Pubs, bogland, sea cliffs and trad music
This is leg 1 of 3, the opening leg.
Travel leg · Dublin to the Wild Atlantic Way
Dublin to Galway
Dublin and Galway sit about 186 km (116 mi) apart in a straight line, with Galway to the west. It is leg 1 of 3 on our Dublin to the Wild Atlantic Way itinerary, a 9-day trip. Here is how long it takes by car, what to see on the way and where it fits in a real itinerary.
- Straight-line distance
- 186 km · 116 mi
- Est. road distance
- 223–260 km
- Est. drive time
- 2 h 15 min – 4 h
- Direction
- Heading west
- Curated routes
- 1 itinerary
Road distance is estimated as 1.2–1.4× the straight line; drive time assumes average speeds of 65–95 km/h with no stops or traffic. These are rough estimates — check a maps app for the actual route.
Ways to get there
We don't have live routing data, so the figures below are labelled estimates built from the straight-line distance. Use them to plan the day, then confirm in a maps app.
By car
Most travelers on our Dublin to the Wild Atlantic Way itinerary do this leg by car. We estimate 223–260 km (139–162 mi) of road and 2 h 15 min – 4 h behind the wheel, so check live traffic before you set off.
By train
Our Dublin to the Wild Atlantic Way guide also mentions trains for parts of the trip. Whether a direct train links Dublin and Galway depends on the line — check timetables.
Use trams and walk in Dublin, then take the train to Galway and pick up a hire car there. A car is needed for Connemara and the Burren; roads are narrow and you drive on the left.
Worth stopping for
Picks from our curated guides at both ends.
When you arrive in Galway
Lively harbor city; 2 nights for pubs, the Latin Quarter and an Aran Islands day trip.
Latin Quarter and Quay Street
Pedestrian streets of buskers, pubs and shops running down to the river.
Spanish Arch and Galway City Museum
16th-century arch on the Corrib with a free museum beside it.
Salthill Promenade
Two-mile seafront walk over Galway Bay; locals kick the wall at the end.
Galway Market
Weekend market beside St Nicholas Church with crafts and street food.
McDonagh's
Family-run fish and chip bar and seafood restaurant on Quay Street.
Tigh Neachtain
Corner pub with snugs and a painted front, known for music and conversation.
Before you leave Dublin
Compact capital; stay 2–3 days for history, museums and pubs.
On this curated route
Where Dublin → Galway sits in the full itinerary. Highlighted stops are this leg.
Going the other way? Galway to Dublin is the same 186 km in a straight line, heading east. Reverse directions in Google Maps ↗
Weather at each end
The biggest gap comes in June, when Galway averages highs 2°C warmer than Dublin. Over a year, Galway gets about 150 mm more rain.
| Measure | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dublin high | 8° | 8° | 9° | 11° | 14° | 17° | 18° | 18° | 16° | 14° | 10° | 8° |
| Galway high | 8° | 8° | 10° | 13° | 16° | 19° | 20° | 19° | 17° | 14° | 10° | 8° |
| Dublin rain | 86 | 70 | 70 | 61 | 67 | 76 | 80 | 91 | 76 | 102 | 106 | 97 |
| Galway rain | 108 | 84 | 81 | 68 | 81 | 89 | 97 | 105 | 86 | 104 | 118 | 113 |
Temperatures in °C, rain in mm per month. Long-term monthly averages from NASA POWER satellite climatology — a guide to typical conditions, not a forecast. Month headings link to Galway month guides.
Dublin to Galway: questions travelers ask
How far is Dublin from Galway?
Dublin is about 186 km (116 mi) from Galway in a straight line, with Galway to the west. By road, we estimate 223–260 km (139–162 mi), or 1.2–1.4 times the straight line. Check a maps app for the exact route.
How long does it take to drive from Dublin to Galway?
An estimated 2 h 15 min – 4 h, assuming 223–260 km of road at average speeds of 65–95 km/h with no stops or traffic. It is not a routed time, so check a maps app on the day.
Which itineraries include the trip from Dublin to Galway?
Our Dublin to the Wild Atlantic Way itinerary includes this leg. Dublin to the Wild Atlantic Way runs about 9 days across 4 stops, best in May – Sep.
Onward from Galway
- Galway to Connemara 68 km
Guides for both ends
- Dublin travel guide
- Dublin weather best time to visit
- Galway travel guide
- Galway weather best time to visit
Galway by month
Plan Dublin → Galway with your crew
Add this leg to a shared itinerary, poll the group on where to stop, split fuel and tickets, and keep everyone's packing list in one place in TripsCircle.