Dublin to Galway: travel options
Approximate direct distance: 186 km • Travel distance depends on the route and transport you choose.
Compare the options
Recorded fares and journey times. Check each operator before booking.
| Transport Mode | Operator | Duration | Price guide | Stations / Airports | Key Booking Tip |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| bus Direct | Citylink / GoBus | About 2h 30m |
Check fare
Fare source checked: 6 Oct 2026 Fares vary by departure and ticket conditions. Tickets and times: Citylink / GoBus |
Dep: Dublin city stop shown by Citylink
Arr: Galway Coach Station, as booked
|
Citylink route 660 publishes a Dublin Crampton Quay 12:45 to Galway Coach Station 15:15 example, about 2 hours 30 minutes. Select the actual city or airport service and compare the full fare and luggage terms. |
| train Direct | Iarnród Éireann (Irish Rail) | About 2h 35m |
Check fare
Fare source checked: 7 Oct 2026 Fares vary by departure and ticket conditions. Tickets and times: Iarnród Éireann (Irish Rail) |
Dep: Dublin Heuston
Arr: Galway Ceannt
|
Allow roughly 2⅓–3 hours according to departure. Book the dated Irish Rail journey; travel from central Dublin to Heuston is separate. |
Choosing your journey
Choose the train from Heuston or a coach from a stop near you. A direct airport coach can save a trip into Dublin if Galway is your first destination.
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Start at Heuston for rail
Search Irish Rail for Dublin Heuston to Galway Ceannt. Allow roughly 2½ hours, with some departures closer to three. Connolly is a different Dublin station. Include the journey to Heuston when comparing your options.
Compare the right Citylink departure
Citylink lists Galway–Dublin city and airport services, including route 660. Use its booking for the actual Dublin stop, direction and travel date. A city journey is roughly 2½–3 hours, but an airport departure and a stopping service can differ.
Leave the regional outing for its own day
Ceannt station and the coach station serve central Galway, but the Cliffs of Moher and Aran Islands are separate trips. Check a tour’s meeting point before choosing accommodation. For a first afternoon, the city centre and Spanish Arch make a simpler plan than heading straight back out on a long excursion.
Plan the arrival
The Dublin guide and Galway guide explain the local journeys, places to stay and visits. Add the main travel ticket separately to your daily spending plan. The distance above is a straight-line comparison between the city centres; your train, road or flight route can be longer.
