How to Get the Bus From Galway to the Cliffs of Moher (Stress-Free)

Getting the bus from Galway to the Cliffs of Moher has become a lot easier in recent years, as you now have two public bus routes to choose from – the 350 and the 351. Both take around 2 hours and both drop you right at the Cliffs, but there are some fairly important differences between them.

The 350 is the long-established route and has the most departures, while the newer 351 follows more of the Clare coastline, passing Black Head and Fanore along the way (this is arguably the best route for tourists looking to see the Burren!).

There’s also a third option – taking an organised tour. It’ll cost you more, but if this is your only day in Clare, you’ll see a lot more than just the Cliffs, as the public buses take a good 2 hours to cover the route.

What to know about getting the bus from Galway to the Cliffs of Moher

There are three options worth considering. If you simply want to get to the Cliffs of Moher and back as cheaply as possible, take one of the public buses.

If you’d rather turn the journey into a full day trip through the Burren, take an organised tour.

1. There are public buses and organised tours

There are two public buses that run from Galway to the Cliffs: the Bus Éireann 350 and TFI Local Link 351. Both get you there without changing buses, but they take different routes. The 350 travels via places like Gort, Lisdoonvarna and Doolin, while the 351 follows the coast through Kinvara, Ballyvaughan, Black Head and Fanore. They’re the cheapest options, but you’re using a normal scheduled bus rather than a sightseeing service. There are also many different organised tours.

2. There are pros and cons to each

The main advantage of public transport is price. However, the journey is longer and you don’t have the same certainty of a pre-booked seat. The tours cost more, but you can reserve your seat in advance, Cliffs admission is generally included and you’ll either get a quicker direct journey or a full day of sightseeing.

3. My two cents

Personally, I’d take either an organised tour or the express bus. The price difference isn’t big enough for me to choose public transport. Once you factor in Cliffs admission, the saving gets smaller, while the €50 express bus gives you a pre-booked seat, a direct journey and 2 hours at the Cliffs. If I had a full day, I’d spend the same €50 on the guided Burren tour instead. You still visit the Cliffs, but you also see Dunguaire Castle, Poulnabrone Dolmen, Doolin and the Burren along the way.

The 350 bus from Galway City

The Bus Éireann 350 is the route that has been carrying visitors between Galway and the Cliffs for years.

It leaves from Galway Bus Station and travels through Kinvara, Ballyvaughan and Doolin before reaching the Cliffs of Moher Coach Park.

Its big advantage is frequency. There are up to 10 services in each direction during summer, so you have much more freedom when it comes to planning your departure from the city in the morning and the cliffs later on in the day.

• Journey time: Around 2 hours in total
• Departure point: Galway Bus Station
• Best for: Those looking for a decent bit of flexibility
• Tickets: Around €13.50 each way for an adult, or roughly €9.45 with a TFI Leap Card

The 351 bus from Eyre Square in Galway

The 351 is the newer of the two routes and it’s the one I’d look at if you want to see more of the Burren coastline from the bus.

It leaves from Eyre Square South and travels through Kinvara and Ballyvaughan before following the coast past Black Head and Fanore, continuing through Doolin and on to the Cliffs.

There are fewer services than the 350, so you’ll need to pay closer attention to the timetable when planning your return journey, but this is the more scenic of the two public bus routes.

• Journey time: Around 2 hours
• Departure point: Eyre Square South
• Frequency: 4 full-route services in each direction
• Best for: Those looking to take the scenic route
• Tickets: Adult cash fare is €9 each way (€18 return)

The express bus

There’s also an express bus to the Cliffs from Galway City that’s run by Lally’s. I know a lot of people that have taken tours with them over the years, and the feedback has always been positive.

This €50 express tour is essentially a direct return bus from Galway to the Cliffs, with admission included and 2 hours to explore independently. There are departures at 8am and 12pm.

For me, its main advantage over the 350 isn’t price – it’s the ability to book in advance, travel directly and know you have a seat guaranteed on the return journey.

Pros:

• You can pre-book and guarantee your seat
• Direct to the Cliffs with no stops
• Around 1.5 hours each way
• Cliffs admission included
• 2 hours of free time
• Morning and afternoon departures
• Run by Lally’s who have a great reputation locally

Cons:

• At €50, it’s not dramatically cheaper than a full guided day tour
• No guide or additional attractions
• Listed as 5 hours, but I’ve seen recent reviews mention trips taking 6 – 6.5 hours

Organised bus tours to the Cliffs of Moher

I’ve taken a good few organised bus trips to the Cliffs over the years, including the one pictured above which included the cruise.

It’s worth weighing up whether you want to only see the Cliffs of Moher themselves or whether you want an adventure-packed day that takes in the best of Clare.

1. Cliffs of Moher & Burren Guided Day Trip

This 8.5-hour tour (€50) is the one I’d go for if you want to see the Cliffs and a decent chunk of the Burren in the same day. Along with 1.5 hours at the Cliffs, it stops at Dunguaire Castle, Poulnabrone Dolmen and Doolin for lunch before returning to Galway via the Coast Road.

The Cliffs entrance fee, transport and driver/guide are included. It has an excellent 4.8/5 from 1,992 reviews, with the guides and pacing repeatedly praised. The main drawback is that you’re fitting quite a lot into one day, so stops are relatively short.

2. Aran Islands & Cliffs of Moher Tour & Cruise

At 10.5 hours (€80), this is the longest and most expensive of the two, but you get considerably more for your money. You’ll visit Inis Oírr, the smallest of the Aran Islands, cruise beneath the Cliffs and then spend one hour exploring them from above.

The price includes the bus, return ferry, Cliffs admission and driver/guide, although lunch and activities on the island cost extra. It has an impressive 4.8/5 from 3,643 reviews.

I’d choose this if you have one full day and want the biggest experience. Avoid it if you’re prone to seasickness, and note that you get less time at the Cliffs themselves.

FAQs

Hopefully the guide above will have made things nice and clear for you, but here are a few questions that I’ve had over email in recent months.

If I haven’t covered a question that you have, please feel free to give me a shout in the comments section. Cheers!