Parking & Transport

Parking Information

Parking Permits & Information

Please note that the University campus is private property and parking is restricted for use by those with University business only.

University of Galway enjoys a central location in Galway City and with this, comes parking restrictions. A system to manage parking was agreed with the staff and students' union as follows:

• There are different types of spaces on campus, including spaces for staff permit holders only, student permit holders only, shared use (staff student permit holders), visitor/non-permit holder pay-and-display/Pay by Phone (P&D) spaces.
• You need a permit to park in University of Galway, or you can buy a ticket from P&D machines or Pay by Phone.  Please note, that P&D tickets only apply to spaces marked in blue adjacent to the meters - P&D tickets do not allow you to park anywhere else.  Permit holders can use P&D spaces, but you must buy a ticket.
• Your permit/P&D ticket allows you to park in specific places and you must familiarise yourself with the zones, and which permit applies to what carpark.
• There are also 'reserved' spaces and loading bays - do not park in these.
• You may use the universally accessible parking spaces if you display a valid and registered 'blue badge' permit issued by the IWA.
• Student parking permits are available through an online system for registered students.  

Allow plenty of time on your first visit to campus with your car.  

Spaces marked "RESERVED" are for official University vehicles only (i.e. owned and insured by University of Galway directly), by prior arrangement with Buildings & Estates. Spaces marked "LOADING" may be used by anyone on University business, who is actively loading and unloading materials from their vehicle to an adjacent building. A limited grace period is given in such circumstances and you must be actively loading/unloading to use these bays.

Change of Vehicle Details for Permit Parking

You may register multiple vehicles to your permit, however, only one vehicle is protected at any one time.
To bring a different car on campus, log on to Online Payments system using your APCOA username and password. The vehicle you have on campus must be the vehicle set as default on the system.  

Apply for a Permit

To purchase/renew your Staff or Student Parking Permit use the link and follow the instructions on Parking Permit Application Guide.

Renew a Permit

Once your existing permit has been validated you don't have to do anything else until September of the following year.

Agency Staff

To purchase/renew your monthly parking permit use the link and follow the instructions on Parking Permit Application Guide and choose "Visitor Permit".
If the application is approved, you will be notified by email and you can proceed to the payment stage.   In order to check the validity of the application, please fill out the questionnaire on the application page giving your University contact details. 

Car Park at University College Hospital Galway

To park in the dedicated University of Galway car park located at University College Hospital Galway you must have paid for a current University of Galway Staff parking permit and be valid on the Parking Management system.

Contractors

Parking must be paid for at all times while on campus.  To park on campus you must notify your University of Galway contact that you will be arriving on campus and specify the duration of your stay. Use the link and follow the instructions on Parking Permit Application Guide.

Conference Permits

Contact the organiser of your conference to arrange permit. 

Clamping Appeals

New Clamping Appeal procedure:

To Appeal a Clamping Fee

To send us your appeal:

1.    Visit https://apcoa.zatappeal.com/
2.    Enter your Immobilisation Number and Vehicle Registration
3.    Complete the online form
4.    Upload any attachments in support of your appeal

After you submit your appeal through the online form, we will endeavour to respond to you within 21 days once a full review of your case has been completed, and a decision has been made.

You will receive an email regarding the outcome of your appeal. Please ensure that a valid email address is provided as this will be the method of contact with our response.

PLEASE NOTE: we no longer accept clamping appeals by email or post.

Please provide copies of any documentation relevant to your appeal (e.g. photographs, Pay & Display ticket, etc.). If your complaint relates to a parking ticket or the immobilisation of your vehicle, include the ticket number and your registration details in your correspondence.

Disabled Parking Permits

Drivers of vehicles requiring the use of 'universally accessible parking bays' may only do so if their vehicle displays a valid and registered "blue badge" permit issued by the IWA. If they have a blue badge, drivers may use any of the universally accessible bays for free throughout the University, regardless of whether you hold a permit or not. 

Temporary Disability Permit Procedure for Staff

Temporary Disabled Parking Permits (TDPP) may be available upon application to staff members who do not qualify for a Disabled Person's Parking Card but have a short term physical disability that has been confirmed by the University Occupational Health Physician (OHP) through the Human Resources office.

Staff who wish to apply for this permit must contact Human Resources. The applicant may be contacted to arrange a medical consultation with the OHP and successful applicants will be issued with a permit as soon as is reasonably possible thereafter.  The OHP will also indicate a suitable duration for the permit. 

Temporary Disability Permit Procedure for Students

Temporary Disability Parking Permits (TDPP) may be available upon application to students who do not qualify for a Disabled Person's Parking Card but have a short term physical disability that has been confirmed by a physician in the Student Health Unit (SHU).

Students who wish to apply for a TDPP must make an appointment to see a SHU physician, stating the reason for their visit. The SHU physician may issue qualifying students with a completed form indicating a suitable duration for the permit. Applicants must send their signed form to parking@universityofgalway.ie or post to Parking & Travel Office, Buildings & Estates, University of Galway.

Only the SHU physician can advise that it is appropriate to issue a permit. ‌

Parking Charges

A. Staff parking permit and mobility management charge: €55.00
B. Student parking permit and mobility management charge: €50.00
C. APCOA clamp release fee is €60
D. Contractor & Supplier permits: €25.00 each per month (must be approved before being validated) [1 permit per month, per contractor, per contract
E. Agency Staff - choose "Visitor Permit": €5.00 per month
F. Temporary Disability Permits obtained through the agreed system €free issue
G. Visitor/Pay-and-Display/Pay by Phone rates, subject to revision:

Meter Rates:
€1.50 - 1 hour (except Park & Ride and Insight/IDA Business Park meter which is €1.00 per hour)
€10 - Full Day (except Park & Ride and Insight/IDA Business Park meter which is €6.00 per day)
Pay By Phone - Campus Codes and Rates:
0149 South Campus:
€1.50 per hour or multiples thereof, capped at €10.00 per day rate excluding admin charges for service
0192 North Campus:
€1.00 per hour or multiples thereof, capped at €6.00 per day rate excluding admin charges for service
0537 Áras Moyola:
€1.50 per hour but capped at 1 hour as maximum stay applies, excluding admin charges for service
2412 Kingfisher:
€1.50 per hour but capped at 2 hours as maximum stay applies, excluding admin charges for service

If you use Pay-and-Display and purchase a ticket at the machine you must display the ticket. If you use Pay by Phone, it is virtual.

Pay and Display times: 0830 - 1730, Monday - Friday. The Parking Management Appeals Group reserves the right to review and implement changes to these operating hours and charges.

Pay & Display or Pay by Phone

Visitors and invited guests must park in Pay & Display (P&D) spaces, which are located in various locations on campus.  Visit Maps for the Parking Map.

If you park in a P&D space, you must display a valid P&D ticket, regardless of the type of parking permit you have. Please note that P&D spaces are marked with blue lines and text ("P&D/Í&T").  If you park anywhere else and display only a P&D ticket you may be clamped.  P&D tickets only apply to spaces marked with blue lines.

An alternative method of paying for visitor parking is available through Pay by Phone.  This allows payment to be made on site by downloading the app (apcoaconnect) or remotely through a website.  Local signage will direct you through the process and detail the charges in each location by code.  Once registered this process will not have to be repeated.

Advantages of Pay by Phone

• Eliminates mislaid or wind affected tickets
• Eliminates the need for change 
• Duration can be extended remotely
• Optional text notification at expiry time
• Pay for others remotely
• Payment on website, by text, on app or by phone

See Parking Charges section for Pay by Phone and Meter rates

Parking Map

Visit Maps for the Parking Map. Direct link to map - Parking Locations.

Visitor Car Park

Applications for use of the visitor carpark can be made via this online form: Visitor Parking Request Form. Availability is limited and reserved spaces are not guaranteed on application. Only guests who meet the criteria outlined in the Visitor Car Park policy may be permitted to park in the visitor car park. Further information can be found here QA161 Reserved Visitors Car Park Procedure.

Retired Staff

For Information for retired staff about parking contact the Office of the Chief Operating Officer, (091) 493632.

FAQs

For additional information on parking, visit the FAQs page.

Cycle to Campus

The secure bicycle compound (see the Cycling Facilities map for location) is located to the west of the Arts Science Building. Anyone with a valid in date student / staff University ID card can access the compound. You must also swipe out. As part of ongoing improvements to cycle facilities additional covered bicycle racks have been installed in several places around campus.

Walking to and around Campus

The Walking Times Map shows the approx. walk time in minutes from locations around the city.

NUI Galway is committed to removing barriers for people with disabilities, but it is often difficult on older campuses to navigate a route that is free from steps, descents and other physical features.  

The Blue Dots Route was an initiative from the office of the Vice-President for the Student Experience.   This dotted route is intended to help you navigate a north-south line through the majority of the campus, a route that is as accessible as possible.  Details of the Blue Dots Route is on the Campus Map on our Maps page.

Bilingual online permit management system / Soláthraí seirbhísí bainistíochta páirceála

The University has tasked APCOA, our parking management service providers, with delivering a bilingual online permit management system to facilitate students, staff, contractors and visitors alike with the option of applying for, renewing and managing their parking permits through the Irish language. This option is not currently available to any APCOA customers in Ireland. If you would like to be notified when it becomes available please contact gerry.nolan@universityofgalway.ie and you will be contacted when this changes.

The University has tasked APCOA, our parking management service providers, with delivering a bilingual online permit management system to facilitate students, staff, contractors and visitors alike with the option of applying for, renewing and managing their parking permits through the Irish language. This option is not currently available to any APCOA customers in Ireland. If you would like to be notified when it becomes available please contact gerry.nolan@universityofgalway.ie and you will be contacted when this changes.