Galway Day Trip from Dublin

As you've no doubt already seen from looking up the railway timetable, it's more than 3 hours each way from Dublin to Galway. The trains do seem to run frequently, but you'll have a long day getting there and back. Personally I would not think it worth the time on the train just for one day -- and that's not counting the Cliffs of Moher, which are more than an hour outside of Galway.

If you're determined to do this, I see there's at least one company that runs day trips to the Cliffs from Dublin. My sense is this would be a lot less stressful because you "leave the driving to us" and all you have to worry about is getting to the coach pickup point in Dublin in the morning.
https://www.paddywagontours.com/CLIFFS-OF-MOHER-Day-Tour-From-DUBLIN

I would also say that this is not a good idea. By the time you get to Galway by train you will probably have missed the bus tour to the cliffs as they tend to be all day affairs that leave around 9am (unless you can find a half-day trip that goes after lunch). You don't want to see Ireland out the window of a bus, either, so I would suggest a tour from Dublin that would take in Newgrange and several other closer sights. This would be a much better use of your time. If the weather is bad you could waste a lot of time getting to the cliffs only to find you can't actually see them due to bad weather. With only three nights I'm guessing you will only have two whole days. You could spend your entire time in Dublin and not be bored.

I think that's NOT a good idea! I live in the southwest, and know just how long the cross country can take to Dublin, and in addition there have been times where Irish Rail runs late. That would make a long day even longer.

Paddywagon does do the Cliffs of Moher tour as a day trip, as do other bus companies. But still, it's a LONG day. I think if you're desperate to do a day trip out of Dublin, the Giant's Causeway day tour is pretty spectacular.

If you want to do something less stressful, but still wonderful, I'd say hop on the local commuter rail and see Howth, or Bray or one of the beautiful towns along the coast near Dublin.

Just a thought!

Susan

Thank you, everyone, for your responses. This has been most helpful. I think I will stay more local to Dublin.

Would you recommend I book a tour ahead or is it easy to hop on a train to local towns?

I am staying in Dublin for several days after a RS tour and decided to book a day tour because I wanted to have the tour guide's knowledge. I checked for tours on discoverireland.ie and there is a site called Visit Dublin which will list day tours. I can't find their website but it may be linked to discoverireland.ie

Day Tours Unplugged has small groups and even 1/2 day tours to places near Dublin, like Glendalough. I did look at train schedules but decided in the end to go with the organized tour. There probably would be tours offered at most of the sites you would visit if that interests you. Maybe try one organized tour and one site that you take a train to.

I would recommend booking in advance.

David,
If you do want to go to Glendalough, I recommend not doing the tour. Check out Bus Eireann and see their schedule, but you can get there before the "tour" buses and stay longer.... and it's much less money. You can always do your own research ahead of time.

Alternatively, there are locals who will meet you there and give you a tour. That's what I did once (found the guy in a pub a few days before) and it was fantastic. He had no website. He just knew the area and loved it!

The county tourism sight for Wicklow might be a good source, too......

Susan