Christmas 2024 and New Year 2025 bus and train services in Galway

A summary of  bus and train services in Galway city and county 

for the

2024 Christmas and 2025 New Year period.

This is based on information published by the bus companies, and may change.
  Always check the services you want to use with the bus company.

New evening bus-service from Galway to Loughrea

Local Link Galway have announced they will be running three buses from Galway city to Loughrea each evening/night, starting on Monday 23 December 2024.

Route 439 will run from Galway Cathedral, stopping at Eyre Square, The G Hotel, ATU (formerly GMIT) Dublin Road, Oranmore Town Centre, Derrydonnell Cross, Craughwell, and Loughrea (Supervalu Athenry Rd, and Beattys). 

This is a 7-day, Monday to Sunday service, running every day except Christmas Day.

Buses will leave Eyre Square at 7:30pm, 9:30pm and 11:30pm.   Each journey takes approx. 50 minutes.   

No return (Loughrea to Galway) services are run by LocalLink - see East Galway regional buses for other options.

Fares have not been announced yet, but will probably be available on this page soon.   Leap card is accepted, and gives a 30% discount.   Free travel pass is also accepted on LocalLink services.

For queries, or to book a seat, phone (091) 842 384, or see www.locallinkgalway.ie

Galway-city Christmas Park-and-Ride for 2024

A park-and-ride service will run in Galway City for the Christmas 2024 shopping period.

It will run for eleven days, between Saturday 14 December and Tuesday 24 December inclusive. 

The service is being operated on behalf of Galway City Council, who commission and fund this service, using buses from locally-owned Callinan Coaches.

Decreases to City Direct Galway city fares

City Direct have announced  "we've made an update across all fare options".

They didn't give any details, but there has been standardisation with fares on other Galway city bus services, and a substantial decrease in some fares.  

For example, a adult single fare paid with a Leap card is now €1.35, and was previously €2.20.  This is a 39% decrease.

New fares  

Effective-date not stated, but perhaps 3 November 2024

ADULT FARES

• Single Cash Fare - €1.90
• Leap Single Fare - €1.35
• Leap Weekly Ticket - €16.80
• Leap Monthly Ticket - €60.00

CHILD FARES

• Single Cash - €0.90
• Leap Single Fare - €0.65
• Leap Weekly Ticket - €7.80
• Leap Monthly Ticket - €29.00

YOUNG ADULT

• Leap Single Fare - €0.65

STUDENT FARES

• Leap Monthly Ticket - €42.00

Advertised fares as at 16 June 2024 

(source: Internet Archive)

ADULT FARES

• Single Cash Fare - €2.70
• Monthly Ticket - €65
• Weekly Ticket - €20
• Leap Single Fare - €2.20
• Leap Monthly Ticket - €65
• Leap Weekly Ticket - €20

CHILD FARES

• Single Cash (3-12 years) - €1
• Single Cash (13-16 years) - €1.50
• Weekly Ticket - €15
• Leap Single (3-16 years) - €1.40
• Leap Weekly Ticket - €15 (up to 16 years old)
• Leap Monthly Ticket - €42 (up to 16 years old)

STUDENT FARES

• Single Cash Fare - €2 - applies from the 1st of September to the 31st of May on all routes.  I.D. is required.
• Leap Card Single - €1.90 - accepted from the 1st of September to the 31st of May on all routes.
• Leap Monthly Ticket - €55

 

Route 418 - Athenry cancelled

Farrel's of Athenry have announced that their daytime route 418 service between Athenry and Galway is cancelled from Friday 13 September 2024.

Their Nightlink service will continue to operate normally - note that buses operating this service now have "Spains Coach Hire" branding.