Galway City Bus Fares

Prices for Galway city bus services, as at 11 April 2022.

These bus fares apply to city services only:  see bus company websites for regional and national fares.


Fares for City Direct services

  • Adult  
    €2.70 to/from Westside, or €2.20 using a Leap card
    €3.50  - Barna 
  • NUIG, ATU and GTI students with ID, Sept - May only:
    Cash:  €2.00
    Leap:  €1.90
    • 13-16 years
      €1.50
      €2.00  - Barna
    • Children up to 12 years (Mon-Fri 8am-5pm):
      €1.00 - Knocknacarra
      €1.50  - Barna
    • Children up to 3 years - one child per adult:  No charge

    Weekly and monthly tickets


    City Direct fare information

    Cash fares are put directly into a box beside the driver  The driver does not handle cash.  No change is given, but change-dockets that can be redeemed at the City Direct office are provided.  Copper coins (1c and 2c) are not accepted.

    Free-travel pass is accepted on City Direct buses:   passengers must have photo-id.



    Fares for Bus Éireann Galway City services

    Two-tier city fares:

    These fares have a higher rate for journeys over 7.5km.   This higher fare was introduced in December 2017, but at that time was only have applied for journeys to Oranmore on route 404. 

    Standard cash fares:

    • Adult:
      Trips up to 7.5km - €1.90
      Trips over 7.5km -  €2.20 (*)
    • Child:
      Any distance: €0.90

    These fares are only available from bus-drivers, and must be purchased using cash.  Debit cards, ATM cards and other payment cards are not accepted

    Much cheaper fares (30% and more) are available if you use a Leap card.


    Leap card fares:

    • Adult:
      Trips up to 7.5km - €1.35
      Trips over 7.5km -  €1.55
    • Child:  €0.65  (any distance)

    • Young adult / Student  (these fares are only available with a Leap card):
      Trips up to 7.5km - €0.65
      Trips over 7.5km -  €0.80
    • Day-saver city pass:  unlimited access to Bus Éireann city services (any journey length):
      Adult   - €3.80
      Student / Young adult - €3.20
      Child - €2.20


    Weekly city-service tickets:

    • Adult:  €16.80
    • Student:  €13.40
    • Child: €7.80

    Monthly city-service tickets:

    • Adult:  €60
    • Student:  €42
    • Child €29

    Weekly and monthly tickets must now be loaded onto Leap cards:  paper versions cannot be purchased.

    Weekly tickets can be purchased from a bus driver (using credit that is already loaded to the Leap card).

    Monthly tickets can be purchased from some Leap card outlets, including
    • Henchey's Daybreak store at the top of Eyre Square (near SuperMacs)
    • XL News Express in the Eyre Square Shopping Centre (opposite Dunnes Stores on the ground floor)
    They are not available at all shops with do Leap top-ups (eg not the Centra in Foster St).

    ID is not needed to buy these tickets (it was neede for the older paper-based verisons.

    Weekly tickets cover any calendar week you choose (eg Thurs-Wed), and may be purchased in advance (eg you can buy a ticket on Saturday for the week starting on Monday).

    Monthly tickets cover calendar months only (eg August).


    Annual city service tickets

    These are only available under the Tax-saver scheme, from participating employers.   Cost for a ticket is €777.00.


    Employer passes

    See your company's TaxSaver designated contact person (usually someone in HR / payroll), as some employers have different policies.  Not all companies participate: see the TaxSaver website for details.  Large cost-savings are available, but passes must be purchased through your company, monthly or annually in advance.


    Other discount tickets

    Bus Éireann has other discount tickets that are aimed at tourists, but may be useful to commuters / students in some cases.  Most of these can be used on city services as well as regional ones.  Check their website for details