We have been to Ireland before on a nice 12 day tour. We would like to go back for a week and spend 3 days in Dublin and 3 days in Galway! Would rather not rent a car so we do not have to worry about parking! Suggestions on traveling between the 2 cities with 2 suitcases and back to the airport would be welcome, we are seniors? Also, any suggestion of a nice hotel in Galway located near the restaurants, shops and pubs would be nice.
Posted by
North Carolina
2448 posts
There are train connections between Dublin and Galway.
Posted by
Franklin, Tennessee
113 posts
Just did this journey last month. Look at CityLink Ireland app. or website for 2 1/2 hour direct buses #720 or #760 between airport and Galway Coach Station. Store luggage underneath bus. Very comfortable, bathroom and WiFi on bus. About 22-24 euros. Highly recommend and we are usually train travellers in Europe.
No hotel suggestion, we stayed at 22 The Long Walk Airbnb, also highly recommend
Posted by
Grand Island, Nebraska
21 posts
My husband and I just returned from Ireland last week! We took the bus from the Dublin airport across to Galway. I bought our bus tickets in advance. Our flight and getting bags went smoother than I expected so we got to the Coach area and were able to show our 11:15am tickets and get on a bus 2 hours earlier!
Our hotel in Galway was the Galmont. Very clean, quiet at night, easy check-in. We arrived before our room was ready and they stashed our bags free for a few hours. Requested a higher floor facing the water and so we had a view of the bay. (I always look at google earth or photos of hotels then ask for certain part of the hotel for no extra charge, it never hurts!) It is about 2 blocks from the bus/train station (Ceannt station) and very easily walkable.
This hotel was also about 1/4 to 1 mile from everything we wanted to see - the Galway Cathedral, Salmon Weir Bridge, Spanish Arch and then the pedestrian areas and pubs. (Blake's Corner Pub was one of our faves)
The hotel had a buffet breakfast for 20Euro but I managed to get a booking special that included breakfast.
Posted by
Land of La
8673 posts
OP great recent intel for Belfast travel.
Like seeing your home base is Grand Island, NE. In a past life when I worked in nearby Kearney, NE. recall watching the 1980 twister set down. Absolutely freaky. If I recall 1/2 of the town was wiped out. Huge news story.
Posted by
Grand Island, Nebraska
21 posts
Claudia - yep, we did not live here then but were in a nearby town and remember!
I don't think Ireland gets tornadoes? But we did get hail in Doolin on our trip :)
Posted by
138 posts
Another vote for the bus to Galway. It is right at the airport and a straight drive to Galway - no transfers.
We stayed at The Park House Hotel, right around the corner from the bus station. Very convenient to shops and restaurants. My sister and I had reserved a twin room, and we were given a 2 queen suite! The breakfast was delicious, a buffet plus a full breakfast menu.
Posted by
Colorado Mountains, USA
7360 posts
We took the coach bus directly from the Dublin airport, and headed straight to Galway. It actually passes thru downtown Dublin enroute, so you’ll get a mini-tour of Dublin before you return there for your 3 days. Save Dublin for the end, assuming that you’re flying in and out of Dublin.
We last stayed at the Petra House, a B&B on the east side of Galway. It’s a very short stroll from the restaurants/pubs/shops surrounding Eyre Square (JFK Memorial Park).