Travelling From Galway To The Cliffs Of Moher: What To Know!

The Cliffs of Moher are one of the most-visited destinations in Ireland, drawing in over 1 million people every year. With a height of 214 metres (702 feet) and stretching for around 8 km (5 miles), it’s not hard to see why this natural wonder is such a popular spot.

Not only is there an epic coastal walk, which boasts jaw-dropping ocean views and rugged scenery, but these cliffs are a great place for spotting marine life and bird species!

If you’re travelling from Galway to the Cliffs of Moher, you’ve got a few different choices. In this guide, we’ll take you through your transport options, as well as popular tours and some of our top tips for your visit.

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How To Travel From Galway To The Cliffs Of Moher

by bus

If you’re planning a Cliffs of Moher trip from Galway, then you can take advantage of the area’s public transport.

Bus Éireann runs the 350 service between Galway and Ennis. The journey to the Cliffs of Moher takes approximately 2 hrs 15 minutes each way and will take you along the scenic Wild Atlantic Way – Ireland’s iconic road trip route.

Throughout the summer, this service typically runs Monday to Sunday, with several departures each day. The earliest departure is 8 am, which will get you to the Cliffs of Moher at approximately 10:05 am.

Unfortunately, it looks like the 350 service only runs on Saturdays, Sundays, and Public Holidays outside of peak season. Depending on when you visit, this can be super inconvenient so it’s best to work out your travel plans in advance!

An adult day return ticket costs €24 (£20) while a child day return is €13.50 (£11.30). Other tickets are available and you can check prices on the website’s fare finder.

By car

The easiest way to travel between Galway and the Cliffs of Moher is by car. The journey typically takes around 1.5 hours and you can stop off at various destinations along the way, including Dunguaire Castle.

From Galway, you’ll primarily travel along the N67. Other routes are available, but this is the best option for sightseeing. As you won’t be reliant on public transport, having your own vehicle certainly offers more flexibility.

Those who’ve travelled over on the ferry may already have their own vehicle. Alternatively, you can hire a vehicle. Popular car rental companies in Galway include Enterprise, Europcar, Hertz, Budget Car, and Payless. Before making a decision, just shop around for the best deals.

Upon arriving at the Cliffs of Moher, there’s a spacious car park. Your entrance ticket includes the price of parking which is always a bonus! Disabled parking is also available.

By tour

If you’re wondering how to visit the Cliffs of Moher and you’re not on a tight budget, then there are plenty of tours on offer. These tours are a great option for those who don’t want to worry about the logistics and would prefer to just enjoy the experience.

The majority of tours departing from Galway typically last between 8-10 hours. These tours typically include your transport, local guide, and entrance fees (although you’ll need to pay for your entry fee in some cases).

You’ll also find that many tours departing from Galway also visit additional locations which is a huge bonus!

The Best Cliffs Of Moher Tours From Galway

Looking for a Galway to Cliffs of Moher tour? Luckily, there are plenty of fantastic tour options on Get Your Guide (GYG) and Viator, where everything will be organised for you. This takes all the hassle out of planning it yourself.

Both platforms offer a wide variety of tours, so you’ve got plenty to choose from. Another bonus – GYG and Viator offer free cancellation on various activities/excursions which is great for those who haven’t planned out their trip yet. Not only that, but you can read previous reviews before you book.

Below, we’ve listed some of the most popular Cliffs of Moher tours from Galway!

Tour	Highlights	Duration	Price
Full-Day Cliffs of Moher & Burren Guided Tour	Cliffs of Moher entrance ticket, transport, and the driver will make stops along the way.	8 Hours	From £41.66 per person
Cliffs of Moher and Burren Day Trip	Hotel pick-up, transport (with air conditioning), and a local guide are included.	8 Hours	From £42.49 per person
Aran Islands Day Trip & Cliffs of Moher Cruise	Cliffs of Moher entrance ticket and return ferry tickets to Inis Oírr (the Aran Islands).	10.5 Hours	From £62.49 per person
Aran Islands & Cliffs of Moher Day Tour	Family-friendly tour – includes all entrance fees and return ferry tickets to Inis Oírr.	10 Hours	From £63.73 per person

Should you visit self-guided or on a tour?

When visiting the Cliffs of Moher, you’ve got two options; either exploring self-guided or taking a guided tour.

If you’re on a budget, we’d recommend visiting the Cliffs of Moher independently. Bus tickets are affordable and you can get some fantastic deals on car rentals if you’re planning to explore more of Ireland. You can also explore at your own pace which is a huge bonus!

For those who are short of time or don’t mind paying extra, a guided tour is a fantastic option. With these tours, all transport is organised and you’ll have a local guide. Many tours also include your entrance tickets.

Below, we’ll go through the pros and cons of each option so you can decide what’s best for you!

Visiting Self-Guided

Pros	Cons
It’s often cheaper than going on a tour	You’ll need to plan out all the day trip logistics
You can explore at your own pace	Public transport times can be inconvenient
You can stop off at destinations along the way	You won’t have the local insight of a guide

Visiting On A Tour

Pros	Cons
All transport is organised for you	Guided tours are often more expensive
You’ll have a local guide/driver	You’ll be more restricted regarding time
Some tours include multiple destinations	Some tours don’t include entrance fees

How much does a Cliffs Of Moher Day Trip From Galway cost?

When planning a day trip from Galway to the Cliffs of Moher, there are plenty of transport options. Undoubtedly the cost will come into play, so let’s take a look at what you can expect to pay.

Those exploring solo will still need to pay for their entrance ticket. Adult tickets cost €12 (£10) at the gate, but you can get a much better deal by booking online – sometimes getting a discount of up to 70%.

Here’s a general idea of what you’re looking to pay!

Self-guided (return bus ticket + entrance ticket)	From £30 per person
Self-guided (car hire + entrance ticket)	From £28 per person
Cliffs of Moher tour from Galway	From £45-£65 per person

Things to do at the Cliffs of Moher

• Cliffs of Moher Coastal Walk – This hike runs between Doolin and Liscannor. It takes around 4-5 hours to walk the full linear route of 20 km (12.4 miles), but you can always just walk a small section instead.

• Viewpoints – There are endless viewpoints along the clifftop trail, including the main viewing platform. However, this spot can get very crowded. The north and south viewing platforms also offer fantastic views.

• O’Briens Tower – You can actually walk to the top of O’Briens Tower, which dates back to 1835. On a clear day, you’ll get epic views of the coastline, Aran Islands, and the Twelve Bens of Connemara.

• Visitor Centre – Also known as the Cliffs of Moher Experience, this visitor centre offers an interactive exhibition, a cliff-view cafe, a heritage craft and gift store, and restroom facilities.

• Wildlife watching – The Cliffs of Moher is home to a wealth of birdlife including puffins and peregrine falcons. Basking sharks, dolphins, seals, and sunfish can also be spotted in the waters below.

Tips for your Cliffs Of Moher Day Trip From Galway

Planning an epic day trip to the Cliffs of Moher from Galway? Here are some of our top travel tips!

• We’d recommend spending at least 2 hours at the Cliffs of Moher. This will give you enough time to walk part of the coastal path, visit the visitor centre (and its interactive exhibition) and head to the cliff-view cafe.

• If you’re travelling by bus, we’d recommend catching the early service from Galway City. It departs around 8 am, so you’ll be at the Cliffs of Moher by 10:30 am. This will give you plenty of time to explore!

• There are several high-risk areas along the coastal path, so keep to the main walkway. Some of the cliff faces are unstable and susceptible to rockslides so be cautious during your visit.

• As you’re walking along the coastal path, be cautious of the electric fences. These are here to keep livestock in the fields, but they can give you a shock. Unfortunately, it’s easy to get pushed into one when it’s busy!

• The weather in Ireland can be unpredictable. Along the cliffs, it can get especially windy, so you’ll want to check the weather forecast. During your visit, come well prepared and pack layers.

Frequently Asked Questions about Visiting the Cliffs of Moher

How do you get to The Cliffs of Moher from Galway without a car?

If you don’t have a vehicle, you can still visit the Cliffs of Moher. Bus Éireann offers the 350 service which runs between Galway and Ennis, stopping off at the Cliffs of Moher on the way. Alternatively, you can take a taxi.

There are also plenty of tours to the Cliffs of Moher from Galway. This full-day tour is a popular option. It includes your entrance ticket, and you’ll also visit the Burren and Doolin Pier.

How long is the bus from Galway to the Cliffs of Moher?

The 350 bus service from Galway to the Cliffs of Moher takes approximately 2 hrs 15 minutes. This service is run by Bus Éireann, with the earliest departure being at 8 am. This will get you to the cliffs at around 10:05 am.

During the summer, this service runs Monday to Sunday, with several departure times each day. Unfortunately, it appears that this route only runs on Saturdays, Sundays, and Public Holidays outside of the peak season.

Are there tours from Galway to the Cliffs of Moher?

There are plenty of tour options departing from Galway to the Cliffs of Moher. Get Your Guide and Viator offer some of the best options, with many tours including your entrance tickets as well as transport and a local guide.

This full-day Cliffs of Moher tour is a fantastic option. There’s also this popular 10-hour tour from Galway, which includes a Cliffs of Moher cruise and return ferry tickets to Inis Oírr.

How much is a taxi from Galway to the Cliffs of Moher?

If you’re not on a tight budget, you can always take a taxi to the Cliffs of Moher. The journey will take around 1.5 hours from Galway and cost approximately €120-€130 (£100-£108) each way.

For those travelling as a family, this isn’t too bad if the price is split between the four of you. However, a single adult bus ticket costs around €13.50 (£11.25) which is a much more affordable option!

Final Thoughts on travelling from Galway to the Cliffs of Moher

Whether you opt for a Cliffs of Moher day tour from Galway or you decide to visit independently, you’ll fall in love with this iconic destination. Not only is this spot beautiful but there’s so much to do!

Just be aware the Cliffs of Moher can get really busy, especially during the summer. As such, we’d recommend visiting outside of peak times if you can. No matter what you do, just make sure you don’t rush your time here.

If you have further questions about travelling from Galway to the Cliffs of Moher, don’t hesitate to contact us via Instagram, Facebook, or in the comments below!

Here are some other Europe guides you may find helpful:

• The Ultimate Causeway Coastal Route Itinerary
• Epic Isle Of Skye Itinerary
• How To Spend 2 Days In London

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