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Can you bring your car to the Aran Islands?

You cannot take your car on the ferry to the Island. Aran Island Ferries sail from Rossaveel to Inis Mor year-round. The ferry from Rossaveel to Inis Mor is the shortest crossing and takes approximately 40mins from the ferry terminal in Rossaveel to Kilronan Pier on Inis Mor.



No, you cannot bring your own car to the Aran Islands (Inis Mór, Inis Meáin, and Inis Oírr) as a visitor. The ferry services departing from Rossaveal, Doolin, and Galway are strictly for passengers and small cargo only. The islands are famous for their rugged, traditional atmosphere, and the narrow, winding stone-walled roads are not designed for modern tourist traffic. Once you arrive at the pier, the primary modes of transport are walking, renting a bicycle, or hiring a local pony and trap (horse-drawn carriage). There are also small minibuses and "island tours" driven by locals that can take you to major landmarks like Dún Aonghasa. While you will see cars on the islands, these belong exclusively to the local residents who have special permits. For visitors, the "car-free" nature of the islands is part of the charm, allowing for a peaceful experience of the Irish landscape and heritage without the noise and congestion of mainland traffic.

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The island is too big to walk all in one day but if you are staying overnight or for a few days that would be a nice option.
  1. Mini Bus Tour.
  2. Pony & Trap.
  3. Bicycle.
  4. Aran Off Road Experience.
  5. Walking.


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The Aran Islands Depending on which island you visit, the ferry journey is approximately 40-minutes from Rossaveel, Connemara and 90-minutes from Galway City.

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If one were to do a walked loop of the entire island it would probably take an entire day (roughly 16km ) as the island is 8km long. Walking on the Aran Islands is one of the most popular activities. With miles and miles of small thin roads criss crossing each other most people just venture out and explore.

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We recommend bringing a camera, comfortable shoes, a good rain jacket, sun screen (it's Ireland but you never know!) and a little cash. Some businesses on the island do not accept card or have a minimum-spend policy in place.

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Inis Mor is noted for it's sandy sheltered beaches and interesting shorelines. On Inis Mór there is a blue flag beach at Cill Mhuirbhigh which is safe for swimming. During summer this beach is popular and as such has on duty life guards so ensure the safety of swimmers.

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Walk, Jog, Hike, or Stroll Inis Mór is very accessible for all levels of walkers. The roads are mostly flat with no steep incline to climb (until you reach the fort, at least!) With such little traffic troubling you along the way, walking is a safe and easy way to traverse the island at your own pace.

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Inishmore is the largest and most popular island of the three Aran Islands. It is home to a population of around 800 people who predominantly speak Irish as their first language.

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