Few travel decisions are as straightforward as picking a bus from Galway to Dublin — but the choices can still surprise you. With fares starting at €22 and four operators covering the route, this guide compares the direct Citylink and AirCoach services to help you find the best balance of price, time, and convenience.

Don't miss these

4 related posts

Cheapest fare from Galway to Dublin: from €22 with AirCoach (Omio) · Direct bus operators: Citylink, AirCoach, GoBus, Bus Éireann · Bus route number: 761 (Citylink) · Journey time: approx 2.5 to 3 hours

Quick snapshot

1Confirmed facts
  • Citylink operates routes 760 and 761 (Citylink)
  • AirCoach fares from €22 on Omio (Omio)
  • Bus Éireann Expressway serves the route (Expressway)
2What’s unclear
  • Exact departure frequency for all operators
  • Whether GoBus operates from Galway city only or also Dublin Airport
  • Walk-on ticket prices for all operators on demand
3Timeline signal
  • No timeline applicable for this evergreen route
4What’s next

Citylink operates routes 760 and 761, with direct service to Dublin city and airport. — Citylink official website

AirCoach fares start from €22 for the Galway to Dublin route. — Omio

Four operators, one pattern: the cheapest direct is AirCoach, while Citylink offers the most frequent departures.

Operator Route Direct to Dublin Airport
Citylink Galway – Dublin City / Airport Yes
AirCoach Galway – Dublin City / Airport Yes
Bus Éireann Expressway Galway – Dublin (multiple stops) No
GoBus Galway – Dublin Airport Yes

The pattern: Airport-bound travellers get more direct choices than city-centre passengers, and AirCoach consistently offers the lowest headline fare.

How do I get from Galway to Dublin?

Booking steps

  1. Choose an operator: Citylink, AirCoach, GoBus, or Bus Éireann.
  2. Compare fares and timetables on official websites.
  3. Book online for the best price, especially during peak times.
  4. Arrive 10–15 minutes early at the bus stop.

Direct bus services

  • Citylink and AirCoach offer direct buses between Galway and Dublin (Citylink)
  • Bus Éireann and GoBus also operate on this route (Expressway, GoBus)
  • Bus times and booking available on operator websites

Bus to Dublin Airport

  • Citylink route 761 and AirCoach serve Dublin Airport directly
  • GoBus also provides direct airport transfers from Galway
  • Journey time to airport typically 2.5–3 hours

Booking options

  • Online booking via operator websites or Omio
  • Walk-on tickets available but booking recommended
  • Compare prices on aggregator sites like Omio

Why this matters: For travellers heading to Dublin Airport, the direct bus saves a connecting journey from the city — a trade-off worth the slightly higher fare on some operators.

How much is a bus ticket from Galway to Dublin?

Cheapest fares

  • AirCoach fares from €22 (Omio)
  • Citylink pricing varies by time and demand
  • Compare prices on aggregator sites like Omio

Online booking discounts

  • Advance online purchase often cheaper than walk-up
  • Student discounts available on some operators

Walk-on prices

  • Walk-on tickets typically 10–20% higher than online fares
  • Check operator websites for exact walk-on rates
Bottom line: AirCoach offers the cheapest base fare at €22, but Citylink’s frequency and airport service may justify a slightly higher price. Online booking: use Omio for the best comparison. Walk-on: expect a premium.

The decision ultimately depends on your budget and destination.

What are the bus times and journey duration?

What are the bus times for bus 761 from Galway to Dublin?

Bus 761 timetable

  • Citylink 761 runs multiple daily departures from early morning to late evening
  • Official timetables on citylink.ie and transportforireland.ie

Other operator schedules

  • AirCoach operates roughly hourly during weekdays
  • Bus Éireann Expressway has fewer departures
  • GoBus schedule varies; check GoBus for times

Journey time comparison train vs bus

  • Bus: approx 2.5 to 3 hours
  • Train: approx 2.5 hours
  • Bus offers more frequent departures and direct airport service

The trade-off: Train is slightly faster for the city-to-city journey, but bus operators give you more departure slots and direct airport access — frequency versus speed.

Is it better to take a train or bus from Dublin to Galway?

Cost comparison

  • Bus fares start at €22 (AirCoach); train fares typically €15–30
  • Advance train tickets can be cheaper than bus, but walk-up train fares are higher

Travel time comparison

  • Train journey time approx 2.5 hours; bus similar or slightly longer
  • Bus may take longer in peak traffic

Convenience and flexibility

  • Bus offers more frequent departures and direct airport service
  • Train departs from Galway Ceannt Station and arrives at Dublin Heuston
  • Bus drops at multiple points including Dublin City centre and airport
The upshot

For travellers needing the airport, bus wins on convenience. For pure point-to-point city travel on a budget, the train’s advance fares beat most bus walk-up prices.

The pattern: airport travellers choose bus; city-centre travellers may prefer train.

Are there direct Citylink buses and do you need to book?

Is there a direct Citylink bus Galway to Dublin?

Direct Citylink routes

  • Citylink provides direct service Galway–Dublin City and Galway–Dublin Airport
  • Routes 760 and 761

Booking policy for Citylink

  • Walk-on tickets are available but online booking is recommended for guaranteed seat
  • Book via Citylink

Other direct bus options

  • AirCoach also operates direct services
  • GoBus direct to Dublin Airport

What to watch: During peak times, online booking is nearly essential — walk-on may mean waiting for the next departure if the bus is full.

Clarity check

Confirmed facts

  • Citylink operates route 760 and 761
  • AirCoach fares from €22 on Omio
  • Bus Éireann Expressway serves Galway-Dublin

What’s unclear

  • Exact departure frequency for all operators
  • Whether GoBus operates from Galway city or airport only
  • Ticket prices for all operators on demand
The catch

Fares fluctuate by demand and season — the advertised €22 AirCoach fare may not be available for last-minute bookings. Always check real-time pricing on Omio before choosing.

Always verify the latest fares before booking.

Does the bus from Galway to Dublin go to the airport?

Yes — Citylink, AirCoach, and GoBus all serve Dublin Airport directly. Bus Éireann does not.

Can I bring luggage on the bus?

All operators allow luggage, typically one large suitcase and one carry-on. Check specific operator policies on their websites.

Is there Wi-Fi on board?

Citylink and AirCoach offer free Wi-Fi on most coaches. Bus Éireann Expressway also provides Wi-Fi on many services.

How early should I arrive at the bus stop?

At least 10–15 minutes before departure, especially if you’re boarding without a booking.

Are there student discounts?

Yes — Citylink and Bus Éireann offer student fares with valid ID. AirCoach occasionally runs student promotions.

What is the best bus company for Galway to Dublin?

For budget: AirCoach. For frequency and airport access: Citylink. For comfort: GoBus.

For budget travellers booking in advance, AirCoach’s €22 fare is hard to beat — but Citylink’s frequent departures and airport service give it the edge for flexibility. The choice between bus and train ultimately depends on whether you’re heading to the city centre or the airport. For the Galway‑to‑Dublin traveller, the smartest move is to check real-time prices on Omio and book early.


Additional sources

einar.sh, safeframepro.com, safeframepro.com, learn.microsoft.com, itechguides.com, vecteezy.com, rookee.ru, prnt.sc, learn.microsoft.com, windows8-help.net, androidauthority.com, scribd.com