Rossaveal to Inis Mór Ferry: Times, Fares & Pier Guide
Rossaveal to Inis Mór Ferry: Times, Fares & Pier Guide
The main year-round crossing to the Aran Islands: 40 minutes from Ros a Mhíl in Connemara, running 363 days a year. Here are the sailing times, the real fares, and the pier details that catch people out.
Departure times
| Season | Departures from Rossaveal | Sailings |
|---|---|---|
| 1 Jan – 2 Apr | 10:30 daily · 18:00 Sat–Thu · 18:30 Fri | 2 |
| 3 Apr – 31 May | 10:30, 13:00 daily · 18:00 Sat–Thu · 18:30 Fri | 3 |
| 1 Jun – 3 Jul | 10:30, 13:00, 18:30 daily | 3 |
| 4 Jul – 30 Aug peak | 10:30, 11:45, 13:00, 18:30 daily | 4 |
| 31 Aug – 27 Sep | 10:30, 13:00 daily · 18:00 Sat–Thu · 18:30 Fri | 3 |
| 28 Sep – 31 Dec | 10:30 daily · 18:00 Sat–Thu · 18:30 Fri | 2 |
Outbound times published by Aran Island Ferries for 2026. Return sailings from Inis Mór run through the day from 08:15, with extra evening departures in the 4 July – 30 August peak; confirm the specific return that suits you when booking. No service on 25–26 December.
Times change with the season and the weather. Check the operator before you travel:
What it costs
| Ticket | Return | One way |
|---|---|---|
| Adult | €34 | €22 |
| Student / Senior | €29 | €19 |
| Child (5–12) | €17 | €12 |
| Under 5 | Free — must be pre-booked by phone or email | Free |
| Bicycle | €15 manual only | €8 |
| Galway ↔ Rossaveal shuttle bus | €10 adult · €7 child | €6 adult |
Fares published by Aran Island Ferries, checked July 2026. Holders of the Irish Free Travel Pass (66+) cross free with valid documentation — an unusual concession on a commercial ferry. Family rates exist but are sold through the office rather than online.
Prices move with the date and demand. Get a live quote and book direct:
Route map
The crossing runs west from Ros a Mhíl pier in Connemara out to Kilronan on Inis Mór, the largest of the three Aran Islands.
Do you need to book?
Book ahead. The operator states plainly that sailings are regularly booked out between April and September, and on a two-sailing winter day a full boat costs you the whole trip.
Under-5s and bicycles must be pre-booked, and groups of ten or more need advance notice. If a sailing is cancelled for weather you get a full refund or a transfer to another departure.
Things people get wrong
The 90-minute shuttle rule
Bus passengers must present 90 minutes before sailing, drivers 30. Miss that window in winter and there is no second boat.
Free travel for over-66s
Irish Free Travel Pass holders cross at no charge with valid documentation — rarely mentioned anywhere else.
Finding the harbour
Ros a Mhíl is 37 km west of Galway city, about an hour by road through Connemara. It is not walkable from anywhere, so the connection matters more here than at most piers.
- Driving: pier car park costs €8 per 24 hours, no advance booking. Check in 30 minutes before departure. Eircode H91 W9K1.
- Shuttle bus from Galway: the operator runs its own coach from Victoria Place. Shuttle passengers must be at the pick-up 90 minutes before the ferry sails — far earlier than the 30 minutes drivers need.
- No scheduled public bus serves the pier directly, so the shuttle is effectively the only option without a car.
- The ticket office at Victoria Place opens 09:00–13:00 and 14:00–17:00.
When the sea decides
Sailings are cancelled for sea conditions rather than rain, and the operator says so explicitly. When that happens you are refunded in full or moved to another departure.
The exposed stretch beyond the shelter of the coast is short but can be lively; if you are prone to seasickness, take something beforehand and stay on deck rather than below.
Connections
- From Galway city, the operator’s own shuttle is the practical link — see also all bus and rail routes serving Galway.
- On Inis Mór, bike hire, pony traps and minibus tours meet the boat at Kilronan pier.
- The alternative crossing is from Doolin in Co. Clare, which is faster but closed in winter.
Vehicles on board
This is a passenger-only ferry — no cars are carried to the Aran Islands from Rossaveal, and you would not want one: Inis Mór is small enough to cycle end to end.
Bicycles travel for €15 return, but only manual bikes. E-bikes and any motorised bicycle are banned outright, and the operator’s stated weight limit is inconsistent between its own pages (20 kg on the rates page, 15 kg on the FAQ) — check before you turn up. Bike hire on the island runs about €20 a day.
Accessibility
Access here is governed by the tide, not just the vessel. The operator states it cannot always accommodate wheelchair users at Rossaveal because of changing tidal conditions at the pier, and asks wheelchair users to phone ahead so the date can be assessed.
Electric wheelchairs are prohibited. Manual wheelchairs can use the lifts on the Galway City service where the width allows. This is a genuine constraint rather than a formality — plan around it.