The Land of a Thousand Welcomes will warmly greet you with a picture-perfect drive from Dublin to Galway. On an island where scenic views are as free-flowing as beer and stout, you can expect nothing less than a beautiful yet exhilarating 128-mile car trip.
From a modern, tech-savvy metropolis in the east to the traditional cobbled lanes in the west, you're about to venture across the entire width of the Republic of Ireland. But with some planning and preparation, you can turn this seemingly complicated journey into a walk in the park.
So, buckle up and get ready to uncover tips, tricks, and everything else you need to know to travel from Dublin to Galway!
About Galway
As you travel from Dublin to Galway, you'll be surprised to learn that the City of Tribes is the fourth largest urban center in the Republic of Ireland. Over 85,000 people live across 22 square miles situated along the River Corrib.
Galway started life as a small fishing village along its rich waters. It grew when the Normans settled and built a fort in the 12th century. For centuries, the city withstood endless raids. However, its position along the coast allowed for trade with Spain. As a result, the region continued to thrive until other cities like Cork and Waterford began trading in continental Europe.
Today, the city is a blend of modern and traditional. Irish pubs stand side by side with chic boutique stores. As a testament to the city's revival, it was named the European capital of culture in 2020. And for foodies, Galway's native oysters are often called the best in the world.
From Dublin to Galway: Travel Tips
Driving from Dublin to Galway is a trip across the whole country. So, to ensure you have a comfortable and memorable experience, we compiled three secret travel tips below!
Go Sightseeing
The Republic of Ireland is a nature-filled land. Due to this, many attractions are located outside the cities with no public transport.
A custom door-to-door service allows you to schedule a stop at remote attractions en route. Trim Castle and Castletown House are two extraordinary gems off the beaten track that you'd miss if you take any other transportation option.
### Pack for the Weather
Ask any local for a tip when visiting Ireland, and the chances are they'll say to bring an umbrella and waterproof jacket! It doesn't matter if the sun is splitting the stones in the morning. You could see all four seasons of the year on your trip from Dublin to Galway.
In addition, the west of Ireland receives the most rainfall on the island!
### Speak to Your Driver
Whether it's a professional door-to-door driver or public transport bus operator, be sure to speak to them. Irish citizens are proud of their community and will gladly recommend outlets that aren't in guidebooks. After all, the nation was voted the friendliest in Europe.
How to Get From Dublin to Galway
To travel from Dublin to Galway, you have three transportation options available. This includes buses, trains, and Daytrip. To make things easier, we created an introduction to each mode of transport.
Bus From Dublin to Galway
The bus is the most popular way for locals and tourists to get from Dublin to Galway. Seats start at €17 one-way or €28 for a return trip when booking online with Aircoach. The ride is about 2.5 hours if you take a direct bus.
Note that there are several bus companies, all with a different ticket price and schedule. Bus Eireann is the most expensive and longest trip, as it stops at numerous towns.
### Trains From Dublin to Galway
The train is the most affordable way to travel from Dublin to Galway. The quickest trip takes only 2 hours and 16 minutes, while the average is 2 hours and 34 minutes. Irish Rail is the only train provider in the Republic of Ireland.
Prices start at €14, but the cost can skyrocket on weekends and during the peak summer season. You should check the timetable and book 30 days in advance for the best deals.
### Daytrip From Dublin to Galway
Daytrip offers a smooth car drive through the Republic of Ireland's green heartlands. Every minute of the 2-hour, 20-minute drive feels like a day at the spa. Recline your seat, stretch your legs, or adjust the temperature so you can unwind while watching nature pass by your window.
Whether you're traveling with children, pets, or those with limited walking capacity, your professional driver will go above and beyond to provide flawless service. Unlike public transport, our door-to-door ride will drop you off at your desired location, so you don't have to worry about handling luggage! And, of course, unlike any other transportation option, you can stop to visit castles, manors, and even the Tullamore Dew Distillery!
Things to Do When You Get to Galway
After driving from Dublin to Galway, you'll be part of the 1 million annual tourists exploring the city. You'll know why so many people flock here when you uncover the best things to see and do in town!
Take a Tour to The Cliffs of Moher
The Cliffs of Moher are an iconic symbol of Ireland. The jaw-dropping coastline hangs over the choppy waters of the Atlantic Sea below. And you have a 360-degree view of the breathtaking scenery, as far as the eye can see.
The cliffs of Moher aren't located in the Galway region. Fortunately, they're less than a 1.5-hour tour from the city. You'll be replacing energetic streets with rugged walking trails.
### Get Lost in the Latin Quarter
The Latin Quarter is one of the oldest sections of Galway today. While it still showcases Galway’s medieval heritage, the area is the city's beating heart, packed with bars, restaurants, hotels, and shops.
Turn off Google Maps and simply get lost in these pretty lanes. You'll be sure to uncover some hidden gems along the way!
### Listen to Traditional Irish Music
There's only one way to truly appreciate live traditional Irish music: with a pint of stout! Guinness is the obvious choice, but if you want to blend in with the locals, opt for Galway Hooker Irish Stout.
There are endless settings where you can listen to live Irish music sessions featuring fiddles, flutes, and bodhráns. Some popular venues include Tig Coili, The Crane Bar, and Tigh Neachtain.
### Enjoy the Fresh Local Food!
Galway’s gastronomy is worth making an international trip for. Along with having some of the world’s best oysters, smoked salmon and eel, seafood chowder, and local mussels cooked with garlic and cream sauce round out seafood spectacular. Then from the rolling hills, Connemara lamb, a European Protected Geographical Indication that can only be raised here, is a meaty treat.
Best Time to Visit Galway
Summer is the peak season for traveling from Dublin to Galway. Although temperatures don't reach the heights of continental Europe, it's the time when locals and tourists mingle outdoors.
However, Galway is a compact city, and it can feel overcrowded in July or August with only a few thousand daily visitors. As a result, spring is the best time to travel here.
Crowds are fewer, gray clouds make way for blue skies, and hotels and airlines offer attractive deals. But, most importantly, you can witness the various festivals. Saint Patrick's Day, Clifden Traditional Music Festival, Galway Film Fleadh, and more all happen in the Spring.
Galway and Dublin are on opposite sides of the island. The train is cheap and fast if you just want to get to Galway as quickly as possible. But if you want to experience as much of the Emerald Isle as possible, Daytrip's door-to-door service with a customer sightseeing itinerary is the best way to travel.
The road distance is 128 miles, which takes around 2.5 hours. As the crow flies, 115 miles separate the cities.
Galway is a small city, so you can easily explore the main sights in a day. However, you should spend at least 48 hours here to appreciate all the area's offerings.
The last train on the Dublin to Galway timetable is at 7:35 p.m. Aircoach offers a night bus starting at 11:50 p.m. from Dublin Airport and the city center.
Galway is a family-friendly city. There are plenty of activities for kids, but stores and restaurants make younger guests feel at home.
Trains are the cheapest way to get from Dublin to Galway. The price of tickets starts at €14 when booking online.
As of 2024, there are no direct flights from Dublin to Galway. Shannon Airport is the closest one to Galway, located over an hour's drive south. Therefore, a flight will be the most time-consuming and costly way to travel between the cities.
沿途参观这些景点
卡斯尔敦庄园
The first and largest manor of its kind in Ireland, this elegant estate immerses visitors in the beauty of days gone by. Principal Palladium
特里姆城堡
Ireland’s largest Norman castle served as King John’s castle in the movie Braveheart. Big and Brave
爱尔兰国家种马场与花园
Surrounded by serene gardens, the legacy of Irish horse racing lives on at the only stud farm open to the public. Horsiculture
塔拉莫尔杜威
Experience the rich history (and flavor) of one of Ireland’s most famous exports. Do the Dew
克隆麦克诺斯
One of Ireland's most prominent medieval monasteries was renowned for its intricate metal and stone work. Cross Cut
阿斯隆城堡
Now an interesting museum, for several centuries, this castle guarded the river crossing at Athlone. A Historic Ford-ification
德里格拉德民俗与遗产博物馆
The several thousand objects showcased in this private collection offer a charming glimpse at rural Irish life. Everything but the Kitchen Sink
基尔马克杜阿修道院
The stone tower at this ruined medieval monastery was the tallest structure in Ireland until the modern age. The Leaning Tower of Ireland
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kevin k.
United States
2025年10月8日
"Sean was fantastic, the best part of the trip!!
His humor and stories were the best part of the trip!"
Kelli K.
United States
2025年9月30日
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Kimberly H.
United States
2024年11月18日
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United States
2024年10月18日
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Erin W.
United States
2024年10月7日
"Wonderful and very friendly driver Aurangzeb! The taxi was very clean and organized. Overall it was a fantastic experience to ride with Aurangzeb! "
Bhrigu J.
India
2024年10月3日
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Jessica S.
United States
2024年9月3日
"Thank you for your inquiry. Our experience with Daytrip was exceptional. John was prompt, courteous and went far above our expectations. In the future, we would not hesitate to use Daytrip for any of our vacation needs.
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Pamela T.
United States
2024年9月2日
"The trip was great and John was so kind and patient! Our flight was delayed and we were traveling with two toddlers but he made it so much easier gave us great tips for where to go and what to see and made sure we were able to get into our AirBnB. Much appreciated and will use again! "
Katherine K.
United States
2024年8月16日
"Faheem was wonderful! The best part of a long journey is someone there to take you to your final destination.
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Cindy B.
United States
2024年8月16日
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John R.
United States
2024年7月31日
"We could not have been happier with your service. Stephen did a great job. We were a little wary of riding in a car across Ireland with a stranger, but Stephen put us at ease right away. He was a responsible, careful driver and a great conversationalist. He waited patiently for us at our stop at Clonmacnoise. He got us to our destination exactly on time. We are so glad we used your service and would use it again.
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Deborah C.
United States
2024年7月18日
"Excellent journey - we would ride again with Hamza anytime. He was kind, knowledgeable and a safe driver."
Alice F.
United States
2024年7月10日
"We had a great trip with Ravi from Dublin to Galway. He made the trip very enjoyable, was very friendly, gave us several recommendations, and most importantly got us there safely and efficiently. I highly recommend Ravi and daytrip for anyone looking for a driver service as part of your vacation. Thank you for such a great experience!"
Jennifer G.
United States
2024年7月3日
"We could not have been more pleased with our experience having Kashif A. as our driver on June 25. He picked us up at the Dublin Airport and drove us to Galway. We had a lovely stop at Athlone Castle and he gave us recommendations and time for lunch there. We had taken the overnight flight from Boston and were exhausted. We were very thankful for Kashif's professionalism, courtesy, and pleasantness.
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Shelley Y.
United States
2024年7月2日
"Our trip was wonderful. The driver was on time, friendly, and engaging. He provided refreshments and snacks. His driving was very good too!
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Nina R.
United States
2024年6月28日
"Our driver, Hamza, met us at the Dublin airport and drove us to Galway last Friday
and then again on Sunday for the round trip back to Dublin. In each situation he contacted me in advance to confirm his arrival, appeared promptly and drove us directly to our end points without delay. He was pleasant and knowledgeable about both cities and we were grateful for his recommendations."
Barbara D.
United States
2024年6月26日
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Angela S.
United States
2024年6月23日
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Deirdre B.
Canada
2024年5月19日
"Ravi was great! We really enjoyed our trip to Galway! He was so professional and enthusiastic about Ireland with lots of interesting facts that kept us entertained and made the trip so enjoyable! We would definitely use day trip again! "
