Galway to Rossaveal (Aran Ferry) by Coach or Minibus
Rossaveal, in the Connemara Gaeltacht about 37 km west of Galway city, is where the ferries for the Aran Islands sail from. The transfer is short, but it runs to a sailing time, so you plan it backwards from the ferry.
Journey
- Galway to Rossaveal (Aran Ferry)
- Approximately 40 mins
- Serving Galway
The coast road west
The coach follows the R336 out of Galway through Salthill and along the north shore of Galway Bay, through Barna, Spiddal and Inverin, to the harbour at Rossaveal. It is a single-carriageway road through villages, with summer traffic, so 40 minutes is a fair figure for a coach. Signs here are mainly in Irish: Rossaveal is Ros an Mhíl and Spiddal is An Spidéal.
Boarding times
Aran Island Ferries asks passengers to be at the boarding gate 30 minutes before departure. Work back from that: for a 10.30 sailing the group should be at the pier by 10, which means leaving Galway by about 9.15 to allow for loading and traffic. Groups of ten or more book their crossings in advance with the ferry company.
Luggage and island stays
Each passenger may take one large bag of up to 20 kg and one small bag on the ferry. For a group staying on the islands, the cases come off the coach at the pier; for a day trip, travelling with day bags only makes boarding quicker. Crossings take about 40 minutes to Inis Mór and 50 minutes to Inis Meáin.
Weather and the return
Sailings can be cancelled in heavy Atlantic swell, and the ferry company then offers another sailing or a refund. April to October gives the most reliable crossings. Check the sailing on the morning, and agree with the operator how a changed return time is passed on, so the collection at Rossaveal matches the boat you actually take.
Does the coach wait at Rossaveal all day?
That is set out on the quote. A common pattern is a drop for a morning sailing and a collection timed to the scheduled return boat in the evening.
Can we sail from somewhere else?
Aran ferries also sail from Doolin in County Clare. From Galway, Rossaveal is the shorter coach run; Doolin suits groups combining the islands with the Cliffs of Moher.
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