Aran Islands from Galway: Rossaveel Ferry, Sailing from the Docks or a Bus Tour?
4 min read
For most visitors, book the Aran Islands cruise and Cliffs of Moher boat tour: it sails from Galway City itself in season (late March to early October), gives you 4.5 hours on Inis Mór and is rated 4.6 stars from 2,010 reviews. Outside that season, or for a longer day on the island, the Rossaveel ferry to Inis Mór is €40 for the crossing alone.
The four options side by side
| Option | Duration | From | Rating | Island | Cliffs of Moher |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aran Islands Cruise & Cliffs of Moher Boat Tour | 8.5 hours | €60 | 4.6 (2,010) | Inis Mór, 4.5 hours | Sea cruise of 15 minutes |
| Ferry Transfer to Inis Mór from Rossaveel | 6.5 hours | €40 | 4.7 (262) | Inis Mór, from arrival until the 5 pm return | None |
| Aran Islands and Cliffs of Moher Tour & Cruise | 10.5 hours | €90 | 4.8 (3,914) | Inisheer | Cruise plus an hour at the clifftop |
| Aran Islands & Cliffs of Moher Full-Day Trip | 10 hours | €84 | 4.8 (1,377) | Inisheer, 2 hours | Cruise of 1 hour plus 1 hour at the clifftop |
Sailing from the city, or driving to Rossaveel
The first option leaves from the New Docks in Galway City, so you need no car. It only runs in season: Aran Island Ferries lists sailings from Galway City from 26 March to 3 October 2027 (in 2026 they ended on 27 September). The booking page lists a 1.5-hour ferry crossing, 4.5 hours on Inis Mór and a 15-minute cruise past the Cliffs of Moher on the way back, with an audio guide on board. If you arrive by car, the page points to a pay-on-foot car park run by the harbour company.
The Rossaveel ferry is a transfer, not a tour. The harbour is 23 miles west of Galway City, and the page advises allowing an hour’s drive and arriving 30 minutes before departure. The ferry leaves at 10:30 am, sails for about 40 minutes and returns from Kilronan Pier at 5 pm. The booking page lists a bar and refreshments on board. Aran Island Ferries sails from Rossaveel all year; check the times for your date in the booking calendar.
Without a car you can still get to Rossaveel: Aran Island Ferries runs a shuttle bus from Victoria Place in Galway. Ask the operator whether it is part of this ticket. Either way, Rossaveel gives you the shorter crossing. You can compare rental cars for Galway; remember Ireland drives on the left.
On Inis Mór
Both ferry options land you on the largest of the islands with time to spend as you like. The Rossaveel page mentions renting a bike, taking a bus tour with a local guide, visiting ecclesiastical ruins and the clifftop fort Dún Aonghasa, and live music. It names bike hire, food and souvenirs as additional activities on the island, without prices, so ask there. The docks sailing page only mentions exploring Inis Mór with an audio guide.
The bus tours go to Inisheer instead
The two long day trips use a coach to Doolin and a short ferry to Inisheer, the smallest island, then return along the cliffs by water. The 10.5-hour tour leaves Galway at 9 am, stops for a traditional pub meal and gives about an hour at the clifftop, and returns at about 7:30 pm. The 10-hour trip leaves at 9 am, gives two hours on Inisheer and returns at 7 pm, and lists wheelchair users as not suitable.
They suit people who want one guide and one booking for both the island and the cliffs. The 10-hour trip gives two hours on the island, less than either ferry option; for the 10.5-hour tour, ask the operator how long you get on the island. Both depend on the Doolin boats, which the Doolin Ferry Company’s booking page says run from March to November. And Inisheer is not Inis Mór: if Dún Aonghasa is the goal, take a ferry to Inis Mór. For the combined day in detail, see Aran Islands and the Cliffs of Moher in one day.
Before you go
Check the weather. The docks cruise runs on the open Atlantic, and the Full-Day Trip page says its cliffs cruise is subject to weather conditions. Wear comfortable shoes and a jacket. For every option, see the Aran Islands tours from Galway.
