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Eight Cliffs of Moher tours can be booked from Galway in November and December 2026, from €55 per adult (based on 2 travelers) to €325 per person for a private tour. The guided day trip at €55 includes Cliffs of Moher entry. No ferry crossing to the Aran Islands can be booked on Viator, and no 2026 timetable is confirmed.
Verified on the Viator partner API (prices, ratings, availability).
Galway is the base for many visitors to Ireland’s west coast, and the same question comes up on every arrival: which Cliffs of Moher tour should you take, and which one when you only have one day? We checked the Viator tours departing from Galway for the window from 1 November to 30 December 2026, two months when the catalog shrinks: twelve listings from the city were set aside because they had no open day in that period.
To make the list, we applied three criteria: the listing must be active, offer at least one open day across the sixty days of the window, and leave from Galway or pick travelers up in Galway. The rating and review threshold was set at 4.7 with more than 100 reviews, and only five excursions cleared it. To reach eight listings, the threshold was lowered twice. At 4.5 with more than 50 reviews, the shuttle (4.62 from 387 reviews) makes the list. Then we dropped to 4.5 with more than 15 reviews to add two private tours, rated 5.00 but on only 25 and 43 reviews: these are exceptions, and they are flagged as such. In total, eight excursions qualify, so the title says eight, not six.
A word on the Aran Islands, since the topic comes up. No excursion to Inis Mór, Inisheer or Inis Meáin appears as bookable on Viator from Galway during these two months. The verified cruise timetable runs from 26 March to 3 October 2027; no 2026 timetable is confirmed. The section on the islands sets out what is confirmed and what is not.
Each listing below shows the duration, the price, whether cliffs entry is included and whether cancellation is free. Prices are per adult for two travelers, except for private tours, which are priced per car. The table puts these figures side by side for a quick comparison.
If you only want to book one option, start with the 8-hour guided day trip to the Cliffs of Moher, Aillwee Cave and Dunguaire Castle. It is the most reviewed of the group, with 3662 aggregated reviews (Viator and TripAdvisor) for a 4.92 rating. Check this day on Viator. Its weak point: cliffs entry is not in its inclusions, so budget for it separately.
Why Galway for the Cliffs: Pixidia’s angle
Most of the excursions on our list leave from Galway: from the HYDE hotel, from a hostel on Merchants Road, or from an operator’s office. Before you choose, it is worth understanding what you are going to see, because the landscape reads differently depending on whether you look at the cliff, the karst or the coast.
The Cliffs of Moher are made of layers of shale and sandstone. Their height is around 200 meters, but sources disagree: they give anywhere from 150 to 213 meters. The Viator listings give the height in feet. Keep the order of magnitude rather than a precise figure.
The Burren, northwest of County Clare, is a glacial karst region. Its limestone pavements formed partly during the last ice age, when glaciers scraped away rock that was already weathered. The area is a UNESCO Global Geopark with nine geosites. A guide titled « Stone, Water, Ice » is available at the visitor centers, and it helps you read the landscapes the tours only pass through.
Several listings mention the Poulnabrone dolmen. According to the operator’s listing, it is among the oldest monuments in the country and dates to around 5,800 years ago. We did not verify this dating in an archaeological source: we report it as it appears in the listings. Dunguaire Castle, for its part, is a tower house on the edge of Kinvara Bay. Its exterior is seen during a stop of a few minutes, according to the listings.
Weather matters more than which excursion you pick. All eight listings offer free cancellation up to 24 hours before departure, and the operator can cancel itself in bad weather. Read what is refunded in that case on each listing before you pay.
The Aran Islands: what is possible and what is not
The Aran Islands, Inis Mór, Inisheer and Inis Meáin, are visited mostly from May to September. From Galway, the seasonal Aran Island Ferries cruise serves Inis Mór. Its published timetable runs from 26 March to 3 October 2027, and no 2026 timetable is confirmed for November and December. The Doolin Ferry timetable page we found dates from 2025 (1 March to 3 November 2025) and confirms nothing for 2026. An unverified search summary also describes a year-round link from Rossaveel, in Connemara: it does not leave from Galway.
On Viator, no island excursion showed as bookable during the window from 1 November to 30 December 2026, at our check on 18 October. The listings for the Cliffs and the Burren, on the other hand, have slots over the same period.
We do not recommend planning a crossing in November or December. If the islands remain a goal, aim for spring or summer, and check timetables with the operators, since no 2026 timetable was confirmed at our check on 18 October.
The 8 excursions compared
| Experience | Duration | Price per adult (based on 2) | Rating (Viator and TripAdvisor reviews) | Free cancellation | Days available |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. Cliffs of Moher, Aillwee Cave and Dunguaire | 8 hours | €65 | 4.92 (3662) | Yes | 57 of 60 |
| 2. Cliffs and Burren, entry included | 8 hours 15 min | €55 | 4.86 (2163) | Yes | 57 of 60 |
| 3. Cliffs and Burren, 2 hours at the cliffs | 8 hours | €59 | 4.82 (578) | Yes | 56 of 60 |
| 4. Cliffs and Wild Atlantic Way, ticket included | 8 hours | €84.66 | 4.74 (135) | Yes | 56 of 60 |
| 5. Half-day independent shuttle | 5 hours 15 min | €55 | 4.62 (387) | Yes | 57 of 60 |
| 6. Private tour from Galway | 8 hours | €287.50 (car: €575) | 4.95 (264) | Yes | 59 of 60 |
| 7. Private small-group tour | 5 to 6 hours | €276.75 (car: €553.50) | 5.00 (43) | Yes | 44 of 60 |
| 8. Private day in the Burren and Cliffs | 8 to 9 hours | €287.50 to €325 (car: €575 to €650) | 5.00 (25) | Yes | 52 of 60 |
Prices and availability checked on the Viator partner API on 18 October 2026 for 1 November to 30 December 2026; they may change. Ratings and review counts are aggregated from Viator and TripAdvisor. For private tours, the per-person price is calculated from the car rate for two travelers. Cliffs entry is included for rows 2, 3, 4 and 5; not listed for rows 1, 6 and 7; excluded for row 8.
The 8 excursions to book from Galway to Moher
1. Cliffs of Moher, Aillwee Cave and Dunguaire
This day suits anyone who wants to see more than one cliff in a single outing. Meeting point is the HYDE hotel on Forster Street at 9:15 am; hotel pickup has to be requested 24 hours before departure. The day links the Cliffs of Moher, Aillwee Cave in the Burren and Dunguaire Castle, a tower house on the edge of Kinvara Bay. The point to know: cliffs entry is not listed in the inclusions, and the cave ticket is not included either. Budget for those tickets on top of the price shown. The trap would be counting on a long free stretch at the cliffs, because the day splits its time between three sites. As with the other tours on this list, free cancellation is shown on the listing.
- Guide and air-conditioned transport
- Meeting point at HYDE hotel, check-in at 9:15 am
- Dunguaire Castle seen from the bay side
- Aillwee Cave and the Burren karst landscape
2. Cliffs and Burren, entry included
This is the simplest option to compare with the others. Cliffs entry is part of the price, and the listing says so plainly, which avoids a surprise at the ticket desk. Departure is from the operator’s office in Galway: you must check in before 9:40 or 9:45 am, and the public car park on Merchants Road is paid. The route crosses the Burren, stops at the Poulnabrone dolmen, then at Doolin for a free stop of 45 to 50 minutes, before the cliffs. Lunch in Doolin is not included. It suits someone who wants a known price and a guide who comments on the road. If you want more time at the cliffs, compare with the €59 day, which leaves two hours there.
- Driver-guide and commentary on board
- Cliffs entry included
- Free stop of 45 to 50 minutes in Doolin
3. Cliffs and Burren, 2 hours at the cliffs
This day suits anyone who wants time at the cliffs without giving up the Burren. The driver-guide picks travelers up at Kinlay Hostel on Merchants Road, with check-in at 9:15 am for a 9:30 am departure. The route follows the coast with stops at Dunguaire Castle and at a local chocolate maker, then two hours at the cliffs, with entry to the visitor center included. Weather is the real concern: in November, pack a waterproof jacket and have a backup plan if the day looks poor. Choose this one over the shuttle if you want a guide for the journey.
- Driver-guide and air-conditioned transport
- Two hours at the cliffs
- Visitor center entry included
4. Cliffs and Wild Atlantic Way, ticket included
This excursion costs more than the guided day trips, €84.66 per person against €55 to €65, but the cliffs entry ticket is included, and the route follows the Wild Atlantic Way, with medieval ruins and tower houses along the road. Departure is from Kinlay Hostel on Merchants Road, near Eyre Square. Lunch is not included, so plan to eat on site. It suits someone who wants a full coastal day with a ticket already paid. It has only 135 reviews, against more than 2,000 for the first two. Before you book, read the recent reviews to check that the format suits you.
- Cliffs entry ticket included
- Departure from Kinlay Hostel, near Eyre Square
- Medieval ruins and tower houses on the way
- Lunch not included
5. Half-day independent shuttle
If you only have a half day, or prefer to walk at your own pace, this is the shortest option on the list. An air-conditioned shuttle leaves from the HYDE hotel at 8 am or noon, with pickup at 7:45 am for the first departure and 11:45 am for the second. You get about two hours on site, with entry to the visitor center included. The format is independent and has no guide. The trap would be comparing it with a guided day at the same price per adult, because it does not tell you the story of the Burren. It suits anyone who has already seen the Burren or does not want a full day.
- Two departures a day, at 8 am and noon
- Visitor center entry included
- Independent format, no guide
6. Private tour from Galway
What sets this private tour apart is its availability: it is open 59 days out of 60 in the window, and it is the only private tour open on 24, 25 and 26 December. The pickup point is agreed with the operator after booking, then the day is built around your group, through the Burren to the cliffs. The 4.95 rating rests on 264 reviews, but the useful figure is the price: the rate is shown per car, so €575 for two travelers, or €287.50 per person on that basis. The pickup point is not a single hotel: the list is extended, and the operator asks you to contact them after booking. Cliffs entry is not listed in the inclusions.
- Private tour, reserved for your group
- Itinerary adapted to your interests
- Pickup at the agreed point
7. Private small-group tour
This format is for one to four travelers, a family or two couples, in an air-conditioned sedan with bottled water and, at no charge, a baby seat if needed. Pickup is at your accommodation at the time you choose, which avoids dragging luggage across Galway. Stops can be chosen between Doolin, Dunguaire Castle, the Burren and Lisdoonvarna, with a choice of one extra stop at a chocolate shop or a perfumery in the Burren. The catch is availability: the listing is open only 44 days out of 60 in the window, and it is closed from 23 to 30 December. The €553.50 rate is for the car and two travelers.
- Air-conditioned sedan and bottled water
- Baby seat at no charge if needed
- Pickup at your accommodation, at the time you choose
8. Private day in the Burren and Cliffs
This is the most complete option for anyone who wants the Burren as much as the cliffs. The meeting point can be chosen within 15 km of Galway, and the day passes the Poulnabrone dolmen and a sheepdog demonstration. Two items sit apart: the demonstration costs €12 per person as an extra, and tickets to the cliffs visitor center are not included. The price runs from €575 to €650 for the car and two travelers. The 25 reviews behind the 5.00 rating are few: read the recent ones before you decide.
- Private air-conditioned transport and bottled water
- Guided visit of the Burren
- Poulnabrone dolmen, presented as one of the oldest in the country
- Sheepdog demonstration, paid option
Preparing your trip
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Cliffs entry and opening hours
The official Cliffs of Moher website lists the 2026 admission rate, checked on 18 October 2026: €15 for an adult at the gate, €12 for a student or senior, €30 for a family. Children under 12 accompanied by a parent enter free, up to four children per family. Opening hours in November and December are 9 am to 5 pm. The full adult rate rose 25% according to the local press, from €12 to €15. The same site does not publish an online price for 2026: the online prices it shows apply to 2027 and not to your visit. Third-party sites advertise lower online prices without an official source: we do not use them.
The bus, a plan B without a tour
Bus Éireann route 350 links Galway, at Eyre Square, with Kinvara, Doolin, the Cliffs of Moher and Ennis. For anyone who does not want an organized tour, it is an option with no guide and no commentary. The published frequencies do not match: an undated press article announces ten round trips a day. Check the official timetable on buseireann.ie before you travel, since we have no confirmed frequency for November.
Meeting points
Two excursions leave from the HYDE hotel on Forster Street: the 8-hour guided day, and the shuttle at 8 am and noon, which requires check-in at 7:45 am or 11:45 am. Two others leave from Kinlay Hostel on Merchants Road, near Eyre Square. Tour no. 2 departs from the operator’s office in Galway, with check-in before 9:40 or 9:45 am; the public car park on Merchants Road is paid. For private tours, the pickup point is set after booking.
Private tours: what to check
Three of the eight excursions are private tours. Their price is shown per car, not per person: €575 for two travelers, or €287.50 per person, for private tour no. 6. Private day no. 8 goes up to €325 per person. For the small-group visit, the car costs €553.50 for two, or €276.75 per person. In every case, ask for the exact price and the number of seats before you confirm, since the prices shown assume two travelers.
A rough budget for two adults
Among the excursions, the cheapest option is the independent shuttle, at €110 for two, entry included. The day with entry included, Cliffs and Burren, also comes to €110. The 8-hour day to the Cliffs, Aillwee Cave and Dunguaire costs €130 for two, but cliffs entry is not included: at the full rate of €15 per adult, the total rises to €160 at the gate, not counting the Aillwee Cave ticket, whose price we did not check. Private tours cost more than five times as much for two travelers, from €553.50 for the car.
Tipping and physical effort
Tipping is not included in any of the eight excursions. The listings ask for comfortable walking shoes and a moderate level of fitness.
Cancellation and booking
All eight listings allow free cancellation up to 24 hours before departure. The operator can also cancel itself in bad weather: check on the listing what is refunded in that case before you pay. The excursions are confirmed instantly.
Book ahead if you have a specific date. Some listings are closed on certain days: tour no. 7 is open only 44 days out of 60 in the window, and it is closed from 23 to 30 December. For 24, 25 and 26 December, only private tour no. 6 remains open among the eight.
Frequently asked questions
Which Galway to Cliffs of Moher excursion has the best rating?
The 8-hour guided day to the Cliffs of Moher, Aillwee Cave and Dunguaire Castle has the highest rating among group excursions, with 4.92 out of 5 from 3662 aggregated reviews (Viator and TripAdvisor). It costs €65 per adult for two travelers, and cliffs entry is not included. The private tours have ratings from 4.95 to 5.00, but they rest on 25 to 264 reviews. See the listing.
Can you visit the Aran Islands from Galway in November?
Not on an excursion that can be booked on Viator. No product to Inis Mór, Inisheer or Inis Meáin was open for booking between 1 November and 30 December 2026 at our check on 18 October. The verified cruise timetable from Galway runs from 26 March to 3 October 2027; no 2026 timetable is confirmed. The islands are visited mostly from May to September. For November and December, the excursions to the Cliffs and the Burren remain the simplest option.
How much is entry to the Cliffs of Moher in 2026?
The official site lists €15 for an adult at the gate, checked on 18 October 2026. Students and seniors pay €12, a family €30, and children under 12 accompanied by a parent enter free. The site does not publish an online price for 2026: the online prices it shows apply to 2027. Check the price of the day before your visit, since it has risen recently.
Can you get to the Cliffs of Moher by bus, without a tour?
Yes, with Bus Éireann route 350, which links Galway with Kinvara, Doolin, the cliffs and Ennis. The bus has no guide and no commentary. The published frequencies differ between sources: check the official timetable on buseireann.ie before you travel, since we have no confirmed frequency for November and December 2026.
Can you cancel a tour if the weather is bad?
All eight listings allow free cancellation up to 24 hours before departure. The operator can also cancel on its own in bad weather. For a risky day, keep a margin in your plans and check on the listing what is refunded if the operator cancels.
Which excursion should a family with young children choose?
The Cliffs and Burren day at €55 per adult includes cliffs entry, which keeps the budget simple, and children under 12 enter the site free. The prices shown are for two adults: check the child fare on the listing before you book. For a small family group, the small-group private tour, for one to four travelers, offers a baby seat at no charge if needed.
Sources
- Cliffs of Moher, admission rates and opening hours: accessed 18 October 2026
- Cliffs of Moher, official site: accessed 18 October 2026
- Galway Tourism, Cliffs of Moher tours: accessed 18 October 2026
- Aran Island Ferries, cruise from Galway: accessed 18 October 2026
- Doolin Ferry Co., Aran Islands timetables: accessed 18 October 2026
- Transport for Ireland, Bus Éireann rural services: accessed 18 October 2026
- BusTimes, route 350 Galway Kinvara Doolin Ennis: accessed 18 October 2026
- Clare FM, new bus routes between the Cliffs of Moher and Galway: accessed 18 October 2026
- Clare Champion, price increase at the Cliffs of Moher Experience: accessed 18 October 2026
- Wikipedia, The Burren: accessed 18 October 2026
- Burren and Cliffs of Moher UNESCO Global Geopark, geosites: accessed 18 October 2026
- Wikidata, Cliffs of Moher: accessed 18 October 2026
- Wikidata, The Burren: accessed 18 October 2026
- Wikidata, Aran Islands: accessed 18 October 2026
- Viator product pages for the eight excursions, Partner API snapshot of 18 October 2026 for 1 November to 30 December 2026
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