Visiting Galway from the US?

Visiting Galway from the US? The Hardiman has stood on Eyre Square, the very heart of the city, since 1852, so you can walk to almost everything: Shop Street, the Latin Quarter and the Spanish Arch are all minutes from the door, and Ceannt Station is a short stroll for your arrival from Shannon or Dublin. Our 103 rooms and 19 suites pair genuine period character with the comfort you want after a transatlantic flight, and MacNeill’s, our pub downstairs, brings the live trad music right to you. As a US guest, you’ll also unlock an exclusive direct-booking rate. Our team is happy to help plan your stay. 

Ireland has never been easier to reach from the States. Aer Lingus flies direct transatlantic routes from Boston, New York (JFK), Chicago (O’Hare) and Philadelphia into Dublin and Shannon, and United and American connect through their hubs.

Shannon or Dublin — which suits you?

 – Shannon Airport is the closer gateway, roughly 90 minutes from Galway, and the natural choice if Galway is your first stop – small, calm and quick to clear.

 – Dublin Airport has more routes and frequencies; allow around 2 hours 15 minutes by road, or take a comfortable train or coach if you’re not hiring a car.

 – Ireland West (Knock) is about 70 minutes away and handy for onward European connections.

Tip: transatlantic routes fill fast between April and September, so book early for summer travel.

Getting from Shannon or Dublin to Eyre Square is simple:

 – From Shannon: Direct coaches (Bus Éireann and Citylink) run roughly hourly to Galway’s Ceannt Stationin about 90 minutes, with fares around €16 – €22.

 – From Dublin: Irish Rail runs from Dublin Heuston to Galway in about 2 hours 20 minutes, and Citylink and GoBus coaches take around 2.5 hours from the city centre.

 – Both drop you at Ceannt Station, a short walk from the Hardiman’s door on Eyre Square. We’re happy to store your luggage on check-out day if your train or bus leaves later.

Planning a day trip? Connemara and Cliffs of Moher tour coaches leave from Galway Coach Station, a one-minute stroll away.

Galway city is compact and very walkable. From Eyre Square you can reach Shop Street, the Latin Quarter and the Spanish Arch on foot in well under 15 minutes, so you genuinely don’t need a car in the city.

For day trips — the Cliffs of Moher, Connemara, Kylemore Abbey, the Burren or the Aran Islands — either join a guided coach tour from the nearby coach station or hire a car for those days only.

Not sure how to fill your days? Our Discover Galway guide is full of itinerary ideas, day trips and local highlights to help you plan.

First time driving in Ireland? A few things US visitors tell us catch them out:

• You drive on the left, and roundabouts run clockwise, with traffic already on the roundabout having right of way.
• Country roads (especially in Connemara) are narrow, request an automatic car when you book if you’re not used to a manual car.

Our reservations team is happy to point you to the right tour operators — just ask.

• Money: Ireland uses the euro. Contactless cards work almost everywhere; carry a little cash for markets and a few traditional pubs.
• Tipping: Very different to the US. It isn’t built into the system: 10–15% for good restaurant service is appreciated but never expected, and you don’t tip at the bar in a pub.
• Plugs & power: Ireland uses the UK-style three-pin plug at 230V, so bring a universal adaptor. Most US phones and laptops handle the voltage automatically (check the label).
• Phone: Check your carrier’s international pass, or buy a prepaid SIM at the airport. Download offline maps before heading into Connemara, where signal can drop.
• Time difference: Ireland is 5 hours ahead of US Eastern time. To beat jet lag, try to stay up until local bedtime on your first night and get some daylight the next morning.
• Weather: Pack layers and a light waterproof year-round. Galway sits on the Atlantic, and a shower and sunshine can share an afternoon.
• Emergencies: Dial 112 or 999 (not 911). A pharmacy is called a “chemist”.

May to September gives the best mix of weather and long evenings, by midsummer it’s bright past 10pm. July is the busiest and liveliest month; May, June, and September are quieter but still warm. Galway is a city of festivals, and most happen a short walk from The Hardiman on Eyre Square. Book early for festival dates, the city fills up.

We offer a 10% discount for B&B rates if you book in advance, book your trip to Galway below.

Is The Hardiman close to Galway train and bus station?

It is very close. Ceannt Station, which handles both trains and coaches, is a short walk from the hotel on Eyre Square, one of the most central locations in Galway. That makes arrivals from Shannon or Dublin easy, and day-trip coaches to Connemara and the Cliffs of Moher leave from the adjoining coach station just a minute away. It’s an ideal base if you’re travelling without a car.

Is The Hardiman the former Hotel Meyrick or Great Southern Hotel?

Yes. The same historic building on Eyre Square has traded under several names over its long history and is today The Hardiman. If you remember it as the Great Southern Hotel or Hotel Meyrick, this is the place, now fully refurbished while keeping its period character.

Does The Hardiman have a swimming pool or leisure facilities?

The Hardiman doesn’t have its own swimming pool or leisure centre — we’re a historic 4-star hotel on Eyre Square, so our focus is on comfortable rooms, great food and a warm Galway welcome. If you’d like a swim during your stay, [HOTEL TEAM: name the nearest pool or leisure club guests can use, with walk/drive time and any guest arrangement]. Just ask our reception team and we’ll point you in the right direction.

Which airport is best for getting to Galway from the US — Shannon or Dublin?

Shannon is the closer gateway, roughly 90 minutes from Galway, and the easiest option if Galway is your first stop. Dublin has more transatlantic routes and frequencies but is about 2 hours 15 minutes away; the train from Dublin Heuston or a Citylink coach makes the onward journey simple. If you can get a direct flight into Shannon, take it, otherwise Dublin works perfectly well.

How do I get from the airport to The Hardiman?

Direct coaches run from Shannon to Galway’s Ceannt Station in about 90 minutes, and from Dublin you can take the train (about 2 hours 20) or a coach (around 2.5 hours). Ceannt Station is a short walk from our door on Eyre Square, so you can be checked in minutes after you arrive. We’re happy to store luggage on your check-out day too.

Do I need a car in Galway?

Not for the city itself. Galway is compact and walkable, and from The Hardiman most of what you came to see is within a 15-minute stroll. A car is only worth it for day trips to Connemara, the Cliffs of Moher or the Burren, and even then many guests prefer a guided coach tour departing near the hotel. Hire a car just for those days if you’d rather drive.

What is the exclusive discount for US visitors?

US guests booking direct with The Hardiman receive an exclusive discount on our bed-and-breakfast rates, just click Book Now to apply it. Booking direct is always our best rate, and you can sign up to Hardiman Rewards at the same time.

When is the best time to visit Galway?

May to September offers the warmest weather and long, bright evenings. July is the liveliest month, with the Galway International Arts Festival and the Galway Races, but it’s also the busiest, book early. For a quieter feel with good weather, May, June or September are ideal.

How far is The Hardiman from Eyre Square and the train station?

The Hardiman is on Eyre Square itself, in the very heart of the city, and Ceannt Station (train and coach) is just a short walk away, one of the most central hotel locations in Galway. That means easy arrivals, easy day trips, and the Latin Quarter, Shop Street and the Christmas Market all on your doorstep.

Do people tip in Ireland like in the US?

Tipping is much lower-key here. It isn’t built into wages the way it is in the US, so while 10–15% for good restaurant service is appreciated, it’s never expected and you don’t tip at the bar in a pub. You won’t be judged either way.

What should I pack for Galway’s weather?

Layers and a light waterproof, whatever the season. Galway sits on the Atlantic, so a bright morning can turn showery by afternoon and back again. Comfortable walking shoes matter more than an umbrella, which the coastal wind tends to defeat.

You’ve crossed the Atlantic, the hard part is done. Book direct with The Hardiman for your exclusive US-visitor rate and settle into a historic hotel right on Eyre Square, with Ceannt Station, the Latin Quarter and MacNeill’s live trad all a short walk from your room. Our team is here to help you plan flights, transfers and day trips, so all you have to do is arrive.