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Transfer Options from Dublin Airport to Galway

Galway is a town located on the far-west side of Ireland and it’s worth a visit if you want to make the most of your trip to Ireland. To get from Dublin Airport to Galway, you have three transport options; taxi, bus, and train. Airport taxis are available 24/7 all year round at Dublin Airport but the long distance from Dublin Airport to Galway, which is around 215 km, may cause taxi drivers to turn down the hire. To secure your ride, a great option is to pre-book a private transfer from Dublin Airport to save time and money. The average fare for up to 4 passengers is €350 and the trip takes around 2 hours and 15 minutes.

The other option is to take a bus from Dublin Airport to Galway; CityLink and Aircoach buses cost €20 and €19 per traveller respectively and the trip takes around 3 hours and 40 minutes. Finally, you can take the train, which is the slowest option as there is no direct connection from Dublin Airport to Galway. You will need to get from Dublin Airport to the city to reach Heuston Train Station and from there take the train to Galway. The total trip duration is around 2 hours and 50 minutes, depending on how you choose to reach the city centre.

Welcome Pickups offers meet and greet services and a friendly introduction to Dublin at the same price as a regular taxi. Click here to see the cost.

Comparison of the options

PRICE FOR 2PASSENGERS
OPTION PRICE DURATION AVAILABILITY
Welcome Pickups €525 135min 24/7 Book
Book
Taxi €350 135min 24/7
Bus €40 150min 24/7
Train €60 170min 07:35–19:35

How to get from Dublin Airport to Galway by taxi

Dublin Airport taxis offer on-demand service 24/7 but drivers have the right to decline a taxi ride from Dublin Airport to Galway due to the long distance and travel time. To ensure a reliable taxi service for you and your travel party, it is recommended to book your private transfer from Dublin Airport in advance. The ride takes around 2 hours and 15 minutes, and the average cost is €350.

Taxi fare from Dublin Airport to Galway

Although Dublin taxis are generally affordable, due to the long distance, taxi fares from Dublin Airport to Galway can be as high as €350 for up to 4 passengers. This is only an estimate so if you don’t pre-book your ride, it’s important to agree on the fare with the driver before you set off.

Cost

€350

Trip Duration

2 Hr. 15 Min.

*Rates may vary unless you book your taxi in advance.

Convenience
Safety
Value for Money

Taxis are available at Dublin Airport 24/7.

Where do I get a taxi from?

Dublin Airport has two official taxi ranks, outside both Terminal 1 and Terminal 2; follow the relevant taxi signage inside the Arrivals Hall and look for the lined-up taxis by the sidewalk.

Convenience

Due to the long distance between Dublin Airport and Galway, the fare for an airport taxi can be quite high but it’s worth it if you’re looking for the most convenient transportation option. Not having to wait at the coach station or carry your luggage around and being in the comfort of your own private vehicle, is highly valued, especially for such a long journey to Galway.

Editor’s Note

It is best to either pre-book a private airport transfer online or ask the airport taxi staff to help you book a private taxi transfer, as regular Dublin taxis rarely accept trips to Galway.

Useful Tips

Regardless of the company, you should always be given a receipt. The printed receipts should include a phone number and your driver's licence plate.
Regular Dublin taxis are black and are easily recognisable by their black and yellow "TAXI" roof sign. Prices and additional information should be displayed on the taxi doors.
Tipping your driver isn't required but for long-distance routes, it's expected, especially for good service.

How to get from Dublin Airport to Galway by bus

Taking a bus from Dublin Airport to Galway is a good value-for-money option and you can choose between two different operators; CityLink and Aircoach. CityLink bus routes 760, 761, 763, and 720 and Aircoach bus route 706X can get you from Dublin Airport to Galway in about 2 hours and 30 minutes.

How much is the bus from Dublin Airport to Galway?

A single ticket for CityLink starts from €20 per adult and for the Aircoach bus from €19 per adult. It’s recommended to book your ticket online in advance to secure a seat on board and a lower fare as tickets purchased onboard are more expensive.

Cost

€20

Trip Duration

2 Hr. 30 Min.

The average waiting time is 60 minutes but it varies depending on the operator and time of day.

Convenience
Safety
Value for Money

CityLink buses operate from early in the morning until late at night with route 760 operating 24/7. Aircoach bus 706X runs from 06:25 until 23:10.

Where do I get the bus from?

The bus station for CityLink buses is in Zone 10 at Dublin Airport Bus Park; walk straight ahead if you’re exiting from Terminal 1 or head left if you’re exiting from Terminal 2. Aircoach bus 706X stops in Zone 2 outside Terminal 1 and Zone 20 outside Terminal 2.

Convenience

CityLink and Aircoach buses are the best value-for-money transportation options to get from Dublin Airport to Galway, ideal for solo travellers or groups travelling on a budget. Their buses are very modern, offering reliable service, free Wi-Fi, and lots of luggage storage. Keep in mind that you may need additional transportation from the bus station in Galway to your accommodation, which can be challenging if you’re carrying heavy luggage or you’re travelling with young children.

Editor’s Note

If you plan to use the bus to get back from Galway to Dublin Airport, it's worth booking a round trip as it will cost less. Also, both companies have various ticket types and discounts for families, large groups, etc.

Useful Tips

It is not necessary to print your ticket if you book one online; bus inspectors can verify your ticket in a digital format on the screen of your smartphone or tablet.
On CityLink buses, each passenger can store up to two medium-sized suitcases of up to 20 kg each and one small piece of carry-on free of charge.
Most CityLink and Aircoach buses are wheelchair accessible but it's best to contact the company at least 72 hours before your departure date to secure a wheelchair-accessible service.

How to get from Dublin Airport to Galway by train

You can get from Dublin Airport to Galway via Heuston Train Station in Dublin city centre as there is no train station at the airport. To get there, you can pre-book an airport taxi to the city or find an alternative transportation option from Dublin Airport to the city that best matches your budget.

Fare for the train from Dublin to Galway

A single ticket for the train from Dublin to Galway starts from €15 per adult. Keep in mind that you will need additional transportation to get from Dublin Airport to the city, which will increase the cost depending on the transportation option you choose; a taxi from the airport to the city costs around €30 for up to 4 passengers and a bus ticket around €15 per adult.

Cost

€45

Trip Duration

2 Hr. 50 Min.

The average waiting time between train departures is 60 minutes.

Convenience
Safety
Value for Money

The first train departs from Heuston Station at 07:35 from Monday to Saturday and at 08:00 on Sundays and public holidays, while the last train departs at 19:35 from Monday to Saturday and at 20:30 on Sundays and public holidays.

Where do I take the train from?

The train from Dublin to Galway departs from Heuston Station in Dublin city centre; you can get there by taxi or bus in about 20 minutes.

Convenience

The train is the least convenient option to get from Dublin Airport to Galway compared to an airport taxi or bus, but it’s not a bad idea for people who love travelling by train. The fare is higher than the bus but cheaper than an airport taxi so it’s still a value-for-money alternative to keep the budget lower.

Editor’s Note

Using the train is recommended for solo travellers and travellers carrying light luggage; if you're carrying multiple pieces of luggage or you're travelling with young children, a taxi or the bus are better options for a smoother experience.

Useful Tips

You can purchase a ticket online to secure a better price or at the train station.
There is no limit to the luggage you can take on the train but it must be kept with you at all times.
Irish Rail trains are fully accessible to travellers with reduced mobility or using a wheelchair.

Welcome Pickups transfer

Welcome Pickups

Book a trained, English-speaking taxi driver to pick you up at the same price as a regular cab from the line

If you feel more relaxed knowing that somebody is waiting for you, you may as well book a Welcome Pickups transfer. As soon as you arrive at the airport you will be greeted by your driver. He will be waiting for you at the terminal of your arrival with a sign that has your name on it. Your driver will help you out with your luggage and together you will make your way to the vehicle. While he is driving you to your accommodation, the driver can give you some tips and recommendations on what to do during your holidays in Dublin. Our drivers are hand-picked and speak fluent English. No need to worry about miscommunication issues that you may face with the local taxi drivers regarding your destination. Relax and enjoy your ride.

Best drivers

Hand-picked english-speaking drivers

Flight monitoring

Drivers are always on time

Quality support

24/7 email & phone support

Cancel up to 24 hours before the pickup and get an 80% refund

Edit or cancel transfers

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Welcome Pickups has a Net Safety Score of 99 of 100

We’ve introduced a metric indicating how safe travellers feel when using our services during the COVID-19 pandemic. After every ride, we ask each traveller to leave a review.

  • 20 minute gap between transfers

  • Regular Car Sanitisation

  • Contactless ride

  • Sanitiser in every car

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Frequently asked questions

Is there a direct train from Dublin International Airport to Galway?

Dublin Airport doesn’t have a train station but you can easily reach Heuston Train Station in the city centre in about 20 minutes by taxi or bus and take the train from Dublin to Galway. The trip by train takes about 2 hours and 30 minutes and tickets start from €15 per adult.

Is there an airport in Galway?

Although there are currently no direct flights to Galway, the city is well served by Dublin Airport, Ireland West International Airport at Knock and Shannon International Airport.

How far is Dublin Airport from Galway?

The distance from Dublin Airport to Galway is approximately 215 kilometres west, on the opposite side of Ireland. To get to Galway from Dublin Airport, you can either take a taxi, the bus or the train.

Do taxis in Ireland accept credit cards?

Taxis in Ireland accept payment by card, including Visa, Mastercard, American Express and digital wallets, such as Apple Pay and Google Pay.

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