Car Hire at Knock Airport

Airport travel guide

Also known as Ireland West, this small international airport serves not just the village of Knock, but also the larger County Mayo. Located in the northwestern corner of the country, it is somewhat underrated as a tourist destination but offers scenic beaches, plenty of history, and a remote, untamed atmosphere for those who dare to visit. Here are four of Mayo’s most interesting attractions:

• Leenaun. A small, but lively village on the coast of Killary fjord which is one of the only three fjords in Ireland, Leenaun (or Leenane) has a number of interesting attractions. These include the Sheep and Wool Center dedicated to the history of this locally important industry, as well as natural sites like Delphi and Maam Valleys and Devilsmother mountain. Leenaun is located along the Wild Atlantic Way, one of the most stunning drives in all of Ireland.
• Achill Island. The largest of Ireland’s islands, Achill is home to a number of historical attractions such as Carrickkildavnet Castle (also known as Grace O’Malley’s Castle for those not daring to pronounce its full Irish name), Kill Damhnait Castle, an abandoned Franciscan monastery, and an abandoned village near Slievemore mountain. Each of these tells an important story of the island's past. Connected to the mainland by the Michael Davitt Bridge, the island becomes quite lively with holiday-makers during the summer months; in winters, it’s much emptier and, arguably, more atmospheric.
• Castlebar. The largest settlement and county town of Mayo, Castlebar often serves as a hub for exploring the rest of the region, mainly thanks to having some of Mayo’s best restaurants and hotels. There’s also plenty of interesting things to see, including churches of Catholic and other denominations, Horkan’s Garden and Pet Center, Mayo Memorial Peace Park, and even a gin trail celebrating Castlebar’s long and proud traditions of making that particular beverage (for obvious reasons, the trail is best enjoyed after your day’s driving is done).Meanwhile, in the neighboring village of Turlough, you’ll find the National Museum of Country Life, the only branch of the national museum located outside of Dublin.
• Galway. While not located in County Mayo, Galway is close enough – and more importantly, interesting enough – to be included among the destinations for any visitor of the area to consider. Known for its lively university life, but also as one of the guardians of Irish language and culture, it is both a lovely destination in its own right and a gateway to the rest of the hauntingly beautiful Irish West coast. A car trip south of the Knock Airport takes about 1 hour and 20 minutes. 

Top international routes

• London
• Liverpool
• Manchester
• Malaga
• Birmingham
• Edinburgh
• Nottingham
• Lanzarote
   

Main airlines

Ryanair, Flybe, Aer Lingus, AlbaStar, and Evelop Airlines

Terminals

The single airport terminal has two floors with the ground floor divided into an arrivals hall and a departures hall.

Location

Knock Airport is about 20 km (12.5 mi) northeast of the village of Knock, about 55 km (34 mi) south of Sligo, and about 89 km (55 mi) north of Galway.

Most popular types of hire car

• Station wagons - starting at £60 per day
• Small cars - starting at £27 per day
• Medium cars - starting at £41 per day
• Large cars - starting at £109 per day
• SUVs - starting at £61 per day
• People Carriers - starting at £175 per day
• Premium cars - starting at £187 per day

Services and facilities

Although the airport is quite small, you’ll find some coffee shops, pubs, and restaurants serving local Irish cuisine, as well as a few shops, including a newsstand and a duty-free outlet, which is in the departures area. There are also ATMs, a currency exchange in both the departures and the arrivals areas, a first aid clinic, a lost property office at the information desk, the Ireland West aviation gallery, and a prayer hall. The airport facilities are equipped for passengers with reduced mobility. Like any other airport in the EU, Knock Airport offers special assistance, but make sure to get in touch with your airline at least 48 hours before arrival if you’d like this service. You can find more information on the airport's official website.

Nearest petrol station

Charlestown Service Station at Ballyhaunis Road, Lavy Beg, can be reached in about six minutes and is open daily from 7:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m. There are many other gas stations near Knock Airport.

Popular one-way hires

• Galway (88 km / 55 miles)
• Sligo (54 km / 34 miles)
• Dublin (204 km / 127 miles)
• Donegal (118 km / 73 miles)
• Limerick (172 km / 107 miles)
• Belfast (246 km / 153 miles)