How much does it cost to travel to Galway?
You should plan to spend around $129 (€119) per day on your vacation in Galway. This is the average daily price based on the expenses of other visitors.
Past travelers have spent, on average for one day:
- $36 (€33) on meals
- $36 (€33) on local transportation
- $126 (€116) on hotels
A one week trip to Galway for two people costs, on average, $1,807 (€1,660). This includes accommodation, food, local transportation, and sightseeing.
All of these average travel prices have been collected from other travelers to help you plan your own travel budget.
Independent Travel
Traveling Independently to Galway has many benefits including affordabilty, freedom, flexibility, and the opportunity to control your own experiences.
All of the travel costs below are based on the experiences of other independent travelers.
Is Galway expensive to visit?
Prices in Galway are reasonable and comparable to your average travel destination. Hotels, food, and sightseeing are generally within normal price ranges.
Within Europe, which is known to be an expensive region, Galway is a moderately priced destination compared to other places. The overall cost of travel here is fair for the region and comparable to Messina or Cefalu.
For more details, and to find out if it's within your travel budget, see Is Galway Expensive?
How much money do I need for a trip to Galway?
The average Galway trip cost is broken down by category here for independent travelers. All of these Galway travel prices are calculated from the budgets of real travelers.
Category
|
Cost
|
Accommodation 1
(Double Occupancy)
|
€116
($126)
|
Local Transportation 1
|
€33
($36)
|
Food 2
|
€33
($36)
|
Entertainment 1
|
€12
($13)
|
Alcohol 2
|
€7 -
22
($8 - 24)
|
Accommodation Budget in Galway
Calculated from travelers like you
The average price paid for one person for accommodation in Galway is $63 (€58). For two people sharing a typical double-occupancy hotel room, the average price paid for a hotel room in Galway is $126 (€116). This cost is from the reported spending of actual travelers.
Looking for a hotel in Galway? Prices vary by location, date, season, and the level of luxury. See below for options.
Transportation Budget in Galway
Calculated from travelers like you
-
The cost of a taxi ride in Galway is significantly more than public transportation. On average, past travelers have spent $36 (€33) per person, per day, on local transportation in Galway.
-
Transportation1
Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
$36
€33
How much does it cost to go to Galway? Naturally, it depends on the dates. We recommend Kayak because they can find the best deals across all airlines.
The price of renting a car in Galway will depends on dates, the type of car, the location, and your age. We recommend Kayak because they can find the best deals across all car rental companies.
Food Budget in Galway
Calculated from travelers like you
-
While meal prices in Galway can vary, the average cost of food in Galway is $36 (€33) per day. Based on the spending habits of previous travelers, when dining out an average meal in Galway should cost around $14 (€13) per person. Breakfast prices are usually a little cheaper than lunch or dinner. The price of food in sit-down restaurants in Galway is often higher than fast food prices or street food prices.
-
Food2
Meals for one day
$36
€33
Typical prices for Food in Galway are listed below. These actual costs are from real travelers and can give you an idea of the prices in Galway, but your costs will vary based on your travel style and the place where the purchase was made.
-
Fish & Chips Dinner
€8.12
Entertainment Budget in Galway
Calculated from travelers like you
-
Entertainment and activities in Galway typically cost an average of $13 (€12) per person, per day based on the spending of previous travelers. This includes fees paid for admission tickets to museums and attractions, day tours, and other sightseeing expenses.
-
Entertainment1
Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
$13
€12
Alcohol Budget in Galway
Calculated from travelers like you
-
The average person spends about $16 (€15) on alcoholic beverages in Galway per day. The more you spend on alcohol, the more fun you might be having despite your higher budget.
-
Alcohol2
Drinks for one day
$16
€15
Water Budget in Galway
Calculated from travelers like you
-
On average, people spend $2.72 (€2.50) on bottled water in Galway per day. The public water in Galway is considered safe to drink.
-
Water2
Bottled water for one day
$2.72
€2.50
Last Updated: Feb 27, 2024
Galway On a Budget
Galway, Ireland
Galway is Ireland's fifth largest city with a population of over 70,000. Located in the province of Connacht, it is typically the first stop for travelers headed into western Ireland. It serves as a gateway for this scenic part of the country, but it truly is a destination in and of itself. The city is pleasantly quaint, and is crisscrossed by lovely pedestrian only streets that are lined with shopping and restaurants. There are also countless museums and galleries to explore. Churches and cathedrals dot the town and are fun to drop by if you're fascinated with architecture.
The climate in Galway is usually damp and temperate. Temperatures range from just above freezing during the winter months to the mid 20's (Celsius) in the summer months. Rain is common year around but snow is quite rare. The city is relatively humid throughout the year as well. Be prepared for sudden temperature changes and always be prepared for a sudden, unexpected shower.
Sights
Many people use Galway as a base for exploring West Ireland. The city itself is also worth a visit although there are not as many traditional sightseeing spots as other cities. A visit to Galway is more about enjoying the atmosphere and culture of the area. The sights in the area do include Lynch's Castle on Shop Street, the Spanish Arch, the Galway City Museum, The Cathedral of Our Lady Assumed into Heaven and St Nicholas, the Church of Ireland St. Nicholas' Collegiate Church, the Hall of the Red Earl, the Eglinton Canal, and the pedestrian shopping area near Eyre Square.
Neighborhoods
Although Galway is quite small, it has some interesting and diverse areas. Most tourists spend the majority of their time in the city center, where you'll find the oldest buildings and the best nightlife. In the Docklands area you'll find some trendy shops and high end apartments. Claddagh is on the other side of the River Corrib. Salthill is on the coast and has a few beaches, resorts, and a large amusement park called Leisureland.
There are also some sprawling suburbs to Galway. On the west side Knocknacarra spreads into the Gaeltacht region and on the east Doughiska and Roscam have begun to develop as recently as the early 2000s. Galway continues to experience significant growth and nearby towns are also feeling the effects.
Activities
There are many activities and events that go on around Galway throughout the year. The Town Hall Theatre shows many different plays and musicals. It's also used during the many festivals that Galway hosts. The Galway Atlantaquaria on the Seapoint Promenade is an interesting place to learn more about ocean life. It focuses on the marine life found around the Irish coasts.
Other activities around town include guided cruises of the River and Lough Corrib. These are offered by Corrib Princess on a modern luxury river cruiser. They leave from Woodquay, which is in the middle of the city.
The Galway Arts Festival is one of the most impressive cultural events of the year. It is held for two weeks in July and has many features including music, theatre and exhibitions.
Food and Dining
Restaurants are great in Galway, but if you're on a budget it's best to pick up some food at a market. One good option is the supermarket in Eyre Square Center. There's also a Tesco on Headford Road and on weekends there's a great outdoor market that's in Church Lane near the St. Nicholas Church. It's a great place to pick up some local produce and dairy or bread products. You can easily make a lunch out of the cheap crepes and curries available there as well.
Like many Irish cities, Galway also has a vibrant nightlife with many pubs, bars and clubs. Check out the Galway City Pub Guide for recommendations.
Transportation
You can easily walk around central Galway and hit most of the tourist sights. Pick up a map before you head out and it will save you some hassle. If you get tired of walking you can easily pick up a taxi, but keep in mind that they are often very expensive. Also, avoid bringing your car into the city center because parking can be a true challenge. Local bus networks are operated by Bus Eireann and CityDirect.
There are some interesting parts of the town that are enjoyable to explore on foot. Salthill, which is a popular area, is about a half hours walk from the city center. The Promenade is enjoyable to walk down and begins at the Claddagh and goes to Blackrock. It's a great place to people watch and soak up the local culture as you'll see families walking around and people rollerblading.
Related:
Traveling alone to
Dublin or
London?
Looking for a party and need a
hostel in London or
Amsterdam?
We've been gathering travel costs from tens of thousands of actual travelers since 2010, and we use the data to calculate average daily travel costs for destinations around the world. We also systematically analyze the prices of hotels, hostels, and tours from travel providers such as Kayak, HostelWorld, TourRadar, Viator, and others. This combination of expenses from actual travelers, combined with pricing data from major travel companies, gives us a uniqe insight into the overall cost of travel for thousands of cities in countries around the world. You can see more here: How it Works.