Day Trips from Galway: Where to Go, How to Get There and How Long It Takes

The Cliffs of Moher, on the west coast of Ireland near Liscannor village in Co. Clare, are 1 hour 36 minutes from Galway by the motorway route, and the Aran Islands sit off the Galway coast in plain view of the cliffs. The choice comes down to road or boat: Aran Island Ferries sails year-round from Rossaveel but only seasonally from Galway City, so the month you travel decides your departure point.

At a glance

• Cliffs of Moher by motorway: 1 hour 36 minutes
• Cliffs of Moher by the scenic route: 1 hour 45 minutes
• Without a car: Bus Eireann Route 350 or TFI Local Link Route 351
• Route 351 fares: €2.50 to €9
• By boat: Aran Island Ferries, year-round from Rossaveel, seasonal from Galway City
• Nearest airport to the cliffs: Shannon International, one hour away

Which day trip from Galway should you choose?

For a day on the west coast with a big view, pick the Cliffs of Moher. They can be reached by road in about an hour and a half, by bus or on a coach tour from Galway. For an island and the sea, pick the Aran Islands. Aran Island Ferries serves all the islands year-round from Rossaveel and runs seasonal sailings from Galway City to Inis Mór. In winter, plan your day around Rossaveel. Whichever you choose, check the return time before you leave.

• Cliffs of Moher by car: 1 hour 36 minutes by motorway, 1 hour 45 minutes by the scenic route · no fare given · for drivers who want to stop along the way
• Cliffs of Moher by Route 351: daily, year-round · €2.50 to €9 · for travelers without a car
• Cliffs of Moher by Route 350: up to ten services a day in summer · fare not given · for travelers who want the most departures to choose from
• Aran Islands by ferry: sailings year-round from Rossaveel, seasonal from Galway City · fare not given · for travelers who want an island day

What are the best day trips from Galway?

Cliffs of Moher

The Cliffs of Moher stand on the west coast of Ireland, close to Liscannor village in Co. Clare. On a clear day the Aran Islands are within eyesight of them. Ballyvaughan is 45 minutes from the cliffs and Lisdoonvarna about 25 minutes, which helps if you drive and want to see more of the area.

Bus Eireann Route 350 runs frequent daily services between Galway, the cliffs and Ennis. Route 351 runs four daily services in each direction. A day coach trip also leaves Galway all year round.

Inis Mór and the Aran Islands

The Aran Islands are a group of islands off the coast of Galway. Inis Mór is the one named for the seasonal sailings from Galway City. Aran Island Ferries also offers sailings to all the islands, and seasonal departures from Galway City include a sailing that goes to the Cliffs of Moher.

To reach the islands, take Aran Island Ferries from Rossaveel at any time of year, or from Galway City in the seasonal months. Sailing times and fares are not given, so check them when you book. Plan for a full day, and board early enough to leave time on the island.

Doolin

Doolin has a pier where ferry sailings connect with the bus network. Route 351 goes to Doolin Pier and on to the Cliffs of Moher, a route that makes car-free access possible.

Route 351 runs daily, year-round, with up to five daily trips, four of them on the full scenic route from Galway City to the cliffs. It connects with national rail services in Oranmore. Fares run from €2.50 to €9.

Can you do day trips from Galway without a car?

Day trips from Galway work well without a car. Bus Eireann Route 350 links Galway, the Cliffs of Moher and Ennis, with up to ten services daily in each direction in summer. Route 351 also connects with trains at Oranmore and with ferry sailings in Doolin. Coach tours to the cliffs leave Galway all year round.

Summer gives the most choice on Route 350. Day tours from Dublin usually leave at 7 a.m. and return at 7 p.m. or later, which shows how long a day on the cliffs can be.

Without a car, take Route 350 or 351 to the cliffs, or the ferry to the islands. Flying in, Shannon International Airport is one hour from the cliffs.