We’re guessing that most of our guests (coming from abroad) will arrive into Dublin airport (DUB) – it’s on the other side of the country (a whole 200 km to the east), but is Ireland’s busiest airport, and gives you a chance to spend some time in Dublin and the surrounding area. Shannon airport (SNN) is an hour south of Galway (distance of approx. 90 km), but it can be easier to get to Galway from Dublin airport than it is from Shannon (if you’re not driving).
Getting from Dublin airport to downtown Dublin
There are a number of ways to get from Dublin airport to the city. Both Dublin Bus and taxi service are easy to find, once you walk out of the terminal:
- Regular bus services (run by Dublin Bus, the publicly owned bus system). Take a bus like the 16A or the 41 (really, any bus leaving from the stop outside arrivals). Tell the driver you want to go to the city centre (Trinity College). The fare should be €2.65.
- Special bus services (also run by Dublin Bus). These can be distinguished from regular buses by their numbers (747 or similar) and by the higher cost of transit (€6 adults, as of January 2012). They get you into town a little quicker, and have some more luggage space.
- Taxi. There’s a taxi rank outside arrivals. Transit to the city centre will be something around €40.
- There are a number of private coach services providing direct service to city center hotels, such as Aircoach which stops at some of the major hotels, and costs €7 (€12 return) or €8 (€14 return) for journeys further than Trinity College.
While you’re in Dublin, be prepared to walk – it’s often the easiest and quickest way to get around the city, particularly if you want to explore the parks and the pedestrianized districts. When you do want to go longer distances you can use Dublin Bus, taxis, the LUAS tram service (which has one line running south from St Stephen’s Green, and another running from the central bus station to the southwest of the city) or the DART light rail service (which serves much of the coastal area north and south of the city).
Getting from Dublin to Galway city
Galway is pretty much 200 km due west of Dublin. You can:
- Take the number 20 Bus Eireann (“Irish Bus” – national public bus system) service from Bus Aras (the central bus station) to Galway. Adult fares are currently €15 single (one-way) and €19 return (round trip). Buses usually leave each hour on the hour.
- Take a train from Heuston station, which will take about 2:45. Online fares are currently €10-26 single or €26-48 return.
- Take a bus from a private service. Gobus operates most hours, and costs €10 from Dublin city centre to Galway. They also operate services between the airport and Galway.
- Rent a car. There are multiple services operating out of the airport, including most of the major international chains, with some having service from the city centre.
Getting from Shannon airport to Galway city
- The quickest way to get to Galway city from Shannon is to rent a car. Here are the rental agencies operating out of Shannon airport. (Click on our “Travel Tips” page for tips on renting a car in Ireland.)
- Bus Eireann, the national public bus system, provides daily service between Shannon airport and Galway city. Take the number 51 bus, which runs between 7:55am – 8:55pm (the last bus from Shannon arrives at the Galway bus station at 10:45pm). Here is a pdf of the number 51 bus schedule. A single, one-way adult fare is about €15.
- You can also take a Shannon airport cab from Shannon to Galway. They’re available 24/7 and would cost around €125.