- Must visit
Athlone Castle Visitor Centre
The castle museum presents interactive displays on Athlone’s sieges, soldiers and life on the River Shannon.
The best way to find a cheap coach ticket from Galway to Athlone is to book your journey as far in advance as possible and to avoid travelling at rush hour.
The average ticket from Galway to Athlone will cost around £15 if you buy it on the day, but you can find cheap coach tickets today for only £15.
On Sat 31 Oct, we found 8 buses from Galway to Athlone, including 8 direct services.
These direct buses cover the 75 km distance in an average of 1 h 30 m but if you time it right, some buses will get you there in just 1 h 30 m .
The slowest buses will take 1 h 30 m and usually involve a change or two along the way, but you might be able to save a few pennies if you’re on a budget.

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Take a bus from Galway to Athlone and enjoy the approximately 75 km long journey. Find schedules and pricing options for a convenient and affordable trip.
The earliest coach runs at 01:00, the last at 18:00.
Distance 75 km |
First bus 1:00 |
Last bus 18:00 |
High Season Jul - Sept |
Low Season Jan - Mar |
Best time to book 4 days |
Use these quick route answers to check fares, travel time, departure options, and direct services before booking from Galway to Athlone.
The table below shows live departures for Galway to Athlone coaches for today, Friday 30 October. You can also manually refresh the results below to see updated coach journeys.
| Provider | Departs | Duration | Arrives | Changes | Tickets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
![]() | 12:00 Galway | 1h30 | 13:30 Arcadia | 0 changesdirect | |
![]() | 14:00 Galway | 1h30 | 15:30 Arcadia | 0 changesdirect | |
![]() | 16:00 Galway | 1h30 | 17:30 Arcadia | 0 changesdirect | |
![]() | 18:00 Galway | 1h30 | 19:30 Arcadia | 0 changesdirect | |
| Saturday 31 October | |||||
![]() | 1:00 Galway | 1h30 | 2:30 Arcadia | 0 changesdirect | |
![]() | 5:00 Galway | 1h30 | 6:30 Arcadia | 0 changesdirect | |
![]() | 7:30 Galway | 1h30 | 9:00 Arcadia | 0 changesdirect | |
![]() | 10:00 Galway | 1h30 | 11:30 Arcadia | 0 changesdirect | |
This is the last bus of the day. | |||||
Find all the dates and times for this journey
Review the details behind your booking, from operators and ticket rules to luggage, onboard amenities, accessibility, and route-specific travel policies.
Discover the best of Athlone — top attractions, local food, transport tips, budget advice, and currency essentials. Plan your perfect Athlone trip today.
The castle museum presents interactive displays on Athlone’s sieges, soldiers and life on the River Shannon.
A contemporary gallery space in Luan Gallery showing rotating exhibitions of Irish and international visual art by the river.
An accessible local museum and gallery programme at the castle complex, useful for understanding Athlone’s heritage and culture.
A scenic riverside boardwalk and marina area ideal for walks, boat watching and views across the Shannon in the centre.
A broad public park with riverside paths, memorial features and open green space close to Athlone’s historic core.
A popular greenway and canal-side walking area offering flat paths, water views and an easy escape from the town centre.
A hearty potato mash with kale or cabbage and plenty of butter. It is a classic Irish comfort dish often served with sausages or bacon.
Mashed potatoes mixed with spring onions, butter and milk. This simple Irish staple is especially associated with rural home cooking.
A rich stew of lamb or mutton, potatoes, onions and herbs. It is one of Ireland’s best-known traditional dishes and suits the Midlands climate.
Smart riverside restaurant known for polished modern Irish cooking and a relaxed fine dining atmosphere in the town centre.
Long-established pub and restaurant with classic Irish dishes, steaks and seafood in a lively, traditional setting.
Stylish brasserie and bar serving contemporary Irish and European dishes in an elegant yet approachable setting.
Moderate for Ireland. Rooms and dining cost less than Dublin, while local buses and casual meals are fairly manageable for tourists.
Tipping is modest. In restaurants, 10% is enough if service is not included. Round up in taxis. In cafés, small change is optional.
Find answers to the most common questions about traveling from Galway to Athlone by coach. From journey times and ticket prices to direct connections, first and last departures, and even whether the route is scenic, our FAQs cover everything you need to plan your trip. Whether you’re looking for the fastest coach, the cheapest option, or tips for making the most of your visit at Athlone, this guide helps you travel smarter and with confidence.

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