Top 10 Hop-On Hop-Off Galway Bus Tours: Prices, Maps & FAQs
By 🇮🇪🚌 Galway — Ireland’s colorful west coast city, famous for its Latin Quarter, street performers, Atlantic seafront, and traditional pubs — is a charming place for sightseeing, but Galway doesn’t currently have a large-scale Hop-On Hop-Off (HOHO) bus service like Dublin.
However — good news! 🚍✨
There are some small HOHO-style tours, city sightseeing buses, and day trip combos that work like a HOHO experience in Galway and nearby (like Connemara and the Cliffs of Moher).
Here’s your full guide to the Top 10 Hop-On Hop-Off–Style Galway Bus Tours, including prices, routes/maps, and helpful FAQs:
🌊 Top 10 Galway Hop-On Hop-Off–Style Bus Tours
1. Galway City Sightseeing Bus Tour (Mini HOHO Style)
- Price:
€20 ($22 USD) for a 24-hour ticket
- Route: Short loop around Eyre Square, Spanish Arch, Salthill
- Highlights: Latin Quarter, Galway Cathedral, Promenade walk
- Best For: First-time Galway visitors
2. Galway HOHO + Salthill Beach Shuttle
- Price: ~€20
- Route: Galway City Center ➔ Salthill beaches ➔ Promenade ➔ City center
- Best For: Seaside strolls 🌊
3. Galway City Hop-On Point-to-Point Shuttle Tour
- Price: ~€18
- Route: Flexible stops at Eyre Square, Cathedral, Claddagh, Prom
- Best For: Quick city exploration
4. Galway to Connemara Hop-On Day Tour
- Price: ~€45
- Includes: Galway ➔ Kylemore Abbey ➔ Connemara Lakes ➔ Galway
- Best For: Wild Atlantic Way lovers 🚐🌿
5. Galway to Cliffs of Moher & Burren Day Trip (Semi-HOHO Stops)
- Price: ~€50
- Route: Galway ➔ Cliffs of Moher ➔ Doolin ➔ Burren ➔ Galway
- Best For: Nature fans 🌿
6. Hop-On Shuttle to Aran Islands Ferry
- Price: ~€15
- Route: Galway City ➔ Rosaveel Ferry Terminal ➔ Galway
- Best For: Island explorers 🚢
7. CityLink Express + Hop-Off Option (Galway → Dublin)
- Price: ~€15–€18
- Includes: Flexible stop-offs if booked in advance
- Best For: Travelers heading east toward Dublin or Shannon Airport
8. Guided Galway Walking Tour + Shuttle Combo
- Price: ~€25
- Includes: Guided historic walking tour + short shuttle ride to Salthill
- Best For: Deeper city understanding
9. Galway Hop-Off Ferry Tour to Aran Islands (Inis Mór)
- Price: ~€55
- Includes: Roundtrip ferry + minivan tour of Inis Mór island
- Best For: Full-day Atlantic adventures 🏝️
10. Private Galway HOHO-Style Driver Tour
- Price: ~€300–€400 (small groups)
- Includes: Customizable Galway city + Connemara drive
- Best For: VIP travelers
🗺️ Popular (Mini) Hop-On Hop-Off Galway Stops
| Stop | Nearby Attractions |
|---|---|
| Eyre Square | Main plaza, shopping, start of Latin Quarter |
| Spanish Arch | Historic 16th-century harbor arch |
| Salthill Promenade | Beaches, diving board, seaside walks 🌊 |
| Galway Cathedral | Massive stone Catholic cathedral |
| Claddagh Village | Home of the Claddagh Ring, riverside walks |
| Blackrock Diving Tower | Iconic seaside swimming spot 🏊♂️ |
| Galway Harbour / Docks | Boat tours and ferry terminals |
❓ FAQs – Hop-On Hop-Off Galway
✅ Is there a full-size Hop-On Hop-Off bus in Galway?
No.
Galway doesn’t have a big double-decker HOHO bus like Dublin — but there are small sightseeing buses, minibuses, and shuttles offering similar experiences around town and to nearby nature spots.
🕒 How long are the city sightseeing loops?
- Mini Galway City Tours: ~1 hour if you stay on without hopping off.
📍 Where do buses start?
- Most city tours start near Eyre Square (in front of the Tourist Office or Hotel Meyrick).
- For day trips, departures are from Merchants Road / Spanish Arch.
🗣️ Are there live guides or commentary?
- Yes!
Most Galway mini-tours have live English-speaking guides telling local stories, music, and fun facts 🇮🇪🎶
📱 Are mobile tickets accepted?
Yes!
Most Galway providers (including GetYourGuide, Tiqets, and direct tour companies) accept mobile QR code tickets.
🕘 When do buses operate?
- City tours: 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM (seasonal from March–October)
- Day trips: Departures usually around 9:00 AM and return by 5:00–6:00 PM
♿ Are the minibuses wheelchair accessible?
- Some are, but not all — confirm when booking if you need wheelchair access.
Would you like me to create a perfect Galway sightseeing day — mixing a mini city tour 🏰, coastal walks 🌊, and the best pubs for trad music 🎻 and seafood 🍽️?
Or I can build a custom Google Map with all stops, café recommendations ☕, and photo spots 📸 — just say the word! 🚍✨
