FAQ
Frequently asked questions
Information about a bicycle tour in Ireland
A self guided tour is one where you will cycle from town to town without a guide but we provide support services and arrange everything in advance so you can just sit back and enjoy the ride. We choose the cycling routes, book the accommodation, provide bikes and equipment, luggage transfers, ferry tickets (if needed), maps, route notes, gpx files and local support service. At the beginning of the self guided tour, you will meet one of our experienced local guides to get you fitted with bikes and brief you on the tour. If you have any issues during the tour, our local guide will be there to help you.
The cycling tours run from mid April to early October. July and August are the busiest times of the season.
In our opinion, May and September are the best times to come. The countryside looks beautiful during these months and they are less busy than other times of the summer. In May, summer will be in full bloom and in September the autumnal colours will be creeping in.
We receive bookings for the coming season all year round. Mid January to mid April is the busiest time for the year for bookings, with lots of people planning their summer trips. A lot of guests book before Christmas, which is a great plan since there will be more choice for hotels and B&Bs. Bookings after April are more difficult as it depends on rooms being available in various hotels/B&Bs during the tour. Late bookings can be more expensive for the same reason but we will always tell you this in advance.
You can choose any date that suits you between April and October. Availability of a start date depends mainly on the rooms being available in the hotels and B&Bs.
We are based in Galway but run tours all along the Atlantic coast of Ireland. Most tours start with a night in Galway, which is easily accessible to Dublin airport, Shannon Airport and Ireland West airport. We also start tours from Westport, Clifden, Ennis, Cong, Kinvara and Oughterard and it is possible to arrange a customised starting and finish point.
Yes. We normally run a few group guided tours per year along the Atlantic coast. These tours have an experienced guide in a support vehicle and typically have 12 to 16 riders. Usually, these groups are already formed before they contact us but sometimes, couples or smaller groups of people can join together to form a guided group. We have run guided tours all along the west coast of Ireland, including Connemara, The Burren, Kerry and Donegal.
See our page on How to get here
Yes, no problem. We will happily change out the pedals for your own set of pedals. You will need to notify us in advance if you would like this service. Please also bring your own cycling shoes as we do not hire cycling shoes.
Yes, we have a network of drop-off and collection points throughout Ireland. The price of which depends on how far away it is from Galway. Please send an email to ask about this.
If you have a mechanical problem during your tour, we will figure out a solution. All our bikes are fully serviced by experienced bike mechanics and mechanical issues are rare but sometimes things break and if this happens, we will help straight away. If you have a problem that is easily repaired, we may arrange a mechanic to come to you and fix it or, we will send a replacement bike to you. In previous instances of mechanical problems, guests always have a fix or replacement bike the same day it is reported.
We also provide repair kits with every bike. The kit includes a bike tool, repair kit, tyre irons (for removing the tyre), spare tube and pump.
Yes, we have top of the range Trek e-bikes with a Bosch motor and 500w battery with daily range of over 80 kilometres.
Yes, you can do any of our tours using your own bike if preferred. We may not be able to help fix your bike if it has mechanical problems. You will also need to be able to assemble and disassemble your own bike at the beginning and end of the tour. 99% of guests use our bikes, which are a very high standard for a rental fleet. Frequently, when guests bring their own bikes, problems are encountered during shipping so unless you ship your bike frequently, we advise against bringing your own bike.
Yes, your tour includes a hybrid bicycle, helmet, pannier, lock and repair kit.
Most of our tours include a luggage transfer service. We provide you with our luggage tags at the beginning of the tour and we transfer the bags from accommodation to accommodation each day. Typically the bags are collected around 11am and arrive at the next stop around 2pm. Guests usually bring 1 or 2 bags per person but if it is significantly more than this, please let us know in advance.
Yes, if you prefer a tour without our luggage transfer service, just let us know at the time of booking. We have bike panniers which attach easily to our bikes. The panniers are Ortlieb Backroller bags with a capacity of 35L per bag. The panniers are 100% waterproof just in case it rains
The answer to this is ‘maybe’. The luggage is transferred by one of our trusted transfer providers and sometimes they may not have the space for people or bikes. If you can’t or don’t want to cycle we ask for you to let us know in advance (the day before) and we will make a plan to get you and your bike to the next destination.
We will take care of you and can arrange the necessary help and further transport. If you feel unwell or cannot continue on the tour for any reason, we will help arrange transport to the next town or airport if need be. If you need medical assistance we can help contact you with local medical services and if you need transport home, we can help arrange a taxi to the nearest airport.
It is a good idea to bring water, snacks, a light waterproof jacket and an extra layer in case you get cool. Frequently it is cooler in the morning at the start of the ride and you can shed layers as you warm up.
We constantly monitor the weather during the summer and if the forecast is too bad to cycle, we will contact you in advance and let you know. We will arrange alternate transport for you, either with the luggage or we will send a vehicle to transport you.
Sometimes, we get storms with strong winds and we do not let our guests cycle during these weather conditions. During a typical cycling season, from mid-April to early October, there will be 5 or 6 days in total, when the weather is too bad to cycle. Light rain and showers are common but not too bad to cycle in.
Our weather is unpredictable and it is not possible to know with any great certainty what the weather will be more than 3 or 4 days in advance. Temperatures are typically 15 to 18 degrees but can sometimes go into the low 20’s for a few weeks each summer but it is not possible to predict when this will happen. Rain and showers are common but usually short lived. A typical summer day would have light winds, blue sky with passing rain showers, which last 10 to 15 minutes. It is also common to have stretches of weeks with no or very little rain. The summer days are long with sunrise around 4:30am and daylight until almost 11pm (mid June). Heavy rain showers and strong winds are less likely during the summer, but still possible and if this is forecast during the cycling day, we will contact you to arrange alternate transportation (only on our selfguided and guided cycling tours).
If you opt for our standard tours you will be staying in top rated B&B and hotel accommodation. These B&Bs are very highly rated and are perfectly set up for cyclists. Breakfast is included and the rooms are almost always ensuite. The hosts are welcoming and will have useful information about the local area.
Yes, all the B&Bs and hotels and wifi.
Yes, there is a phone signal along about 90% of our cycling routes. Some routes which pass through narrow valleys with surrounding hills have patches with no phone coverage but this is rare.
Yes, please let us know in advance and we will advise the accommodation listing. All the accommodation providers are well used to special requirements be they vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free, etc. Gluten free is quite common in Ireland and restaurants do cater with at least one dish.
Insurance is not included as part of the tour price. Please ensure you have your own travel insurance in place before arrival.
Yes, provided the children are used to being on a bike, either cycling themselves or in a child seat.
Yes, no problem. If a member of a group would like to be part of the tour but not cycle, we can organise alternative transport. We will explain the cost of this in advance.
Yes. Sometimes part of a group decides to rent a car and carry the bags and the rest cycle and we can explain and advise on this at the time of booking.
Yes, no problem. However, if your tour finishes in a different location, we would need to transfer it to your final hotel or you can come back to the starting point to collect it.
With over 2,000 km of coastal cycling to enjoy, the West of Ireland is perfectly suited to explore by bike. That being said, there are stretches of road that should be avoided by bike and we will always choose the safest cycling route for you.
The minimum number of participants for a guided Green Marble Cycle Tour is 6 people and the maximum number is 16, on a self-guided tour the minimum is one person and the maximum again would be 16 guests. We suggest you book your tour as early as possible, in order to guarantee your reservation.
To reserve your cycling tour, we require a booking payment of €100 per person once your itinerary is agreed. Once your payment has been received, we will send you a confirmation. The booking payment is non-refundable.
The final payment date for your tour will depend on your tour start date. For tours starting in April, the final payment date is 1 March. For tours starting in May & June, the final payment date is 31 March. For tours starting in July, the final payment date is 30 April. For tours starting in August, the final payment date is 31 May. For tours starting in Sept, the final payment date is 30 June.
Should you be unable to proceed with your tour for any reason you should inform us immediately. Our cancellation and refund policy for all tours is as follows:
- Booking payments are non-refundable. Cycling tour bookings require a considerable amount of time to arrange including booking hotels/B&Bs, transfer services, preparing tour documents and files, corresponding with guests and also booking ferries, bikes, taxis etc and the booking payment covers a part of this work and is therefore non-refundable in the event of a cancellation.
- The final payment is 100% refundable until 30 days before arrival. If you cancel within 30 days, it is non-refundable.
Weather Guide
Variable, and that's part of the charm. The west of Ireland delivers sunshine, Atlantic breezes, dramatic cloud formations, and the occasional shower - sometimes all in one day. In a typical season we regularly see spells of two to three weeks with no rain at all. Come prepared for everything and you'll be pleasantly surprised more often than not.
It rains, but not in the way most visitors expect. Showers are typically light and short - five to ten minutes - and they often pass while you're cycling without ever needing to stop. Many guests tell us the passing clouds and brief showers actually add to the experience. The rainbows on the west coast are genuinely something else.
Our tours run April through October, when temperatures typically range from around 12°C in spring and autumn to a warm 20-28°C on the best summer days. Occasionally it gets hot enough that sun cream and extra water become essential. Layers are the answer - light, packable, and easy to add or remove as the day changes around you.
A light waterproof jacket carried on the bike is the one essential - everything else is optional. Most guests never need full waterproof trousers or shoe covers, though you're welcome to bring them for peace of mind. Dress in breathable layers you can add or shed easily. Don't bother checking the seven-day forecast - Irish weather is best read three days out at most.
We monitor weather conditions constantly throughout the season across every area where our guests are riding. On the rare occasion conditions are genuinely too dangerous - heavy rain combined with stormy Atlantic winds - we contact guests in advance, explain the situation, and arrange alternative transport to their next location. Nobody ever has to cycle in dangerous weather. Ever.
Genuinely rarely. Across a full April to October season, we typically have around five or six days where conditions are bad enough to make cycling unsafe. Occasionally in August we get the tail end of an Atlantic storm pushing up from Florida - dramatic to experience but short-lived. The vast majority of guests complete their full tour without a single disrupted day.
If conditions deteriorate during a ride, call us. We're monitoring the forecast constantly and we'll always find a solution - whether that's arranging a pickup, shortening the day's stage, or routing you onto a more sheltered road. Looking after our guests in all conditions is the job. We've been doing this for over 20 years on the west coast of Ireland — we know what to do.
Occasionally yes — we do get warm spells on the west coast reaching 25–30°C, and on those days sun cream and extra water become genuine essentials rather than afterthoughts. It's not common, but it happens. The same advice applies as for rain: come prepared for everything. The Atlantic coast has a talent for delivering the full range in a single week.
Self-guided travel offers more flexibility, more privacy, Not very — and that's important to know before you arrive. Looking seven days ahead is almost pointless on the west coast of Ireland. Three to five days is the maximum you can rely on. Our advice is simple: don't plan your mood around a forecast made a week in advance. Pack for variety, stay flexible, and let the day surprise you. It usually does, in the best way.
Almost never. We've been running tours on the west coast for over 20 years and the number of guests who tell us the weather genuinely ruined their trip is tiny. The rain is usually light, brief, and oddly atmospheric. The light after a shower is extraordinary. Many guests tell us the changing weather made the experience feel more authentically Irish — and they mean it as a compliment.
Bikes & Equipment
Yes, helmets are provided. For comfort and fit we usually ask guests to bring their own if they can — a helmet you're used to wearing is always better on a multi-day tour. If packing space is tight, just let us know in advance and we'll have one ready for you.
Every bike comes with a repair kit containing a multi-tool, spare inner tube, pump, patch kit, and tyre levers. In practice, 99% of our repair kits come back unopened at the end of each tour — but it's there if you need it. All our bikes run Schwalbe puncture-resistant tyres which make roadside repairs a rare event.
Call us. If it's something you can fix yourself the kit is right there on the bike. If not, we'll arrange a solution — whether that's talking you through it on the phone or sending someone out. Depending on where you are it might take a little while, but nobody ever gets stranded. It's simply not something we allow to happen.
Yes — all our bikes come fitted with mudguards and a rear rack for panniers (except road bikes). We provide high-quality Ortlieb Backroller panniers which are 100% waterproof with 35 litres of capacity per bag. In the Irish weather, waterproof panniers aren't optional — they're essential.
Bike lights are provided as standard on all self-guided tours. During late May to early July daylight on the west coast is extremely long and lights are rarely needed, but we provide them regardless. Phone holders are provided on a per-room basis — one per couple as standard, with an extra available on request. You're welcome to bring your own — just let us know in advance.
We provide access to a smartphone app loaded with everything you need for your specific tour — daily cycling routes, accommodation details, and local recommendations for the best places to eat, drink, and visit along the way. At your day-one meeting with our local guide, we walk you through the app and make sure you're completely comfortable with it before you set off. It's straightforward, and most guests are confident with it within minutes.
It's straightforward — easier than charging a laptop. At your day-one briefing we show you how to remove the battery, which simply clicks out of the frame. It then plugs into any standard wall socket in your accommodation using the charger we provide, exactly like a phone charger. A full overnight charge gives you 80km+ of range the following day.
Yes — if you have a saddle you're used to and comfortable with, bring it. Let us know in advance and one of our mechanics will fit it at the start of your tour. The same applies to mirrors and other personal accessories — bring them and we'll help with setup on day one. If there is any doubt about compatibility, ask us in advance and we will figure it out.
We sell water bottles, cycling jerseys, t-shirts, and Ireland cycling merchandise at our Galway city shop. We no longer give away water bottles as standard — for environmental reasons we'd encourage guests to bring their own or pick one up from us. Most of our bikes have one bottle cage, with some gravel bikes carrying two.
No. Except for the ebikes, which have them built into the display.
Pricing
It depends. But our 3 night tour starts from €800 per person and our 7 nights tours start from €1,500 per person. Luxury tours with castle and country house accommodation start from €2,950. Prices include Trek bike hire, ensuite accommodation, and full Irish breakfast daily. Luggage transfers and e-bike upgrades are available as add-ons.
Every tour includes a quality Trek bike fitted to you personally, ensuite accommodation at hand-picked guesthouses and small hotels, full breakfast each morning, digital navigation with route notes, a day-one local guide briefing, ferry tickets, transfers, luggage transfers (unless otherwise specified) and on-call support throughout.
Luxury tours carry a higher price reflecting the accommodation — historic castles, country manor houses, and boutique hotels rather than guesthouses. Our luxury tours start from €2,950 per person. For guests celebrating a honeymoon, milestone anniversary, or special birthday, most tell us it was worth every cent. Bespoke private luxury tours can be designed around any budget — contact us directly.
Yes — we take a booking payment of €100 per person to secure your booking, with the balance due closer to your start date. Contact us directly to discuss availability and we'll confirm the payment schedule. We accept all major cards including through our secure Stripe payment system.
No hidden costs. Dinners, lunches, and personal spending are not included — you're free to eat where you like each evening, and our route notes include recommendations for the best local restaurants and pubs. The only decisions to make upfront are which bike to choose. Everything else is clear from the start.
How to Book
The best way to start is to email us at tours@greenmarblecycletours.com with the tour you're interested in and your preferred travel dates. We'll check availability, confirm the start date, and if you're happy to proceed, send you a payment request for the booking deposit of €100 per person. Simple as that.
Email us anyway. Tell us your dates, number of people, room requirements (double, twin, or single), and a comfortable daily cycling distance and we'll design a tour around you. We typically come back within 24 hours, though complex itineraries, large groups, or enquiries during our busiest months of February, March, and April may take a little longer.
We accept card payments via Stripe — secure, straightforward, and the most common method. Bank transfer is also available for guests who prefer it, and wire transfers work fine for guests booking from the US. We'll confirm all payment details when we correspond by email and nothing moves forward until you're completely happy.
Final payment dates are linked to your tour start date: April tours by 1 March, May and June tours by 31 March, July tours by 30 April, August tours by 31 May, September tours by 30 June, and October tours by 31 July. We'll remind you well in advance and send a payment request at the right time.
We'll ask for guest heights for correct bike sizing, bike type preference, dietary requirements to pass on to your accommodation, and a contact phone number for the road. We'll ask for these at the right stage of the booking process — you don't need to have everything ready on day one.
Once your deposit is received we confirm your booking and provide advice on what to bring, how to get to the start of your tour, and how to get home from the finish point afterwards. After final payment is received, we send full accommodation details for every overnight stop on your tour.
We reconfirm your day-one meeting time with your local guide for bike fitting and tour briefing. At that meeting we provide a support phone number, walk you through the navigation app, fit and adjust your bike, and make sure you have everything you need before you set off. It's a relaxed, thorough start to the trip.