Aran Islands
The Aran Islands are three islands off County Galway on Ireland’s west coast. Visitors go for prehistoric stone forts, limestone scenery and a chance to hear Irish spoken in daily life.
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The Aran Islands are Inis Mór, Inis Meáin and Inis Oírr, set off County Galway on Ireland’s Atlantic coast. Limestone ground, low stone walls and exposed shores shape the scenery across all three islands. On Inis Mór, Dún Aonghasa is a major prehistoric site. Visitors also come to walk along the coast and hear Irish spoken in daily life.
Ferries run from Rossaveel and Doolin. Choose your departure port and focus on one island for a day trip; staying longer gives you time to explore at a slower pace or visit more than one island. Bicycles are a practical way to get around. Spring and summer are the most comfortable seasons for outdoor activities, but Atlantic weather can change quickly. The islands suit travelers who want history, coastal scenery and a quieter trip. They are less suitable if you want a packed schedule or easy access to city amenities.
Aran Islands in five
- Pick a port: Rossaveel or DoolinAran Island Ferries sail from Rossaveel, 23 miles west of Galway, with a 40-minute crossing to Inis Mór. Doolin Ferry lists 35 minutes to Inis Mór, 25 to Inis Meáin and 15 to Inis Oírr.Galway
- Add the Galway shuttle to the ferry ticketA shuttle runs between Victoria Place, off Eyre Square, and Rossaveel for scheduled sailings: €10 return for an adult. Be at the bus stop 20 minutes before departure.
- Reach Dún Aonghasa early on foot or by bikeThe visitor center is open year round; the fort is about 1 km uphill, with a rough rock finish and no barrier at the 87-meter cliff edge. Adults pay €5, and drones are banned.
- Hire a bike on Inis Mór, not on the mainlandBike hire, minibus tours and horse-drawn carriages are listed at the Cill Rónáin port. If you carry your own, the ferry takes standard manual bikes at €15 return and asks you to pre-book.
- Leave a buffer before flights and trainsCrossings depend on sea conditions. On a day trip, keep the last ferry and any onward connection from Galway loose, and treat a same-day international flight as a risk.
Things to do in Aran Islands
See all attractions in Aran Islands
Need to know
- Airport
- Island flights from Indreabhán; Shannon or Knock for long-haul
- Getting there
- Ferry from Rossaveel (Galway), Doolin (Clare) or Galway City in season
- Getting around
- Bike, minibus or on foot; Inis Oírr and Inis Meáin are compact
- Best base
- Cill Rónáin on Inis Mór for the port, food and bike hire
- Time needed
- 1 day for Inis Mór; 2 nights for a slower island loop
Weather by month
- Best
- Mixed
- Poor
- JanuaryWindy, quiet
- FebruaryWindy, quiet
- MarchShowers
- AprilMild, quiet
- MayLong days
- JuneLong days
- JulyWarm, busy
- AugustBusiest
- SeptemberCalmer
- OctoberWindy
- NovemberShort days
- DecemberShort days
Right now in Aran Islands
Local time, today's weather and the exchange rate, refreshed through the day.
11
- Feels like
- 8°
- Humidity
- 78%
- Wind
- 18 km/h
- Chance of rain
- 0%
Aran Islands
08:47 PM
Monday, November 2
- Today11°7°0%Monday: Cloudy. High 11°, Low 7°. Chance of rain 0%.
- Tue11°7°0%Tuesday: Cloudy. High 11°, Low 7°. Chance of rain 0%.
- Wed12°8°0%Wednesday: Cloudy. High 12°, Low 8°. Chance of rain 0%.
- Thu10°9°4%Thursday: Cloudy. High 10°, Low 9°. Chance of rain 4%.
- Fri10°9°4%Friday: Cloudy. High 10°, Low 9°. Chance of rain 4%.
- Sat10°8°2%Saturday: Cloudy. High 10°, Low 8°. Chance of rain 2%.
- Sun10°9°9%Sunday: Cloudy. High 10°, Low 9°. Chance of rain 9%.
Updated 05:22 PM local time · Powered by WeatherAPI.com · Weather data by Open-Meteo.com
Every year
- JulGalway International Arts FestivalGalway, a day trip
Day trips by train
- Cliffs of Moher by sea50-minute cruise from DoolinDoolin Ferry lists a standalone cruise, and combined island and cliff tickets.Read the guide
- ConnemaraRossaveel is in ConnemaraA Galway base covers the ferry morning and a drive west on another day.Read the guide
- Galway cityabout an hour to RossaveelThe operator describes Rossaveel as roughly a one-hour drive from the city center.Read the guide
Before you go to Aran Islands
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Rules for Aran Islands, checked
- Rossaveel ferry fares: adult €34 return, €22 single; shuttle bus from Galway €10 return. Standard manual bikes €15 return; no e-bikes.Checked Oct 3, 2026 · Source
- Dún Aonghasa: adult €5, family €13; open April to October 9:30 to 18:00, otherwise to 16:00. Drones are not permitted.Checked Oct 3, 2026 · Source
Plan around Aran Islands
Regions, rail, driving, money and entry
Read the guideGalwayThe usual mainland base for the ferry
Read the guideCliffs of MoherDoolin's other boat trip, by sea
Read the guideConnemaraThe coast and mountains west of Galway
Read the guideGetting around IrelandTrains, buses and rental cars
Read the guideInsurance for ferry daysCover for cancelled sailings
Read the guideAran Islands FAQ
Which Aran island should you visit?
Inis Mór is the largest, with Dún Aonghasa, the main village and the most services, so it suits one day. Inis Oírr is the closest from Doolin, and Inis Meáin is the middle island, a quieter option for a night.
Can you visit the Aran Islands as a day trip from Galway?
Yes. Aran Island Ferries runs the shuttle from Galway to Rossaveel and a 40-minute crossing to Inis Mór. A seasonal sailing from Galway City, at 9:30am, takes 90 minutes.
How much is the ferry to the Aran Islands?
From Rossaveel the listed adult fare is €34 return or €22 single, with students and seniors at €29 return and children at €17. Under-5s travel free but must be pre-booked.
Is Dún Aonghasa worth the entry fee?
It is the best-known prehistoric fort on the islands, over 3,000 years old, set at a sheer cliff edge. Adult entry is €5 and the upgraded visitor center runs guided tours year round.
Are the Aran Islands worth it in rain?
A wet day is harder, as the fort path is rough rock and the cliff edge has no barrier. Pick a clearer day if you can, or use the visitor center and an indoor lunch as a backup.