From Galway: Connemara and Cong Full-Day Tour
Up to two hours at Kylemore, Killary and the Lough Nafooey road, then Cong village and its abbey. The ticket is EUR 14 in cash to the driver, if you want it.
From $51 per person
Check AvailabilityHow to Get to Kylemore Abbey
The abbey stands on one road, the N59, deep in Connemara. You can come on bus tours from Galway to Kylemore Abbey, or drive yourself. Here is the road, the car park, the bus and the kerbs where the tours leave.
On the N59 between Clifden and Westport
Kylemore Abbey is in Connemara, County Galway, on the Wild Atlantic Way. It sits on the N59, about 3 km beyond Letterfrack on the road to Westport. Put the Eircode H91 VR90 into your sat nav, or the abbey's coordinates: latitude 53.5618, longitude -9.8880.
You will see it from the road. The abbey stands on the far shore of Pollacappul Lough, below a wooded mountain, and the entrance is on the lough side.
Driving from Galway, Clifden and Westport
| From | Distance | Driving time | Where the abbey is |
|---|---|---|---|
| Clifden | 20 km | 25 minutes | On your left, after Letterfrack |
| Westport | About 50 km | 50 minutes | On your right, after Leenane and Killary Harbour |
| Galway city | 80 km | 1 hour 15 minutes | Through Connemara on the N59 |
From Galway: the N59 takes you west through Oughterard and Maam Cross into Connemara. The day tours use the same road, then turn north through the Inagh Valley or Leenane.
From Clifden: take the N59 for Westport. You pass the entrance to Connemara National Park and go through Letterfrack, and the abbey is on your left.
From Westport: take the N59 for Clifden. You pass through Leenane and along Killary Harbour, then wind along the lake to the abbey on your right. You can also come round by Croagh Patrick and Louisburgh.
The free car park at the visitor centre
The car park is free and takes cars, bikes, campervans and coaches. It sits at the visitor centre, beside the Kylemore Kitchen café and the craft and design shop. None of these need a ticket.
From the car park you can see the abbey across the water. Buy your ticket at the visitor centre, or online before you go, and the paid area starts there.
By bus: Bus Éireann and Citylink
Bus Éireann runs regional services that stop at Kylemore itself. Citylink runs to Letterfrack and Clifden, but not to the abbey's gate. Timetables change with the season, so check the current one on each company's site before you plan the day around it.
If you travel by bus, allow for the return. Check the last departure back towards Clifden or Galway before you go in, because the estate and its walks can easily fill your whole day.
By bike from Clifden, 20 km on the N59
You can hire regular and electric bikes in Clifden, 20 km away, and the abbey has bike racks at the car park. The roads are narrow, though, and in summer they are hard work on two wheels, with coaches and campervans on the same road. An electric bike takes the sting out of the hills.
Nearest stations: Galway and Westport
The nearest railway stations are Galway and Westport, both on the Irish Rail network from Dublin.
From Galway station, the easy way on is a day tour, which leaves from the city centre. From Westport, the N59 runs about 50 km to the abbey by Leenane and Killary Harbour.
Where the Galway tours leave from
Outside the HYDE Hotel, Forster Street
Who leaves here: Lally Tours' day trips, including the Leenane day and the small-group sheepdog days.
When: 09:45 for the Leenane day, 10:15 or 10:30 for the sheepdog days. Look for the team in blue jackets.
Your ticket: in the fare on these days.
The Kinlay Hostel, Merchants Road
Who leaves here: Galway Tour Company's Cong day, Wild Atlantic Way Day Tours and Ireland Wild Escapes.
When: check in by 09:40 to 09:45 for the 10:00 Cong day; 09:30 for Wild Atlantic Way Day Tours.
Your ticket: not in these fares, or not stated. Carry euro in cash: the drivers on the Cong days and on Wild Atlantic Way Day Tours sell it.
The private cars collect you where you are staying in Galway. Parking on Merchants Road is paid, so if you drive into the city, leave time to find a space.
Rather let someone else drive the N59?
Every tour card shows where the day starts, how long you get at the abbey and whether the ticket is in the fare.
From Dublin, Shannon and Knock
The abbey is on the far side of Ireland from Dublin, well beyond Galway. None of the tours we list is a day trip from Dublin to Kylemore. Take the train to Galway the night before and join a day tour, or book a multi-day tour that stops here on its way round the west.
From the airports, Shannon and Knock are the closest. The abbey names both as within easy reach, and each puts you on the road to Galway or Westport. See the Kylemore Abbey map for the whole route.
Not inside Connemara National Park, but next door
The abbey is not inside Connemara National Park. The park begins across the lough, and its entrance and visitor centre are just outside Letterfrack on the Clifden road. Coming from Clifden, you pass the park before you reach the abbey.
That makes it easy to see both in a day if you drive. On a tour, some days from Galway let you choose the park or the abbey.
Getting-here questions
How far is Kylemore Abbey from Galway?
About 80 km, or 1 hour 15 minutes by car on the N59. The tours take longer, because they stop on the way.
Is there parking at Kylemore Abbey?
Yes. The free car park takes cars, bikes, campervans and buses, and it sits right at the visitor centre.
Can you get to Kylemore Abbey by public bus?
Yes. Bus Éireann runs regional services that stop at Kylemore itself. Citylink reaches Letterfrack and Clifden. Check the current timetable before you travel.
What is the nearest train station to Kylemore Abbey?
Galway and Westport. From Galway, a day tour is the easiest way on.
What is the Eircode for Kylemore Abbey?
H91 VR90. For sat nav, the abbey gives latitude 53.5618 and longitude -9.8880.
Can you visit Kylemore Abbey from Dublin in a day?
It is a long day. Most visitors take the train to Galway and join a day tour from there, or book a multi-day tour from Dublin.
Where these facts come from
Directions, distances and driving times come from the abbey's directions page, read in 2026. Meeting points and start times come from each tour's own listing.
- Kylemore Abbey: Directions
- Bus Éireann: journey planner
- Citylink: Galway to Clifden
- Kylemore Abbey: Connemara local area
- Connemara National Park
Tours that do the driving for you
Private Half Day Tour To Connemara
Four to five hours from your Galway hotel in a private car: two hours at Kylemore and the Sky Road. Infant seats available; entry is extra.
From $643 per group, up to 7
Check Availability
Private Luxury Guided Tour of Connemara from Westport or Ballina
A private day from Westport or Ballina for up to five, guided in English or French: Doolough, Killary, the Sky Road, Clifden and Cong. Kylemore is a photo stop outside.
From $930 per group, up to 5
Check AvailabilityNext: check the hours on the Kylemore Abbey visitor guide, see the weather on Kylemore Abbey weather, or compare every day out on Kylemore Abbey Tours.