In association with GalwayTransport.info - Galway's public transport information site

Sunday, July 18, 2021

Bus Eireann route 20 / x20 Galway to Dublin and Dublin airport - cancelled

Bus Éireann Expressway coach parked at Galway bus station.

Bus Eireann have announced that all buses on Route 20 and x20, Galway / Dublin City / Dublin airport will be cancelled, effective from Thursday 29 July 2021.   

This change was first announced during 2020, with the new announcement adding the exact date it takes effect.

Alternative services

Some aspect of this service will be replaced by the new Aircoach route 706x Galway / Dublin City+airport service which is starting the same day.

Other towns previously served by the route 20 are Craughwell, Loughrea, Aughrim, Moate, Kilbeggan, and Kinnegad.  They are still served by the CityLink multi-stop / commuter route 763 service.  However there will be fewer services overall  each day:  the CityLink service currently has 8 buses each way per day and Bus Éireann has 4.  Effectively, each day there will be 8 fewer buses each day stopping in these towns (4 going west, 4 going east).  CityLink does accept the Free Travel Pass, although they charge a free of €3 per journey for Free Travel passengers who want to book in advance.

GoBus and CityLink also operate regular express services between Galway and Dublin.

See eastern Galway regional bus services for more details of the options.

New Galway/Dublin coach service

Photo from Stephen's Transort Photos - license.

Aircoach has announced a new coach / bus service, the 706x between Galway and Dublin airport, which will start from on Thursday 29 July 2021.

Aircoach will offer ten services per day, Monday to Sunday, between Galway City and Dublin City and Dublin Airport.   Of these:

  • 2 coaches each day will stop at Galway Coach Station, GMIT, Athlone and Athlone-IT and Dublin Airport only
  • 2 coaches each day will stop at the same places, plus Dublin city-centre
  • 4 coaches will also stop at Portincula Hospital (Ballinasloe), Maynooth and Dublin city.
The full timetable is now available on their website.   Tickets can be 

Customers can pre-book tickets up to two hours before a journey.    Tickets can be purchased from drivers on a walk-up basis, but this is not recommended as yet, due to Covid-19 loading restrictions.

Effectively this service replaces the Bus Éireann Expressway route x20 service, which has been serving this route, but is cancelled from the same day.   

Galway City arrivals and departures will all be from the private Coach Station.

Fares start from adult single Galway to Dublin city - buy online for $15.