First Trip to Donegal & Aran Islands, 10 or 12 days in total

marcelom2 · Member

First Trip to Donegal & Aran Islands, 10 or 12 days in total

Itallian Chauffeur · Moderator

Welcome!

If Inishmore appeals, then the best base is probably Galway or vicinity. You might consider an overnight stay there, as well.

From there, you have the option of two ferry routes (from Galway city, or Rossaveel), or a short flight from Inverin.

See: A Guide to Inis Mor (Inishmore) - Inis Mor - Inishmore - Aran Islands

One option would be to go to Galway first, so as to start out with a shorter drive. Another option might be to bus or taxi to Galway -- and wait to rent a car when you are ready to leave for Donegal. You will definitely find touring Donegal to be best done by car.

Donegal is a BIG county. Key areas are Donegal town, in the SE. Glencolumbkille, in the SW, Dunfanaghy, or Dowlings, in the NW and the Inishowen Peninsula, in the NE. You don't say what your interests or budget are, nor what type of lodging most appeals -- Self-catering, B&B, Guesthouse, or hotel.

What "draws you" to Donegal? What are you hoping to experience -- hiking, mountains, seacoasts, castles and ruins, shopping?

Where are you arriving from? Is it after an overnight flight, or one of just a couple of hours -- like from the UK, or Mainland Europe?

Some BASIC info: Your Wild Atlantic Way starts here! | Go Visit Donegal

-- Edited by Itallian Chauffeur on Sunday 28th of June 2026 12:34:14 AM

marcelom2 · Member

Thanks Bob for your prompt response. I will check what you said, and come back with my homework done !!!

marcelom2 · Member

Hi Bob, I'm back with my homework done

We have some things resolved and others we need some help.

Donegal
We finally decided to do this loop https://www.theirishroadtrip.com/wild-atlantic-way-donegal-guide/

Aran Islands
We need to decide if we take the ferry at Galway or Doolin
We've been to Galway before, it seems Doolin is the way to go

Car
If we pick up the car in one place and drop it in another, it almost double the cost.
So we are thinking to pick up the car in Dublin (we arrive there from abroad), head to Donegal (we will be fresh after 2 days in Dublin)
then go to Galway/Doolin leave the car in a parking lot while we rest in Inishmore.
And finally head to Dublin and drop the car there.

Lodging
We prefer Self Catering or B&B

Thanks again

-- Edited by marcelom2 on Thursday 2nd of July 2026 03:38:14 PM

Itallian Chauffeur · Moderator

Doolin is a great option to see the Cliffs from above and below and to visit the "small island" of Inis Oirr but wouldn't be MY choice for Inis Mor, which is the largest and attracts the most tourists. Boats from Doolin are smaller and more weather-dependant than those departing from either Galway City, or Rossaveel. Crossing time from either Galway departure is shorter, as well.

Another alternative is to fly, via the Connemara Airport, in Inverin. Flight takes under 15 minutes and never exceeds 800 feet in elevation -- so it offers outstanding visuals.

SEE: Plan your visit -

The drive to/from Donegal is also shorter from Galway, as opposed to Doolin.

You don't mention your interests, but here's a route, Galway to Donegal town: https://maps.app.goo.gl/sz6YqN1urmqNfaeS9

Galway to Grianan of Aileach: https://maps.app.goo.gl/MWz2YcCWzByvQAAg7

I like the 3 day plan for Donegal. Have you decided on which way to route it --START in Donegal town --or END there?

If starting/ending at/near Grianan of Aileach, you route through Northern Ireland.

Route options: https://maps.app.goo.gl/PrhotuU8EffKWFmh8

Unless everyone in your party has either an Irish, or UK passport, you'll need an ETA (Electronic Travel Authorization):

Get an electronic travel authorisation (ETA) to visit the UK: Overview - GOV.UK

If you Start/END in Donegal town: https://maps.app.goo.gl/Ja9NQH9GAvAtLQEL7

Maps were created presuming a Dublin/Galway/ Donegal/ Dublin direction of travel but can easily be reversed if routing Dublin - Donegal -Galway - Dublin.

FYI -- I wouldn't particularly trust the Google Maps' estimated DRIVE Times. I find them generally to be WOEFULLY optimistic!

marcelom2 · Member

I'll go through all of these and let you know as soon as possible.
I got a valid ETA las year. It is still valid nex year. Thanks for remind me that.

I come from Argentina I think I need an ETIAS or EES or something similar to enter continental Europe and Ireland.

.

-- Edited by marcelom2 on Friday 3rd of July 2026 12:43:34 PM

-- Edited by marcelom2 on Friday 3rd of July 2026 12:45:58 PM

Itallian Chauffeur · Moderator

ETIAS hasn't been implemented yet.

ETIAS for US Citizens 2026: Launch Date, Cost & How to Apply

The EES has:

Travel to Europe mobile app - EES

You might check on the EES, though, as UK/Ireland share a common travel area, so the UK-issued ETA may suffice provided Ireland is your only European destination.

marcelom2 · Member

Thanks Bob for the infomation about Etias & Ess

Regarding our trip we have decided to do the following

1) Arrive in Dublin from abroad, stay there 2 nights
2) Head to Galway by bus or train, and take the last ferry in Rossaveel to get to Aran Islands (Inishmore)
3) Stay 2 nights in Inishmore, then take the earliest ferry to get bak to Rossaveel and Galway
4) Pick up a car in Galway and head to Donegal
5) Do de 3-day loop in Donegal and came back to Galway to drop off the car there
6) Take a bus or train to Dublin stay 1 night and leave Ireland till next time.

We need to do a mor detail research about where to stay and what to see in our route to and from Donegal but we have plenty of time to decide this

I'll be asking for guidence in a few months I supouse.