Galway is an accessible city with many public transport options, including bus, train, cycling and taxis.
Galway Transport provides information about public transport services currently operating in Galway city and the surrounding area. It includes a summary map of all city bus service routes, a detailed map and timetable link for each route, as well as specific instructions about getting to popular places (work and recreation) using public transport. There are two companies providing bus services throughout the city – Bus Éireann and Galway City Direct. The Leap card can be used on both bus services.
Buses
Bus Éireann provides services for both the city and the county.
Galway City Direct provides inter-city bus services.
CityLink provides inter-county and airport services.
Galway Bus Ticketing
You can purchase your ticket for inter-city travel from the driver on board the bus, but for a cheaper fare use a Leap Card. Touch your Leap Card onto the device located beside the driver and tell them where you wish to go. They will deduct the correct fare.
Trains
Irish Rail operates Galway’s Suburban Rail has a rail line connecting Galway and the satellite towns of Oranmore and Athenry, as well as routes connecting to Dublin, Limerick and further afield.
Galway Train Ticketing
You can purchase your train ticket from the ticket machine, booth or online. There are a range of ticket types that can be purchased including single, return, off-peak, weekly and monthly tickets.
Bikes
Why not get to know the ‘City of the Tribes’ and surrounding areas with Coca-Cola Zero® Bikes?
Taxis
There are many private taxi companies in Galway such as Big O’Taxis, Galway Taxis and ProCabs.
Traffic in Ireland drives on the left. Speed limits and modern road signs are designated in kilometres per hour.
Drink driving is a very serious offence in Ireland.
The legal limit for fully licenced drivers is 50 milligrammes of alcohol per 100ml of blood.
Wearing of seat belts is compulsory in front and rear seats. Children must use booster seats or an appropriate child restraint system.
It is illegal to hold a mobile phone while driving.
Drivers with foreign driving licences who drive in Ireland are subject to Ireland’s penalty points system, a system designed to save lives and prevent injuries resulting from road crashes and collisions.
If someone is driving in Ireland on a foreign licence, the driver’s details are held on a separate database for the purpose of recording penalty points. If that driver later applies for and obtains an Irish driving licence, the penalty points are then activated on that licence.
As a visitor to Ireland you can drive on a driving licence from any state outside the EU/EEA for up to one year provided the driving licence is current and valid. However, on taking up ‘normal residence’ in Ireland you must either exchange your driving licence or apply for a driving licence in Ireland.
Please visit the National Driving Licence Service (NDLS) website to find out how to apply to exchange a foreign driving licence issued by a member state of the European Union / European Economic Area or to apply to exchange a foreign driving licence issued by a recognised state
Source: Road Safety Authority
Pay and Display is the main type of parking available within Galway City. You purchase a ticket from a pay and display ticket machine in advance that entitles you to park on designated city streets or public car parks, for a set duration of time. The Pay & Display ticket must be clearly displayed/visible on the dashboard of your vehicle.
For more information about on-street and public Pay and Display parking options operated by Galway City Council visit here.
The Galway Harbour Company operate two car parks in Galway, with options such as on-street parking and ‘pay-on-foot’ parking. They also offer contract parking, with monthly, quarterly and bi-annual options available. For more information visit here.
Q-Park Eyre Square is the official car park for Eyre Square Shopping Centre. This safe and secure car park is also a short walk away from The Docks. Lynch’s Castle and the Galway City Museum.
Hynes Yard is centrally located for all the attractions of Eyre Square and Shop Street. They also offer contract parking, pre-book options and affinity schemes.
APCOA operates several car parks in Galway, including Market Street, the Mercy College car park, and the Parish of the Cathedral car park, you can learn more here.
The Corrib Shopping Centre has the largest multi-story car park in Galway City, with over 500 spaces. For more information click here.