Getting to Galway

From the Airport ✈️

Ireland West Airport in Charlestown, Co. Mayo is approximately 1 hour drive from Galway City. Ireland West Airport Knock serves a broad mix of year‑round UK destinations, popular leisure spots across Spain and Italy, seasonal charters (like Groningen), and pilgrimage/tour operator flights

From Knock Airport take the N17 south past Knock Town, Claremorris and Tuam to Galway City. Ireland West Airport has daily services to most major UK cities, along with chartered flights to holiday destinations in mainland Europe. Bus Éireann Expressway operate daily scheduled bus services between Knock Airport and Galway City.

Shannon International Airport in Co. Clare is also about 1 hour drive from Galway City.

Driving from the airport, take the N18 north from Shannon to Galway City through Ennis, Gort, Kilcolgan and Oranmore. Shannon Airport offers a wide range of direct flights from Dublin, the UK, continental Europe and North America. Bus Éireann Expressway operate daily scheduled bus services between Knock Airport and Galway City.

Dublin Airport: If you are coming from Dublin Airport take the Galway exit (M6) off the M50 southbound from the airport. The drive from Dublin to Galway on the M6 motorway is 140 miles and will take approximately 2.5 hours. There are regular bus services to and from Galway and Dublin Airport which are operated by Irish Citylink.

By Car 🚗

Car hire companies operate from Eyre Square in Galway City and at all main airports. It is important to remember that driving in Ireland is on the left hand side of the road.

From Dublin take the M6 motorway west to Galway which will take approximately 2.5 hours.

From Cork take the N20 north and follow the signposts to Galway. This route will take you through Cork, Blarney, Mallow, Buttevant, Charleville, Limerick. Take the N18 north at Limerick which will take you into Co. Galway and then onto Galway City.

By Rail

Galway Train Station, officially called Ceannt Station in Galway City is just off Eyre Square in the centre of Galway city.

Irish Rail run regular daily train services to Dublin with some services stopping off at major towns such as Ballinasloe, Athlone, Tullamore, Kildare and Heuston Station in Dublin.

There are on average 9 trains per day from Dublin Heuston to Galway on Monday – Thursday, with 8 returning in the opposite direction. Services typically run every 2 to 3 hours, with more frequent departures in the afternoon. The earliest weekday trains depart around 07:30–08:00, with the latest leaving around 19:30 and arriving in Galway near 22:30 –23:00.

On Sundays, with fewer services, the gaps between trains are longer—expect intervals of around 3–4 hours. Advance booking is recommend as services can be busy.

By Coach 🚍

There are a number of good value bus services to/from Dublin, and other major towns. Dublin City and Airport is served by Citylink.

Shannon Airport is served by Bus Éireann Expressway who offer regular, express coach services between Galway and and many other towns. Citylink also provide express services to Limerick, Cork, Clifden and Letterfrack in Connemara.

Lift Sharing 👍

GetThere.ie is a useful travel planner for reaching Galway, combining Car/Lift Sharing, Irish Rail, Bus Éireann, and over 50 regional coach operators in one search. The standout feature is its lift-sharing option, helping travellers find shared car journeys. Users can either “Add Lift Sharing Offer” (if you’re driving) or “Request a Lift” (if you need one). With up-to-date timetables, it offers convenient, eco-friendly, and flexible travel planning across Ireland.