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Public Transport to Cliffs of Moher and Coast from Dublin (Temple Bar area)?

Husband and I are spending 10 nights in Dublin in late May, and we want to spend maybe a couple nights on the coast to see Cliffs of Moher and some of the other natural beauty of Dublin beyond the city. Any suggestions on public transportation that would take us to and from, and then what areas to look for lodging? Not sure which towns would be best to try and see, but we aren't renting a car so it might be that we have to just pick one place near Cliffs of Moher and stay for a night or two and explore by foot?

Thanks so much for your advice in advance!! :)

Posted by
8572 posts

You understand the Cliffs of Moher aren’t a hop, skip and a jump from Dublin. In fact on the opposite side of the island.

Cannot advise about public transport, I drove.

And by the way mostly all of Eire is beautiful.

Why not take a tour from Dublin to nearby Glendalough and Wicklow Mountains? Much easier.

Posted by
2791 posts

Probably easiest for you to take the train to Galway (less than 3 hrs.), spend a couple of nights, and book day trips to attractions in the area from there - the Cliffs, Burren, Connemara Loop, etc. The Aran Islands ferry company has a collection point in Galway too, so you could consider that as well.
Lots to see and do in the area. Worth 3 or 4 days IMO.

Posted by
839 posts

I agree with Robert, just take the train to Galway and book a day trip from there. The day trips will probably make a stop in the Burren area also, and maybe somewhere else. There’s lot of day trips you can do from Galway so it might be worth a couple of days or even more depending on where else you want to go.

Posted by
62 posts

So, now that I've looked up Galway....I am thinking we could definitely spend much more time there - just so much to choose from!!! Could anyone tell me if it's realistic to be able to do day trips to Cliffs, Connemara National Park and potentially seeing the Aran islands - all without a rental car? Also, would Aran islands still be a good choice at the end of May?

Posted by
7010 posts

I agree with the others about staying a couple of nights at least in Galway, I loved it. As for day tours that you mentioned, all would be available as organized tours (1/2 day or full day, single destinations or combos) from Galway. Independently by public transportation is not particularly convenient so a rental car would be best if you don't want to join an organized tour.

Posted by
2791 posts

Yes to all of your questions.
Depending upon the weather on the day, May would be fine. Can check the forecast the day before you commit - the ferry doesn't sell out.

Posted by
839 posts

Yes, you can do all of those day trips without a car. It’s exactly what I did. I spent 4 nights in Galway. I came by train from Kilkenny so my first day wasn’t a full day so I used it to wander the town. Then over the next three days I did guided day trips to the Cliffs/Burren, Connemara/Kylemore Abbey, and then out to Inishmore on my last day. It was great fun!

Posted by
8261 posts

You don't need to do a guided trip to Aran Islands unless you want to. The ferry company has a shuttle that goes from downtown Galway to the ferry dock. You can take the shuttle and ferry and arrive as independent travelers if you like.