Premier Ireland Coach Services

Galway, Connemara and the Burren by Minibus

Galway is the base for much of the west's best-loved scenery, and most of it is an hour or so down the road. Hire a minibus with a driver and the person who usually navigates gets to look out of the window for once.

Walking the city, riding out of it

The Latin Quarter and Shop Street are pedestrianised, so Galway is a city you explore on foot. Your driver can leave you near Eyre Square, which is right by the train and bus stations, and you'll wander down to the Spanish Arch and the Corrib quays from there.

Staying in Salthill? The promenade is on your doorstep, and a pick-up there keeps everyone out of the centre's traffic on the way out of town.

Sprinter minibus cabin
Sprinter minibus cabin

Book the Cliffs of Moher first

All groups of 10 or more, and every coach arrival, must book the Cliffs of Moher in advance. A full minibus counts, so reserve before you settle the day's timings. There is a dedicated coach park entrance on the cliffs side of the road.

The cliffs are about an hour and a half away. The Burren and Poulnabrone dolmen are about an hour out, which makes them a natural stop on the same loop.

Airports serving Galway

Places groups love in Galway

  • Salthill Promenade — Seafront walk west of the city centre
  • Eyre Square — Central square beside the rail and bus stations
  • Galway Cathedral — By the Salmon Weir Bridge
  • Spanish Arch and Galway City Museum — On the Corrib quayside
  • Latin Quarter and Shop Street — Pedestrianised medieval core

Where groups usually stay

  • Oranmore / east of the city
  • Salthill
  • Docks / Lough Atalia
  • Eyre Square / city centre

Connemara, Cong and the islands

Kylemore Abbey is roughly 80 km into Connemara, about an hour and a half. Cong and Ashford Castle are closer at around 50 minutes. On narrow rural roads a minibus or midi coach is far easier to handle than a 12 to 14 metre coach.

For the Aran Islands, it's about 45 minutes to the ferry at Rossaveal. Your driver drops you at the pier and comes back for the return sailing, so share your ferry times when you book.

Getting to Galway

Ireland West Airport Knock and Shannon Airport are each about an hour and a quarter by road; Dublin Airport is about two and a half hours, passing the M4 Kilcock-Kinnegad and N6 Galway-Ballinasloe toll points. Race week at Ballybrit and Connacht Rugby at the redeveloped Dexcom Stadium both bring busy roads, so leave extra time.

Questions

Which airport is best for a Galway trip?

Knock and Shannon are both about an hour and a quarter away. Dublin works too, but allow roughly two and a half hours.

We are 14 people in a minibus. Do we need to book the Cliffs of Moher?

Yes. The rule covers every party of 10 or more, and coach arrivals too, so reserve ahead.

Can we visit the Aran Islands as a day out?

Yes. Rossaveal is about 45 minutes away, and your driver can meet the ferry you come back on.

Will the minibus take us up Shop Street?

No, it is pedestrianised. You will be set down nearby and walk in.

Other trips we arrange

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