I thought I posted this earlier today, but now can't find it. Forgive me if this is a repeat.

We're landing in Dublin at 8:40 a.m., and are thinking of immediately driving to Galway, spending 2 days there, 2 days on the Dingle Peninsula, and 2 days back in Dublin before flying out. How far is the drive from Dublin to Galway? We have a limited amount of time and want to make the most of it. Any comments would be appreciated.

As on your other post:

Go to www.aaroadwatch.ie for the best route and travel time.

A cautionary note for using aaroadwatch: the virtual trip aa generate is based on a no traffic scenario. For example they estimate 2:38 mins from Dublin Airport to Galway city Centre. If this was possible it would rely on no other traffic being present, no stops, and not getting lost. What day of the week to you arrive? - This is a factor in the busy m50 which connects the Airport to the Galway road.

We arrive on a Wednesday. Maybe it would be a better idea to divide up our Dublin time- spend the first and the last night there. Not sure we're going to feel like being in a plane for 14 hours and then hopping in the car for another 3 1/2. I was just trying to give us two consecutive nights in a place. However, we fly out of Dublin at 10:45 a.m. the next Wednesday. Just starting to work on itinerary; bought airline tickets yesterday.

Yes, stay in Dublin the first night. That drive will be very tiring. No reason to risk your lives and the lives of others.

Bill

This is my first post on Fodors. I drive the Dublin/Galway/Dublin route about 2/3 times a year. It takes approx 3 to 3 1/2 hours. From the M50 take the exit which reads N4/Plamerstown and I think it also says Sligo. There is no mention of Galway on the exit sign. Follow the signs for the N4 and then for the N6 (N6 is the main Dublin/Galway road) A nice place to stop for a cup of coffee/tea or a nice meal is in "Tyrells Castle" just outside the village of Tyrellspass on the Galway side of the village. I would suggest you stay in Dublin the first night, the journey is too long after a long transatlantic flight. Be careful driving, Ireland has had a lot of fatal road accidents recently. Good luck and enjoy your trip

Thanks for all the good advice. Definitely staying in Dublin night 1. I've heard Dublin is very difficult to drive in. Would it make sense to get ourselves into the city to sight-see, but wait and pick up the car on the next day on the way out of town?

LOYL: Parking a car in Dublin is a hassle and expensive. Driving a car in Dublin is confusing, because of all the one-way streets, and street names changing, etc. I think I'd either get the car and spend the night in Swords or Malahide or somewhere else near the airport, and take public transport into the city. Or, don't pick it up until you're ready to leave.
As for driving to Galway, I think it took us about 3 1/2 hours, and it's not a bad drive, pretty much good road. But the road goes through some towns, and you never know what you might encounter, in terms of slow-downs. You're wise not to try to drive there after an all-night flight.

What about the option of getting a train to Galway and renting a car from there? Dublin and Galway city are best explored by foot. Perhaps you could rent a car in Galway when you are checking out of your b&b and ready to head to Dingle? The train from dublin to Galway would be about €60 for two of you and drops you in the centre of the city.

I wouldnt advise you to drive straight to Galway after a long flight, so glad to hear you are staying over. Dont waste your time trying to drive around Dublin, its gridlocked most of the time! and parking is very expensive, if you want to see a bit of Central Dublin take the hop on hop off bus tour. Please be careful driving to Galway,as a previous poster mentioned, tragically road deaths have become all to frequent here in Ireland.