? How long would a train from Limerick to Dublin take? Last September we visited Ireland for the first time and went to Paris also but as you well know, you can't see everything in one trip. Would REALLY appreciate anyone's input. Can't wait to visit beautiful Ireland again! b.

Looks like the trip is a little over two hours and then you have to get from the train station in Dublin to the airport. I'd guess planning at least another hour for that.

In the end, it seems to make more sense to plan a trip to Ireland for Ireland's sake and another separate one to Paris. That seems a lot of work for two days in Paris. You have to return the car, get a ride to Limerick, catch the train from there, then get a bus then catch the plain ... Again, seems like a lot of work.

Bill

Thanks Bill, that was kind of my thoughts but husband still wants to see if it is possible. Hopefully some tickets on Ryanair will become available out of Shannon. becky

Hi Floridapugmom,

How about driving from Limerick to Cork (ORK) airport instead, and dropping your rental car off there? The drive takes under 2 hours according to Google Maps. Aer Lingus has service from ORK to CDG (vs. BVA served by Ryanair, which is approx. an hour further from Paris proper than CDG), and fares are currently quite low for September, starting at under EUR 60 all in.

Hope this helps,
Andre

In my experience, getting from Ireland to Paris can be (relatively) cheap or easy but not both.
Did you use Ryanair last time? Keep in mind that RyanAir doesn't really fly into Paris, rather into Beauvais which is a considerable distance away. It will take well over an hour and cost about $20 per head to get from the Beauvais airport to Porte Maillot on the bus, from there you are on your own to your hotel. Also consider their checked bag fees, charges if you do not have a pre-printed boarding pass (40 euro a head!).
British Air flies SNN to CDG with a connection in LHR. There is a 7:30 am flight for $175 that would have you in Paris by 1:00 PM. Between time, rain fare, taxi fares, wear and tear plus the numerous add on fees with Ryanair it may be a better deal to use BA.

BTW I completely understand the desire to visit Paris since you will be sort of in the neighborhood.

Assuming that you will be somewhere not too far from Shannon, it seems to me much easier to drive from there to Dublin Airport and drop the hire car there.

There are other airlines and other airports -- have you checked aerLingus from Cork to CDG?

But whether you use Dublin or Cork - you can drop your car there and not have to faff about w/ trains from Limerick.

Andre; I had not even thought of leaving out of Cork; did not know Aer Lingus went from there to Paris. THANKS!

Seamus; Yes, we did use Ryanair last time, but the cost was cheaper than it is running right now. We took the shuttle bus from Beauvais to Porte Maillot; only trouble we had was finding the right bus to our B&B after we got Porte Maillot thought we did eventually find our way. I'll check BA cost for SNN.

Padraig; We will be either around Bantry or Shannon depending on our Paris plans. I will definitely tell husband about the idea of driving to Dublin; how long should that take?

THANKS TO ALL OF YOU! You have really given us some great ideas and things to think about. Fodor members are the best!

becky

You're welcome, bon voyage!
Andre

Bantry to Cork Airport is about 50 miles; to Dublin about 220, for which I would allow about 6 hours because of potential delays at Cork and getting around Dublin.

Shannon to Dublin Airport is about 140 miles, and I would allow 4 hours to allow for delays at Limerick and again getting around Dublin.