Planning a Trip

Galway is 92km (57 miles) N of Shannon Airport, 219km (136 miles) W of Dublin, 105km (65 miles) NW of Limerick, 209km (130 miles) NW of Cork, and 193km (120 miles) N of Killarney

Arriving

Aer Aran flies from Dublin into Galway Airport (Carnmore, about 16km/10 miles east of the city; tel. 091/755569; www.galwayairport.com) four times daily, two times a day to London. There's also regular service to Cardiff, Liverpool, Manchester, and Edinburgh. The European budget airline Flybe (www.flybe.com) is expected to start regular flights to Belfast City airport from Galway by 2008. A taxi to the city center costs about €17 ($24); the occasional bus, if it coincides with your arrival, can be a handy alternative. It costs €5 ($6.50) and drops you off at Galway Rail Station.

Irish Rail trains from Dublin and other points arrive daily at Ceannt Station (tel. 091/561444; www.irishrail.ie), off Eyre Square, Galway.

Buses from all parts of Ireland arrive daily at Bus Éireann Travel Centre, Ceannt Station, Galway (tel. 091/562000; www.buseireann.ie).

As the gateway to west Ireland, Galway is the terminus for many national roads. They lead in from all parts of Ireland, including N84 and N17 from the north points, N63 and N6 from the east, and N67 and N18 from the south.

Visitor Information

For information about Galway and the surrounding areas, contact or visit Ireland West Tourism (Aras Fáilte), Foster Street (tel. 091/537700; www.westireland.travel.ie). Hours are May, June, and September daily 9am to 5:45pm; July and August daily 9am to 7:45pm; October to April Monday to Friday 9am to 5:45pm, Saturday 9am to 12:45pm. For further detailed information on events and news in Galway, consult www.galway.net.

City Layout

The core of downtown Galway lies between Eyre Square on the east and the River Corrib on the west. The main thoroughfare begins west of Eyre Square. Its name changes -- from William to Shop, Main Guard, and Bridge -- before it crosses the River Corrib and changes again. If that sounds confusing, well, it is a bit. But the streets are all short and well marked, and it's fairly simple to find your way around the city center.

Getting Around

Galway has excellent local bus service. Buses run from the Bus Éireann Travel Centre (tel. 091/562000) or Eyre Square to various suburbs, including Salthill and the Galway Bay coastline. The fare starts at €1.50 ($1.90).

There are taxi ranks at Eyre Square and all the major hotels in the city. If you need to call a cab, try Abbey Cabs (tel. 091/569369), Cara Cabs (tel. 091/563939), or Galway Taxis (tel. 091/561112).

A town of medieval arches, alleyways, and cobblestone lanes, Galway is best explored on foot (wear comfortable shoes). Once you check in at your hotel or guesthouse, park your car and tour by walking. (To see the highlights, follow the signposts on the Tourist Trail of Old Galway. A handy booklet, available at the tourist office and at most bookshops, provides historic and architectural details.) If you must bring your car into the center of town, park it and then walk. There is free parking in front of Galway Cathedral, but most street parking uses a pay-to-park system. It costs €.80 ($1.10) for about 1 hour. Multistory parking garages average €1.50 ($1.95) per hour or €12 ($15) per day.

To rent a car, contact one of the following firms: Avis Rent-A-Car, Higgins Garage, Headford Road (tel. 091/568886; www.avis.ie); Budget Rent-A-Car, Galway Airport (tel. 091/556376; www.budget.ie); or Murrays Rent-A-Car, Headford Road (tel. 091/562222; www.europcar.ie).

Fast Facts

If you need a drugstore, try Flanagan's Pharmacy, 32 Shop St. (tel. 091/562924), Matt O'Flaherty Chemist, 16 William St. (tel. 091/561442, or after-hours 091/525426), or Whelan's Chemist, Williamsgate Street (tel. 091/562291).

In an emergency, dial tel. 999. University College Hospital is on Newcastle Road (tel. 091/580580). There's also Merlin Park Regional Hospital (tel. 091/757631). The local Garda Station is on Mill Street (tel. 091/563161).

For information, gay and lesbian travelers might contact the Galway Gay Help Line (tel. 091/566134), Tuesday and Thursday 8 to 10pm; or Galway Lesbian Line (tel. 091/566134), Wednesday 8 to 10pm.

For Internet access in Galway, try Net Access, in the heart of the city in The Olde Malte Arcade, High Street (tel. 091/569772; www.netaccess.ie). Hotlines, 4 High St. (tel. 091/562838), offers Internet access and low-cost international phone calls and is open 7 days a week. The Galway Library/An Leabhar, in the Hynes Building, Augustine Street (tel. 091/561666), is open Monday 2 to 5pm, Tuesday to Thursday 11am to 8pm, Friday 11am to 5pm, and Saturday 11am to 1pm and 2 to 5pm.

The Post Office, Eglinton Street (tel. 091/562051), is open Monday to Saturday 9am to 5:30pm.