Major city · Ireland
GlentiesNa Gleannta
Base here 1–2 nights only if you have a car: the village is a 50-min bus ride from Letterkenny and the coast, glens and megaliths need driving.
Glenties is a small Donegal village of about 900 people where two glens meet, on the R250/R262 between Letterkenny and the Ardara coast. It works as a quiet, cheaper base for the Bluestack hills, the Narin and Portnoo links and the beaches at Maghera and Dooey. Without a car you are limited to the bus timetable and the village itself.
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- EUR
- Best months
- May–Sep
- avoid Nov–Feb (wet, short days, many places closed)
- Airports
- CFN · NOC · DUB
- Nights
- 1–2
Rules in force · 8Non-EU visitors get 90 days in any rolling 180-day window…
- Europe ↗Non-EU visitors get 90 days in any rolling 180-day window, counted across all 29 Schengen states together — not per country; the Entry/Exit System now logs each crossing, so an overstay is detected automatically.
- Europe ↗On the first Schengen entry since EES began, non-EU travellers give four fingerprints and a face photo at the border instead of a passport stamp; there is nothing to apply for or pay in advance.
- Britain and Ireland ↗Neither the UK nor Ireland is part of Schengen: days spent here do not count towards the 90/180-day Schengen limit, and a Schengen visa does not admit you to either country.
- Britain and Ireland ↗The island of Ireland runs on two currencies: euro in the Republic, pound sterling in Northern Ireland and Great Britain. Carry a card that pays in both without fees.
- Britain and Ireland ↗Both islands drive on the left. Speed limits are in miles per hour in the UK (including Northern Ireland) and in kilometres per hour in the Republic of Ireland.
- Ireland ↗Ireland is in the EU but not in the Schengen area; it sets its own entry rules and a Schengen visa is not valid for Ireland. Check Irish immigration for your passport.
- Ireland ↗Ireland and the UK form the Common Travel Area, with no routine checks on the land border. Visitors who are not Irish or British must still meet UK rules (including the UK ETA where it applies) to enter Northern Ireland.
- Ireland ↗Driving is on the left; rural roads are narrow with hedges and few passing places.
Entry rules depend on your passport. Full visa guide
What is in this basic guide9 covered · 4 not yet ▾
In this guide
Not in this guide yet
- Walking areas with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Airport-to-bed timings and the last safe connection
- Field-checked times and prices
Official sites
Emergency numbers for Glenties112 ▾
Tap a number to call from your phone. These are the numbers listed in this guide; a row marked check has not been verified.
EssentialsQuick answers and what things cost
Essentials
Quick answers and what things cost
Quick answers
The questions people ask first about Glenties, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.
- Cash or card?Currency is the euro (EUR).Ireland-wide
- SIM or eSIMVodafone, Three and Eir run the networks; prepaid SIMs (also 48, Tesco Mobile, GoMo) sell in phone shops and newsagents, no registration fuss.Ireland-wide
- Tap waterTap water is safe; occasional local 'boil water' notices are posted by Uisce Éireann.Ireland-wide
- TippingRestaurant with table service: 10–15% if service is not included.Ireland-wide
- Plugs & powerSockets G. US/Canada (A/B): adapter · UK/Ireland (G): fits · Australia/NZ (I): adapter. 230 V: US 120 V-only devices (hair dryers) need a converter; most chargers are dual-voltage.Ireland-wide
- SafetyVery low crime; the real risks are weather, single-track roads and the distance between services.
Show all 12 answers
- RestroomsFree in shopping centres, museums, pubs (as a customer) and many petrol stations; some public toilets charge 50c.Ireland-wide
- Emergency numbers112 or 999 police, ambulance, fire, coast guard, mountain rescue (not 911, 999 or 000)
- Sundays & holidaysShops open Sunday afternoons in towns; rural shops and some attractions close in winter (November–March).Ireland-wide
- Your embassyFind your embassy's 24-hour line before you fly.
- AirportcheckCFN Donegal Airport (Carrickfinn) (Flights from Dublin and Glasgow; about 1 h by road from Glenties (check)).
- Getting aroundA car is the practical answer: buses run a few times a day at best.
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- CoffeeCoffee or tea in a café€3–4 (≈ US$4–5)
- Sit-down mealBar meal, main course€15–22 (≈ US$18–30)
- Street or quick mealPub lunch, soup and sandwich€10–15 (≈ US$12–18)
- BeerPint of stout€5–6 (≈ US$6–7)
- SIM or eSIM, a weekeSIM or data SIM, about a week€10–20 (≈ US$12–25)
- Budget bedHostel or shared room bed, a night, per person€30 (≈ US$35)
- Mid-range bedB&B double room, a night, per room€120 (≈ US$140)
- High-end bedB&B double room, a night, per room€150 (≈ US$180)
A day, not counting the bed: Budget €60 (≈ US$70) · Mid €100 (≈ US$120) · High €160 (≈ US$190)
Local prices, with USD next to them (rates 2026-09 (approximate); change it in the header). Ranges are desk estimates: check locally. Every price and the budget calculator →
DecideWhat it is known for, and when the weather works
Decide
What it is known for, and when the weather works
At a glance
What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.
- Airports
- CFN Donegal Airport (Carrickfinn) (Flights from Dublin and Glasgow; about 1 h by road from Glenties (check)) · NOC Ireland West Airport Knock (About 2 h 30 min by road (check)) · DUB Dublin (About 3 h 30 min by road to Letterkenny, then R250 (check))
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
Avoid
8°C (46°F)46°F (8°C)
Feb
Avoid
8°C (46°F)46°F (8°C)
Mar
not flagged
10°C (50°F)50°F (10°C)
Apr
not flagged
12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C)
May
Best
15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
Jun
Best
17°C (63°F)63°F (17°C)
Jul
Best
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
Aug
Best
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
Sep
Best
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
Oct
not flagged
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
Nov
Avoid
10°C (50°F)50°F (10°C)
Dec
Avoid
8°C (46°F)46°F (8°C)
Best: May–Sep. Avoid: Nov–Feb. Month by month →
Warmest Jul (18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)), coolest Jan (3°C (37°F)37°F (3°C) low), wettest Jan (20 rain days), driest May (14). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
Glenties: next 7 days
Loading forecast…
Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
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Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.
Jan
8°C (46°F)46°F (8°C)
3°C (37°F)37°F (3°C)
20 rd
Feb
8°C (46°F)46°F (8°C)
3°C (37°F)37°F (3°C)
16 rd
Mar
10°C (50°F)50°F (10°C)
4°C (39°F)39°F (4°C)
18 rd
Apr
12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C)
5°C (41°F)41°F (5°C)
15 rd
May
15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
7°C (45°F)45°F (7°C)
14 rd
Jun
17°C (63°F)63°F (17°C)
10°C (50°F)50°F (10°C)
14 rd
Jul
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C)
16 rd
Aug
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C)
17 rd
Sep
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
10°C (50°F)50°F (10°C)
17 rd
Oct
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
8°C (46°F)46°F (8°C)
19 rd
Nov
10°C (50°F)50°F (10°C)
5°C (41°F)41°F (5°C)
19 rd
Dec
8°C (46°F)46°F (8°C)
3°C (37°F)37°F (3°C)
19 rd
High / low, both scales · rd = rain days
Arrive & moveAirports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Arrive & move
Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Getting around
A car is the practical answer: buses run a few times a day at best. McGeehan Coach 991 links Letterkenny, Fintown, Glenties (about 50 min), Ardara and Killybegs three times Monday–Friday and twice on Saturday, and Local Link 994 runs once each way on weekday mornings between Portnoo, Ardara and Donegal Town. Bikes can be hired in Ardara (Tuesday–Saturday, 10:00–18:00).
Nearest full guides
Straight-line distance, not travel time
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Door to door: About 15–20 min by car (check)
Car on the N56, or McGeehan 991
Tweed and knitwear shops, pubs and the start of the Maghera lane.
Door to door: About 30 min (check)
Car west of Ardara, then a narrow lane
Sea caves in the cliffs; access conditions and tides are check. The lane continues to Owenree River falls.
Door to door: About 20 min (check)
Car north-west via the R261
6,904-yard par-70 links on the coast; book a tee time ahead in summer.
Door to door: About 20 min (check)
Car on the R250, or McGeehan 991
Seasonal operating dates and hours are check; confirm before driving out.
Glencolmcille
goDoor to door: About 45 min (check)
Car via the R230 past Maghera
Prehistoric and early Christian sites on the west of the peninsula.
Dungloe and the Rosses
goDoor to door: About 40 min (check)
Car on the N56
Rugged coast and the nearest airport at Carrickfinn.
Door to door: About 1 h (check)
Car on the N56 through Killybegs, or Local Link 994
Main base for the south of the county; the 994 is a single morning run each way.
Eat & sleepWhich area to sleep in
Eat & sleep
Which area to sleep in
Where to sleep
Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.
Glenties village (Main St and Mill Rd)
Hotels, B&Bs and the bus stop outside Costcutter; walk to bars and the museum.
Ardara (10 km west)
Bigger choice of hotels and B&Bs, tweed shops and more pubs; use it if Glenties is full.
Narin and Portnoo (about 10 km north-west)
Coastal self-catering and golf; best for beach days, needs a car for everything.
PracticalWhat a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Practical
What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Cost per day
- Budget
- €60–90 (≈ US$70–110) excl. bed
- Mid
- €90–140 (≈ US$110–170) excl. bed
- High
- €140 (≈ US$170)+ excl. bed
Trip budget
| B&B double room1 × 2 nights × €120 | €240 |
| Food, local transport, entries2 × 2 days × €100 | €400 |
| Car hire, one day, small car1 × €45 | €45 |
| Fuel, about 150 km of driving1 × €18 | €18 |
| eSIM, about a week of data2 × €15 | €30 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | €73 |
| Trip total≈ €202 per person per day, bed included | €806≈ US$950 |
Glenties B&Bs quote about €120–130 in season
2026 estimate in euro; car hire and fuel excluded. Your choices stay in this browser.
Prices of common things
| Coffee or tea in a café | €3–4 (≈ US$4–5) |
| Pub lunch, soup and sandwich | €10–15 (≈ US$12–18) |
| Bar meal, main course | €15–22 (≈ US$18–30) |
| Pint of stout | €5–6 (≈ US$6–7) |
| Round of golf, Narin and Portnoo Links | check |
| Bike hire, Ardara, per day | check |
| eSIM or data SIM, about a week | €10–20 (≈ US$12–25) |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- Bus 991 does not leave from Letterkenny bus station: it starts outside the fish-and-chip shop by the roundabout.
- Local Link 994 is one morning run each way on weekdays: miss it and you are stuck.
- Many B&Bs and cafés close or cut hours from November to March.
- Single-track lanes on the coast and over the Bluestacks: pull into passing places and expect sheep.
Emergency numbers
- Police, ambulance, fire, coast guard, mountain rescue
- 112 or 999
Pocket card
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GlentiesNa Gleannta
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
Chuig an seoladh seo, le do thoilTo this address, please
Emergency
- Police, ambulance, fire, coast guard, mountain rescue112 or 999
Embassy
No embassies in Donegal: US, UK, Canadian, Australian and New Zealand embassies are in Dublin; the nearest consulates are in Dublin and Belfast (check).
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- Bus 991 Letterkenny → Glenties: about 50 min; fare check
- Bus 991 Glenties → Ardara: about 15 min; fare check
- Taxi Glenties → Ardara: €15–20 (≈ US$18–25)
Say or show
- Dia duit — Hello (jeea gwit)
- Go raibh maith agat — Thank you (guh rev mah agut)
- Le do thoil — Please (leh duh hull)
- Sláinte — Cheers (slawn-cha)
- Cé mhéad é? — How much is it? (kay vade ay)
- Cá bhfuil an leithreas? — Where is the toilet? (kaw will un leh-rass)
English is spoken everywhere; Irish is the first official language and is used in Gaeltacht areas of west Donegal.
Deep diveWhat this guide covers so far, and its sources
Deep dive
What this guide covers so far, and its sources
Not a trip line yet
This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for Glenties. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.
What we know, and what is coming
On this page
- Best months: May–Sep · avoid Nov–Feb (wet, short days, many places closed) · month by month →
- 3 airports and 3 areas to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 3 bands
- 7 day-trips, door to door
- 4 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- Airport-to-bed contract for CFN and NOC: last bus and taxi fallback, overnight rung.
- Walking clusters with rescue anchors: Glenties Main St, Ardara, Narin and Portnoo.
- Place pages with verified opening hours (St Connell's Museum, Fintown Railway, Triona) and eat pages with last orders.
- Weather and hostile arrival fixtures so gates A–D can go green.
Sources
- officialGlenties local information
- officialMcGeehan Coaches (route 991)
- officialFintown Railway
- officialNarin and Portnoo Links
- officialHighlands Hotel, Glenties
- officialNesbitt Arms, Ardara
- secondaryWikivoyage: Glenties, revision 5338089 (CC BY-SA 4.0)
Ask about Glenties
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