Local Tip
Galway's airport takes no commercial flights, so fly to Shannon, Ireland West Airport Knock or Dublin. In town, both Fexco counters are members-only; take foreign notes to a post office that buys them back.
Where to change money in Galway
Galway has two Fexco currency counters, both inside credit unions and both reserved for members, so most visitors will get euro from a cash machine or from a post office that buys back foreign notes.
- An Post buyback, participating branchesAt 345 post offices around Ireland, An Post will buy US, Canadian and Australian dollars, sterling and zloty from you for euro, charging no commission, with a ceiling of €500 per transaction. You'll need ID, for example your passport or an EU driving licence, and An Post's branch finder shows which offices provide the service.
- Fexco, St Columba's Credit Union, 24 Eyre Square Members of St Columba's can buy and sell foreign notes and exchange foreign-currency cheques here; nobody else can use the desk. Hours are 09:30 to 17:30 on Monday, Tuesday and Thursday, 10:00 to 18:00 on Friday and 09:30 to 14:00 on Saturday; closed Wednesday and Sunday.
- Fexco, Claddagh Credit Union, 8/9 Mainguard Street Claddagh Credit Union's Mainguard branch runs an identical members-only service, open 09:30 to 17:00 on Monday and from Wednesday to Saturday, and 10:30 to 17:00 on Tuesday; closed on Sunday.
Changing money at the airport
Galway Airport's website says the airfield is closed to commercial traffic, with the Galway Flying Club the only exception, and that landings cannot currently be booked. Air travellers therefore arrive through another airport, such as Shannon, Ireland West Airport Knock or Dublin. ICE lists a currency exchange in the departures hall at Shannon, and Knock includes cash machines among its facilities. If you land in Dublin, Citylink coaches to Galway leave from Zones 10 and 11 at the airport.
ATMs and cards in Galway
In Galway's shops and at cash machines you may see the amount in pounds or dollars as well as in euro. Choose euro, so your card provider handles the exchange: Euronet, an ATM operator here, confirms the alternative locks in a set rate, and MoneySavingExpert says to go with the local currency.
Paying for transport in Galway
A TFI Leap card is valid on every Bus Éireann service in Galway, on TFI Local Link and on City Direct routes 410 to 414. Add credit through the Leap Top-up app or with a Leap agent in the city.
Good to know
- Going home with euro to spare? About 900 post offices sell the same currencies that An Post buys back, commission-free and up to €3,000 a transaction, for a debit card or cash; ID is needed for amounts of €150 and above.
- Check your own bank's charges for using a card abroad before you travel: Euronet points out that a heavy withdrawal cost can come from the card issuer rather than the machine.
Key Areas in Galway
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Exchange bureaux, banks and cash machines, as mapped by OpenStreetMap. The map loads only when you ask for it.
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Galway travel money FAQ
Where is the best place to exchange money in Galway?
Unless you belong to St Columba's or Claddagh credit union, Fexco's Galway desks won't serve you. Take foreign notes instead to one of An Post's buyback branches, which pay out euro without commission, to a limit of €500 a transaction, or withdraw euro from a cash machine.
Which airport do I fly into for Galway?
Not Galway's own, which is closed to commercial traffic. Pick another airport such as Shannon, Ireland West Airport Knock or Dublin; ICE lists a currency exchange in Shannon's departures hall, and Citylink coaches connect Dublin Airport with Galway.
Can I use a Leap card on Galway's buses?
Yes. Every Bus Éireann route in Galway takes it, as do City Direct routes 410 to 414 and TFI Local Link, and you can add credit on your phone with the Leap Top-up app.
Checked September 2026. Fees, fares and opening times change, so check locally before relying on them. Sources: Galway Airport · ICE Ireland · Ireland West Airport · Dublin Airport · Citylink · Fexco Currency
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