Book Bus Eireann Dublin to Galway online early at about 15 euro (~$16); the train costs roughly double and cheap seats sell out (2025)
Dublin city-centre hostel dorms hit about 100 euro (~$110) in summer versus about 40 in Galway or Kerry, so book far ahead (2025)
A private driver for the Burren and drop-off in Kinvara cost about 500 euro (~$540) for the day and was worth it (2024)
Confirm self-catering laundry facilities with the owner; a Clifden rental charged 10 euro (~$11) per load and had no washing machine (2023)
Dublin to Galway or Belfast by train or bus costs about 20 euro (~$22), so no car is needed between cities (2023)
Aran Sweater Market: spend over 75 euro (~$81) on one receipt for VAT refund at the airport (2022)
Pony trap there costs 10 euro (~$11) cash (2022)
Prices change; check before you go.
Tips about Galway
1For Galway trad, try Taaffes (5:30pm), Tig Cóilí and the Crane Bar. Arrive 30 minutes early7 visitors
Hear trad sessions at Taaffes and Tig Coili in Galway around 5:30pm and 9:30pm; Dublin's O'Donoghue's starts around 8:30pm. · Fodor's, 2018
Arrive about 30 minutes early at Taafe's (trad 5:30 and 9:30) and earlier still at Tig Choili (6 and 9pm). · Rick Steves forum, 2026
Taaffes holds an early 5:30pm session in Galway; Tig Coili and Monroe's also have sessions. · Fodor's, 2025
Arrive 30 minutes early at The Crane Bar in Galway for trad-session seats. · Rick Steves forum, 2025
7 visitors here; showing 4 of the 7 who gave detail.
2Base in Galway without a car and day-trip to Connemara, Aran and the Cliffs5 visitors
A direct Dublin to Galway bus takes about 2.5 hours, giving a base for Connemara, Aran and the Cliffs. · Blog, 2022
Take a bus day trip from Galway to the Cliffs, Burren, and lunch in Doolin. · Blog, 2022
5 visitors here; showing the 2 who gave detail.
3Book Irish Rail and intercity coaches online ahead for cheaper fares and a guaranteed seat5 visitors
Book Irish Rail tickets online for a guaranteed seat; your name shows above it. Dublin to Belfast from Galway needs a station change. · TripAdvisor, 2023
Book Dublin to Galway buses online for a few euro less; popular routes fill and Limerick connections can mean hours waiting. · Blog, 2026
Book Bus Eireann Dublin to Galway online early at about 15 euro (~$16); the train costs roughly double and cheap seats sell out. · Blog, 2025
Prebook Galway bus tickets; walk-up buyers were turned away while prebooked tickets were honoured on the next bus. · TripAdvisor, 2022
5 visitors here; showing 4 of the 5 who gave detail.
4Leave spare days around the Aran Islands. Rough seas cancel ferries, so take the bigger Rossaveal boat3 visitors
Go to Inis Mor from Rossaveal; the bigger ferry handles rough seas better. · Fodor's, 2017
Rough seas cancel Aran Islands boats, so keep two days in Galway. · Rick Steves forum
Stay overnight on Aran to choose the best weather day. · TripAdvisor, 2026
5Buy an Aran sweater and crafts from makers like Avoca or Louis Mulcahy. Many wished they'd bought more2 visitors
Buy souvenirs from Avoca, Louis Mulcahy ceramics or Aran Crafts knits rather than generic shops. · Blog, 2025
2 visitors here; showing the 1 who gave detail.
Ireland-wide tips people mentioned here (6)
1Get fish and chips at a proper chipper: Leo Burdock's or Beshoff's in Dublin, McDonagh's in Galway10 visitors
At McDonagh's on Quay Street, order at the counter, then hunt for a table; the queue moves reasonably fast and portions are large. · TripAdvisor, 2026
Get fish and chips at McDonough's, a Galway institution, or Brasserie on the Corner; also try a spice bag from Xian Street Food. · Rick Steves forum, 2026
Eat in at McDonagh's shared picnic tables or take away; fish and chips are the pick and mushy peas are recommended. · TripAdvisor
Order first then find seating at McDonagh's; lines move fast and chips were fine though the cod was merely average. · TripAdvisor, 2026
10 visitors here; showing 4 of the 10 who gave detail.
2Allow three hours at Dublin Airport going home. US preclearance is slow, but you skip customs on landing6 visitors
For a 1:15pm flight home, leave the Dublin hotel around 9am; US Preclearance at Dublin Airport adds time. · Blog, 2022
Fly home from Dublin or Shannon, which have US Customs preclearance, so you skip customs on arrival. · other, 2024
US preclearance at Dublin T2 took about 90 minutes including a 30-minute wait; arrive very early. · TripAdvisor, 2022
6 visitors here; showing 3 of the 5 who gave detail.
3No car? Base in Dublin, Galway or Killarney and use day tours for the big sights6 visitors
Book day tours via GetYourGuide from Killarney (Gap of Dunloe, Dingle, Ring of Kerry) and Galway (Cliffs of Moher, Aran Islands). · TripAdvisor, 2023
Book a full-day guided tour for Connemara, Kylemore Abbey and Killary Harbour, since public transport barely serves them. · Blog, 2025
Base in Dublin, Killarney and Galway and use day trips; Belfast works as a day trip by train. · Fodor's, 2017
Use Lally Tours or Galway Tours from Galway, and base in cities with day trips. · Fodor's, 2017
6 visitors here; showing 4 of the 5 who gave detail.
4Book dinner ahead in Galway, Dingle, Westport and Kilkenny, as busy places turn walk-ins away5 visitors
Eat early at Cava Bodega in Galway (about 5pm) before it fills; the Pie Maker's beef and stout pie was also recommended. · Fodor's, 2018
Reserve restaurants even for lunch in Galway; Ard Bia near the Spanish Arch is a top brunch spot. · Rick Steves forum, 2026
Book Galway dinners every night; Kirwan's Lane turned away walk-ins at opening. · Fodor's, 2025
5 visitors here; showing the 3 who gave detail.
5Use trains between cities; Dublin to Galway, Cork, Killarney and Belfast are easy5 visitors
Dublin to Galway or Belfast by train or bus costs about 20 euro (~$22), so no car is needed between cities. · Blog, 2023
Train beat bus for Galway to Dublin. Dunne's was the favourite supermarket. · TripAdvisor, 2022
Dublin-Galway train takes about three hours. · Fodor's
5 visitors here; showing the 3 who gave detail.
6Drive Connemara's Sky Road and Roundstone bog road, and base in Clifden or Westport2 visitors
Take the L1105 Roundstone bog road back to Clifden; the cut-over bog and lakes look nothing like the Burren limestone. · Rick Steves forum
Spend several hours in Cong, hike Diamond Hill in Connemara National Park, and drive Sky Road west of Clifden. · Rick Steves forum
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Driving (4)
Book an automatic well ahead; Galway had none available so they got a manual. · Blog, 2024
Double-check directions in Connemara; signposts cluster confusingly. · Blog
Drive slowly around Kylemore and Connemara; free-roaming sheep wander onto the road. · Rick Steves forum, 2026
Galway city is hard to drive; park and walk. Buy the Heritage Card if visiting several OPW sites. · TripAdvisor, 2023
Getting around (27)
A Galway tour bus left them tied to a timetable at the Cliffs of Moher, so drive if you want flexibility. · Blog, 2024
Buses reached Clifden, Donegal and Lisdoonvarna cheaply; download timetables and watch for special fares. · Blog, 2022
Check the evening Cleggan to Clifden bus in advance; it ran about an hour late and detoured via Letterfrack. · TripAdvisor, 2026
Citylink buses did Belfast-Dublin-Galway; hostels stored bags, and an Uber to Dublin Airport was cheaper than the bus. · Blog, 2018
Do not rely on a taxi from Clifden to Cleggan pier for the Inishbofin ferry; hotel-listed numbers went unanswered, so drive and park. · TripAdvisor, 2026
Doolin works without a car: bus from Galway, two nights, trad music in the pubs, then bus on to Ennis. · Rick Steves forum
Expect patchy coverage in Connemara, west Kerry and Donegal. · Blog
Flying into Dublin and out of Shannon works well; Bus Eireann Galway to Shannon is about an hour, nonstop. · Fodor's, 2018
Galway bus station was under construction and messy, so allow extra time for connections. · Rick Steves forum, 2025
Galway to Killarney is about four hours by bus with a Limerick change and no direct train; Killarney to Dublin train is 3.5 hours. · Blog, 2026
Get seasickness tablets for the roughly 45-minute rough ferry to Inishmore. · Rick Steves forum, 2023
On Inishmore rent e-bikes and catch the last ferry. · TripAdvisor
Overnight bike rentals on Inishmore may exclude e-bikes. · TripAdvisor, 2025
Pick the car up in Galway on day four and drop it at Dublin Airport; it cost little more than a same-city return. · Blog, 2022
Rent a car for only part of the trip: she picked up in Galway and dropped in Cork, then took the bus to Dublin. · Blog, 2024
Rent the car only for Galway to Kerry and return at Shannon; Dublin and Galway are easy on foot. · Blog, 2026
Shannon ferry saves about an hour between Killarney and Galway. · TripAdvisor, 2026
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 bus 350 from Kinvara to Galway, and finish with a night in Malahide before the airport. · Rick Steves forum, 2024
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
Take the airport bus to Galway and onward to Clifden. · Blog
Take the tram to Heuston for the Galway train; Galway station is an easy walk to the centre. · Rick Steves forum, 2026
The Shannon ferry saved over an hour between Kerry and Galway. · TripAdvisor
Trains Dublin to Belfast, Dublin to Galway and Cork to Dublin worked well; connections elsewhere meant backtracking and sparse services. · Rick Steves forum, 2024
Use the Shannon Estuary ferry to break the drive to Galway, as a local suggested. · Blog, 2025
Without a car, Southeast, Connemara and Sligo are hard to reach; allow more time or add a tour. · TripAdvisor, 2023
Food & pubs (19)
13th on the Green is easier to find a seat than the main music pubs and has good fish chowder. · Rick Steves forum, 2026
At The King's Head sit upstairs at the rail to look down on the musicians; it is crowded at night. · Rick Steves forum, 2026
Book Kicky's in Dublin ahead; order the mussels as a starter portion in Barna since mains are huge. · Blog, 2026
Book Mitchell's in Clifden for dinner; for Killybegs, Anderson's Boathouse is the sit-down option. · Rick Steves forum, 2026
Eat at Library Street near Grafton Street, Dublin, and Kashmir Indian in Galway on hotel-staff recommendation. · TripAdvisor, 2023
Eat at Mitchell's in Clifden; seafood chowder is large and filling at lunch in pubs. · Rick Steves forum, 2026
Eat at Teach Nan Phaidi at the foot of Dun Aonghasa on Inis Mor; beef stew with mash and Guinness chocolate cake. · Blog, 2024
Eat lunch at Kylemore Abbey's cafeteria (fresh local food, no ticket or parking fee needed) and visit the free monastery area before the ticketed grounds. · Rick Steves forum, 2026
Galway streets get crowded by 8pm; she liked Elephant and Castle for dinner and Mary Mullen's for a pub. · Blog, 2025
Guy's Bar in Clifden takes no bookings and was closed the evening they planned to eat; have a backup. · TripAdvisor, 2023
Order Murphy's chocolate whiskey ice cream in Galway; the author regretted not choosing it and sea salt was also good. · Blog, 2024
Hooked and Woozza's pizza in Galway were good; free street parking after 6:30pm. · TripAdvisor, 2022
Non-guests can't enter Ashford Castle's lobby, staff enforce it, and its cafe sandwich was poor; eat in Cong or Clifden instead. · Rick Steves forum, 2026
O'Dowd's in Roundstone serves chowder worth a stop, and Dog's Bay beach nearby suits a long rest. · TripAdvisor, 2026
Order seafood takeaway at Fishbox in Dingle; the sun-dried tomato arancini was a highlight. · Blog, 2025
Queue early for trad sessions at The Cobblestone in Dublin and Tig Coili in Galway; both fill up well before the music starts. · Rick Steves forum, 2026
Supermac's is Ireland's own burger chain; a quick, cheap burger and fries stop in Galway or Dublin works. · Blog, 2025
Try Rubin in Galway for fish chowder and cauliflower halloumi pie; it came recommended on Reddit and by locals. · Blog, 2024
Vegetarians: Xian Street Food (veggie spice bag) in Galway, Cornucopia in Dublin; Lidl and Aldi stock vegan sausage rolls. · TripAdvisor, 2022
Sightseeing (38)
Book Kylemore Abbey online the evening before and keep raincoats on you, not in the car. · Fodor's, 2023
Break up the Dublin to Galway drive at Sean's Bar in Athlone, which claims to be the oldest bar in the world. · Blog, 2023
Catch the early ferry to Inis Mor and rent bikes; she covered about 10 miles and called it the trip's best part. · 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 boat trip with a stop on Inisheer, Aran Islands, works well from Galway; rent a bike there. · other, 2025
Cliffs of Moher felt overrated; try Burren or Connemara · Reddit
Corrib Princess river cruise from Galway is worth it; sit on top deck, windy. · TripAdvisor, 2023
Cycle Inishmore · Reddit
Day-trip by ferry to an Aran Island and use horse carts or minibuses to get around. · Rick Steves forum
Day-trip to an island like Inisheer or Skellig Michael. · Blog
Diamond Hill is steeper than the park website says. Hore Abbey is more peaceful than Cashel. · TripAdvisor, 2022
Ferries to Inishmore leave from Rossaveel; pick Inishmore over Inisheer. In Killarney, a bike loop through the park took about six hours. · Blog, 2026
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
Give Galway a couple of nights and add Cong and Kylemore Abbey in Connemara. · Blog, 2023
Go beyond Galway to Westport and the north-west coast; the authors rated it their favourite part and fewer visitors go. · Blog, 2023
Kilkenny Castle has a playground in the grounds, handy for kids; Aran Bakery and Black Abbey are also in town. · TripAdvisor, 2026
Kylemore Abbey's grounds were nicer than the castle interior; Connemara day tours let you choose between Kylemore and the national park. · Rick Steves forum, 2026
Minibus arrivals mean long waits at Inishmore cafes. · TripAdvisor, 2025
On Inis Mor take the trap and pony tour with Thomas Fahey; stay overnight to see more. · Rick Steves forum, 2025
On Inishmore, rented bikes crossed the island in about an hour; best day of the trip. · Blog, 2018
Pony trap on Inis Mor suits covering the island. · Blog, 2019
Prebook an e-bike on Inis Mor for the hills, and return by Aran Islands Ferry, which passes the Cliffs of Moher. · TripAdvisor, 2023
Reach Inishmore via bus to Rossaveel and ferry; bikes are provided, but the hills are steeper than expected. · Blog, 2025
Reach Kylemore Abbey first thing in the morning in winter; the family had the grounds almost to themselves. · TripAdvisor, 2019
Rent bikes on arrival in the Aran Islands and ride to the abandoned castle; they called it a highlight. · Blog, 2024
Ross Errilly Friary near Headford was the favourite; a neighbouring farmer shared local history. · TripAdvisor, 2022
Skip Pine Island in Connemara; it did not live up to the hype. · TripAdvisor, 2023
Stop at Athlone Castle and Salthill pubs · Reddit, 2025
Take a Dingle sea safari or Aran Islands ferry. · Blog, 2019
Take the 10:30 Rossaveel ferry to Inis Meain and stay at An Dún B&B; check walking routes first as paths do not loop. · TripAdvisor, 2023
Take the Cleggan ferry to Inishbofin on a good-weather day; staying one extra night in Clifden made it easier. · Rick Steves forum
The Connemara Diamond Loop (about 6 miles) has a windy, tricky summit; Clifden is a good lunch stop afterwards. · Fodor's, 2023
Visit Galway midweek for fewer crowds and weekday music. · Blog, 2024
Visit Leenane at Killary Harbour, 11 miles from Kylemore: take a harbour cruise and eat at Purple Door Cafe or The Field. · Rick Steves forum
Visit the Saturday market at Eyre Square in Galway and walk the Latin Quarter for buskers. · Blog, 2025
Walk Inishbofin's Westquarter Loop in the intended direction; the longer, steeper start builds to better scenery, yet many people start it backwards. · TripAdvisor, 2026
Westport made a nicer base than Clifden. · TripAdvisor, 2025
Wild Atlantic Day Tours Connemara uses a 32-seat bus; Sky Road was the highlight, Kylemore interior underwhelming. · TripAdvisor, 2022
Where to stay (10)
Ask your Galway hostel to hold bags before check-in, then explore hands-free; a nearby supermarket lets you self-cater dinner. · Blog
Base in Galway city rather than traffic-heavy Dublin for the west. · Rick Steves forum, 2023
Check event calendars; Galway Races raised prices. · Blog
Check holiday-rental cleanliness; a West End Galway unit had grime and combo washer-dryer that harms clothes. · Fodor's, 2025
Confirm self-catering laundry facilities with the owner; a Clifden rental charged 10 euro (~$11) per load and had no washing machine. · TripAdvisor, 2023
Dublin city-centre hostel dorms hit about 100 euro (~$110) in summer versus about 40 in Galway or Kerry, so book far ahead. · Blog, 2025
Hostel dorms in Galway sleep six, workable but not luxurious; return bus to Dublin takes about 3.5 hours. · Blog, 2025
Stay at French Villehouse B&B in Galway. · Rick Steves forum, 2026
The Hardiman in Galway had uncomfortable beds and no parking; paid parking is three blocks away, so get the voucher. · other, 2024
Warn Airbnb hosts about late check-in; a late dinner in Galway meant arriving in Donegal around 1:30am. · Blog, 2017
Money (1)
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
Other (15)
A tied Galway championship final was replayed weeks later, so watch for replays when planning to see a final. · Rick Steves forum, 2023
Avoid Clifden during the Connemara Pony Show; one light took about 20 minutes and parking was impossible. · Fodor's, 2023
Bring rain boots; Clifden Castle's path floods and turns muddy, but the ruins and D'Arcy's standing stones are worth the squelch. · TripAdvisor, 2026
Check weather before Sliabh Liag; mist covered the cliffs. Poll na bPeist on Inis Mor is dangerous to climb down to. · Blog, 2024
Choose fewer bases and stay two nights each; many Clare and Connemara places close Mondays and Tuesdays. · TripAdvisor, 2022
Choose two bases, Dublin and Galway or Dublin and Killarney, to cut transfers; Killarney to Galway means backtracking via Dublin. · Rick Steves forum
Early March overlaps US spring break, so flights, bus tours and Aran hikes were packed with students; avoid break weeks for quiet. · Blog, 2023
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
Leave Galway by 3 PM to reach Doolin before dark. · Fodor's
Many Galway shops close Sundays. · Fodor's
Omey Island walk takes about two hours at low tide; hail can soak you, so bring waterproofs. · TripAdvisor, 2023
Pack a waterproof bag or cover luggage; a suitcase soaked through in Galway rain. · Fodor's, 2019
Skip Dingle and the Ring of Kerry on a Clare-Galway trip to avoid crowds and leave room for detours. · Rick Steves forum
Spend St Patrick's Day in Galway, then return the car in Dublin where the city is walkable and has transit. · TripAdvisor
Wear proper hiking shoes on guided Aran Islands walks; the terrain is rough and uneven, and fashion footwear made it miserable. · Blog, 2023