Travel
Travel Note
Dublin Airport to Galway
Getting all your travel out of the way and heading straight from the Dublin Airport to Galway? This will likely be most people's route, and since Dublin is the main Ireland airport, the majority of people headed to Galway come in through Dublin. Option #1 – CityLink bus straight from Dublin Airport to Galway Coach station. These busses pick up from Dublin Airport Terminal 1 (likely the terminal you’ll arrive in because it is international) and pick up at :15 and :45 past the hour. Some include a second stop in Dublin City (just stay on the bus, doesn’t take long) and some just go directly. Tickets can be purchased when you arrive or online before- if you buy your ticket in advance but you get delayed they will still let you get on a different timed bus that day with the same ticket unless that particular time slot has been sold out (not common). There are so many different modes of transport it will be easy to find a plan B if you miss the bus you were planning on taking. Journey is 2.5 hrs. Option #2 – Take one of the modes of transport from the airport to the Dublin train station and take the train from there! Details below in “Dublin City Center to Galway” section.
Travel Note
Dublin City Center to Galway
Taking a break in Dublin on your way to Galway? #1 Trains run frequently from Dublin (Heuston station) to Galway (Ceannt) station. They take a little under 2.5 hours and are $15-30 depending on how far in advance you buy them. From Monday to Friday, there are nine departures per day, with the first train leaving at 7:35 AM and the last train leaving at 7:35 PM. On Saturday, there are eight departures, from 7:35 AM to 7:35 PM. On Sunday, there are six departures, from 8 AM to 8:30 PM. Note: While the the train station is still in Central Dublin, it is not in the center of the more touristy area like the busses are, but can easily be reached by taking the Luas (15 min ride) (see more details below), uber/taxi (10 min drive), or a nice long stroll (25 min). You can buy tickets on your phone or at a kiosk. #2 Busses run even more frequently and are a little less expensive. Obviously a train is slightly more comfortable, but the busses aren't bad at all (picture field trip coach bus). We took CityLink last time, but there are lots of options and the whole process was smooth! They typically pick up right on the river by the Temple Bar district. You can get the tickets easily on your phone. The Galway Coach Station and Train Station are right next to each other and are in the city center, it'll be a short walk from where you are staying regardless!
Travel Note
Between Dublin City Center and Dublin Airport
Dublin City Center to the Airport is about 15-20 min drive. You have a couple options: # 1 Uber is the easiest mode of transport. They are readily available and will cost aprox 30 euros to get from the airport to the City Center. #2 There are lots of busses that run between the airport and various drop off / pick up points in the City Center. Just follow signs for ground transportation. We most recently took Dublin Express and it was a breeze. I'd recommend just waiting until you are ready to leave the airport and then just buying the next ticket on your phone. There are also kiosks where you can buy it in person and they help you find your way to the line for the next bus. Very user friendly -- tickets are about 8 euro each.
Travel Note
Transport around Dublin
One of the best things about Dublin is that it is small and walkable. Luas is Dublin's tram system, and we found it super easy to use and convenient. Google Maps has it integrated into its public transit directions. We bought singe or single/return tickets at the kiosks as we went. Again, Ubers/taxis are easy to get and convenient in Dublin as well.
Travel Note
Transport around Galway
Galway is very small, and we recommend everyone stay within walking distance of Shop Street / the Latin Quarter! While there are Ubers/taxis, they are a little less readily available.
Travel Note
Lodging in Galway
In addition to the larger hotels listed below, there are lots of small inns and AirBnB options. We recommend you stay within a 10 or so min walk from the Latin Quarter. Click "View" below for a map of where the hotels are located in relation to train & bus stations, location for Saturday drinks, and Christmas market! Some hotel options that have good reviews and are walking distance (in no particular order): - The Hardiman (Rish and I will be staying here) -Park House Hotel - Hyde Hotel - The House Hotel - Harbour Hotel - Victoria Hotel - The Galmont - Leonardo Hotel - The Dean We investigated group rates / blocks, but they didn't really save money compared to booking directly. Happy to chat through options with anyone!
Travel Note
Lodging in Dublin
Hotels below are a 5-10 min walk from all our planned events. Like in Galway, in addition to the hotels there are lots of small inns and Airbnb options! Click "View" for map. - Zanzibar Locke, Ha'penny Bridge - (Rish and I will be staying here) What I like about this hotel is that it is just across the river from the Temple Bar district, so still super walkable to everything but a little removed. It is mini-apartment style and has a great coffee shop in the lobby and co-working spaces (in case Mon/Tues you want to work (pretend to work)). We stayed at its sister location Dublin Beckett Locke, North Docks on our trip which was also great and a little cheaper because it is a little less central, but right in front of the hotel is a tram that brings you to the center in 10 min. - Clarence Hotel - Stopped by this hotel to take a look and it was cute! Right in the Temple Bar district with a great lobby and staff. They're in the process of updating all their rooms so some have been re-done and some are still the old design, but both were cute (just some less modern). Only hesitation here is the potential noise from Temple Bar district, but we won't be staying on Fri/Sat so might not be an issue! Other hotels that have good reviews and are well-located! - Brooks Hotel (perfect location, right by where we'll have dinner Sunday and not in the Temple Bar hustle, a little more standard hotel vibes and less cute) - Wren Urban Nest (A little more affordable but still stylish and well-located, cozy (small lol) rooms. - Temple Bar Inn -The Westbury (If you're balling out, seems like a great option!) - Drury Court Hotel - NYX Hotel Dublin Christchurch If you have been to Dublin before and are looking to explore a new neighborhood, I was a fan of the Portobello neighborhood, (particularly Camden Street) - hip, fun, less touristy - lots of hotels over there that looked cool! Easily connected to the other areas by trams, ubers, or a meandering stroll through St. Stephen's Green.