Traveling to the Aran Islands

Traveling to the Aran Islands

The spell of the Aran Islands is such that many travelers can't resist their siren call and make for the first ferry leaving from Doolin. However, locals will tell you that it may be best to wait until you are in Galway City before you make arrangements to travel to the famed Oileáin Arainn (Aran Islands). That way you can postpone your trip if the weather looks bad, and shop around for the best deals from the various ferry firms.

You can do a day trip, leaving the city at 9:30 or noon and returning by 6:30, but staying overnight is more rewarding.

Everyone wants to go to the islands, and it is made as easy as possible to organize by the various transport companies. They are all genuine and licensed: no one is going to rip you off. Book at the Galway Tourist Information Office in Forster Place, where the ferry companies and Aer Arran have concessions.

The standard ferry deal is EUR 25 round-trip and EUR 6 for bus transfer to the ferry port at Rossaveal. Look out for money-saving offers that may include bed-and-breakfast accommodation, free transfers to Rossaveal, or Connemara airport (both 40 minutes away), bicycle rental on the islands, or a ferry-out, flight-back plan.

There are three different ferry operators, and tickets are not transferable, so check the return sailing times of your operator when you get on board.

If you opt for the five-minute flight, for safety reasons, you (yes, you, not your bags!) will be weighed at check-in, and allocated an appropriate seat.