Bus Travel

Bus Éireann runs several Expressway buses into the region from Dublin, Cork City, and Limerick City to Galway City (change for Connemara) and Westport, the principal depots in the region. Bus Éireann also has two services an hour from Shannon Airport to Galway City. A one-way trip costs €9.50.

Citylink operates frequent buses, with up to 17 departures daily, between Clifden, Galway City, and Dublin and Dublin Airport. The trip costs €18 one-way.

Within Connemara and Mayo, bus routes are often slow and circuitous, and service can be erratic. The national transport website has an integrated journey planner that is useful for long cross-country trips, for example, Westport to Ballina. To plan local journeys, use the Bus Éireann website or phone the bus station (they are always very helpful).

Bus Éireann local buses travel from Galway City to Cong, Clifden, and Westport. There are no buses linking Cong, Clifden, and Westport: you must return to Galway City and take a different bus line out again to visit each place.

Bus Contacts

Bus Éireann. 01/836–6111; www.buseireann.ie.

Citylink. Unit 1, Forster Ct., 17 Forster St., Galway City, Co. Galway. 091/564--164; www.citylink.ie.

National Travel Website. www.transportforireland.ie.

Bus Depots

Ballina Bus Station. 096/71800; www.buseireann.ie.

Galway City Bus Station. 091/562--000; www.buseireann.ie.