One of the most unique parts of Ireland, Galway is a city located along the country’s western coast and is reputedly considered to be the gateway to touring in West Ireland. It has been designated as a ‘European Capital for Culture’ for 2020 and its splendid collection of ancient monuments stand testament to the city’s rich historical past. Galway has a thriving urban centre at its heart but at the same time, visitors get to catch insightful little glimpses into what Ireland used to be like. Galway is easily accessible from all major cities across the country, and even more exciting is the opportunity for day trips that are accessible from Galway itself, like the Cliffs of Moher and the Aran Islands. Read on to find out what are your best options to conveniently reach Galway.

Galway used to have its own airport but it has been shut down since 2012. Visitors to Galway are now required to fly into any one of the airports located in Dublin, Knock, Shannon, or Cork and then catch a bus, train or taxi to Galway. The Ireland West Airport, about 20 km from the village Knock, is located about an hour and a half away from Galway and has operations from a daily bus service. Serving over 23 destinations across the world, it is one of the most frequently used airports to reach Galway.

Shannon International Airport serves most of west Ireland and is situated about an hour away. A bus to Galway leaves every hour from the airport. From Dublin Airport, buses run every half hour for Galway and the entire journey takes about 2.5 to 3 hours.

If rail journeys are your cup of tea, your best bet is to catch a train from Heuston Station in Dublin, which runs six trains to Galway every day; except for Sundays with four trains. The Iarnrod Eireann Ceannt Station of Galway is located just off Eyre Square on Station Road. Dublin to Galway is the only intercity train service operated here, which is run by Irish Rail. Athenry to Galway and Limerick to Galway are commuter services operated from here.

Driving the scenic route to Galway is often something many tourists prefer to do when vacationing across Ireland. A partially tolled motorway that goes directly from Dublin to Galway is the most commonly used route; start with the M4/N4 west and then follow the M6/N6 all the way to Galway. Unless you have your own car to enjoy the ride, the most convenient option is to hire a car from the many car rentals spread across the country to drive yourself to Galway.

If you are looking for a cheaper alternative, the CityLink buses provide direct services to Galway from Dublin and Shannon, whereas Bus Eireann runs buses from various destinations across the country.

Galway is a town that is enjoyed best on foot. Tourists and locals alike love walks through The Promenade and to the popular Salthill site, located about a 20-minute walk away from the city centre. Local buses are run by CityDirect and Bus Eireann. There is also the option to go exploring the town from the comfort of a taxi; however, this is a costlier means of travelling and may not be the best choice for budget travellers.