How To Get From Dublin To Galway (4 Ways)
When you speak to anybody who’s been to Ireland, and you ask them which cities they’ve visited, the common reply will be Dublin and Galway. They’re two amazing cities that are very different in amazing ways.
You’ll find that Dublin is a bustling capital like its other European neighbours where life is more fast-paced.
Galway is a smaller city where the authentic culture of Ireland is in its purest form that can be seen in all aspects of life, whether it’s the bustling traditional bars or locals still going by their Irish surnames.
Frequently we get emails asking “How to get from Dublin to Galway?” Thankfully, there are multiple ways the trip can be made, and we’re here to fill you in on all of them. Some are cheaper than others, but looking at it, there’s something to fit everybody’s budget.
This webpage contains some links that may be affiliate links. If you make a purchase through one of these links, we may earn a commission at no added cost to you.
How Far Is Dublin From Galway?
Dublin is situated on the east coast of Ireland, whereas Galway is 208km away on the opposite side of the country along the east coast. All in all, they’re not too far from each other, which makes it easy to travel between the two.
4 Ways To Get From Dublin To Galway
Way 1 – Bus
There are a couple of bus services that depart from Dublin that stop in multiple areas and drop you directly in Galway city centre. Buses are the cheapest way to get between the two cities, and you have a couple of options, so you can shop around to find the right choice that falls within your budget.
What Bus Companies Travel From Dublin To Galway
How Often Do Buses Depart From Dublin To Galway?
The Dublin to Galway route is arguably one of the most popular bus routes in the country. Between the four companies above, buses depart every 30 minutes to an hour throughout the day, so finding a time you want to leave won’t be an issue.
Where Do The Buses Stop?
While each bus company is different, the most common stops on the route include:
- Dublin Airport
- Dublin City Centre
- Maynooth
- Athlone
- Galway Coach Station
If you’re planning on stopping somewhere along the way where there’s no stop on the route, ask the driver if it would be possible for him to drop you off at the closest stop on the route. Most of the time, they have no problem doing this.
How Much Is The Bus From Dublin To Galway?
Bus fares from Dublin to Galway are different for every company. For example, a day return fare with Aircoach is 26 euros, but with Citylink, it’s 28 euros. Purchasing a return ticket that returns on the same day is generally cheaper than if you were to return a couple of days later. Some companies also charge extra if you purchase the ticket on the bus instead of getting it online beforehand.
How Long Does It Take To Get From Dublin To Galway By Bus?
Taking a bus from Dublin to Galway takes roughly three hours if all goes to plan with traffic and so on.
What You Should Know Before Taking A Bus From Dublin To Galway
- Purchase your ticket beforehand because it’s a busy route
- Most intercity buses have toilets on board
- There are breaks along the way, so bring everything you need for the journey
- You’ll find spaces for you to place your luggage with no extra charge
- Wheelchair accessible
Way 2 – Train
Getting a train from Dublin to Galway can only be done in the city centre, but it’s a lot more comfortable than the rest of the options on this list. Irish Rail is the country’s rail network, which connects all of the country’s major cities. You may see signs for the Dart when you’re in any of the major train stations in Dublin. Don’t get confused with it as it’s a separate line solely focused on the Greater Dublin area.
What’s The Train Timetable From Dublin To Galway?
Trains from Dublin to Galway operate on the same timetable from Monday to Saturday, but on Sundays, they’re less frequent and depart at different times. See below for the exact times.
Monday To Saturday Train Timetable
- (Dublin Heuston) 07:35 am – 10:06 am (Galway)
- (Dublin Heuston) 09:25 am – 11:52 am (Galway)
- (Dublin Heuston) 11:25 am – 13:44 pm (Galway)
- (Dublin Heuston) 13:25 am – 15:45 pm (Galway)
- (Dublin Heuston) 15:35 pm – 17:59 pm (Galway)
- (Dublin Heuston) 16:30 am – 18:53 pm (Galway)
- (Dublin Heuston) 17:30 am – 20:01 pm (Galway)
- (Dublin Heuston) 16:30 pm – 20:53 pm (Galway)
- (Dublin Heuston) 19:35 pm – 22:04 pm (Galway)
Sunday Train Timetable
- (Dublin Heuston) 08:00 am – 10:24 am (Galway)
- (Dublin Heuston) 11:40 am – 14:05 pm (Galway)
- (Dublin Heuston) 14:40 pm – 17:08 pm (Galway)
- (Dublin Heuston) 16:35 am – 19:08 am (Galway)
- (Dublin Heuston) 18:45 am – 21:19 pm (Galway)
- (Dublin Heuston) 20:30 am – 22:44 pm (Galway)
Where Does The Dublin To Galway Train Stop?
The train line begins in Dublin at the main intercity Heuston Station and finishes in Galway at the Main Terminal Station. There are a handful of stops along the way. You can check out the route below.
- Stop 1 – Heuston Station
- Stop 2 – Newbridge
- Stop 3 – Kildare
- Stop 4 – Monasterevin
- Stop 5 – Portarlington
- Stop 6 – Tullamore
- Stop 7 – Clara
- Stop 8 – Athlone
- Stop 9 – Ballinasloe
- Stop 10 – Woodlawn
- Stop 11 – Attymon
- Stop 12 – Athenry
- Stop 13 – Oranmore
- Stop 14 – Galway (Main Terminal Station)
For more details about the route, see here.
How Much Is The Train From Dublin To Galway?
Train ticket prices for the Dublin to Galway route are 15.99 euros one way for a flexible ticket. If you manage to get a semi-flexible ticket, it will set you back 14.99 euros. Tickets can be purchased online or at the station before.
How Long Does The Train Take From Dublin To Galway?
The train journey in total takes 2 hours and 22 minutes, which makes it one of the faster options on the list.
What You Should Know About Taking A Train From Dublin To Galway
- There’s no train station at Dublin Airport
- The train only departs from one train station in Dublin (Heuston Station)
- Toilets are on board all trains
- Food and drink can be purchased on the train
- Wheelchair accessible
- Luggage can be brought on board the train and put in the storing compartments above
Way 3 – Car Hire
Hiring a car is a convenient way of getting from Dublin to Galway, but it’s a lot more expensive than the other options. Car hire companies are in abundance in Dublin. Whether you’re in the city centre or you’ve just landed at the airport, you’ll be able to source a vehicle easily.
How Much Does It Cost To Hire A Car In Dublin?
Car hire companies charge different prices and take a lot of factors into account, including age, years of driving, etc. If you’re over the age of 26, you’ll get the vehicle cheaper than somebody who’s under that age.
You should expect to pay at least 70 euros per day for a car rental in Dublin. It’s not cheap, but if you’re travelling with a couple of people, you can split the cost.
How Long Does It Take To Get From Dublin To Galway By Car?
It takes just over 2 hours to drive from Dublin to Galway in a car, depending on the time of the day and what traffic is like on the roads.
What Directions Should You Take From Dublin To Galway?
There are a couple of ways you can get to Galway from Dublin by car, but the most popular way is by heading on to the M4 and then onto the M6, which takes you into Galway city centre. Toll roads are on this route, so make sure you have some spare change handy.
What’s The Price Of Fuel In Ireland?
Fuel prices are changing every hour throughout garages in Ireland. One might sell it for 1.99 a litre, but another might offer it for 2.05. It varies from garage to garage.
Pumps.ie is a brilliant tool for finding the cheapest fuel in the area you’re in. All you have to do is select the place where you’re heading and you’ll get to see the cheapest fuel prices in the area.
What You Should Know Before Hiring A Car To Travel From Dublin To Galway By Car
- It’s expensive to hire a car
- Fuel isn’t cheap
- There are plenty of places to stop and refuel
- There’s not really a scenic route from Dublin to Galway
- The roads are good and it’s more or less straight the whole way
Way 4 – Day Trip
Some people may only want to visit Galway from Dublin on a guided day trip. Tours are a common way of getting to the east of the country and seeing what it has to offer.
Where Can You Get A Tour From Dublin To Galway?
Viator and Get Your Guide offer some of the best tours from Dublin to Galway. Whether you’re into seeing the mediaeval city of Galway or interested in a visit to one of the county’s many Abbeys, there’s plenty to choose from.
What Type Of Day Trips Can You Take From Dublin To Galway?
There are all sorts of day trips you can take from Dublin to Galway. Below are some examples.
- Cliffs of Moher including the Wild Atlantic Way and Galway City
- Cliffs of Moher including Kilmacduagh Abbey and the Wild Atlantic Way
- Connemara and Galway City tour from Dublin
- Aran Islands Scenic Flight and Galway Rail Tour from Dublin
How Much Does A Day Trip From Dublin To Galway Cost?
In terms of prices for day trips from Dublin to Galway, it really depends on what type of trip you’re looking for and how long it is. A simple guided trip to Galway city is going to be a lot cheaper than you spending some time at the Cliffs of Moher and following on to the city.
What You Should Know Before Taking A Day Trip From Dublin to Galway
- When you factor in transport and convenience, it can be worth your while.
- If you’d like to do a multi-day trip, there are options.
What’s The Best Way To Get From Dublin To Galway?
Considering costs, convenience, and comfortability, we’d advise you to stick to public transportation. Taking a direct train is the best way to get from Dublin to Galway if you’re based in Dublin city centre. But if you’ve just landed at Dublin Airport, you should get the bus since there’s no point trekking into the city for the train.
Frequently Asked Questions About Travelling From Dublin To Galway
Is It Possible To Fly From Dublin To Galway?
Flights from Dublin to Galway are possible, but not worth it. You must fly to the UK in order to fly back to Shannon Airport, which is over an hour away from Galway.
Are There Any Places You Should Visit Between Dublin And Galway?
There are lots of places of interest that you should visit when you venture from Dublin to Galway. Here are our recommended stops.
- Visit the Curragh Racecourse
- Walk through the lovely little town of Mullingar
- Admire Lough Ree
- See how the popular Irish whiskey, Tullamore Dew, is made in Tullamore
Related Posts
Written By Adam
Where In Dublin is owned, controlled and run by Adam Ryan. He’s a one-man army who knows Dublin like the back of his hand and strives to help anybody planning on visiting Dublin enjoy themselves.