Major city · Ireland
Inishbofin IslandInis Bó Finne
Go for one night, two at most: the ferry gives you about five hours ashore, so a day trip works but misses the dark skies and empty evening walks.
Inishbofin is a low, treeless island 8 km off Connemara, 5.5 km by 3 km, with 184 residents and no cars allowed over. The ferry from Cleggan takes 30 min. Walk or cycle everywhere, sleep one night, and treat it as a slow stop between Clifden and Galway rather than a sightseeing checklist.
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- EUR
- Best months
- May–Sep
- avoid Nov–Feb (storms and ferry cancellations)
- Airports
- NOC · SNN · 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.
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 Inishbofin Island112 ▾
- Emergency (police, fire, ambulance, coast guard)112
- Emergency (alternative)999
- Irish Coast Guard112 or 999 and ask for the coast guard
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 Inishbofin Island, 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 safe for tourists: the real risks are weather, tide races in the channel and the lack of mobile signal.
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 emergency (police, fire, ambulance, coast guard) · 999 emergency (alternative) · 112 or 999 and ask for the coast guard Irish Coast Guard
- 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.
- AirportcheckNOC Ireland West Airport Knock (About 2 h by road to Cleggan; check car hire before booking.).
- Getting aroundWalk or cycle.
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€3–4.50 (≈ US$4–6)
- Street or quick mealSoup and sandwich€9–14 (≈ US$11–17)
- BeerPint of stout in a hotel bar€5.50–7 (≈ US$7–9)
- Metro or bus rideIndian meal from the bus near Murray'sMay–Sep, 12:30–17:00May–Sep, 12:30 PM–5:00 PM€12–18 (≈ US$14–25)
- SIM or eSIM, a weekeSIM or data SIM, about a week€10–20 (≈ US$12–25)
- Budget bedHostel dorm bed, a night, per person€25 (≈ US$30)
- Mid-range bedB&B or hotel double room, a night, per room€140 (≈ US$170)
- High-end bedB&B or hotel double room, a night, per room€170 (≈ US$200)
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
- NOC Ireland West Airport Knock (About 2 h by road to Cleggan; check car hire before booking.) · SNN Shannon (About 2 h 30 min by road to Cleggan.) · DUB Dublin (About 4 h by road to Cleggan; bus and rail via Galway take longer.)
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
9°C (48°F)48°F (9°C)
Apr
not flagged
11°C (52°F)52°F (11°C)
May
Best
14°C (57°F)57°F (14°C)
Jun
Best
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
Jul
Best
17°C (63°F)63°F (17°C)
Aug
Best
17°C (63°F)63°F (17°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
9°C (48°F)48°F (9°C)
Best: May–Sep. Avoid: Nov–Feb. Month by month →
Warmest Jul (17°C (63°F)63°F (17°C)), coolest Jan (3°C (37°F)37°F (3°C) low), wettest Jan (20 rain days), driest Jun (13). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
Inishbofin Island: next 7 days
Loading forecast…
Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
Loading…
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)
17 rd
Mar
9°C (48°F)48°F (9°C)
4°C (39°F)39°F (4°C)
18 rd
Apr
11°C (52°F)52°F (11°C)
5°C (41°F)41°F (5°C)
15 rd
May
14°C (57°F)57°F (14°C)
7°C (45°F)45°F (7°C)
14 rd
Jun
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
10°C (50°F)50°F (10°C)
13 rd
Jul
17°C (63°F)63°F (17°C)
12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C)
15 rd
Aug
17°C (63°F)63°F (17°C)
12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C)
16 rd
Sep
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
11°C (52°F)52°F (11°C)
16 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)
6°C (43°F)43°F (6°C)
20 rd
Dec
9°C (48°F)48°F (9°C)
4°C (39°F)39°F (4°C)
20 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
Walk or cycle. No cars come over on the ferry; park at Cleggan. Bike hire sits by the pier. Hotels and B&Bs usually meet arrivals at the pier. The island is small enough to cross on foot in a couple of hours.
Nearest full guides
Straight-line distance, not travel time
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Inishark
cautionDoor to door: Half a day
No ferry; occasional boat trips from the island
Uninhabited since 1960, no harbour; only go with a local boat operator.
Inishlyon
goDoor to door: 1–2 h
Walk across the tidal strand from the east coast
Tidal: check the strand before crossing; the connecting beach is eroding.
Inishturk
skipDoor to door: Separate trip
Ferry from Roonagh on the Mayo mainland, not from Inishbofin
Visible 10 km (6.2 mi) northeast but not linked by boat from here.Visible 6.2 mi (10 km) northeast but not linked by boat from here.
Clifden
goDoor to door: About 1 h 30 min
Ferry to Cleggan, then road
The natural next stop on the way to Galway.
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.
Pier and village
Steps from the ferry, grocery and most eating; best for one night with bags.
North beach (Bay Cottage side)
Quieter, a 15–20 min walk from the pier.
South end near the airstrip
Peaceful B&Bs; 20–25 min walk to the village.
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 or hotel double room1 × 1 night × €140 | €140 |
| Food, local transport, entries2 × 1 day × €100 | €200 |
| Ferry Cleggan ↔ Inishbofin, return2 × €30 · check | €60 |
| Bike hire, one day2 × €20 · check | €40 |
| eSIM, about a week of data2 × €15 · The island has no mobile signal; wifi at your accommodation. | €30 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | €47 |
| Trip total≈ €259 per person per day, bed included | €517≈ US$650 |
2026 estimate in euro; ferry and travel to Cleggan excluded. Your choices stay in this browser.
Prices of common things
| Coffee or tea in a café | €3–4.50 (≈ US$4–6) |
| Soup and sandwich | €9–14 (≈ US$11–17) |
| Pint of stout in a hotel bar | €5.50–7 (≈ US$7–9) |
| Indian meal from the bus near Murray'sMay–Sep, 12:30–17:00May–Sep, 12:30 PM–5:00 PM | €12–18 (≈ US$14–25) |
| Bofin Grocery basicsOpen daily noon–17:00Open daily noon–5:00 PM | €2–8 (≈ US$3–10) |
| eSIM or data SIM, about a week | €10–20 (≈ US$12–25) |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- No mobile signal from any carrier as of May 2025; rely on accommodation wifi.
- The ferry is foot-passenger only and can be cancelled by Atlantic weather: build a spare day into your plan.
- The island airstrip is closed and marked with X marks; no private aircraft may use it.
- The graveyard at St Colmán's is deep in nettles: wear long trousers.
- Bofin Grocery closes mid-afternoon; buy what you need before it shuts.
Emergency numbers
- Emergency (police, fire, ambulance, coast guard)
- 112
- Emergency (alternative)
- 999
- Irish Coast Guard
- 112 or 999 and ask for the coast guard
Pocket card
Fill in, then print or save as PDF
Stays in this browser only; nothing is sent anywhere.
Inishbofin IslandInis Bó Finne
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
Chuig an seoladh seo, le do thoilTo this address, please
Emergency
- Emergency (police, fire, ambulance, coast guard)112
- Emergency (alternative)999
- Irish Coast Guard112 or 999 and ask for the coast guard
Embassy
No embassies on the island; the US Embassy is in Dublin and most countries' embassies are in Dublin.
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- Ferry Cleggan → Inishbofin: about €15 (≈ US$18) each way, 30 min (check)
- Bike hire by the pier: about €20 (≈ US$25) a day (check)
- Taxi Cleggan → Clifden: about €25–35 (≈ US$30–45) (check)
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)
- Cá bhfuil an ché? — Where is the pier? (kaw will an khay)
- Cé mhéad é? — How much is it? (kay vade ay)
- Sláinte — Cheers (slawn-cha)
No mobile signal on the island as of May 2025: save this card offline.
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 Inishbofin Island. 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 (storms and ferry cancellations) · 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
- 4 day-trips, door to door
- 5 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- Ferry-to-bed contract for Cleggan: last sailing field-checked, parking fallback, overnight rung.
- Walking clusters with rescue anchors: pier and village, Port Island and Cromwell's Barracks, St Colmán's, Dún Gráinne and Dún Mór.
- Place pages with verified access notes (Cromwell's Barracks, St Colmán's, Dún Gráinne, Dún Mór) and eat pages with seasonal opening months.
- Storm and cancellation fixtures so gates A–D can go green.