Transport To The Aran Islands
Several ferry companies and one small airline operate between Galway and the Aran Islands. As with any of the ferry services to islands on the west coast, it's a good idea to check on the times of return journeys with the skipper, especially if you are going to Inishmaan or Inisheer as services can be unreliable - during winter, you're at the mercy of the weather, and there's a chance you'll get cut off from the mainland. If you are planning on travelling between the islands check the schedule closely as doing so can be more complicated and time-consuming than you might at first imagine. If you intend to drive to Rossaveel (signposted Ros an Mhil ) and pick up a ferry from there, bear in mind that it is thirty miles west of Galway and you will be charged GBP2-3/?2.54-3.81 per day, GBP10-15/?12.70-19.05 per week respectively to park a car or van. Considering this it may well be worth paying a little extra for the ten-minute journey by air. Island Ferries, Victoria Place, Eyre Square, Galway (tel 091/568903; in the evenings tel 091/561767 or 572273). A return, Galway to Inishmore, costs around GBP15/?19.05; sailings are daily at 10.30am, 1.30pm and 6.30pm (there are often more in summer) and takes about forty minutes.. Boats to Inisheer or Inishmaan cost around GBP18/?22.86 return and sail daily at 10.30am and 6.30pm taking around one hour. The ferry company runs a bus to Rossaveel (leaving one and a half hours before the sailing) which costs GBP4/?5.08, though if you have a bike it's worth noting that often the bus cannot carry them and there is a GBP2/?2.54 charge to carry bikes on the ferry itself. A B&B-booking service is also offered free of charge and package deals are available. Round trips taking in all three islands are also negotiable. O'Brien Shipping , tourist office at the junction of Victoria Place and Merchant's Rd, Galway (tel 091/567283 or 567676), operates from Galway to Inishmore (1 daily year round), to Inishmaan and Inisheer (4 days weekly). Fare to each island GBP14/?17.78 return. The fare for trips to all three islands by arrangement. Islands and Doolin (County Clare) return GBP20/?25.40. Student reductions of GBP2/?2.54; bikes free. Doolin Ferry Co , Doolin Pier (tel 065/707 4455; in the evenings tel 065/707 4189) sails mid-April to Sept from Doolin to Inisheer (1-6 daily) and to Inishmore (2 daily). Return prices are Doolin to Inisheer GBP15/?19.05, Doolin to Inishmore GBP20/?25.40, Doolin to Inishmaan GBP18/?22.86 (phone confirmation is strongly advised). A trip to all three islands, returning to Doolin or going on to Galway, costs GBP20/?25.40. Bikes GBP2/?2.54 return. Aer Arann (tel 091/593034) are based at the airstrip at Inverin, west beyond Spiddal. They offer flights to all three of the islands: at least three flights daily throughout the year and during the summer months a non-stop shuttle service seven days a week. A connecting bus from Galway city meets all flights. The return fare is GBP35/?44.45, students GBP29/?36.83 bookable at the Aer Arann desk in the tourist office, where it is also worth asking about fly/sail deals. It is not possible to take a bicycle on the plane. Island airport numbers are: Inishmore tel 099/61109 or 61131; Inishmaan tel 099/73020; Inisheer tel 099/75039.
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