Airport Desk

Europcar, the leading car hire agency in Europe, is on site at Cork Airport to help passengers piece together their travel plans while visiting southern Ireland. Car hire at Cork Airport is affordable, especially for those who take advantage of discounts afforded through advanced online booking. Thanks to the friendly and competent staff behind the help desk, the collection process is quick and painless.

 

The Cork Airport car hire desk is located in the Arrivals Hall. After alighting, proceed through customs and then enter the arrivals area. Turn left, and you’ll see Europcar’s desk on the right-hand side. If you booked your rental car online, print your confirmation receipt and hand it to the associate at Cork Airport. The rental agreement will be ready for you to review and sign.

 

The associate will then direct you to the collection point, which is in the adjacent short-term car park. It’s close enough to reach on foot, which means you won’t have to waste time waiting for and boarding a shuttle bus. Luggage trolleys are on hand for those that need them.

 

Once you arrive at the car park, you’ll be greeted by another Europcar associate who will help you carry out an on-site inspection to ensure that your car is in good condition. With an average age of only six months, Europcar’s fleet is good condition. Even the oldest vehicles on the lot are no more than three years old.

 

You’ll be behind the wheel in short order. Cork city is only a few kilometres away, so you’ll be at your hotel, ready to enjoy the local sites in just a few minutes.

 

Car Rental Returns

There is so much to see and do in Cork, and visitors have so much to see, do and enjoy. Holidays in southern Ireland have a habit of winding down before you’re ready to go home. All the same, if you are driving a Cork Airport hire car, you’ll at least be able to get off the road and back into the air in a timely manner.

 

The return procedure usually takes just a few minutes, but Europcar officially recommends allotting 30 minutes just in case there are any complications. The airport is 8 kilometres south of Cork city proper and can be reached in about 15 minutes outside of rush hour. If you are coming from the city itself, take the N27 (which is locally called ‘Albert Street’ and then ‘South City Link Road’. The N27 intersects the N28 and becomes Airport Road. From here, it’s a short drive to Avenue 4000, the Cork Airport turn-off.

 

You’ll be dropping your Cork Airport rental car at the same car park where you picked it up. Pull into the lot and let the associate know that you are returning your hire car. The terminal is just around the corner – a short walk away. Stop by the help desk in the terminal and drop off the keys with the associate.

 

The Europcar help desk is open from 08:00 to 23:00. If you have to drop your vehicle off outside of operational hours, you can still follow the same protocol. There will not be an associate at the help desk, but you can just drop the keys into the clearly marked box at the help desk.

 

Airport Facilities

Cork Airport’s new terminal went into action in the summer of 2006, debuting a host of new facilities that are more than capable of catering to the 3 million passengers that pass through here every year. This is one of the top-three busiest airports in Ireland, and the importance of this modern terminal is obvious as soon as you step inside.

 

The Cork Airport information desk is located on the ground floor section of the arrivals area, but it’s easily accessible to departing passengers as well. As you enter the terminal, the desk is located to the right, between the Londis store and Cork Airport car rental desks. At the help desk, passengers can enquire about airport facilities, flight times and Cork-area attractions.

 

You can exchange currency for euros on the other side of this great hall. The bureau de change is situated next to Eason book store. It is open Monday to Friday from 06:45 to 18:30, Saturday and Sunday from 09:00 to 18:30. Next-door is a Bank of Ireland branch for more involved transactions. It’s open Monday to Friday from 10:00 to 16:00 and closed at the weekend. The two ATMs dispense euros at all hours. There is another ATM in the departures area near Boarding Gate 4.

 

Wireless broadband Internet broadcasts throughout the terminal. Enquire at the airport information desk for more information. If you don’t have a notebook or mobile device, you can make use of the Internet stations next to Easons book store.

 

Sometimes, passengers end up in the terminal with more time on their hands than they expected. There are a couple of on-site options in this scenario. The Hairport hair salon is in a separate building on airport grounds. There is also a Jack Lunch Departure Lounge to passengers up to three hours before their flight departs. The entrance fee can be paid at the lounge.

 

Airport Information

Cork Airport is one of the most important in Ireland. With nearly 3 million annual passengers, the airport ranks second to Dublin in terms of throughput. If Northern Ireland is taken into account, Cork ranks as the third-busiest airport on the island. For travellers who want to explore the southern region of the Republic of Ireland by hire car, there is no better gateway than Cork.

 

Cork Airport opened in the 1950s and wasn’t that important at first. In the early days of commercial flights, Ireland was a famous last stop for transatlantic flights to North America. In those days, traffic was routed through Shannon Airport. However, the airport became increasingly important in the last couple of decades, leading to the construction of a brand new terminal building in 2006.

 

Expansion continues at Cork Airport. Plans are underway to enlarge the airport by a factor of three, extending runways and adding departure gates. Analysts predict that annual throughput will meet or exceed 3 million by 2017, and the airport authority is intent on maintain modern facilities that are more than adequate to accommodate these passengers.

 

Aer Lingus and Ryanair operate the bulk of the commercial flights that take off from and land at Cork Airport. Aer Lingus flies to several European hubs, including Paris, Rome, Munich, London (Gatwick and Heathrow), Barcelona and Amsterdam. Ryanair offers discount connections to London and several prominent holiday destinations, some of which are offered on a seasonal basis. Dozens of charter routes are also on offer.

 

Airport Security

Cork Airport’s sleek, new design simplifies the check-in and security screening process. The check-in desks are on the ground hall of the terminal. As you enter through the front door, the ticketing counters and departure desks are to the left.

 

Luggage requirements depend on the airline, but most allow you to carry one carry-on item with you. Typically, this bag must weigh no more than 10 kilograms and fit in the overhead compartment. Beyond this, you can also carry a personal item with you. This could be a notebook computer, a purse or a briefcase.

 

When setting your carry-on luggage aside, be sure that you have removed all liquids and gels aside. Current EU security regulations require that any liquids, gels or pastes carried onto an airplane be kept in 100 millilitre bottles, all of which must fit into a one re-sealable plastic bag no bigger than 20 cm x 20 cm (about 1 litre).

 

The regulations related to liquids are the only ones that cause much confusion. Beyond this, the prohibitions are more obvious and easier to anticipate. Anything that could explode, slice, cut or inflict blunt force trauma is prohibited in the cabin. This rules out most tools, sporting equipment, kitchen utensils, etc. Furthermore, anything that fires a projectile (including realistic-looking toy guns) are not allowed.

 

Representatives at Cork Airport recommend showing up about 90 minutes ahead of your scheduled flight in order to check-in and clear security. If you are returning a hire car at Cork Airport, you may want to add another 30 minutes just to be safe.

 

Cork Airport Links

Since Cork Airport rolled out its new terminal in 2006, the emphasis has been on modernity, efficiency and convenience. With that in mind, there airport’s website is a great resource for those wishing to plan their trip, check on flight status or verify the airport’s offerings.

 

While you are checking out the online resources related to Cork Airport and the surrounding tourism attractions, consider pointing your browser at Europcar’s website as well. Those who start planning their trip early benefit in more than one way. Not only do they navigate their ways to attractive discounts, they also get the satisfaction of knowing that their travel plans have already been taken care of.

 

If you’re thinking of flying into Cork Airport, take a look at the following links for more information. While you’re at it, consider checking out Cork Airport car hire offerings by Europcar as well:

 

Dublin Airprot Authorities

Cork Airport Website - corkairport.com

• Airport security: http://www.corkairport.com/gns/at-the-airport/airport-security.aspx
• The Loop airport shopping: http://www.theloop.ie/Cork/Category/16-promotions.aspx
• Arrivals: http://www.corkairport.com/gns/flight-information/arrivals.aspx
• Departures: http://www.corkairport.com/gns/flight-information/departures.aspx
• Reduced mobility portal: http://www.corkairport.com/gns/at-the-airport/reduced-mobility.aspx

Public Transport

• Citylink schedule: http://www.citylink.ie/index.php/routes-a-timetables/timetables/66
• Bus Éireann schedule: http://www.buseireann.ie/inner.php?id=247##Cork

Tourism in Ireland

• City of Cork tourism: http://www.cometocork.com/
• East Cork tourism: http://www.eastcorktourism.com/
• West Cork tourism: http://www.westcork.ie/
• Tourism Ireland: http://www.tourismireland.com/

 

Cork Shops and Restaurants

As one the second-busiest airport in the Republic of Ireland, Cork’s terminal is outfitted with plenty of shopping and dining options for passengers to enjoy. If you end up completing your Cork Airport car hire return procedure and pass through security faster than you expected, you’ll find plenty to do to bide your time.

 

The main shopping concourse in Cork Airport is The Loop, which also has a presence in Dublin and Shannon Airports. The Loop is a one-stop shopping centre for travellers. It carries name-brand designer merchandise, including sunglasses, apparel and jewellery. Beyond that, you can also find specialties from Cork, including smoked salmon and cheeses.

 

The Loop also guarantees prices at or below those found in downtown Cork with a double-the-difference refund at stake. Travellers staying within the EU can take advantage of The Loop’s complimentary ‘shop and collect’ service. You can shop before you fly, and then pick up you merchandise on your return. Your goods will be waiting for you at the airport.

 

There are many other shopping outlets at Cork. Hughes and Hughes bookstore is in the Departures Hall. There’s also a Londis store in this area, dealing in traveller sundries, snacks, and gifts.

 

If you’re hungry, pay a visit to Cork’s Food Market, where passengers can treat themselves to local delicacies including smoked salmon, fresh-baked breads and Maher’s Coffee. Lir Café is in the departures lounge past The Loop. It features hot and cold beverages and confectionary. Finally, the local Subway provides fast sandwiches for travellers on the move.

 

Cork Airport also has a sports bar, with a full complement of pub food and beers. International sports broadcast on multiple screens. Meanwhile, the Red Bar has a more traditional theme.

 

Cork Airport Location

Cork Airport is close to the city centre (8 kilometres), and driving back and forth between the two is fast and easy. From the airport, you have to drive north on the N27 and cross the N25 to reach the city centre. Once there, you’ll have access to a network of motorways that connect across the entire region.

 

Cork lies on the banks of River Lee and is one of the most important centres of life and culture in the Republic of Ireland. The district south of the river is more populous, and it’s hemmed in by the N22 (the South Ring Road), which becomes the M8 to the east.

 

Driving from the terminal to the city centre should only take about 15 minutes, depending on traffic. This is definitely one of the most convenient and affordable ways of connecting to and from the airport. Drivers also get to leave their vehicles in the short-term car park with a Europcar associate. The walk from the car park to the terminal entrance is refreshingly short.

 

With a hire car from Cork Airport, travellers are ready to see the whole of Ireland’s southern regions. Nostalgic stopovers like the seaside town of Kinsale riddle and countryside and coastline and are often overlooked by tours. You can also branch out to visit Limerick or the Ring of Kerry – both of which are relatively close and can easily be enjoyed in one or two days if you have the means of getting there and back.

 

Public Transportation

Cork Airport is located 8 kilometres south of the city proper, and it takes about 15 minutes to drive between the two under standard traffic conditions. Renting a car from the terminal is the most convenient method of getting around, but there are plenty of public transport services available as well.

Travel by car

As mentioned, travelling to Cork Airport by car is most convenient. The short-term car park is close to the terminal entrance, and those who have rented a Cork Airport hire car through Europcar can leave their vehicle here when they return it.

Travel by car

As mentioned, travelling to Cork Airport by car is most convenient. The short-term car park is close to the terminal entrance, and those who have rented a Cork Airport hire car through Europcar can leave their vehicle here when they return it.

In all, there are just shy of 5,000 parking spaces across the short- and long-term facilities. The long-term car parks (P1 and P2) are located opposite the short-term complex and east of the terminal, respectively.

Travel by taxi

Taxis queue outside the main terminal, and offer metered rates anywhere in the vicinity. They can be expensive, and it’s a good idea to figure out the fare before you set out so that you know what you are in for. Anyone wary of getting in too deep with taxi fares may want to consider cheap car hire at Cork Airport.

Travel by rail

There are no rail services at the airport, but Iarnrod Eireann (Irish Rail) runs a shuttle bus terminal from the terminal to Cork Kent Railway Station. This station is relatively close to the Parnell Place bus station, and it takes about 10 minutes to walk between the two.

Travel by bus

Buses are affordable and can work if you do not have too many bags. Bus Éireann operates regular service between the terminal and the city. Meanwhile, Citylink operates intercity service between Cork and Galway (3 hours) and Limerick (2 hours).