Galway Day Tours - Frequently Asked Questions about Fáilte Tours

Burren Tour

Does the tour stop at various locations? Yes! The tour stops at DunGuaire Castle, Corcomroe Abbey, Poulnabrone Dolmen, Cliffs of Moher, Doolin, Burren Coast Line plus many more places of interest!
Does the cost of the tour include admission to the Cliffs of Moher? No! However entrance is at a special reduced discount price compliments of Fáilte Tours of just €1
Can you get lunch on the tour? Yes! You can get lunch at Fitzpatrick's Bar or at the Cliffs of Moher
How long does the tour stop at the Cliffs of Moher? The tour stops for 2 Hours approx?
Where does the tour start from? The tours start from the New Coach Station, Fairgreen Road, across from the Tourist Office, in the City Centre at 10am & 11:15am.
Do the tours operate daily all year round? Yes, they operate daily all year round except Christmas day, St Stephens day & New Years day.
How do I book a ticket for the tour? There are a number of ways! You can buy online at www.failtetours.com to get a 10% discount. Or you can buy your tickets at the Galway Tourist Office or on the coach. Please make sure you look for the Fáilte Tours bus to avoid confusion. Finally you can make a reservation by phone by calling 00 353 85 730 7479 and a seat/seats will be reserved for you in your name.
Can I get picked up at my hotel/guesthouse in Galway on the morning of the tour? Yes we provide a free pick up service if you let us know on the previous evening or the morning of the tour
Can I join the tour if I live in or am travelling from Dublin? Yes! You have a choice that if the train is late into Galway & you miss the early tour at 10am you can join the next tour at 11:30am. Both tours return to Galway at 5:30pm approx so you can connect with the evening train/bus back to Dublin
Do I get a discount if I take the Connemara and or the Aran Islands Tour? Yes you get a 10% reduction on the second or third tour.
Do you offer group rates? Yes we offer special rates for all group sizes. Please email info@failtetours.com or phone us to arrange your group rate!
What times do the tours return at? Both tours return at 5.30pm approx.
What is the difference between the 10am and 11.15am tour? The 11.15am tour does not visit Corcomroe Abbey.

Connemara Tour

Does the tour stop at various locations? Yes! The tour stops at Staundun’s gift & sweater wear shop in Spiddal for tea/coffee & browse around, Deserted Famine village, Screeb waterfall, Killiary fjord & harbour in Leenane, Kylemore Abbey & gardens, Inagh valley, Replica of Quiet man cottage plus many more places of interest!
Does the cost of the tour include admission to Kylemore Abbey & gardens? No! However entrance to both places is at a special reduced discount price compliments of Fáilte Tours. Entrance to Abbey & gardens is €7
Can you get lunch on the tour? Yes! You can get lunch at Kylemore Abbey
How long does the tour stop at Kylemore Abbey & gardens? The tour stops for 2hrs approx in high season and for 1hr 15mins approx in low season when gardens are closed. This is also the lunch stop as well.
Where does the tour start from? The tours start from the New Coach Station, Fairgreen Road, across from the Tourist Office, in the City Centre at 10am.
Does the tours operate daily all year round? Yes, the tour operates daily all year round except Christmas day, St Stephens day & New Years day.
How do I book a ticket for the tour? There are a number of ways! You can buy online at www.failtetours.com to get a 10% discount. Or you can buy your tickets at the Galway Tourist Office or on the coach. Please make sure you look for the Fáilte Tour bus to avoid confusion. Finally you can make a reservation by phone by calling 00 353 85 730 7479 and a seat/seats will be reserved for you in your name.
Can I get picked up at my hotel/guesthouse in Galway on the morning of the tour? Yes we provide a free pick up service if you let us know on the previous evening or the morning of the tour

Can I join the tour if I live in or am travelling from Dublin? Yes! We can arrange to pick you up at the station when the train arrives into Galway. The tour returns to Galway at 5:00pm approx so you can connect with the evening train/bus back to Dublin
Do I get a discount if I take the Burren & Cliffs of Moher Tour? Yes you get a 10% reduction on the second tour.
Do you offer group rates? Yes we offer special rates for all group sizes. Please email bus@failtetours.com or phone us to arrange your group rate!
What times do the tours return at? Both tours return at 5.15pm approx.
What is the difference between the 10am and 11.30am tour? The 11.30am tour does not travel along the Galway Bay coastline.

Aran Islands Tour

Where do ferries for the Aran Islands leave from?
All ferries to the Aran Islands leave from Rossaveal Harbour, Connemara, Co. Galway.
How far is it from Galway City to Rossaveal Harbour?40kms.
I won't have a car, how do I get to Rossaveal Harbour? Is there a bus? Fáilte Tours have an optional private bus service from Galway City to Rossaveal Harbour and back. The bus leaves from Merchants Road in Galway City (outside Kinlay House Youth Hostel) approximately 1 hour and 15 minutes before each sailing. For further information on bus transfers to Rossaveal Harbour, click here.
Can the bus pick me up en route? Yes, once you have requested it in advance. The bus leaves from outside Kinlay House Youth Hostel on Merchants Road in Galway City. Additional pick up points (on request) include Jurys Inn Hotel, Supervalu supermarket on Fr. Griffin Road, the Tourist Information Office in Salthill, Joyces Supermarket in Knocknacarra, and the villages of Barna, Spiddal, and Inverin.
I will be driving our own car -how long will it take to drive to Rossaveal Harbour? We advise you to allow approximately 1 hour and 15 minutes for this journey. The drive is beautiful as you travel along the coastline of Galway Bay, but if you get caught behind a slow moving vehicle it can be difficult to overtake them. It is best to allow plenty of time for the journey - better to be safe than sorry!
How do I drive from Galway City to Rossaveal? Can you give me directions? We have prepared detailed directions for all Fáilte Tours customers - just click on one of the following:
* From Galway City Centre (Eyre Square) to Rossaveal
* From Oranmore (east of Galway City) following the outer ring-road to Rossaveal
Can I take my car to the Aran Islands? No, all ferries to the Aran Islands are passenger-only ferries. However, once on the islands you can travel by minibus, bicycle, jaunting car or if energy levels allow, on foot!
Can I leave my car at Rossaveal Harbour? Yes. There is a public car park at the end of the harbour on the left hand side - this normally costs €5 per day, but is free during the off-peak season. Travelling with Oileáin Árann Díreach
Do I have to pre-book tickets or can I just arrive at Rossaveal? You can purchase tickets at the Fáilte Tours ticket office in Rossaveal, but as there is no guarantee that there will be seats available at your preferred departure time without a reservation. We advise passengers to pre-book either online or in one of our Information Centres in Galway City to avoid disappointment.
I booked my tickets online - where do I collect my tickets? You can collect them in our Travel Centre in Forster Street in Galway City, or at our ticket office in Rossaveal. Just let us know when you are booking which option you would prefer.
How long is the crossing? The crossing to Inis Mor (the largest island) takes between 30 and 40 minutes. The smaller islands of Inis Meain and Inis Oirr are further away and the journey takes about 1 hour and 10 minutes.
What facilities are on board? We have outdoor and indoor seating areas, DVD viewing, toilets, wheelchair facilities, and a bar / shop for refreshments.
Are your ferries wheelchair accessible? Yes. Our boats are wheelchair accessible and have wheelchair accessible toilets.
Do you accept bicycles on board? Yes, we try to accommodate bicycles, depending on how fully booked the boat is. It is best to enquire in advance, but we promise to do our best for you.
Do you accept pets on board? Yes, so long as they are kept under control.
How do I get around the islands? There are a number of transport options:

* Minibus tour – normally €10 per person for a 2.5 hour guided tour
* Bicycle – normally €10 per day, child and family rates available
* Jaunting car (pony and trap) – negotiate with the driver in advance
Is there a Tourist Information Office on the islands? Yes, Ireland West Tourism runs a Tourist Information Office at the pier in Kilronan. You can contact them on +353 (0)99 61263.
Is there accommodation available on the islands? Yes, there is a choice of B&Bs, youth hostels and a hotel on the islands. Check our accommodation section for more details.

Galway Day Tour | FAQ's

Burren Tour

Connemara Tour

Aran Islands Tour