New late night non-stop Shannon Airport bus service launched for Galway and Limerick

A new late night bus service will operate for the summer between Shannon Airport and Limerick and Galway.

Expressway has launched its daily X51 summer service operating from Galway and Limerick offering customers a nonstop service direct on the M18 to Shannon Airport.

The Galway-Shannon X51 service will comprise of seven daily departures each way with five daily departures extending to Limerick.

The service is linking in with peak time arrivals and departures, including early morning transatlantic flights. This summer service compliments the 14 daily return services on the Expressway Route 51.

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Andrew Yates, Head of Expressway said: “The new summer X51 service offers Limerick and Galway customers fast, direct connections to and from Shannon Airport."

"With Shannon Airport’s passenger numbers on the increase and a demand for access between Galway, Limerick and Shannon Airport, we are delighted to offer this summer service and hope we can expand it beyond the summer months."

The X51 service will deliver 700 seats to and from the airport daily, providing excellent connectivity between the West Coast and the Atlantic seaboard’s busiest airport - with its expanding international network of services to 33 destinations across 11 countries including mainland Europe, the United Kingdom and the USA.

The Expressway service will operate non-stop from Galway Bus Station to Shannon Airport before terminating in Limerick city, departing at 02:45, 04:45, 07:00, 11:30, 16:15 and 19:45. For customers travelling from Limerick to Shannon Airport and Galway, services will depart at 05:25, 08:55, 13:30, 18:30 and 00:45.

Return services from Shannon Airport to Galway city will operate at 05:55, 07:00, 09:25, 14:00, 19:00, 22:00 and 01:15. Return services from Shannon Airport to Limerick city services will depart at 04:00, 06:00, 08:20, 12:45, 17:30, 21:00 and 22:50.

Ray O’Driscoll, Chief Operating Officer at The Shannon Airport Group said: “We are confident we will reach the two million passenger mark by the end of 2024 for the first time since 2009.

"This new X51 summer service will enhance public transport to the airport, allowing passengers to connect to the extensive range of flight options available from Shannon Airport to Europe, the UK and US.

This direct service from Galway and Limerick will support business connectivity and inbound tourists, and benefits holidaymakers exploring the vibrant tourism offering along the Wild Atlantic Way.”