Located on Ireland’s west coast, Galway is one of the country’s most charming cities. Known for its colorful streets, lively pub scene, and walkable city center, Galway offers a different experience from Dublin. Plus, since the city is so compact, a trip to Galway from Dublin is often planned as a day trip by travelers who are short on time.
Despite its popularity, Galway does not require an extended stay to appreciate all the city has to offer. The city’s main highlights including the Latin Quarter, Shop Street, and the River Corrib are all close together, making it easy to explore in as little as a couple of hours. This is what makes a day trip to Galway from Dublin both realistic and appealing, especially for first-time visitors interested in seeing more of the Emerald Isle.
I took a trip to Galway from Dublin in July 2025 and I thoroughly enjoyed myself. Despite only having a couple of hours, I felt like I received a solid introduction to this beautiful seaside city. However, whether a Galway day trip is worth it ultimately depends on how it is planned. Some routes and tours make for a very long day, particularly when Galway is combined with other stops like the Cliffs of Moher, while others allow enough time to enjoy the city without ever feeling rushed. This guide will walk you through the logistics, trade-offs, and planning considerations to help you decide whether a day trip to Galway from Dublin is the right fit for your Ireland itinerary.
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A trip to Galway from Dublin can work as a day trip. However, whether it is worth it depends on what kind of pace you are comfortable with and how you choose to get there. Galway’s biggest advantage is its size. The city center is compact and walkable, which means you can see the highlights without needing a full day on the ground.
That said, distance is the main trade-off. Galway sits on Ireland’s west coast, making this a long day that typically starts early and ends late. For travelers who are short on time or visiting Ireland for the first time, a day trip to Galway from Dublin can be a rewarding way to experience a different side of the country without changing hotel rooms. You get a taste of the city - lively streets, coastal atmosphere, and a slower pace - even if it is brief.
This trip works best for travelers who value efficiency over flexibility. If you are comfortable with a structured schedule and limited time in the city, Galway fits neatly into a day trip from Dublin. However, if you prefer lingering over meals, wandering without a plan, or enjoying Galway’s nightlife, an overnight stay is a better choice. Understanding this balance upfront helps set realistic expectations and makes the decision as to whether you should take a day trip to Galway from Dublin far easier.
Galway is located on Ireland’s west coast, roughly 129 miles (207 kilometers) from Dublin. While the distance may not sound that far, travel time is an important factor when planning a trip to Galway from Dublin, especially if you are doing it in one day.
In general, you can expect the journey to take between 2.5 and 3 hours each way, depending on your mode of transportation and traffic. Trains are typically the most reliable option for transportation (direct trains between Dublin and Galway take around 2 hours and 20 minutes), while buses and car travel can vary based on the number of stops and traffic. Guided day tours to Galway from Dublin usually follow a fixed itinerary and often include additional stops (like the Cliffs of Moher), which can extend the overall length of the day.
When you factor in round-trip travel, most day trips to Galway from Dublin involve 5 to 6 hours of total travel time. This is why early departures are so common and why it is important to plan the rest of your day realistically.
There are several ways to travel between Dublin and Galway, and the best option depends on how much time you have and how hands-on you want to be with trip planning. You also have the option to rent a car and drive yourself from Dublin to Galway. Since I did not consider this for my own trip, I will not go into detail here, but it is worth keeping in mind as another way to make the journey.
Taking the train is one of the most popular ways to travel through Ireland independently, whether it be for a day trip or an overnight stay. Trains to Galway depart from Dublin's Heuston Station and typically take around 2 hours and 20 minutes, each way, via the Iarnród Éireann/Irish Rail InterCity.
The train is fairly comfortable and reliable, making it a good choice for travelers who want to avoid driving and prefer a predictable schedule. The main drawback to traveling by train is, of course, timing. You will need to coordinate return trains carefully to make the most of your time in Galway. As such, I actually recommend booking Flexible tickets with Irish Rail which allow you to change your train up to 60 minutes in advance of your scheduled departure time for free.
Luckily, there are departures from Dublin to Galway approximately every 2 hours, with the first train leaving at 5:45 AM on weekdays and roughly 11 departures per day. Keep in mind that trains sell out (especially early morning trains frequented by commuters), so make sure you book your train tickets in advance of your journey. Fares start at €13.99 for each leg of the journey, making trains a very economical mode of transportation to travel between Galway and Dublin.
While I did not take the train to Galway from Dublin, I have used the trains in Ireland previously without issue. I recommend booking your train tickets directly through the Irish Rail website.
Buses are usually around the same price as the train and the journey can take as little as 2.5 hours, depending on the exact bus route and traffic. However, discounted tickets are available for children and families traveling together.
There are a number of buses between Dublin and Galway every day across a handful of different bus providers. However, Irish CityLink is one of the most popular bus providers between the two cities. Irish CityLink buses depart from Dublin's Temple Bar neighborhood and arrive in Galway at the Galway Coach Station, a short walk from the main tourist area.
Buses are a great option for budget-conscious families looking to take a day trip to Galway from Dublin. However, bus tickets should be booked in advance and keep in mind that the buses offer less flexibility than the train. Plus, you may be subject to delays due to traffic.
Guided tours are the easiest option for travelers who want a truly stress-free day. Transportation is handled for you, and the itineraries are designed to maximize what you can see in a limited time. The vast majority of Galway tours from Dublin also include additional sightseeing stops along the way, like the Cliffs of Moher and the Burren, which can be appealing if you want to see more of Ireland's west coast. Although, additional stops make for a longer day and less time in Galway. You can expect to be gone for around 12-13 hours if you are interested in booking a guided day tour to Galway.
This is the route we went for our day trip to Galway from Dublin. The guided day tour I booked, via our affiliate partner GetYourGuide, included our round-trip transportation from Dublin, admission to the Cliffs of Moher, a stop at the Burren, approximately two hours in Galway, and a live tour guide. The live tour guide provided so much information for us on the bus, but then gave us time on our own to explore each stop. Overall, it was a great tour if you are looking to check off a few landmarks and various places in Ireland in one, long day.
Keeping that in mind, here are a few other highly rated guided day tours from Dublin to Galway:
I opted for a guided day trip from Dublin to Galway since it provided us the opportunity to check off a few sites in one day. However, as someone who gets car sick pretty easily, I do not know if I would do this type of day trip again in Ireland. I spent most of the day feeling pretty sickly with all of the winding roads along the west coast of Ireland, especially along the stretch of the Wild Atlantic Way (even with Dramamine in my system). So if you or someone in your party gets car sick easily, maybe opt for train travel!
One of the biggest reasons Galway works so well as a day trip is its compact, walkable city center. Most of the main sights are located close together, making it easy to explore on foot, even with limited time.
With a well-paced visit, you can comfortably see:
There will also be time to fit in a bite to eat and a visit to a local pub (The Kings Head and O'Connel''s Bar are great choices), especially if you are mindful of your schedule.
A day trip to Galway from Dublin works best when expectations are realistic. With limited time, it is best to skip:
Approached this way, a Galway day trip feels like a genuine introduction to the city rather than a rushed checklist. Plus, it often leaves travelers (myself included 🙋♀️) wanting to come back for a longer stay.
I visited Galway as part of a day trip from Dublin that also included stops at the Cliffs of Moher and the Burren. On paper, it seemed like a very efficient way to see some of Ireland’s most iconic sights in a single day, and in many ways, it was. However, it was also an exceptionally long day. We were away for Dublin for nearly 13 hours, with a lot of that time spent sitting on the tour bus. As someone who felt motion sick for much of the bus ride—especially between the Cliffs of Moher and Galway—I barely saw the scenic views and ended up sleeping through most of the journey. This definitely detracted from the overall experience, and it is something worth factoring in before committing to a similar, bus-heavy itinerary.
Despite the limited time we had in Galway, Galway itself was easy to navigate and genuinely enjoyable! We had enough time to wander through the Latin Quarter, which ended up being the highlight of the visit. Much of Galway’s charm comes from simply exploring its colorful streets, admiring the murals tucked between buildings, and soaking in the atmosphere. It offers a completely different vibe from Dublin and we are so grateful we had the opportunity to experience it, even if it was just a couple of hours.
We were also able to stop for a pint at The King’s Head, a historic pub dating back to the 13th century, and grab a small bite from Bake Box Galway. Those small moments (a pub stop, a casual meal, and unstructured wandering) were what made Galway feel special, even on a tight schedule.
Where the experience became more challenging was the pacing. We only spent around two hours in Galway, as part of a much longer day trip. Combining Galway with the Cliffs of Moher and the Burren made for a very full itinerary, with early departures, long stretches of driving, and very little downtime. While it was efficient, it was not relaxing. If you are comfortable with a long, structured day and want to see as much as possible in one go, this type of trip can make sense. However, if you prefer a slower pace or more flexibility, separating Galway from other major stops leads to a much more enjoyable experience.
Looking back, I am glad I saw Galway this way. However, I would plan it differently next time. I would either focus on Galway alone as a day trip from Dublin, or stay overnight to fully experience the city. Either option would allow more time to wander and enjoy the small details that make Galway unique.
Whether a day trip to Galway from Dublin is the right choice really comes down to time and travel style. A day trip works well if your time in Ireland is short and you are looking for a quick introduction to another city. Galway’s compact, walkable city center means you can see the highlights, soak up the atmosphere, and still make it back to Dublin the same day; all while genuinely feeling like you experienced somewhere new.
That said, after visiting Galway myself, I can see why many travelers choose to stay overnight, and why I would consider it next time. Evenings are when Galway feels most alive, with live music pouring out of pubs and a noticeably slower pace once day-trippers leave town. However, as a day tripper, this is exactly when you have to leave, just as the city is really starting to come alive. Staying overnight also allows you to enjoy leisurely meals, walks, and pub stops without constantly needing to watch the clock.
If you are considering spending the night, I would recommend staying in the city center, where everything is walkable. Areas around the Latin Quarter, Eyre Square, and the riverfront are especially convenient for first-time visitors, keeping you within walking distance to Galway’s main sights, great restaurants, and local pubs.
For travelers looking for a comfortable, centrally located hotel, there are several options near Eyre Square and along the waterfront that make exploring Galway easy without needing a car. Boutique hotels in the Latin Quarter are also a great choice if you want to be right in the heart of the city. Several of the best-reviewed hotels available to book through our affiliate partner, Hotels.com, are listed below. These are all hotels I would personally consider booking for an overnight stay in Galway.
If your schedule allows, even one night in Galway adds a noticeably different dimension to the experience. However, if your time is limited, a thoughtfully planned day trip from Dublin is still a rewarding way to experience the city!
A trip to Galway from Dublin is very doable in one day, but a bit of planning helps in making the experience enjoyable rather than exhausting. These tips are especially helpful if you are trying to decide whether a day trip to Galway makes sense for your travel plans.
A day trip to Galway from Dublin can be a rewarding experience, especially if you are short on time and want to see more of Ireland beyond the capital. Galway’s compact, walkable city center makes it well suited for a day trip, and even a few hours are enough to get a feel for its charm.
That said, how you plan your day matters! Travel time can add up quickly, and combining Galway with other major stops can turn the experience into a very long day. For travelers who value efficiency or hate changing hotel rooms just for a single night, then a thoughtfully planned day trip works well. However, if your schedule allows it, spending a night in Galway offers a more relaxed and immersive way to experience the city.
Whether you decide to take a day trip from Dublin or book an overnight stay, Galway is well worth including in your Ireland itinerary. With realistic expectations and a bit of planning, it is an easy and memorable addition to any trip to the Emerald Isle.
If you are using Dublin as your home base while exploring Ireland, check out our Dublin Travel Guide for restaurant recommendations, things to do, hotel suggestions, and more. While you are at it, discover some of our favorite not-so-secret hidden gems in Dublin and plan your sightseeing around the city's most famous stops with our guide to exploring Dublin landmarks.
Have you done a day trip to Galway from Dublin, or are you deciding how to plan yours? Feel free to share your thoughts or questions in the comments below, we are always more than happy to help!