You can reach Galway city by train or coach, and the station for both is Ceannt Station beside Eyre Square. Once there, the old centre is small enough to walk.
For the Aran Islands, ferries run from Ros a’ Mhíl (Rossaveel), 37 km west of the city, with a shuttle bus from Galway; Aer Arann Islands flies from Connemara Regional Airport.
Last checked: November 2026. Facts come from Iarnród Éireann, Aran Island Ferries and Galway Tourism. We don’t print fares, timetables or journey times: check the operator’s own page before you travel.
Heading out from the city? Our day trips page covers the Aran Islands, Connemara and the Cliffs of Moher, with tours you can book.
- How do you get to Galway by train?
- How do you get to Galway by coach?
- How do you get from Galway to the Aran Islands?
- How do you get around Galway city?
How do you get to Galway by train?
Iarnród Éireann runs the Dublin Heuston to Galway line, calling at Athlone, Ballinasloe, Athenry and Oranmore before it reaches Galway Ceannt Station. Trains to Limerick also run direct from Ceannt Station.
The station has ticket machines and toilets, and the Irish Rail page notes it does not support smart cards. Building work is under way to enlarge it, so check the station page before you travel.
Ceannt Station: Galway Ceannt on the Irish Rail website. Our guide: Trains to Galway on Galway Tourism.
How do you get to Galway by coach?
Bus Éireann Expressway coaches serve Galway from cities including Cork and Limerick, and pick up at Ceannt Station.
That puts the coach and the train in the same place, a short walk from Eyre Square and the Latin Quarter.
Bus Éireann coaches: Bus Éireann. Our guide: Bus Éireann on Galway Tourism.
How do you get from Galway to the Aran Islands?
Aran Island Ferries sails year-round from Ros a’ Mhíl (Rossaveel) in Connemara to Inis Mór, Inis Meáin and Inis Oírr. The terminal is 37 km west of Galway city, and a bus transfer runs from Victoria Place in the city. Sailings from Galway city docks go only to Inis Mór and the Cliffs of Moher, and only from April to September.
Aer Arann Islands flies to all three islands from Connemara Regional Airport at Inverin, about 30 km west of Galway city. Check each operator for current sailings and flights.
Aran Island Ferries and flights: Aran Island Ferries. Our guide: Aer Arann Islands on Galway Tourism. Our guide: Our guide to Aran Islands day trips.
How do you get around Galway city?
The old centre, from Eyre Square down Shop Street and Quay Street to the Spanish Arch, is walkable. Galway Tourism lists city taxi firms, car hire at Eyre Square and bike hire on the west side of the city.
Salthill is about 3 km from Eyre Square, roughly a 30-minute walk along the promenade.
Getting around Galway city: Getting to and around Galway on Galway Tourism. Our guide: Galway walking tours.