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How to get from Galway to Glasgow
The quickest way is a coach from Galway to Dublin Airport (about 2 h 30) and a flight of about 1 h to Glasgow, roughly 6–7 h door to door. By car, the route goes via Belfast and the ferry to Cairnryan, taking about 9–10 h including the crossing.
Best option: Flight. Flying from Dublin is several hours faster than driving across Ireland and taking the ferry.
All the ways to make the trip
| How | Time | How often | Price* | Good to know |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| flight Coach from Galway to Dublin Airport (Citylink and other operators), then a direct flight from Dublin to Glasgow (Aer Lingus and Ryanair have flown the route) | about 2 h 30 to the airport plus about 1 h in the air; 6–7 h door to door | coaches roughly hourly; several flights a day | about €20–25 coach plus about €30–150 flight | Shannon Airport is closer to Galway but has fewer flights to Scotland; check current routes. |
| car Drive Galway–Belfast (about 4 h), ferry Belfast–Cairnryan (Stena Line) or Larne–Cairnryan (P&O Ferries), then drive Cairnryan–Glasgow (about 2 h) | about 9–10 h including the ferry | ferries several times a day | fuel plus about £100–200 for a car and driver on the ferry | Book the ferry in advance in summer; arrive at the port about 1 h before departure. |
| ferry On foot: coach or train to Belfast, ferry to Cairnryan, then a coach or train via Stranraer or Ayr to Glasgow | about 10–12 h | a few connections a day | about €60–120 in total | Connections from Cairnryan by public transport are limited; check current timetables for each leg. |
*Approximate prices and times for 2026. Timetables change by season: check with the operator before you travel.
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Tips
- Ireland uses the euro; Scotland uses the pound sterling.
- Non-Irish and non-British citizens may need a UK Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) even when travelling from Ireland; check before you go.
- Glasgow Airport is about 20–30 minutes from the city centre by express bus.
- Driving lets you see Northern Ireland's coast on the way; Belfast is a good overnight stop.
Common questions
Are there flights from Galway to Glasgow?
Galway has no regular commercial flights. Fly from Dublin, about 2 h 30 by coach from Galway, or check Shannon, about 1 h 15 away, for any current Scottish routes. Dublin to Glasgow is about 1 h in the air with several flights a day.
Can I drive from Galway to Glasgow?
Yes, with a ferry. Drive to Belfast, about 4 h, cross to Cairnryan with Stena Line from Belfast or P&O Ferries from Larne in about 2 h, then drive about 2 h to Glasgow. Allow 9–10 h in total, and book the ferry ahead in summer.
Do I need a passport from Ireland to Scotland?
Ireland and the UK are in the Common Travel Area, so there are usually no routine passport checks for Irish and British citizens, but airlines and ferries require photo ID. Other nationalities need a passport and possibly a UK Electronic Travel Authorisation. Check UK government rules before travelling.
What is the cheapest way from Galway to Glasgow?
Usually a coach to Dublin Airport plus a low-cost flight booked in advance; with hand luggage only, the total can be under €80. The foot-passenger ferry route via Belfast can be similar in price but takes much longer. Driving costs more once you add fuel and the car ferry.
Compiled by TonyPlan from operator and transport information and travel knowledge; updated 2026-10-05. Anything we could not confirm is marked as approximate.