By bus from Galway to Clifden: Bus Éireann runs Route 923 several times daily, taking about 2.5 hours. This is the main public transport option. Be aware that many of the best sights are several kilometres from bus stops — it helps to be willing to walk or hitch.
By car from Galway takes about 1.5 hours to Clifden via the N59. Having a car is strongly recommended: it is the only way to stop at will on the Inagh Valley road, explore the Sky Road, or reach places like Roundstone and Derrigimlagh without long walks.
Galway city is the gateway. The nearest airport to Connemara is Knock (Ireland West Airport, about 90 minutes by road), but most visitors fly to Dublin or Shannon and drive west. The train from Dublin to Galway takes about two hours.
There are no trains into Connemara; the line closed in 1935.