Bus Hire in Letterkenny

Letterkenny is the largest town in County Donegal and the main commercial hub for Ireland's most north-westerly county. The town sits on a hillside above the Swilly estuary, with the Blue Stack Mountains to the south and the Derryveagh Mountains to the north-west. County Donegal contains some of the most dramatic scenery on the Wild Atlantic Way: the Slieve League sea cliffs (at 601 metres the highest accessible sea cliffs in Ireland), Malin Head (the most northerly point of mainland Ireland), the Fanad Peninsula, and Glenveagh National Park.

The nearest airports are City of Derry Airport (LDY, 30 kilometres north-east via the N13 and A2, approximately 35 minutes by coach) and Donegal Airport (CFN) at Carrickfinn (55 kilometres south-west via the N56, approximately 1 hour). Dublin Airport (DUB) is 240 kilometres south-east via the N13 and M1/N2, approximately 2 hours 45 minutes. Letterkenny is also the gateway to the Inishowen Peninsula (the Malin Head circuit, approximately 120 kilometres return from Letterkenny), the most complete scenic drive in Ulster.

Glenveagh National Park

Glenveagh National Park (21 kilometres north-west of Letterkenny via the R251, approximately 30 minutes by coach) is a 170-square-kilometre national park centred on the glacial valley of Glenveagh, with its lough, castle, and red deer population. The castle (a 19th-century Scottish Baronial-style building) is accessible by OPW shuttle from the visitor centre at the park entrance; private vehicles and coaches do not enter the park road beyond the visitor centre car park. The shuttle carries groups to the castle in approximately 15 minutes. The castle's formal gardens (terraced kitchen gardens, walled pleasure garden, Italian terrace, and pleasure grounds) are among the finest maintained gardens in Ireland. Groups visiting Glenveagh should book in advance for castle access in peak season.

Slieve League Sea Cliffs and the Southwest Coast

Slieve League (75 kilometres south-west of Letterkenny via the N56 to Killybegs and the R263, approximately 1 hour 15 minutes) at 601 metres is the highest accessible sea cliff face in Ireland and one of the highest in Europe. The viewing point at Bunglass is accessible by a minor road from Carrick village; a larger car park is at the lower point at Teelin. The One Man's Pass ridge walk (from Bunglass to the summit and south along the ridge) is unsuitable for all but the most experienced hill walkers in poor conditions. Killybegs (50 kilometres south-west, Ireland's main deep-sea fishing port) is the practical midpoint stop. The Slieve League circuit from Letterkenny and back is approximately 150 kilometres and is run as a full-day excursion.

Malin Head and the Inishowen Peninsula

Malin Head (70 kilometres north of Letterkenny via the R238 and R242 to the tip of the Inishowen Peninsula) is the most northerly point of mainland Ireland. The lighthouse signal tower at Banba's Crown has views north to the Hebrides on a clear day. The Inishowen Peninsula circuit (Letterkenny to Buncrana, north along the Malin Head road, back via the Inishowen 100 coastal drive, approximately 120 kilometres) is a full-day coach circuit. Key stops are Buncrana on Lough Swilly (beach town), the Grianan of Aileach hill fort (a remarkably complete 5th-century circular stone fort on a hilltop 12 kilometres north of Letterkenny, approximately 20 minutes), and Moville on the Foyle estuary.

What Bus Hire Costs in Letterkenny

As a rough guide, a minibus (up to 19 seats) in Letterkenny runs around 380 to 720 EUR per day, a midi-coach (around 35 seats) around 530 to 1,020 EUR per day, and a full-size coach (49 to 55 seats) around 680 to 1,290 EUR per day. Letterkenny is a smaller market than the main east-coast cities, with good availability except in August during the Letterkenny International Music Festival. The Donegal scenery premium applies to full-day scenic circuits. The final figure depends on your route, the date, and how long you need the vehicle and driver. We confirm a fixed price with no hidden charges, so send your details for a free quote.

Services Available in Letterkenny