Ireland · TRAIN EXPERIENCES
This is the shortlist worth sending to whoever is planning: 11 rail journeys that hold up, each with its price, its traveller verdict and the thing to check before you commit.
Train from Dublin to Cork, Blarney Castle kiss, then Cobh Heritage Centre for Titanic and emigration stories, with admissions and reserved seats.
“Enjoyed trip well managed : guide was cordial : did not like the wait at train station to return but understand best to get us all rounded up. Very easy”
Rail and coach day trip from Dublin to Northern Ireland, with Dunluce Castle photos and UNESCO Giant’s Causeway time, plus flexible add-ons.
“The description of this tour was a bit vague. First off the description says it is a 13 hour tour , which is a long day to begin with, but in total ours was about 15 hours. The first and last 2.5 hours are on a commuter rail without much scenery (no scenery on the return trip since it is dark). When we arrived in Belfast on the rail a van picked us up to transfer to the bus tour already in progress. Not sure we missed much on the bus tour but the drive in the van was about an hour to meet up with the bus. The views…”
Dublin to the Ring of Kerry by train and coach, with Killarney lakes, mountain views, sheepdog stops, and photo breaks.
“Our tour guide, Paddy, was fantastic! Not only did he accompany us on the train, but he did on the bus as well. He made sure we had seats on the train together for our group of 3. He also spoke to each group and made sure we knew where were going, what time we would get there and what we would be seeing. He was very informative and patient, which we greatly appreciated. He was so sweet to offer to take pictures of us at each site. We highly recommend this tour and make sure to ask for Paddy!”
Railtours Ireland 3-day rail and coach loop: Blarney Castle, Cork and Cobh, Ring of Kerry, Cliffs of Moher, Galway, plus 2 Killarney nights.
“Really enjoyed the tour. We got to see so much of Ireland and experience some great places. Our B and B was near the downtown area in Killarney and the breakfasts were good. Our guide Bob did a good job keeping everything organized and the trip running on time. We would definitely recommend this trip.”
A long rail-and-coach day from Dublin to Bunratty and Ireland’s Atlantic coast, with Cliffs of Moher and the Burren plus a Galway stop.
“Our guide, Andy was so knowledgeable and fun. The trip itself was easy and comfortable, and the sights were terrific!”
Dublin to Galway by train, then a scenic flight to Inis Mor for a guided island loop plus Dun Aengus sea-cliff views.
“Beautiful scenery on a spectacular day. Dun Aengus Fort was a fun hike rich in history.”
6 days of rail-and-coach travel from Dublin through Cork, Kerry, Galway, Connemara, Aran Islands, and Belfast with hotels and big sights.
“Your guide Brendon is awesome. Great experience Very informative great hotels and food stops good vans and buses”
2 days by train from Dublin to Belfast and Northern Ireland’s Antrim Coast, Giant’s Causeway, and Carrick-a-Rede rope bridge.
“Beautiful tour along the coast! Our guide was very knowledgeable and personable and made the bus ride a great sightseeing experience. Giant's Causeway itself was beautiful beyond words. The Carrick-a-rede rope bridge was also a great site to walk around and explore the landscape. My only complaint about the whole tour is the lack of time to do things around Belfast. I had a great dinner at Crown Liquor Saloon, but I wish the tour had gotten in town early enough to take a Black Taxi tour or see the Titanic museum!”
2-day rail and coach tour from Dublin to Killarney and the Ring of Kerry, with overnight stay, guided viewpoints, and scenic stops.
“Very nice trip and not rushed by having an overnight stay at a very nice hotel the night before. The coach ride was great with plenty of photo stops along the tour. Our tour guide was first class, fun and very knowledgeable. The train trip was easily managed and overseen by company representatives all the way. They kept us informed and never wondering about the trip details, meeting points, etc. Excellent trip and my wife and I enjoyed it immensely. I would do it again.”
Three days from Dublin to Cliffs of Moher, Connemara, and Inis Mor. Rail, coach, ferry, guided forts, plus Galway B&B breakfast included.
“This trip is really three one day tours, with a hotel in Galway. You wait until the other people coming on the tour take the train from Dublin, so you get a late start and see less than you might. Still, the Cliffs of Moher and Connemara days were good. They were spent on one bus, with one guide all day. The Aran Islands day should be the highlight, but Railtours totally mishandles that one. They keep passing you off from person or operator to the next. Leaving you someplace with instructions that someone will pick you up in 10 minutes or some other time. They are late, then once…”
2-day West Coast rail tour from Dublin: Cliffs of Moher, Burren, Bunratty Castle, Galway Bay, and Connemara with Kylemore Abbey.
“The second day is poorly planned, as you spend almost the entire day on a coach and when you arrive at the monastery there is not enough time to see the monastery and the gardens and eat. On the other hand, the guide is the coach driver himself and spends the entire trip without stopping talking, which in addition to being very tiresome is a danger.”
Every kind of day out, and the best of each.
