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Compare Galway Car Rentals

Exploring Galway with a car rental is a fantastic idea! Not only does it make getting around town a breeze, but it also gives you the freedom to venture into the stunning countryside and discover hidden gems further afield. Galway is home to some genuinely breathtaking scenic drives. You can take the Inagh Valley route to Killary Harbor, enjoy the seaside charm of Clifden and its famous Sky Road, or follow the picturesque route through Oughterard.

If you’re flying into the area, you can pick up a rental car either in Galway City or at one of the nearby airports. Ireland West Airport (NOC) and Shannon Airport (SNN) are both about an hour’s drive from Galway. At Ireland West Airport, car hire kiosks are conveniently located inside the terminal to the left as you enter the arrivals hall. Meanwhile, Shannon Airport hosts kiosks for major rental companies like Thrifty, Budget, Europcar, Avis, Hertz, and Enterprise in the arrivals hall. Other providers may offer shuttle services to their nearby depots. With so much to explore, having your own wheels will help you make the most of your trip!

Driving in Galway

Galway is a charming little city with a medieval feel, filled with one-way streets and narrow lanes. But don’t worry, driving here doesn’t have to be stressful! The roads are marked with different codes: M for motorway toll roads, N for national roads, and R for regional roads. Then there are the L roads, which are local and often more like tiny lanes. You’ll also find a few roundabouts, where the rule is to yield to cars already in the circle. However, be aware of vehicles coming from your right, they sometimes think they have the right of way!

Traffic in Galway can get busy, so try to plan your drive for off-peak hours. If you’re using a GPS, remember it might not always pick up on those smaller L roads, so it’s a great idea to have a paper map handy to avoid accidentally ending up on a narrow lane behind a tractor. The city centre is very walkable, with a fantastic atmosphere, so it’s often easiest to park nearby and explore on foot.