Citylink Dublin to Galway: Timetable, Stops & Fares

Anyone who’s ever waited for a late bus at Custom House Quay knows the value of a reliable timetable. Citylink runs over 20 daily departures between Dublin and Galway, with journey times around two and a half hours. But what really sets this service apart is how much control you have before you even step aboard — from live bus tracking to mobile ticketing. Here’s the full picture, from first departure to final stop.

Daily departures: Over 20 · Journey time: 2 hours 30 minutes · Adult fare from: €15 · Direct service: Yes · Free WiFi: Yes · USB charging: Yes

Six key figures, one pattern: the route is built for frequency and digital convenience, not just low fares.

What is the Citylink Dublin to Galway timetable?

Weekday schedule: morning, afternoon, evening departures

• First bus from Dublin city centre departs around 05:30 (Citylink – official timetables)
• Last bus leaves Dublin around 23:00 (Citylink – official timetables)
• Between those, buses run every 30 to 60 minutes, depending on time of day (Omio Ireland – transit aggregator)

Weekend and holiday timetable variations

• Saturday and Sunday see slightly reduced frequency, but still over 15 departures each direction (Citylink – official timetables)
• Public holiday schedules follow Sunday patterns; check the PDF for bank holidays (Citylink PDF – Galway to Dublin timetable)

How to access the official PDF timetable

• Citylink publishes a dedicated timetable page at citylink.ie/timetables with PDF downloads for each route (Citylink – official timetables)
• The Galway–Dublin PDF includes both airport-direct and city-centre routes (Citylink PDF – timetable detail)

Why this matters: A 30–60 minute window is practical for spontaneous travellers, but missing the last bus (23:00) leaves few alternatives — the catch is largely about late-night flexibility.

Where is the Citylink Dublin to Galway bus stop?

Dublin city centre departure point

• The main city centre stop is Custom House Quay (stop 135281), right beside the IFSC (Citylink – official route info)
• Buses also pick up at Aston Quay during some early morning runs, but Custom House Quay is the primary terminal (Citylink – official route info)

Dublin Airport stop location

• At Dublin Airport, all Citylink buses (route 760 and 761) depart from Zone 2 on the Arrivals Road (Citylink route 760 – official stop info)
• The stop is well signed; look for the Citylink logo next to the GoBus stand (Moovit – transit app schedule)

Galway arrival stops (Coach Station and Eyre Square)

• Galway Coach Station (Fairgreen) is the primary drop-off point, located a 5-min walk from Eyre Square (Citylink – official route info)
• Some route 760 services also stop at Eyre Square itself (Citylink – official route info)

The trade-off: Custom House Quay is convenient for the city centre but a 15-minute walk from Connolly Station. If you’re coming from Heuston, factor in an extra 20 minutes.

How to book a Citylink from Galway to Dublin?

Step-by-step online booking process

1. Go to citylink.ie and select the Galway–Dublin route (Citylink – official booking site)
2. Choose your travel date and time; the system shows available departures with remaining seats (Citylink – official booking site)
3. Select a seat (optional, but recommended for busy times) and enter passenger details (Citylink – official booking site)
4. Pay by card or PayPal — the confirmation email includes a QR code for boarding (Citylink – official booking site)

Purchasing tickets at the bus station or on board

• Tickets can be bought from the driver, but exact change is preferred (Citylink – official booking site)
• Contactless card payment is accepted on most buses (Citylink – official booking site)
• Note: on-board purchase does not guarantee a seat if the bus is full (Citylink – official booking site)

Using the Citylink mobile app

• The Citylink app (iOS and Android) allows mobile ticketing, live tracking, and schedule browsing (Citylink – official app info)
• App-purchased tickets are stored offline, so you don’t need data to show your QR code (Citylink – official app info)

The catch: Online bookings are non-refundable, though you can change the date up to 24 hours before departure.

How to track a Citylink bus from Dublin to Galway?

Using the ‘Track Your Bus’ feature on the Citylink website

• Citylink provides a live tracker at citylink.ie/tracker for each route (Citylink – official tracker)
• Enter your route number (760 or 761) to see the live location and estimated arrival (Citylink – official tracker)

Real-time tracking via the Citylink app

• The app shows bus location, estimated arrival, and any delays in real time (Citylink – official app info)
• Push notifications alert you when your bus is approaching the stop (Citylink – official app info)

Alternatives: third-party journey planners

• Transport for Ireland (TFI) Real Time service also covers Citylink buses – use on transportforireland.ie (Moovit – transit data)
• Moovit app offers a detailed schedule and real-time tracking for route 761 (Moovit – public transit app)

Why this matters: For anyone who’s stood in the rain guessing when the bus will arrive, the digital tools cut wait time and anxiety. The trade-off is battery life — keep your phone charged.

How to get from Dublin Airport to Galway by Citylink?

Citylink route 760: direct Dublin Airport to Galway service

• Route 760 runs direct between Dublin Airport Zone 2 and Galway Coach Station, with no city centre detour (Citylink route 760 – official page)
• Journey time is roughly the same as city centre departures: around 2 hours 30 minutes (Omio – airport route data)
• Frequency on this route is about 21 departures per day (Omio – airport route data)

Booking tickets for airport transfers

• Tickets can be purchased online in advance or at the airport bus stop contactless terminal (Citylink – official booking site)
• Same fare structure applies: advance online prices from €15, on-board from €18–20 (Comparabus – fare comparison site)

Tips for a smooth connection from arriving flights

• Allow at least 30 minutes after landing to clear baggage and reach Zone 2 (Citylink – official info)
• Check live tracker before leaving arrivals – if your bus is delayed, grab a coffee in the terminal (Citylink – official tracker)
• If your flight lands after 23:00, the last bus may have already departed; consider the overnight coach from Dublin city centre (Citylink – official timetables)

The implication: The airport service fills a real gap for visitors — no need to drag luggage into Dublin city centre just to turn back west.

Pros and Cons of Citylink Dublin to Galway

The pattern: Digital convenience comes with a schedule ceiling — the route gives you tools to plan, but the trade-offs are real.

What is confirmed and what remains unclear

The implication: Most essentials are verified; the gaps that remain are exactly the things you can check before boarding — at no cost.

What passengers say

“We encourage passengers to book online for the best fare and a guaranteed seat. For those who prefer to pay on board, we recommend having exact change.”

Citylink Customer Service Representative

“Citylink services are fully integrated into the TFI journey planner, so passengers can plan their entire door‑to‑door trip using one app.”

Transport for Ireland (TFI) Spokesperson

The takeaway: Both the operator and the national transport body point to the same starting point: plan online, use the digital layer, and the door‑to‑door trip gets simpler.

Summary

For anyone travelling between Dublin and Galway, Citylink offers a frequent, direct service that is well supported by digital tools — booking, tracking, and mobile ticketing make the journey smoother. The trade-offs are clear: no late-night departures and limited luggage flexibility. For the budget-conscious traveller in Ireland, the choice is simple: book online in advance, or pay more at the door.

Related reading: Citylink Dublin to Galway timetable · Citylink 761 schedule

Frequently asked questions