A private driver for the Burren and drop-off in Kinvara cost about 500 euro (~$540) for the day and was worth it (2024)
The Cliffs of Moher were underwhelming and parking cost 32 euro (~$35); pick another sight if short on time (2024)
B&Bs near Doolin cost 100 euro (~$110) low season (2023)
Park at the Cliffs of Moher lot away from the visitor centre for 5 euro (~$5); stay behind the walkway, as edges erode (2023)
Park at the Hag's Head car park for 5 euro (~$5) at the Cliffs of Moher and walk in, avoiding the visitor centre queues (2023)
Skip the pricey Cliffs of Moher main car park; narrow lanes lead to a roughly 3 euro (~$3) lot (2023)
Bus 350 to Cliffs of Moher: arrive early as buses fill, 16 euro (~$17) return from the driver (2022)
Visit the Cliffs of Moher early or late to avoid tour buses; parking was 10 dollars per adult (2022)
Prices change; check before you go.
Tips about Clare
1Only go to the Cliffs of Moher on a clear, calm day. Fog and gales hide everything8 visitors
In low cloud, swap Cliffs of Moher or Causeway for another day. · TripAdvisor, 2024
Visit Cliffs of Moher on calm dry days; stay behind walls. · Blog
8 visitors here; showing 2 of the 3 who gave detail.
2Walk to the Cliffs of Moher from Doolin or Hag's Head and skip visitor-centre parking8 visitors
Park in the family-owned lot east of the Cliffs of Moher and walk to Hag's Head for a similar view, avoiding pricey visitor-centre parking. · TripAdvisor, 2023
Skip the pricey Cliffs of Moher main car park; narrow lanes lead to a roughly 3 euro (~$3) lot. Cliff path is slippery in rain. · Fodor's, 2023
Park at the Hag's Head car park for 5 euro (~$5) at the Cliffs of Moher and walk in, avoiding the visitor centre queues. · TripAdvisor, 2023
Park at the Cliffs of Moher lot away from the visitor centre for 5 euro (~$5); stay behind the walkway, as edges erode. · TripAdvisor, 2023
8 visitors here; showing 4 of the 8 who gave detail.
3Reach the Cliffs of Moher before 10am or after 5pm, when the coaches have gone6 visitors
Visit the Cliffs of Moher or Giant's Causeway shortly before closing; tour buses have left and sunset was nearly empty in August. · Blog, 2023
Buy Cliffs of Moher tickets online the night before and arrive about 10am; 4 coaches at arrival, about 25 on leaving. · Fodor's, 2023
Take a taxi to the Cliffs of Moher first thing in the morning to see them before the coaches arrive. · Blog, 2025
Visit the Cliffs of Moher about 6-7:30pm after tour buses leave; sunny and uncrowded. · TripAdvisor, 2022
6 visitors here; showing 4 of the 6 who gave detail.
4See the Cliffs of Moher from the sea on a boat from Doolin5 visitors
Doolin boat trip shows the cliffs' scale better than the top: the visitor centre is safe with walls, and onboard commentary adds folklore. · Rick Steves forum, 2026
For non-hikers, see the Cliffs of Moher from a boat or by taxi to the crowded visitor centre; a seasonal local shuttle runs in Doolin. · Rick Steves forum
Cliffs of Moher boat trip with a stop on Inisheer, Aran Islands, works well from Galway; rent a bike there. · other, 2025
5 visitors here; showing 3 of the 5 who gave detail.
5Stay in Doolin for trad at Gus O'Connor's, McDermott's and McGann's4 visitors
Hear live music at Gus O'Connor's in Doolin, and book 'Trad on the Prom' in Galway (April to September). · Rick Steves forum, 2023
Doolin works without a car: bus from Galway, two nights, trad music in the pubs, then bus on to Ennis. · Rick Steves forum
Cassidy's in Carran had live music at lunch; McGann's and McDermott's in Doolin for dinner sessions. · TripAdvisor, 2022
Gus O'Connors in Doolin is good for music. · Fodor's
6The Cliffs of Moher are worth it, and far more striking in person than in photos2 visitors
2 visitors said this; none added more detail than the headline.
Ireland-wide tips people mentioned here (4)
1Cliffs of Moher felt overrated. Try Slieve League, Kilkee or Mizen Head instead7 visitors
Mizen Head cliffs rivalled the Cliffs of Moher, with a quiet beach on the way and good cafeteria food. · TripAdvisor, 2022
The Cliffs of Moher were underwhelming and parking cost 32 euro (~$35); pick another sight if short on time. · Blog, 2024
Slieve League in Donegal is free and higher than the Cliffs of Moher, so consider it instead. · Blog, 2025
Try Kilkee cliffs, about an hour south: equally dramatic, no crowds and no guardrails. · Fodor's, 2023
7 visitors here; showing 4 of the 6 who gave detail.
2Dress for strong wind on cliffs and coasts. Gusts at Moher and Carrick-a-Rede are fiercer than expected4 visitors
Galway to the Cliffs of Moher takes about two hours each way by day tour, and the cliffs are very windy in December. · Blog, 2022
Wind-resistant coats and secure hats suit Cliffs of Moher. · Blog
4 visitors here; showing 2 of the 3 who gave detail.
3Use car ferries to cut hours: Killimer–Tarbert, Rathmullan–Buncrana and Greencastle–Greenore3 visitors
Use the Shannon Estuary ferry to break the drive to Galway, as a local suggested. · Blog, 2025
Killimer to Tarbert ferry shortens the Clare-to-Kerry journey. · Fodor's
Killimer ferry saves about two hours around Limerick. · TripAdvisor, 2025
4Kid hits: Dublinia, the Natural History Museum, Fota Wildlife Park and Burren birds of prey2 visitors
Burren National Park suits toddlers, with a dolmen, sheepdog demonstrations, caves and a birds of prey centre. · TripAdvisor
An 11-year-old loved Dublin's Natural History Museum (Dead Zoo) and the birds of prey centre in the Burren. · other
Show 71 single-report tipsHide single-report tips
Driving (4)
Allow extra time for the winding Dingle to Doolin route. · Blog, 2019
Burren roads are one-lane both ways and Slea Head has nervy stretches; go slowly, pull over and avoid night driving. · TripAdvisor, 2023
Rent an automatic at Shannon: Sixt cars are parked right outside the terminal, no shuttle, and a lane-drift alert helps on the left side. · Fodor's, 2023
Take the L1105 Roundstone bog road back to Clifden; the cut-over bog and lakes look nothing like the Burren limestone. · Rick Steves forum
Getting around (13)
A Galway tour bus left them tied to a timetable at the Cliffs of Moher, so drive if you want flexibility. · Blog, 2024
Book day tours via GetYourGuide from Killarney (Gap of Dunloe, Dingle, Ring of Kerry) and Galway (Cliffs of Moher, Aran Islands). · TripAdvisor, 2023
Doolin hotels run a free summer shuttle to the Cliffs, Burren and Ailwee Cave; ask about free entry. · Fodor's, 2025
Flying into Dublin and out of Shannon works well; Bus Eireann Galway to Shannon is about an hour, nonstop. · Fodor's, 2018
From Doolin to Shannon, take Bus Eireann 350 to Ennis then the 51 Expressway; a Leap card covers it. · Fodor's, 2025
Hurling match day made the Ennis to Thurles train packed and noisy; book a seat or avoid match days. · TripAdvisor, 2022
Many buses leave Dublin; take one to a smaller town like Ennis and rent there instead of driving in Dublin. · Rick Steves forum
Rent the car only for Galway to Kerry and return at Shannon; Dublin and Galway are easy on foot. · Blog, 2026
Shannon flights are often delayed or cancelled, so build buffer time into onward plans. · TripAdvisor
Sit on the right of the Galway to Doolin bus for coastal views; buy bus tickets online for priority. · Fodor's, 2019
Take a direct bus from Dublin Airport to Galway, then Galway to Ennis for County Clare tours. · Rick Steves forum
Take the 6:50am bus from Dublin to the Cliffs of Moher, about three hours, then stop at the Burren on the way to Galway. · Blog, 2025
The planned Ennis to Doolin bus failed; a taxi from Ennis bus station to Doolin worked instead. · Rick Steves forum, 2024
Food & pubs (7)
Doolin: McDermott's was too crowded to wait; Riverside Bistro was a good backup, Doolin Deli disappointing. · Fodor's, 2019
Fanore's pub was closed; she ate frozen pizza from the shop. Breakfast starts 8am, so carry a snack. · TripAdvisor, 2022
Friday nights at O'Neill's, Newmarket-on-Fergus, feature a card game. · Blog, 2018
Have lunch at Monk's in Ballyvaughan while driving the Burren if timing allows. · Rick Steves forum
In Ennis eat at Brogan's on O'Connell Street (tasty, huge portions) and lunch at Sweet n Greens or Mondo. · Rick Steves forum, 2026
Lahinch's Hugo's sells out of sandwiches early, so have a backup such as Joe's. · Blog, 2026
Mr. Kebab in Ballyvaughan: curry chips eaten by the harbour. · TripAdvisor, 2022
Sightseeing (26)
At the Cliffs of Moher book the return shuttle immediately via the QR code at the entry, as it fills. · Fodor's, 2025
Belfast Titanic Museum was overpriced; Cliffs of Moher crowded with paths closed. · TripAdvisor, 2022
Book the Cliffs of Moher bus tour the day before; it left from a stop ten minutes from the hostel and included Doolin Cave. · Blog
Burren Way is mostly road walking with narrow shoulders; Doolin Cave to Doolin is busy. Carry a 3L bladder as water is scarce. · TripAdvisor, 2022
Buy Cliffs of Moher tickets online and allow time for the small exhibition inside. · Blog, 2025
Cliffs of Moher and Giant's Causeway from cruise shore excursions were mobbed; ship timing left no time for Cork or Galway. · TripAdvisor, 2022
Cliffs of Moher have stone walls and paved paths, fine for height-nervous visitors; Kilkee cliffs have no barriers, so avoid there. · Rick Steves forum, 2026
Do a falconry walk at a castle hotel such as Dromoland (8:30am start); the author's top recommendation of the trip. · Fodor's, 2023
Guided tours suit Newgrange, Giant's Causeway and Cliffs of Moher. · Blog
If weather is poor, drive Slea Head instead of Cliffs of Moher. · Blog, 2024
Leave the demanding Burren Way coastal trail in winter to experienced hikers only. · other, 2016
Pat's View offers quieter scenery than the main cliffs. · Blog, 2018
Pick Giant's Causeway over the Cliffs of Moher if you must choose one; the author preferred it. · Blog, 2025
Prebook an e-bike on Inis Mor for the hills, and return by Aran Islands Ferry, which passes the Cliffs of Moher. · TripAdvisor, 2023
Sip Bunratty banquet mead slowly because it's strong. · Blog
Skip Vandeleur Walled Gardens; not worth admission. Doolin's Fitzpatrick's no longer serves mussels. · TripAdvisor, 2023
Start the Mullaghmore trail in the Burren early; they began at 3pm and barely reached the top before dusk, and rock is slippery after rain. · Blog
Stay in Doolin or Kenmare for easy sightseeing. · Blog
Stroll Ennis's pedestrian main street and eat at Brogan's; the Ennis Friary was closed on his Rick Steves tour visit. · Rick Steves forum, 2026
Take a bus day trip from Galway to the Cliffs, Burren, and lunch in Doolin. · Blog, 2022
The Causeway felt calmer than the Cliffs of Moher she visited earlier; add the Bushmills distillery stop nearby. · Blog, 2024
Time Kilkee's Pollock Holes for low tide. · TripAdvisor, 2023
Use a guided tour for Cliffs of Moher, Burren and Doonagore Castle; DIY bus 350 can't combine them in a day. · Blog, 2026
Visit the Cliffs of Moher in the afternoon in winter for thinner crowds and a lower, softer sun. · TripAdvisor, 2019
Visit the free Museum of Irish Rural Life near Ennistymon; the 79-year-old local who runs it makes it worth over an hour. · TripAdvisor, 2023
Walk the short path from Doolin to the empty Killilagh medieval church ruins, and stop at Poulnabrone Dolmen on Burren tours. · Rick Steves forum, 2026
Where to stay (6)
Ballinalacken Castle Hotel near Doolin was their favorite. · TripAdvisor, 2026
Doolin centre was quieter than hoped; Ballinalacken Castle Hotel sits up a steep hill off the main road. · Fodor's, 2022
Doolin's Fiddle & Bow was pricey and worn; a pre-booked taxi never came. Dunraven Arms in Adare had no air conditioning. · TripAdvisor, 2022
Hostels in Doolin and Dun Chaoin suit budget travellers. · Fodor's
Stay in Portmagee for the Skellig boat and Valentia Island day; B&Bs near Doolin cost 100 euro (~$110) low season. · Blog, 2023
Stay two nights in Ennis, not one; the Old Ground Hotel was well placed. · Fodor's, 2025
Money (2)
A private driver for the Burren and drop-off in Kinvara cost about 500 euro (~$540) for the day and was worth it. · Rick Steves forum, 2024
Prebook a car-park time slot at the Cliffs of Moher to save a few euro. · TripAdvisor, 2023
Other (13)
Bring strong bug repellent for the Cliffs of Moher. · Blog
Check opening before visiting small towns; post-pandemic staffing shortages closed many businesses, notably in Lahinch. · Fodor's, 2022
Cliffs of Moher are 35-45 minutes from Shannon. · Fodor's
During a big golf tournament weekend, avoid Kilkee and drive around Limerick to reach Doolin; expect slowdowns and full B&Bs. · Rick Steves forum, 2026
Focus on Moher, Dingle and Killarney for a week. · Fodor's
Knox's Pub in Ennis for trad session; shops close early. Free trad concert at St Mary's Church Killarney. · TripAdvisor, 2022
Leave Galway by 3 PM to reach Doolin before dark. · Fodor's
Say Quay as key and Moher as mower. · TripAdvisor, 2025
Skip Bunratty and Ennis. · Fodor's
Swim at Lahinch beach only after checking the tide, which comes in fast. · Blog, 2026
Taafe's Bar in Galway had trad music; O'Connor's had none that night. · TripAdvisor, 2022
The Doolin folk festival offered little shade or seating; consider pub sessions instead. · Fodor's, 2025
Use three-night bases like Killarney and Doolin. · TripAdvisor, 2026