17 Best Day Trips From Galway City (Cost, Transport and Tips For 2024)

Galway is an amazing harbor city with lots of things to do. From medieval buildings, quaint fishing village to awesome nightlife, Galway is a good base for your Ireland adventure. However, if you find yourself running out of things to do in this city, there are several day trips from Galway that you can do.

Here are the 7 best day trips from Galway.

17 Best Day Trips From Galway City

1.The Cliffs of Moher

 

The Cliffs of Moher are sea cliffs located in County Clare, Ireland. It is one of Ireland’s most spectacular sights and one of the most visited attractions in Ireland with 1.5 million visitors annually.

Standing 702ft above the ground at their highest point and 8km long, the Cliffs boast one of the most amazing views in Ireland. In a good day, you can see the Aran Islands in Galway Bay.

Admission Fee

Adults €6

Students €4

Senior Citizens €4

Children under 16

Free Group rates available on request

How to get to Cliffs of Moher from Galway

Take a bus from Galway Bus Station on Eyre Square to Cliffs of Moher. Take the Bus Eireann #350 and it will take you directly to the gate of the visitor center. It takes 2 hours and 15 minutes for €16-19 one-way trip. Bus leaves every hour.

Or you can also take this day tour from Galway which is cheaper by a lot.

This tour to the Cliffs of Moher and the Burren region is a leisurely guided day tour from Galway that includes a 2hr stops at the Cliffs of Moher and visits to Kilfenora and the Poulnabrone Dolmen. It’s € 30 per person. To book, click here.

Recommended hours for the day trip

Allocate at least 8 hours to enjoy Cliffs of Moher.

Opening Hours

8 am to 7 pm although, during winter, the cliffs are closed by 5 pm.

Contact Information

Location: Lislorkan North, Liscannor, Co. Clare, Ireland

Phone: bookings@cliffsofmoher.ie

Email: +353 65 708 6145

Buy your ticket online here.

2.Kylemore Abbey

Kylemore Castle was built by Mitchell Henry, a wealthy doctor from England, as a gift to his wife Margaret in 1871. It was sold to the Duke and Duchess of Manchester in 1903 and was then purchased by the Irish Benedictine nuns in 1920. Kylemore Abbey, a Benedictine monastery was then founded in 1920 on the grounds of Kylemore Castle, in Connemara. Since the 1970s, the estate has been opened to the public.

Nestled at the base of Druchruach Mountain and along the shore of Lough Pollacappul in Connemara, the Abbey is one of the most iconic attractions in Galway, Ireland. It is also one of the most beautiful castles in Ireland. And no visit to Ireland is complete without spending a half day to the castle ground.

Check out this Kylemore Abbey Tour article for more information.

Admission Fee

€13 for adult, €9 for a student, €10 for senior, and €26.00 for a family of 4.

How to get to Kylemore Abbey from Galway City

Take a Bus Eireann (bus #419) from Newcastle Road-NUIG West Gate to Kylemore Post Office. This takes around 2 hours and it costs between €13-17 one way. Then walk towards the estate’s garden for less than 5 minutes.

Or you can also take this day trip from Galway.

This tour to Kylemore and Cong is a leisurely guided day tour from Galway that also includes Killary Fjord and Lough Nafooey. It’s € 30 per person. To book, click here.

Recommended hours for the day trip

Allocate at least 7 hours to enjoy Kylemore Abbey.

Opening Hours

9:30 am to 4:30 pm. Last admission is at 4 pm.

Contact Information

Location:  Kylemore Abbey, Pollacappul, Connemara, Co. Galway, Ireland

Email: bookings@kylemoreabbey.com

Phone: N/A

Buy your ticket online here.

3.Connemara National Park

The Connemara National Park is the second smallest national park in Ireland with only 30 square kilometers area size. It was established in 1990 and the area covers bogs, heaths, grasslands, and forests. It is well known for the diversity of bird life in the area.

Admission Fee

Admission is free to the national park and visitor center.

How to get to Connemara National Park from Galway

Take a Citylink bus (#923) from Newcastle Road-NUIG West Gate to Letterfrack/Veldons. This takes around 3 hours and it costs between €8-20 one way. Then walk towards the park’s visitor center for 10-15 minutes. The visitor center is about 1 km from the bus stop.

Or you can also take this day tour from Galway

This tour to Connemara and Cong is a leisurely guided day tour from Galway that also includes Killary Fjord and Lough Nafooey. It’s € 30 per person. To book, click here.

Recommended hours for the day trip

Allocate at least 10 hours to enjoy the national park.

Opening Hours

Visitor Center – Open daily, 9 am to 5.30 pm from March to November

Park Grounds – Open daily 9.00 am-5.30 pm all year round

Contact Information

Location: Letterfrack, Connemara, Galway

Email: cnp@chg.gov.ie

Phone: +353 76 100 2528 

4. The Aran Islands

Aran Islands are a group of rocky islands located in Galway Bay. The islands include Inishmore (Inis Mór – the largest island), Inishmaan (Inis Meáin – the second largest), and Inisheer (Inis Oírr – the smallest). On the islands, you can explore ancient stone forts and churches, awesome cliffs, and flora and fauna. The islands are considered the soul of Gaelic culture and it’s considered one of the top island destinations by National Geographic.

How to get to Aran Islands from Galway

Take a bus (#524) from Galway Bus Station in Eyre Square to Rossaveal Port. The journey is about an hour and it costs between €8-11 one way or €16-22 for a round-trip fare. Then take a ferry from the port to Inis Mór. The ferry journey is about half an hour but make sure to check in half an hour before sailing time. Return ferry fare is €25. For sailing schedule, click here.

Or you can also take a bus to Doolin and take a ferry from there. Although the ferry in Doolin is just season compare to Rossaveal where they have ferries all throughout the year. To get to Doolin, take a bus (#350) from Galway Bus Station to Doolin. The bus ride takes about 2 hours and it costs €15-18 one way or €30-36 for a round-trip fare. From Doolin port, take a ferry to any of the islands. Return ferry fare is €30-40. For sailing schedule, click here.

Or you can also take this day tour from Galway which is cheaper by a lot.

This tour to the Aran Islands is a leisurely guided day tour from Galway that includes Inis Oirr and Cliffs of Moher. It’s € 50 per person. To book, click here.

Recommended hours for the day trip

Allocate at least 10 hours to enjoy one of the islands.

5. The Burren day trip from Galway

The Burren National Park is the smallest among the national parks in Ireland. Established in 1991, it only covers an area of 5.8 square miles near Doolin in County Clare.

The name Burren came from the word “Boireann” which means “great rock”. It is because the entire park is dominated by a glaciated karst landscape. Despite the soil being covered by rocks, the park has diverse and rich floras. During summer, these floras bloom in a way that will leave the visitors in awe because of the park’s natural beauty.

Admission Fee

Free

How to get to Burren from Galway

Take a bus (#51) from Galway Bus Station in Eyre Square to Crusheen. The journey is about an hour and it costs between €10-13 one way or €20-26 for a round-trip fare. Then take a taxi from the station to Burren National Park. The taxi journey is about half an hour and it costs between €25-30 for a one-way ride.

Or you can also take this day tour from Galway which is cheaper by a lot.

This tour to the Burren region and Cliffs of Moher is a leisurely guided day tour from Galway. It’s € 30 per person. To book, click here.

Recommended hours for the day trip

Allocate at least 8 hours to enjoy the national park.

Opening Times

April to September only. Daily between 9:30 am to 5 pm. To verify the schedule, click here.

Contact Information

Email: burrennationalpark@chg.gov.ie

Phone: +353-65-6827693 

6. Killary Fjord

Killary Fjord is the only fjord in Ireland. It extends up to 16 km and it’s around 45 meters deep. The fjord is also famous for shellfish farming, bird watching, and there are several protected animals in the area such as otters. There are available boat tours/ cruises for a fee in the area.

Admission Fee

Cruise Rates

Adult €21.00

Child 0 – 10 free

Youth 11 – 17 €11.00

Senior/Student €17.50

Family tickets from only €42 when booked online (up to 6 children)

How to get to Killary Fjord from Galway

Take a bus (#51) from Newcastle Road-NUIG West Gate to Leeann, Leeann. The journey is about an hour and 15 minutes and it costs between €19-24 one way or €38-48 for a round-trip fare. Then take a taxi from the station to Nancy’s Point. The taxi journey is about 5 minutes for 3 km and it costs between €7-10 for a one-way ride.

Or you can also take this day trip from Galway which is cheaper.

This tour to Killary Fjord is a leisurely guided day tour from Galway that also includes Kylemore, Cong,  and Lough Nafooey. It’s € 30 per person. To book, click here.

Recommended hours for the day trip

Allocate at least 6 hours to enjoy the fjord.

Opening Hours

For the updated list of opening hours, click here.

Contact Information

Location: Nancy’s Point, Leenane, Co Galway, Ireland

Email: info@killaryfjord.com

Phone:+353 (091)566736

7. Lahinch

Lahinch is a small town in the County of Clare, a popular surfing spot for locals. Aside from surfing, there are many other interesting activities in Lahinch that visitors can enjoy. Beaches, galleries, and quaint villages are just among the things to see in Lahinch.

8. Dunguaire Castle

A journey to one of Ireland’s numerous medieval castles is not complete without a stop. Dunguaire Castle is situated on the coast of Galway Bay close to Kinvara in County Galway.

The castle has a 75-foot structure and protective wall amid a magnificent background, making it the most captured castle in Ireland.

Shannon Development presently owns the castle, which is one of Galway’s most popular tourist attractions.

Every year from April to October, the castle holds medieval banquets where visitors may enjoy a delectable four-course dinner and great wines while being entertained.

How to get to Dunguaire Castle from Galway

You may go from Galway to Dunguaire Castle via bus, taxi, or car. Driving from Galway to Dunguaire Castle is the cheapest option, costing between $3.79 and $8.31 and taking 25 minutes.

If you don’t have a car and want to arrive early, the quickest method from Galway to Dunguaire Castle is via cab, which costs between 46.98 USD and 57.82 USD and takes 25 minutes.

You may also take This Tour at a lower price of 50.47 USD. This tour will make a stop at Dunguaire Castle, which is located on the outskirts of Kinvara. Learn why the medieval tower house castle has become one of the most photographed castles in Ireland by viewing it.

9. Clifden

Clifden is Connemara’s capital, located between the Twelve Bens and the Atlantic Ocean. The greatest view of town may be had from the hill where the John D’Arcy monument, an homage to the town’s founder, stands.

With a good range of outstanding restaurants and vibrant bars and being surrounded by some of Connemara’s key attractions, it’s the ideal location for seeing this lovely part of Galway.

Clifden is an excellent base for visiting the Connemara region since it has a wide range of accommodation options, including Clifden vacation homes and Clifden hotels.

How to get to Clifden from Galway

You may get from Galway to Clifden via bus, taxi, or vehicle. Clifden is readily accessible from Galway City by following the N59 to Oughterard, continuing onto Maam Cross, Recess, and at last Clifden.

The cheapest way to commute from Galway to Clifden is by bus, which costs between 10.84 and 18.07 USD and takes 1 hour and 20 minutes.

The quickest method to go from Galway to Clifden is to take a cab, which costs between 135.51 and 171.64 USD and takes 1 hour and 5 minutes. 

10. Doolin Village

Doolin in County Clare is ideal for a midweek or weekend getaway in the west. This charming town on Ireland’s western shore, along the famed Wild Atlantic Way, is a unique tourist destination. With so much to see and do in Doolin and its surroundings, there is something for everyone.

Doolin is an excellent starting point for new land and sea excursions. Local restaurants and food manufacturers stock all of the greatest local vegetables, artisan beers, wine, and Irish favorites.

How to get to Doolin Village from Galway

Route 350 from Galway to Doolin leaves at 8:00 a.m. each day and reaches Doolin well before 10:00 a.m. Each travel takes around 1 hour and 50 minutes and is priced at $10.78.

You may save a lot of energy on your journey if you have a car. The trip from Galway City to Doolin takes around 1 hour and 15 minutes. The path itself is incredibly attractive, passing via Kinvara hamlet.

Alternatively, you may take this Doolin village Day Trip and have lunch in the charming fishing hamlet of Doolin.

11. Cong

Cong Ireland is located in County Mayo, roughly sixty minutes from Westport in Ireland’s southwest area. Cong is situated on the boundary of Galway and Connemara, near the town of Moytura, which happens to be home to several of Ireland’s oldest stone monuments including circles.

Even if you’ve never heard of the film The Quiet Man, Cong in Mayo is worth a visit since it’s a charming place to explore on foot and has many excellent walking routes.

How to get to Cong from Galway

There are four methods to go from Galway to Cong: bus, taxi, and vehicle. The Line 422 Bus will take around 2 hours and 30 minutes to go to Cong via Galway Cathedral.

The quickest method to go from Galway to Cong is via cab, which costs between 66.85 and 79.50 USD and takes 40 minutes.

There is no direct transport from Galway station to Cong. Nonetheless, operations are leaving from Galway Bus Station and reaching Cong via Headford. The travel, including transfers, takes around 2 hours. You may save the hassle by taking this Cong Full-Day Tour for 39.25 USD.

12. Croagh Patrick

Croagh Patrick, which spans Clew Bay is regarded as Ireland’s holiest peak. Its religious importance extends back to the period of the pagans when humans congregated here to commemorate the start of the harvest season.

The mountain is currently named after Ireland’s patron saint, who, based on Christian legend, fasted at the mountain’s top for 40 days. Croagh Patrick is a high peak with a tough climb, therefore anyone who attempts it should be well-equipped.

I advised that you wear solid footwear and bring proper clothing, in addition to a mobile phone. The peak of the mountain may get rather frigid, and the weather could shift during the trip.

How to get to Croagh Patrick from Galway

There are three options for getting from Galway to Croagh Patrick: bus, taxi, or vehicle. The quickest method from Galway to Croagh Patrick is via cab, which costs between 135.51 USD and 171.64 USD and takes 1 hour and 40 minutes.

Without a car, the easiest way to go from Galway to Croagh Patrick is by bus, which takes 2 hours and 5 minutes and costs 36.14 USD to 46.98 USD.

13. Leenane

Leenane Village is a charming tiny village in Connemara. While it is popular during the summer, it is rather peaceful throughout the off-season. It is located in a lovely natural setting, bordered by mountains and on the brink of the magnificent Killary Fjord.

Leenane is where to go if you want to get a true rural experience. Apart from the summer months, it is a very peaceful village for most of the year and is rarely visited by visitors.

Locals also like going for a stroll in the adjacent hills and mountain paths to appreciate the wonderful natural surroundings. The town certainly provides a pleasant experience away from the hustle and bustle of the metropolis.

How to get to Leenane from Galway

You may get from Galway to Leenane via bus, taxi, or vehicle. The cheapest way to travel from Galway to Leenane is to take the bus, which costs between $9.94 and $14.45 and takes 1 hour and 30 minutes.

Alternatively, for 56.06 USD, you may explore the picturesque mountain hamlet of Leenane and take in the vistas of Ireland’s unique fjord at Killary by booking this Tour.

14. Aughnanure Castle

Aughnanure Castle in Galway is recognized as one of the finest and most distinctive castles in Ireland. It is one of approximately 200 fortified tower houses erected by Ireland’s most prominent family centuries ago.

This castle, which is home to the O’Flaherty clan, is located approximately 1.9 miles away from Oughterard at the entry point of Connemara.

The famed trap door in the dining hall is one of the castle’s most well-known attractions. While there may have been a large forest of trees in the past, just two examples survive within the townland.

A trip to Aughnanure Castle, an astonishing architecture with centuries of historical events, should be on everyone’s to-do list.

How to get to Aughnanure Castle from Galway

You may go from Galway to Aughnanure Castle via bus, taxi, or vehicle. The Line 923 bus from Galway takes around 2 hours and 10 minutes to Oughterard and then a 30-minute walk to Aughnanure Castle.

Driving from Galway to Aughnanure Castle is the most affordable option, costing between 4.70 USD and 7.05 USD and about 25 minutes. You may also use this Tour to visit Aughnanure Castle, an exceptionally well-preserved model of an Irish tower house.

15. Bunratty Castle

The present castle is the 4th to be erected on the site of a Viking trade camp in the 10th century, and it was controlled by the most prominent family in the region of Munster.

The Studdert family were the last to live here, leaving behind the hefty stone fireplaces, vaulted vaults, and great hall for the more contemporary amenities of Bunratty House. Bunratty Castle represents one of the most fully built and entire castles on the island of Ireland nowadays.

Bunratty was all about magnificence, with breathtaking surroundings, gardens, and a herd of over 3,000 deer. It still sits on approximately 25 acres of beautiful farmland in County Clare, which is currently the location of the Bunratty Folk Park.

How to get to Bunratty Castle and Folk Park from Galway

You may go from Galway to Bunratty Castle via bus, rail, taxi, or vehicle. There is a direct bus that departs from Galway Bus Station and arrives at Bunratty. Services run every hour and every day. The travel lasts around 2 hours and 10 minutes.

The cheapest mode of transportation from Galway to Bunratty Castle is by rail, which costs between 13.55 and 19.87 USD and takes 2 hours and 20 minutes.

For 52.89 USD, you may take This Tour  and see Bunratty Castle, as well as a sightseeing tour of the Cliffs of Moher and a stop in the fishing hamlet of Kinvara.

16. Wild Atlantic Way

From beginning to end, the Wild Atlantic Way path reveals the grandeur of nature, the force of the ocean and its stamp on Ireland’s west coast, and the gorgeous countryside in all its complexity.

Enchanting settlements are tucked along the shore as well, and old monuments dot the scenery with their origins long lost in the mists of time. The Wild Atlantic Way runs across all eight counties along Ireland’s west coast. Cork, Kerry, Clare, Galway, Mayo, Sligo, Leitrim, and Donegal are among them.

How to get to Wild Atlantic Way from Galway

The bus ride from Lios Ealtan to Spiddal takes around 25 minutes and is followed by a 5-minute walk to the Wild Atlantic Way Midpoint. The quickest method from Galway to The Wild Atlantic method Midpoint is via taxi, which costs between $30.71 and $37.94 and takes 23 minutes.

Alternatively, for 56.06 USD, you may take this trip and travel along the picturesque Wild Atlantic Way. This tour also includes visits to Dunguaire Castle and Aillwee Cave’s icy waterfalls.

17. The Céide Fields

The remarkable Neolithic site of Céide Fields, located atop the beautiful coastal cliffs of County Mayo, features the world’s most extensive Stone Age field layout. The location is one of the world’s most historically significant.

The Céide Fields now provides a cutting-edge tourist experience. The center’s upgraded experience includes an updated interpretation that describes the archaeological tale of the site and how it was found.

A new cutting-edge audio-visual exhibition enables visitors to the site to find out more about the region’s rich past and to discover north Mayo and its surroundings.

How to get to Céide Fields from Galway

There are two options for getting from Galway to Céide Fields: bus or vehicle. There is no direct bus service between Galway and Céide Fields.

Services, on the other hand, leave from Galway Forster Court and arrive at Behy through Dunnes Stores. The total travel time, including transfers, is around 4 hours and 15 minutes.

Driving from Galway to Céide Fields is the most affordable choice, costing between $27.10 and $41.56, and taking 2 hours and 5 minutes.

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