6-day All Ireland & Northern Ireland Rail Tour from Dublin

This tour is interesting because it stitches together two regions that often get visited separately, all with a host running the show and reserved rail seats built into the plan. You spend a lot less time figuring out schedules, and a lot more time looking out the window at the Ireland and Northern Ireland scenery that you came for.

I love that the route hits the big emotional hits for first-timers, from Blarney Castle to the Aran Islands and then on to Titanic Belfast. I also like that you get real free time in both Killarney and Galway, so your evenings are not just more bus rides. One possible drawback is that the days are packed, and even when rail is part of the picture, you still spend plenty of time on coach. If you hate long travel days, this one may feel like a sprint.

Key things I’d plan around

• Reserved train seats plus an escorted plan so you are not juggling timing all week
• Major admissions are included on most days, so you can budget meals instead of attraction tickets
• Real free evenings in Killarney and Galway to slow down and eat local
• Inis Mór has short setup time before your island tour, so use your arrival window well
• A very full itinerary with some long days, meaning you pack in a lot of stops

Why this 6-day Ireland and Northern Ireland rail tour works

This is a do-it-all style trip. You go from Dublin to the south, swing across Ireland’s west, take the ferry to the largest Aran Island, then end in Belfast. It is not a slow, two-week road trip where you linger. It is a smart way to see a lot, with someone else handling the timing and connections.

For me, the best part is the mix: you get rail where it matters for efficiency, but you also get coach days that make it possible to reach countryside that would be hard without a car. The tour caps at a maximum of 53 travelers, which is large enough to feel like a proper group, but still small enough that you are not totally anonymous.

One more plus is the human element. The tour runs with a host throughout, and one guide that stands out in feedback is Brendon, praised for being informative and upbeat. That kind of guiding matters because Ireland is a place where the details turn sights into stories fast.

Price and value: what you are really paying for at $2,662.94 per person

At $2,662.94 per person, this is not a budget add-on. You are paying for the structure: return rail tickets, reserved seats, an escorted coach, transfers tied to the schedule, and accommodation for the trip. That bundle is where the value comes from.

Think about what you would spend if you planned this yourself:

• Train tickets between major hubs
• Hotel rooms for six days
• Transfers to and from stations
• Entrance fees for the headline sights
• Time spent coordinating every move

Even if you are a confident planner, you still spend money on the friction. This tour pays that friction for you.

Now, two cost realities to keep in mind:

1) Meals are not included other than breakfast (5 mornings) and any select meals noted during the program.

2) You are buying a high-output itinerary. That can feel worth it for some people and too much for others.

Day 1: Blarney, Cobh Heritage, and the train to Killarney

Your day starts with arrival into Cork Kent Station at 09:35, then you transfer by coach to Blarney. You get time at Blarney Castle and Gardens, including the chance to kiss the famous stone if that is your thing. I recommend you plan your visit around the castle grounds and gardens first, because they are where you slow down and take photos, then fit shopping or a quick browse around that.

Practical tip: lunch here is important. The day’s structure gives you a substantial meal opportunity at Blarney Village, and after that, the next stops are more about admissions and scenery than a full sit-down meal.

After Blarney, you travel toward Cobh, and you visit St Colman’s Cathedral. Then you move to the former White Star Line offices, now the Cobh Heritage Centre, with information centered on the Great Famine and Irish emigration. This stop gives the trip one of its deeper notes. It is not just postcard Ireland. You start to understand why so many Irish stories are also stories of departures and journeys.

The day closes with a train ride from Cobh to Killarney, via Mallow. After you arrive, your evening is free. Killarney town is built for that exact moment, late-day hunger plus live music plus easy wandering. If you want traditional music, go early to choose your spot. If you want a calmer meal, aim a little off the main hubs.

Day 2: The Ring of Kerry with Ladies View, Lakes of Killarney, and Oakwoods

Day 2 is built around the Ring of Kerry, collected from your accommodation at 09:45 (or as directed). This is one of those days where you get the classic views without needing a car.

You make a full circuit through passes and valleys around the MacGillycuddy Reeks, then the route threads along the shores of Dingle Bay and Kenmare Bay. The highest mountain you might spot en route is Carrantuohill at 1,041 meters, though the mountain itself may be more visible on clearer stretches.

You also get several villages as photo backdrops, including Glenbeigh, Waterville, and Sneem. Later, you return via Ladies View, the Lakes of Killarney, and through the oakwoods of Killarney National Park. I love this part because it changes the mood. You shift from open coastal drama into greener, calmer scenes that still feel wild.

The key to enjoying Ring of Kerry from a group plan is mindset:

• Expect stops, not a continuous drive.
• Bring layers and a rain layer, even if the morning looks fine.
• Plan your phone storage. This day can eat your battery fast.

At the end, you are returned to your accommodation, and again your evening is free. That is a big deal because Ring of Kerry is long on moving parts. You will be glad you can shower, eat, and then decide if you want music or sleep.

Day 3: Cliffs of Moher, Bunratty Castle, and a Galway evening

You start early. Between 07:00 and 07:15, you get collected from your accommodation and transferred by road to Limerick City to join the coach for the Cliffs of Moher and Galway Bay day. Once in Limerick shortly after 9:00, you begin with a brief city tour, then head to Bunratty Castle and Folk Park.

Bunratty gives you a different kind of Ireland. The castle was completed in 1425 and restored after neglect. The folk park is the other big draw, with buildings and a village rebuilt brick by brick. This is a time capsule stop, and it also helps break up the driving so you are not only doing scenery from the bus window.

Then it is on to the Cliffs of Moher. There is a lunch stop at a local pub in Doolin before you arrive. At the cliffs, you get about 2 hours, enough time to take in viewpoints, walk at least part of the way, and not feel rushed. Your host advises when to be back, which helps keep the day predictable.

From there, you go toward The Burren, with time for photos along the way. The Burren is described as a rocky place, with diverse flora that you do not see elsewhere in Ireland or Europe. If the weather is clear, you will notice how the light hits stone. If it is misty, the cliffs and stone still feel dramatic, just less photo-friendly.

You pass coastal villages like Ballyvaughan and Kinvara, then continue to Galway. You arrive shortly after 17:00 and the coach drops you at Eyre Square, near your hotel and the railway station. Your evening is free, which is perfect because Galway works when you can slow down. Walk the streets, pick a casual dinner, and decide whether you want music or just people-watching.

Day 4: Kylemore Abbey and Connemara in the Gaeltacht

Day 4 is all about Connemara, including the chance to see the Gaeltacht villages of Inverin and Spiddal. You visit Kylemore Abbey, an 18th century castle now run by Benedictine nuns. You can stop for lunch here, plus you get access to the pottery, gift shop, and restaurant.

Kylemore Abbey is the kind of place where it is easy to feel like you are in a painting. But what I like is that it is not only pretty. It is functional too, with the pottery and shop giving you a reason to linger and browse. If you like practical souvenirs over mass-produced kitsch, this is one of the safer bets in the itinerary.

On the return toward Galway, you travel along the Galway Bay shores and you get big views back across the bay toward the Burren and County Clare hills you saw earlier. That kind of visual callback is underrated. It helps you connect the map you held in your head with what you actually saw.

In practical terms, Connemara days can feel weather-dependent. If the skies open up, you get the full view payoff. If not, focus on the rhythm of the valleys and the villages rather than chasing one perfect photo.

Day 5: Rossavile ferry to Inis Mór, Seven Churches, and Dún Aonghusa

This is the day that changes the whole character of the trip. You transfer to Rossavile for the ferry to Inis Mór, pronounced inish more, and meaning big island. Inis Mór is the largest of the Aran Islands.

Once you arrive, you have about 20 minutes before your island tour departs. Use that time for toilets and any quick refreshments you want. Then you meet your local hosts at the Railtours/Hernon Tours sign near the Aran Sweater Market in Kilronan village, collected between 11:50 and 12:00.

Your tour includes Seven Churches, Dún Aonghusa, and time at Kilronan for lunch. For many people, the highlight is Dún Aonghusa, a pre-Christian stone fort with spectacular cliff views on the western side, looking out over the Atlantic. This is not a quick stop. The fort area rewards slow looking, because the stone work and the horizon make the place feel ancient in a very physical way.

One important cost note: the itinerary says the admission ticket is not included for this island day. So, budget for that extra expense. Inis Mór is worth it, but it is smart to expect that you will pay something beyond the base tour price.

If you want to enjoy the island day, pack for wind. Even when Ireland is mild on the mainland, island weather can be a different story.

Day 6: Titanic Belfast and Belfast by hop-on hop-off bus

Your final day is split into two attractions, both in Belfast.

First is Titanic Belfast, described as the world’s largest Titanic visitor experience. You enter a ship-shaped building and move through nine interactive galleries. You see the story from design and construction to the tragic maiden voyage, plus authentic artifacts, recreated cabins, and glass observation decks overlooking the historic slipways where Titanic was built. This is a strong choice for a last day because it is indoor-friendly. If Belfast weather turns, you still get a satisfying visit.

Then you add Belfast with the Hop On Hop Off Belfast Bus, with 19 stops on one easy route. You can hop on and off at landmarks and murals, including Titanic Belfast, the Ulster Museum, the Peace Walls, and political murals. If you stay on the full loop, it takes about 1 hour and 10 minutes.

I like the bus here because it gives your group day a second chance to learn Belfast’s layout without walking miles. You also get control over pacing, which matters when the earlier days have been full.

The tour returns to Dublin at approximately 10:15 pm, and you are collected for the final night transfer to your Dublin hotel.

Who should book this tour, and who should not

This works best if you:

• Want to see Cork, Kerry, Galway, Connemara, the Aran Islands, and Belfast without car logistics
• Like big sights paired with guided context
• Prefer being handled, not building a schedule from scratch
• Can handle long travel days and packed itineraries

Skip it if you:

• Want a relaxed pace with lots of downtime
• Hate coach days, because even with rail segments, the program includes many coach transfers
• Expect a luxury-only hotel experience, since accommodation is included but not positioned as a high-end boutique tour

My booking advice: should you go with Railtours Ireland First Class?

If your priority is efficiency plus variety, I think this is a solid fit. You get a lot of “first Ireland” highlights in one sweep, and you finish with Belfast so the trip does not feel like it ends mid-story.

The call comes down to your tolerance for structure. If you are the type who likes to check boxes, sleep, then do the next thing, you will likely find this satisfying. If you want slow travel and spare time every day, you may feel rushed.

One more smart tip: plan your meals budget early. Breakfast is included for 5 mornings, but most other meals are on you. If you carry a little cash and snacks for long segments, you will keep energy high and stress low.

FAQ

Where do we start and end in Dublin?

The tour starts at Dublin Heuston Station, Saint John’s Road West, Saint James, Dublin. It ends back in Dublin at Connolly Station, at Amiens Street, North Wall.

How long is the tour, and when does it get back to Dublin?

It is described as about 6 days. The tour returns to Dublin at approximately 10:15 pm, and you are then transferred to your Dublin hotel for the last night.

What meals are included?

Breakfast is included for 5 mornings. The tour notes that meals are not included otherwise.

Are train seats reserved, and is there a host?

Yes. You get reserved seats on the train, and there is a host throughout the trip.

What happens on the Aran Islands day trip to Inis Mór?

You take a ferry from Rossavile to Inis Mór. You meet your local hosts near the Aran Sweater Market in Kilronan, then your island tour includes Seven Churches, Dún Aonghusa, and lunch at Kilronan. Admission for that day is listed as not included.

Is this tour in English, and how large is the group?

The tour is offered in English. The maximum group size is 53 travelers.