It is possible for visitors to arrive in Galway via the local airport from Glasgow, Manchester, London, Edinburgh, Birmingham and Lorient in France. The main carriers operating at Galway Airport are Aer Arran and British Airways. This relatively small facility is located 10 kilometres outside of Galway and is serviced by a single shuttle bus that runs once daily from the airport to the city centre. Facilities here are limited, but taxis are on hand.

The larger Shannon International Airport is Ireland's second-busiest, serving as the primary international gateway for inbound tourists heading to Galway. This airport operates flights to destinations across the UK, Greater Europe and North America. Facilities here are more substantial than those in Galway, and regular buses and taxis connect Shannon Airport with Galway city.

Galway's Ceannut Train Station is situated off Eyre Square and operates several daily connections to Euston Station in Dublin (three hours) as well as to the rail transport hub at Athlone (one hour). Eurorail and InterRail passes allow for substantial discounts on Ireland's trains.

Buses from Galway's bus station (also found off Eyre Square) travel to and from virtually every major city in the country. Many of the country's buses team up with local rail networks to offer unlimited travel passes. For a flat fee, these passes allow unrestrained passage on buses and trains on a set number of days within variable time frames. These can be purchased at bus and train stations.

The Galway city centre is compact enough to tour on foot, and many visitors hire bicycles to assist in getting around. Public buses from Eyre Square circumvent the city and make trips to nearby communities, while taxis hired from Bridge Street or the bus and train stations will take passengers to any area destination. Those who choose to hire a car will need to purchase a parking disc from an area newsagent or the tourist office north of Eyre Square.