Both Sligo and Westport are at the end of railway lines from Dublin, which makes the towns easy to reach. Between and beyond them, public transport is sparse and a car — or for the Greenway, a bike — is the practical choice.
Routes at a glance
| From | By | Time | Good to know |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dublin (Connolly) → Sligo | Train | ≈3 h 05 min | Several a day; the station is in the town centre. |
| Dublin (Heuston) → Westport | Train | ≈3 h 15 min | A few a day, some with a change at Athlone or Manulla Junction. |
| Dublin | Car | ≈2 h 45 min–3 h 15 min | N4 to Sligo; M4/N5 to Westport. |
| Galway → Westport | Car / bus | ≈1 h 30 min–2 h | N84 via Castlebar, or the scenic route through Connemara and Leenane (about 2 h 30 min). |
| Sligo → Westport | Car | ≈1 h 30 min | N17/N5 via Charlestown and Castlebar; coaches run with a change. |
| Ireland West Airport (Knock) | Car / bus | ≈45 min to either town | Flights from Britain and some European cities. |
| Sligo → Donegal town | Car / coach | ≈1 hour | N15 via Bundoran. |
Times are typical and fares change — check current timetables and prices before you travel.
By car
The Wild Atlantic Way links the two counties by the coast: from Westport north to Achill, round the lonely Erris peninsula to Downpatrick Head, then by Ballina and Easkey to Sligo — a full day’s drive of great beauty. The direct inland route takes 90 minutes. From Galway, come through Connemara, past Killary Harbour and down the Doolough Valley to Louisburgh: one of the finest roads in Ireland.
The Great Western Greenway
The Greenway is a 42 km traffic-free trail on the old railway from Westport through Newport and Mulranny to Achill Sound. It is mostly gentle and suitable for families. Hire companies provide bikes and e-bikes and a shuttle, so you can ride one way — the Mulranny to Achill stretch (13 km) has the best views. An extension links Westport to the quay and towards Murrisk.
By bus
Buses connect Westport with Achill, Louisburgh, Castlebar and Galway, and Sligo with Strandhill, Rosses Point, Drumcliffe and Donegal. TFI Local Link services reach smaller places a few times a day. Check timetables: some routes do not run on Sundays.
Getting around the towns
Westport and Sligo are both walkable. Taxis are available at the stations. In Sligo, Strandhill is 10 minutes by bus or taxi; in Westport, the quay is a 25-minute walk or a short cycle from the centre.
