Here’s some information that hopefully might make your experience to and in Galway a little easier. Let us know any other questions you might have. The site may be updated as more questions arise.
Where do I fly into?
Fly into Dublin. It’s cheaper and easier to get a bus from there. Although Shannon Airport is closer, there are less buses that go to Galway.
What happens at immigration?
When you fly into Dublin you’ll have to go through immigration before you can collect your luggage. There, when it is your turn in line, you will go as a group and hand the officer your passport, vaccine card (if needed again), and a printed copy of your international itinerary (to show that you have a plane ticket leaving the EU).
What are the Covid requirements for travel?
As of March 2022 there are none for Ireland, but that can change quickly. Make sure to check here regularly, especially the weeks and days before the flight.
However, as of March 2022, passengers flying into the US need vaccine proof AND an official negative Covid test taken no more than one day before travel. Requirements can change fast. Check here regularly.
For those going to Germany, at the moment vaccinated people do not need to show a negative test.
How do I get to Galway from Dublin?
After you get your luggage follow the signs for the buses. They are in front of Terminal 1. There are two buses companies going to Galway. You can ask anyone for help if you have trouble finding them.
Citylink leaves 15 minutes after the hour, nearly every hour starting from 6:15 am. You can check the schedule here. It is yellow and blue, leaves from Zone 13, and says Galway on the stop and on the bus.
Gobus leaves 45 minutes after the hour, nearly every hour starting at 6:45 am. You can check the schedule here. It is red and blue, leaves from Zone 10, and says Galway on the stop and on the bus.
You can pay for the ticket right on the bus. They accept cards. You might also want to get some euros from the ATM machine in the airport just in case, or just to have some cash on hand.
With either bus company the ride takes three hours. It’s the very last stop, so you can sleep if you want. You’re going to the Coach Station (and not GMIT, where the bus may stop 5 minutes before arriving at the Coach Station).
How do I get mobile internet in Galway?
After you arrive I would recommend going to the Three store on Shop Street (the main street in Galway–you’ll know when you’re on it). Ask someone in Three for a new sim card and have them put 20 euros worth of credit on it. Once you “top up” by 20 euros you have all-you-can-eat internet data for 28 days, as well as credit to make calls and send texts with that sim card. It’s definitely worth it, as then you can use Google Maps, as well as contact me or other people in the group without any problem.
How do I get around within Galway?
Walk. Galway is small enough that you’re seldom more than 20 minutes away from where you want to go. If you’re older or don’t feel like walking, there are taxis everywhere. There are also city buses, but they’re more hassle than anything.
How do I rent a car in Ireland?
There are two car rental places in Galway: Budget, which is downtown, and Europcar, which is a little outside of town. You can book them online.
Note: it is no picnic driving in Ireland if you’re not used to it. They drive on the left side, have many double-lane roundabouts, and the roads get very narrow once you get out of the city. Make sure you feel comfortable with all of that before booking a car.
What to do in and from Galway?
There are three main tourist day trips leaving from Galway, each roughly leaving around 9ish and coming back around 6ish (check the details of each particular trip). They are:
- The Aran Islands
- The Cliffs of Moher/The Burren
- Connemara
You can search online for all the companies that go to these places, but here’s a list with most of them. In each case the tour company brings you everywhere you’re going. If you go by car, you could hike in both Connemara and The Burren and see unique landscapes.
Other possible day trips from Galway include:
- Coole Park. This is a large park with interesting landscape, previously owned by Lady Gregory. (You can find native red deer there.) Take the train to Gort, which is about 40 minutes from Galway. Train costs about 6 euros each way.
- Inishbofin. We haven’t been to this island off of Connemara yet, but it’s becoming a popular place. You’ll probably need a car to get to it, but people say it’s nice.
- Athenry. This small town is only 10 minutes by train (about a 5 euro ticket each way) and offers an example of a somewhat typical colorful town in the West.
You might want to take an overnight trip from Galway (or take a longer car ride). The options are endless. Here’s a few places that are close.
- Croagh Patrick. This is Ireland’s famous holy mountain. Hardcore Catholics climb it barefoot. It’s a hard enough climb anyway, taking about 4 hours to get up it. If it’s a clear day, there’s nice views.
- Achill Island. An area of cool landscape. It’s also next to Westport, a colorful and fun town with lots going on.
- Westport. The above two sites are near this nice town, which should have a lot going on in the summer.
Here’s a few places to check out or things to do while in Galway City.
- Walk Shop Street. You can’t miss it, it’s the main pedestrian street down town. It’s always full of buskers (people playing music) and other forms of free entertainment. You can people watch from Eyre Square, at the top of Shop Street, or at the Spanish Arch, at the bottom. Illegally drinking beer at the Spanish Arch is called “Sparching,” and is a local activity.
- Walk the Salt Hill Prom. Salt Hill is the area of Galway City along the beach, about a 20-minute walk from the Spanish Arch. It’s the prom mentioned here, in the real Galway Girl song (get away, Ed Sheeran). Once you reach the end of the prom, it’s traditional to kick the wall.
- Have a Pint in O’Connors. While in Salt Hill, you should check out O’Connor’s Famous Pub. It has a really cool atmosphere inside.
- Have a Pint in Neachtain’s. Probably the most popular pub among locals, it also serves as the unofficial pub of writers. Also the oldest pub in Galway, dating back to the early 1600s.
- Listen to Music in The Crane. This pub pulls off the near impossible–to be loved by both tourists and locals. There’s free music every night after 9 or 10, usually trad (traditional Irish music).
- Check out the Pubs on the West End. There’s a cluster of nice pubs just west of the river, two minutes from Shop Street.
- Walk the River Corrib. The shortest and fastest river in Europe, it is said that the River Corrib takes your ambitions out to see. That’s why so many people visit Galway and never leave.
- Browse Charlie Byrnes Bookshop. This iconic bookshop is a Galway institution. Located downtown in a street parallel to Shop Street, well worth a browse.
- Eat Fish and Chips at McDonagh’s. Located at the end of Shop Street, this might be one of Galway’s most famous places to eat.
- Check out a Concert or Festival. There’s always something going on in Galway. Most of the events get listed here.
What are the best places to eat in Galway?
Irish food, to lean on a culinary term, is shit. Especially if you’re American, because it’s the same food, but just not cooked right. Clam chowder is probably the only good “Irish food” I would recommend trying.
That being said, Galway has some pretty good Asian/Asian fusion restaurants. Papa Rich and Khow Thai are our favorites. Handsome Burger do a good burger and is a popular Galway spot. If you want fish and chips, McDonagh’s is an iconic Galway restaurant. If you want better fish, Hooked is good.
Can I visit the beach?
Salt hill is the section of Galway on the beach, about a 20-minute walk from downtown, depending on where you are. The water is cold, but you can still swim on a nice day. Before you go, you should take a walk on the prom and kick the wall at the end, as is traditional.
What will the weather be like in August?
We might be lucky and there might be some sun, where temperatures reach up to 80, but statistically most days will probably be cool and rainy. Bring shorts and a t-shirt, but make sure to bring with you a pair of jeans, a jacket, and a sweater.
What other events are going on in Galway?
You can check that out here.