How to Get to the Cliffs of Moher

Set near the small town of Doolin on the west coast of Ireland, the Cliffs of Moher—famous, rocky sea cliffs rising above 700 feet—are home to 20 different bird species and endless views of the Atlantic Ocean. Doolin itself is well worth a visit for its traditional music scene, as is County Clare for its scenic walking trails. 

Doolin is well connected with many of Ireland’s major cities, thanks to regional trains and an extensive highway network. Limerick is the closest city and conveniently located near Shannon Airport—Ireland’s western international airport. Galway is about the same distance and a great hub for exploring Ireland’s west coast and the popular Wild Atlantic Way.

Despite the distance, you can also reach the Cliffs of Moher from Dublin. With major highways connecting the east and west coasts of Ireland, it’s easy to travel between the two. If you have a bit more time, this 7-day road trip dips into Ireland’s scenic southern region before arriving in Doolin.

From Limerick (and Shannon Airport)

Duration: 1 - 2 hours

Separated by safe, modern roads, Doolin is set just northwest of Limerick and Shannon Airport. There are a few options to make the journey, but many travelers opt to rent cars in order to enjoy the famous scenery of County Clare. Likewise, private transfers are another quick and personal option.

Trains offer numerous departures each day connecting Limerick with the small city of Ennis, the transportation hub for County Clare. From Ennis, buses operated by the regional service, Bus Éireann, continue the route to the Cliffs of Moher. If you’d rather take the bus the entire route, there are about four daily departures between Limerick (or Shannon Airport) and Doolin.

From Doolin, the Cliffs of Moher can be reached in 10 minutes by car (rental or private transfer) or 20 minutes by bus. You can also follow the Cliffs of Moher Walking Trail which begins in Doolin. It’s about five miles (8 km) to the Cliffs of Moher visitor’s center, which takes less than two hours to reach.

From Galway

Duration: 1.5 - 2.5 hours

In the opposite direction is Galway, which sits just north of Doolin via the Burren limestone landscape and scenic Galway Bay. Rental cars and private transfers are great options for this route as they allow more freedom to enjoy the scenery. But just like traveling from Limerick, you can also opt for the train and/or bus. 

Buses depart regularly from Galway, but you can also take the train to Ennis first and connect to Doolin via the bus. For travel between Doolin and the Cliffs of Moher, see the previous option.

You can read more about the journey in How to Get from Galway to Doolin. 

From Dublin

Duration: 3 - 6 hours

Despite the distance, Dublin is well-connected to Ireland’s west coast. Major highways traverse the heart of the country’s Midlands Region and connect the capital city with Doolin. You’ll reach the small town via Galway or Limerick. You can make the trip in one day, if you wish; but many opt to stay a night or two in the countryside of County Clare or the city of Galway. 

Buses and trains also make the journey, connecting in Galway for the bus or Ennis for the train. For better details of the journey, check out How to Get from Dublin to the Cliffs of Moher. For travel between Doolin and the Cliffs of Moher, see the first option.