A Travel Price Comparison for Ireland Killarney vs. Galway for Nightlife, Families, Couples, and Backpackers

Should you visit Killarney or Galway?

Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?

Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel comparison between Killarney and Galway can help. It includes a travel cost comparison in addition to other factors. For many travelers, the cost of a destination is a primary consideration when choosing where to go.

Killarney

Killarney is a natural, peaceful, and charming town. It's a very nice small town not to be missed. It's a gorgeous place to visit. It's also known for food, hiking, and museums.

Galway

Galway is a cultural, historical, and vibrant city. Since it's a large city, you'll find plenty of things to do. It's also known for shopping, museums, and nightlife.

Killarney and Galway: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Killarney or Galway?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Galway. Although Killarney and Galway are both popular with visitors, Galway has more sights, activities, and attractions for travelers. Galway is more popular for its nightlife, shopping, and big city activities, while Killarney is known for its hiking, small town charm, and impressive beauty. Killarney is more touristy than Galway and is known for its access to Killarney National Park and its location along the Ring of Kerry scenic drive. Galway is popular for its many festivals, its traditional pubs, and its live Irish folk music. It is also home to The Galway Market.

How is Killarney different from Galway?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Galway and Killarney. Then, you can decide for yourself which place is better for your next trip.

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Killarney or Galway?

Both Killarney and Galway have good landmarks and museums for visitors.

Killarney is a good place to visit if you're interested in museums or other recognizable sights. In addition to the area's natural beauty, you should also check out Muckross House Gardens, Muckross Abbey, and Ross Castle.

Galway offers a variety of museums and landmarks to choose from. Popular landmarks and sights in town include Eyre Square, St. Nicholas' Church, the Galway Cathedral, and the Galway City Museum.

Is the Food Better in Killarney or Galway? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Local dishes at restaurants are fun to try in both Killarney and Galway.

Killarney offers number of good local restaurants to choose from. You'll find great local fish and chips shops as well as locally caught seafood and regional produce. There are cafes and other independent restaurants that provide a local taste of the area.

Galway has a delicious restaurant scene that relies on local flavors. There are local pubs and traditional restaurants offering authentic Irish dishes. Popular options include Irish Stew, Cockles and Mussels, and Galway Oysters.

Is Killarney or Galway Better for Nightlife?

Galway is well known for nightlife. However, Killarney is not particularly known for nightlife and partying.

Galway is a popular destination for visitors looking to party into the night. The nightlife scene is among the best in Ireland. The city embraces the friendly Irish hospitality and there are laid back pubs and bars around town as well as a few trendy nightclubs.

Killarney doesn't have the most active nightlife scene. You can hang out with the locals at one of the bars or Irish pubs in town.

Is Killarney or Galway Better for Hiking?

Killarney is notable for the nearby hiking options. However, Galway is not a hiking destination.

Killarney is a popular spot for hiking. You'll find many great hiking trails both in and around Killarney National Park. The town is also the starting and ending point for the 200 km Kerry Way walking trail. Other hikes worth checking out in the area include the Knockreer Circular Walk, Muckross Lake Loop Walk, and Old Kenmare Road Walk.

Galway is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Killarney or Galway?

Galway is a city with good options for shopping. However, Killarney is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Galway is a great destination for shopping. You'll find shopping both in the city center as well as at suburban shopping malls. For some of the best shopping head to The Latin Quarter, The Westend or the outdoor market which is found in Church lane by St Nicholas' Church.

Killarney is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Is Killarney or Galway Better for Families?

Killarney is notable for its family-friendly activities. Also, Galway is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its kid-friendly activities.

Killarney is a very family-friendly place to visit. The area has many outdoor activities. You can explore Killarney National Park by horseback or head out on bikes. You can also take a boat ride or there's Kennedys Pet Farm for animal lovers.

Galway is a family-friendly town. Kids will enjoy the National Aquarium Galway or simply wandering around the Latin Quarter. About 15 minutes outside of the city is the Wildlands Adventure Park which has ziplines, ropes courses, and other adrenaline filled activities. Brigit's Garden is another fun place to let kids stretch their legs.

Is Killarney or Galway Better for Couples?

Killarney is notable for romance. Also, Galway is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its romantic activities.

Killarney is a very popular place to visit for couples. Nature enthusiasts will enjoy exploring Killarney National Park. You can also go kayaking, biking, horseback riding or relax at The Angsana Spa.

Galway makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. There are nice restaurants, beautiful walks, and a few parks to explore. There are also several romantic places just outside of town that make for a great day trip.

Is Killarney or Galway Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Galway is well known for backpackers. Also, Killarney is still popular, but not quite as popular for backpackers and budget travelers.

Backpackers come from all over to visit Galway. There are plenty of hostels in the area and it's easy to meet other travelers.

Plenty of backpackers visit Killarney. You'll find a surprising number of interesting hostels in the area so you shouldn't have trouble finding a place to stay or meeting fellow backpackers.

Is Killarney or Galway Better for Students?

Galway is a city with good options for students. However, Killarney is not popular with students.

Galway is popular with students. The city has a solid student population with a number of activities and entertainment options.

Killarney is not popular with students.

Is Killarney or Galway Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Galway is a city with good options for its public transit. However, Killarney is not particularly known for times when you don't have a car.

You'll find some public transit in Galway, but it may not be enough to take you everywhere. There are two bus companies in Galway, Bus Eireann and City Direct.

Public transit is mostly limited in Killarney. There's a shuttle bus that travels between some of the tourist attractions.

Is Killarney or Galway a more walkable city?

Galway is well known for its walkability. However, Killarney is not particularly known for its high level of walkability.

Galway is very walkable. If you stay in central Galway, the area is generally compact and walkable.

Killarney is not a very walkable town. While there are many great hikes in the area, you'll need a car to access most of them.

For even more information, also check out Is Killarney Worth Visiting? and Is Galway Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Galway or Killarney?

How long in Killarney or Galway?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Killarney and Galway. In our opinion, Galway has more to see and do, so we recommend spending more time in Galway than Killarney. However, 2-3 days is a good amount of time to spend in either destination.

Families should spend more time in Killarney than Galway. Because of the many family-friendly attractions and fun things to do for kids in Killarney, it's a great place to visit with the whole family.

Couples should spend more time in Killarney than Galway. You'll find plenty of romantic sights and fun activities in Killarney that are great for a weekend getaway or a longer couple's trip.

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Galway than Killarney if your budget allows for it. With a larger number of budget-friendly sights, good nightlife, and active things to do, anyone traveling on a budget would have a good time in Galway.

One day in Killarney or Galway?

Many travelers enjoy the museums and food when visiting the destination of Killarney. Hikers are also drawn to this area. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

You'll find shopping and museums around the city of Galway. Since there is so much to do in the area, one day is probably not enough for all of it. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

A weekend in Killarney or Galway?

Killarney is a great place to explore. It is common to spend a weekend here. With all of its activities, you can easily fill a weekend here. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

You'll find museums and nightlife around the vibrant destination of Galway. This is a popular place to visit for a weekend.A weekend should give you a good understanding of everything this city has to offer. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from.

Five days in Killarney or Galway?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Killarney. Make sure you spend some time hiking while you're in the area. Five days may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

Travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the vibrant city of Galway. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

A week in Killarney or Galway?

Travelers enjoy the food and museums when visiting the local destination of Killarney. This town offers a variety of activities to choose from. Many travelers plan to spend time hiking while in the area. Most people find that one week is more than enough time to see everything.

Galway is a popular choice for travelers. One week is usually plenty of time to spend here with extra days to spare. With this much time, visitors often visit nearby destinations or take day trips. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Budget Tours to Ireland, The Best Tours for Seniors to Ireland, The Best 3-Day Tours from Dublin, and The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Dublin.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Killarney and Galway, we can see that Killarney is more expensive. And not only is Galway much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Galway would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Galway and be able to afford a more luxurious travel style by staying in nicer hotels, eating at more expensive restaurants, taking tours, and experiencing more activities. The same level of travel in Killarney would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Killarney than you might in Galway.

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Killarney Expensive? and Is Galway Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Killarney or Galway?

Galway has a larger population, and is about 10 times larger than the population of Killarney. When comparing the sizes of Killarney and Galway, keep in mind that a larger population does not always imply the destination has more attractions or better activities. So, always research the type of place that you want to visit along with the activities and attractions that interest you.

When is the best time to visit Killarney or Galway?

Both destinations experience a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. And since both cities are in the northern hemisphere, summer is in July and winter is in January.

Should I visit Killarney or Galway in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Killarney and Galway. The summer months attract visitors to Killarney because of the hiking, the small town charm, and the family-friendly experiences. Also, the city activities and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Galway this time of year.

Killarney is around the same temperature as Galway in the summer. The daily temperature in Killarney averages around 15°C (59°F) in July, and Galway fluctuates around 16°C (60°F).

Killarney usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Galway during summer. Killarney gets 140 hours of sunny skies, while Galway receives 142 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Killarney usually receives more rain than Galway. Killarney gets 74 mm (2.9 in) of rain, while Galway receives 54 mm (2.1 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Killarney or Galway in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Killarney as well as Galway. The hiking trails, the small town atmosphere, and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Killarney this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Galway for the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene.

In the autumn, Killarney is around the same temperature as Galway. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Killarney in October average around 12°C (53°F), and Galway averages at about 11°C (52°F).

In the autumn, Killarney often gets less sunshine than Galway. Killarney gets 79 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Galway receives 96 hours of full sun.

It's quite rainy in Galway. Killarney receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Killarney usually gets more rain in October than Galway. Killarney gets 156 mm (6.2 in) of rain, while Galway receives 142 mm (5.6 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Killarney or Galway in the Winter?

Both Galway and Killarney are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. Many travelers come to Killarney for the museums and the cuisine. Also, many visitors come to Galway in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

In January, Killarney is generally a little warmer than Galway. Daily temperatures in Killarney average around 7°C (44°F), and Galway fluctuates around 6°C (42°F).

Killarney usually receives less sunshine than Galway during winter. Killarney gets 44 hours of sunny skies, while Galway receives 59 hours of full sun in the winter.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Galway. It's quite rainy in Killarney. In January, Killarney usually receives more rain than Galway. Killarney gets 167 mm (6.6 in) of rain, while Galway receives 116 mm (4.6 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Killarney or Galway in the Spring?

Both Galway and Killarney during the spring are popular places to visit. Many visitors come to Killarney in the spring for the small town charm and the natural beauty. Furthermore, most visitors come to Galway for the activities around the city during these months.

Killarney is around the same temperature as Galway in the spring. The daily temperature in Killarney averages around 9°C (48°F) in April, and Galway fluctuates around 9°C (48°F).

In the spring, Killarney often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Galway. Killarney gets 150 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Galway receives 153 hours of full sun.

Killarney usually gets more rain in April than Galway. Killarney gets 76 mm (3 in) of rain, while Galway receives 52 mm (2.1 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Galway and Killarney