Timetable from 1 November 2026 to 31 March 2027: Monday to Saturday shown; Sundays start later; no sailings on Christmas Day
Bank holidays other than Christmas Day The operator's pages say only that it sails every day except Christmas Day. They do not say whether St Stephen's Day, New Year's Day, St Brigid's Day, St Patrick's Day or Easter Monday follow the weekday or the Sunday times, so this page shows the normal timetable for those dates. Call +353 65 9053124 if your crossing depends on an early-morning sailing on a bank holiday.
Weather and live status The company says the sheltered estuary is seldom affected by bad weather. In storms, check the 'Live Update' bar at the top of shannonferries.com and the company's social media; national news about cancelled ferries usually refers to the main sea ports.
No hazardous goods Hazardous goods are not carried on this ferry.
Map – Killimer – Tarbert ferry
| Ticket type | Price |
|---|---|
| Foot passenger or cyclist, single, bought online | €5.40 |
| Foot passenger or cyclist, return, bought online | €8.10 |
| Foot passenger or cyclist, single, crossed-out price in the online shop | €6 |
| Car including all passengers, single, online 'your price' (EUR 22.50 online, EUR 25 crossed out) | €20 |
| Car including all passengers, return, online 'your price' (EUR 36 online, EUR 40 crossed out) | €32 |
| Car including passengers, 12-trip ticket, online (valid 12 months) | €135 |
| Motorbike including rider, single, bought online | €11.70 |
| Motorbike including rider, return, bought online | €18 |
| Dormobile or camper, single, bought online | €30.60 |
| Small trailer up to 4 m, single, separate ticket bought online | €9.90 |
| Trailer or caravan up to 6 m, single, separate ticket bought online | €15.30 |
Prices are those shown in the operator's online shop. Each product lists a crossed-out price and an online price, and the shop says tickets are 10% cheaper online; the car single and return also show a lower 'your price' (EUR 20 and EUR 32), which is what is quoted here, without any discount code. The operator does not publish a separate on-board price list, and its terms say online and on-board prices may differ. A car ticket covers the vehicle and all its passengers; a motorbike ticket includes the rider. Trailers and caravans are sold as a separate ticket. Online tickets must be bought before boarding (the FAQ asks for 30 minutes), are emailed with a barcode, last 12 months and are non-refundable once used or expired. On board you can pay by card or cash. The terms allow a handling charge on card payments and a fuel surcharge if fuel costs rise. The Free Travel Pass is not accepted. All fares in euros (EUR).
Shannon Ferry Group Ltd runs a roll-on, roll-off car ferry across the Shannon Estuary between Killimer in County Clare and Tarbert in County Kerry. The company puts the crossing at about 20 minutes. Two ships share the route: the Shannon Dolphin, launched in 1995 with room for 52 cars and 350 people, and the Shannon Breeze, in service since 2000 with space for 60 cars and 350 people. Both lower hydraulic ramps onto a slipway, so vehicles drive straight on and straight off. Cars, vans, coaches, caravans, campervans, motorbikes, cyclists and foot passengers all use the same boats.
Through the winter months the operator's timetable is regular: one boat an hour from each bank, leaving Killimer on the hour and Tarbert on the half hour, from early morning until the evening. Sundays start two hours later. The company sails every day except Christmas Day, and its pages say nothing about different times on other bank holidays.
No booking is needed and none is taken. You join the queue at the slipway, and the operator asks you to be there 5 to 10 minutes before the sailing and to stay in your vehicle until the fare has been collected. One car ticket covers the vehicle and everybody in it. You can pay on board by card or cash, or buy beforehand in the online shop, which advertises tickets as 10% cheaper. Online tickets arrive by email with a barcode that the crew scan from paper or a phone, and they have to be bought before you board; the FAQ asks for 30 minutes. As a vehicle ferry, the service does not accept the Free Travel Pass.
Passengers with reduced mobility should tell the crew before boarding, and the company will try to place the car in a designated area. Ports and ships are described as wheelchair accessible and the terminals have adapted toilets, but the toilets on board are not wheelchair accessible. At Killimer the visitor centre has a shop selling books, souvenirs, tea, coffee and sandwiches, open 09:00 to 19:00 in winter, with free parking and a 47 kW EV fast charger at the terminal.
The company says the sheltered estuary seldom stops the boats, and that news of ferry cancellations usually refers to the main sea ports. In a storm, look at the 'Live Update' bar on shannonferries.com before you set off.
- Be at the pier in good time; on car ferries vehicles may need to arrive earlier than foot passengers.
- Check the operator's notices on the day — Atlantic wind and swell can cancel or reschedule island sailings.
- Some island operators advise booking ahead in June, July and August, and for groups.