I Stayed In A Converted Double Decker Bus For The Weekend – & It Was Heaven

Some people would argue that the depths of winter amidst a red weather warning isn’t the best time to visit the Wild Atlantic Way. Those people would be correct, but listen, I had a great time regardless!

As the rain fell and the wind howled, myself and a few pals headed down to a converted double decker bus nestled deep in the Connemara countryside. And what a wholesome time we had. 

Located just outside Oughterard (about a 35 minute drive from Galway city), the Wild Atlantic Bus is a labour of love – and it shows. Host Richard began converting the old school bus a few years back, and has welcomed countless families, friends, and beyond to his beautiful Airbnb.

The double decker may look, well… like a double decker from the outside, but inside it’s been transformed into a cute and cosy cottage – complete with bedrooms, dining area, a fully working kitchen, and even a shower and toilet. 

Push open its doors, head past the driver’s seat, and you’ll be surprised by just how spacious this bus is. The living area could sit around 5 or 6 people comfortably, while the kitchen’s got everything you need to whip up a solid dinner, or delicious breakfast.

Richard had left us some homemade brown bread and eggs for the morning, as well as some stories of previous guests and a history of the bus itself (you can find out more on his Insta, if you’re interested – @wildatlanticbus). 

On the first night we cosied up by the wood-burning stove, cooked ourselves some pasta, and had a few glasses of wine. The weather outside was frightful, but you couldn’t tell – we were as toastie as could be in the living area – and later in our beds.

Bedtime took a bit of getting used to with the sounds of the rain above and the reminder that we were literally inside a bus, but after some gentle rocking and swaying (thanks, storm Isha), we were lulled to sleep.

The bus sleeps up to 6 people, and even though that many guests may have been a tight squeeze at bedtime, there was ample room for us three – and our abundance of snacks! 

The next day we explored the local area and went for a hike on the Wind Farm trial up the mountains. What started as a crisp afternoon quickly turned into a serious drenching entirely of our own making. We did check the weather, but we wanted to go anyway, and even though we were soaked through by the time we got back to the bus, at least we had the stove to warm us up.

That evening, we visited local favourite Power’s Thatch Bar for some food and pints. The Guinness was very good, and the service was even better. 

The Wild Atlantic Bus is one of Airbnb’s Guest Favourites; a new collection of the most-loved rentals on the website. With ratings of only 4.9 and above, these homes come with a new badge and filter, allowing guests to search exclusively for favs from around the world.

The site has also revamped reviews, making it easier for travellers to find the best rental, while the ‘listings tab’ gives hosts new tools (including an AI photo tour) to showcase their spaces before the bookings start to come in. 

Spend a night in the Wild Atlantic Bus and you won’t have any doubt as to why guests love it so much. The attention to detail inside is one thing, but the outdoor space also boasts the same level of care and intricacy.

There’s an outdoor shower, a fire pit, and multiple benches and chairs so you can perch outside with a pot of tea or some breakfast, and enjoy the quiet countryside vibes. You’d be better off doing this during the summer months obviously, but hey, adventure is for any time of the year! 

Find out more here.

This writer was invited on a press stay in exchange for a fair and honest review. 

• ireland
• travel