A Budget Friendly Weekend in Galway

Just because it is January doesn’t mean you can’t have fun! The bank account may have been ran dry after Christmas, but I am here to provide you with a one night stay in Galway that won’t burn a hole in your pocket!

Your first step is getting there, and of course you will hop on a Citylink. Depending where you are coming from the price will range from €24-39 for a standard return ticket. Students can get 50% off with their YAC card, and we accept FTPs. Booking online and in advance also helps you save 10% compared to buying on the bus!

Although it will be a jam-packed weekend you still need somewhere to stay, so here are a few budget friendly options:

Galway is teeming with hostels and there are plenty of affordable ones such as The Woodquay Hostel (€35pp), as well as more expensive types such a The Nest Boutique Hostel (€50pp). Galway also has copious amounts of B&B’s for you to choose from, which range in price from €40 to €110 per person. A good place to start your search is along College Road which has plenty of options for places to stay.

Now that you’ve somewhere to rest your head, next stop is some food!

When you arrive you will be hungry, and the first stop for some grub should be McCambridges, with a deli filled with delicious and fresh ingredients you can choose from one of their sandwich creations or conjure up your own, all for around €6.50, not bad for a hefty sambo!
After lots of walking and exploring you may need a pick me up, the next spot to head to is Pizza & Pasta Napoli, a tiny hole in the wall that serves fresh Neapolitan pizza slices the size of your head for only €4.50!
For your dinner head to Xi’an get one spice bag (they’re so big you can easily share) for €8.50, a tub of curry sauce and head to one of the many pubs along shop street (Freeny’s, Tig Coilí, Tigh Neachtain), sit outside, grab a pint of Guinness and munch.
The next morning, If you are in Galway on a Saturday you would be silly to miss the St. Nicholas’ Market. It is a magical place filled with all the foods your heart could desire. From sushi to Indian food it has it all. We highly recommend the Galway Bay Bakery Bagels, their Smoked Salmon and Cream Cheese bagel for €6 is to die for!
And before you head back home pop into Lana Asian Street Food (there is one on Mary Street or out in Salthill), which has a rotating monthly special that will set you back €11.95 and comes with a guarantee that it will be tasty! Perfect fill before heading home!

You’ve now been fed and watered it’s time to go do something!

Galway City Museum – a free activity that will take you back in time to explore the history of Galway. Scope out the Galway Hooker hanging from the ceiling and the model Claddagh overlooking the (real) Claddagh. A great activity for a rainy day (which, in Galway, there are plenty!)
Head to the legendary Róisín Dubh, they often host free or affordable gigs throughout the year, it’s a great way to listen to some new bands and explore the Irish music scene.
Listen to some trad music. Galway is filled with bars and pubs that play trad music daily. They are mostly free and are a great way to explore Irish culture! A few of our favourites are The Crane, Tig Cóilí and Taffes!
If you’re a history buff, or enjoy architecture, take a stroll through the Quad on the University campus and take a pit stop at the Cathedral while you’re at it.
Head out to Salthill and grab a coffee. Walk the prom and allow the wind to knock off any cobwebs (or hangovers!). Take a dip if you’re feeling extra brave! It’s hard to believe the beautiful West Coast is that close.
Take a free walking tour around Galway, the one we recommend is Stroll To The Stout, a free 1 hour tour of Galway that ends in a pub and pouring your own Guinness, you also get to keep a polaroid of yourself! Pretty cool if you ask me!
Go charity shop shopping, Galway is one of the most stylish cities, so check out what they have on offer in the multiple charity shops dotted around the city. A good place to start is along Merchant's road.

When you’re all finished (and extremely sad to be leaving) you can hop on the Citylink in complete comfort and enjoy a peaceful journey back home.

All in all, you can have a lovely one night stay in Galway for under €100 and that's food (and a few pints included!), now that's not too bad!