Car Hire in Galway - Getting to Galway

The nearest international airport to Galway is Shannon International Airport, about a two-hours drive south. Ryanair offers very cheap off-peak flights to here from London and a few other European cities. There are also regular flights from the US to Shannon. Shuttle buses go to Limerick and Ennis from the airport and taxis are also available.

Dublin International Airport is another option, with more flights from Europe and the UK. It’s about a four-hour drive to Galway.

Iaranrod Eireann is the Irish rail service, and there are trains to and from Dublin every day. Trains leave from the only train station, on the southern end of Eyre Square. Ticket prices are quite expensive though, and the trains tend to be slow and infrequent.

Bus Eireann, which shares the same station, offers numerous local and inter-city services all over Ireland. Prices are cheaper and there are many more options to choose from, with numerous daily services to Dublin, Cork and Limerick.

Driving to Galway is probably the easiest way to travel although don’t expect six- lane motorways! The drive from Dublin takes over four hours on the N6/N4, with Limerick City a two-hour drive to the south on the N18.