15 Rail Tours in Ireland That Repay the Fare

1.Northern Ireland Including Giant’s Causeway Rail Tour from Dublin

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 325 reviews · 13 hours (approx.) · from $194Our pick

Travel from Dublin Connolly Station by train to Belfast, then continue by coach along Northern Ireland’s Antrim Coast. You’ll stop for a quick photo of Dunluce Castle and spend about two hours at Giant’s Causeway. Guides such as Ian, Joe, David, and Patrick have earned praise for their humor and local insight, but the day can run well past 13 hours.

“This was a great way to get some sights in! The guides were fantastic!”

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2.Sustainable Ring of Kerry Rail Tour from Dublin

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 277 reviews · 15 hours 30 minutes (approx.) · from $194

Travel from Dublin to Kerry by reserved train, then circle the Ring of Kerry by coach with a local driver-guide. Expect MacGillicuddy Reeks, Carrantuohill, Dingle Bay, Sneem, Ladies View, the Lakes of Killarney, and photo stops. Guides such as Paddy, John, Ian, and Bat have been praised for their warmth and stories.

“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!”

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3.3-Day Blarney Castle, Ring of Kerry, & Cliffs of Moher Rail tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 211 reviews · 3 days (approx.) · from $1,254

Travel from Dublin by reserved train and coach to Blarney Castle, Cobh, the Ring of Kerry, Bunratty Castle, the Cliffs of Moher, the Burren, and Galway. You get two nights in Killarney with Irish breakfast, train hosts, driver-guides, and a packed schedule. Guides such as John, Norman, Bob, and Andy have earned especially strong praise.

“We had a great time. I would highly recommend this tour, it's an ambitious itinerary but it gives you the opportunity to see a lot. Our tour guide Bob was simply delightful! Thanks Bob for all of your insight and expertise.”

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4.Rail Tour: The Cliffs of Moher & Bunratty Castle Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.6 · 122 reviews · from $158

Start at Dublin Heuston at 6:40 AM, take the train to Limerick, then travel by coach through Bunratty, Doolin, the Cliffs of Moher, the Burren and Galway. English-speaking guides such as John, Norman and David bring history and local stories to the journey. Return to Dublin by train around 9:00 PM.

“Unfortunately we weren't able to go to the Cliffs because of weather. The guide did everything he could to make the experience better but we didn't really get what we paid for”

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5.Rail Tour from Dublin: The Ring of Kerry

★★★★★★★★★★4.4 · 106 reviews · from $158

Take the 07:00 InterCity train from Dublin Heuston to Killarney, then tour the Ring of Kerry by coach with an English-speaking guide. Expect mountain and coastal views, Dingle Bay, Moll’s Gap, Ladies View, Carrauntoohil, and the Lakes of Killarney. Guides such as John, Michael, and Andrew Roche are known for adding useful stories and friendly help.

“It was a long journey ,but we had a beautiful sunny day. Andrew ,our tour guide was very nice and helpful. We had a lot of photo stops ,beautiful sceneries. Andrew was giving us a lot of information about history of Ireland. He made sure everyones safety going and coming back.”

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6.Aran Islands Scenic Flight and Galway Rail Tour from Dublin

★★★★★★★★★★4.0 · 102 reviews · 14 hours (approx.) · from $247

Start at Dublin Heuston Station for a hosted train ride to Galway, then continue by coach and small plane to Inis Mór. Tour the Seven Churches, Dún Aonghasa, Kilronan, and the Aran Sweater Market before returning through Galway. Expect a 14-hour day, small-group transport, reserved rail seats, and weather-related changes.

“Although the trip was generally well run and efficient, the connection on the island with the local guide for the island tour left much to be desired. We were given poor connection information and and it took an hour to find the guide. That was a terrible waste of our time.”

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7.Sustainable Connemara and Galway Bay Rail Tour from Dublin

★★★★★★★★★★4.0 · 54 reviews · 14 hours (approx.) · from $193

Leave Dublin Heuston at 7:35am for a hosted train ride to Galway, then tour Connemara by coach with a driver-guide. Expect Kylemore Abbey, Clifden, coastal villages, photo stops, and a late train back. The day lasts about 14 hours, with lunch at your own cost and itinerary changes possible.

“the tour was wonderful amazing views great tour guide would recommend it to all”

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8.4-Day Cork, Ring of Kerry, Dingle, Cliffs of Moher and Galway Bay Rail Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 48 reviews · 4 days (approx.) · from $1,743

Travel from Dublin by hosted train and coach to Cork, Blarney Castle, Cobh, Killarney, the Ring of Kerry, Dingle, the Cliffs of Moher and Galway Bay. Expect three nights in Killarney, Irish breakfasts, reserved train seats, and guides such as Brian, Jonathan, Norman, or Morris, subject to assignment.

“Very interesting tour and lovely areas to visit!! The tour guide on the Ring of Kerry was absolutely fantastic. My only wish was to have been allowed more time to spend in each area as opposed to short stops. I do highly recommend the trip and staying in B and Bs. Beauty's Home in Killarney was so welcoming!!”

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

★★★★★★★★★★4.0 · 37 reviews · 6 days (approx.) · from $2,662

Travel from Dublin through Cork, Cobh, Killarney, Galway, Connemara, Inis Mór, and Belfast with rail tickets, hotels, breakfasts, coaches, and a host included. Expect long sightseeing days, shared coaches of up to 53 people, and highlights such as Blarney Castle, the Cliffs of Moher, Kylemore Abbey, and Titanic Belfast.

“Your guide Brendon is awesome. Great experience Very informative great hotels and food stops good vans and buses”

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10.2-Day Cliffs of Moher, Connemara and Galway Bay Rail Tour from Dublin

★★★★★★★★★★4.0 · 30 reviews · 2 days (approx.) · from $610

Travel from Dublin by reserved train and guided coach to Limerick, Bunratty Castle, the Cliffs of Moher, Galway, and Connemara. You stay one night in a 3-star Galway hotel with breakfast. Guides such as Seamus and Bob have drawn praise, but the tour includes more coach time than the name may suggest.

“Great adventure to ride the Irish railways. Plenty of free time. Guides were quite informative”

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11.2-Day ‘Game of Thrones’ Rail Tour from Dublin Incl. Belfast and Giant’s Causeway

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 26 reviews · 2 days (approx.) · from $625

Travel by train from Dublin to Belfast, stay one night in a 4-star hotel, explore Belfast by hop-on hop-off bus, visit Titanic Belfast, then tour Northern Ireland filming sites with a guide such as Derek or Philip. The finale is the Giant’s Causeway, with lunch and drinks at your own expense.

“Incredible tour. Loved the tour guide. The Giant's Causeway is one of the greatest natural places to see in the world.”

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12.2-Day Northern Ireland Rail Tour: Belfast, Antrim Coast, and Giant’s Causeway

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 23 reviews · 2 days (approx.) · from $506

Travel by train from Dublin to Belfast, spend one night near Great Victoria Street, then take a guided coach along the Antrim Coast to Giant’s Causeway, Dunluce Castle, and Carrick-a-Rede Rope Bridge. Guides such as Sean, Patrick, Ray, and John help with connections and local stories. Bring a passport, rain gear, sturdy shoes, and some British pounds.

“My friend and I had a great experience on this tour. Everyone we worked with was very helpful and friendly. Our bus driver Patrick was totally great, and the folks at the Railtours were also great! We did this tour upon arriving in Ireland and I was nice to know we didn't have to plan or do much more than just show up on time. Hotel accommodations were great as well. I would recommend this tour hands down!”

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13.2-Day Rail Tour: Galway, Cliffs of Moher & Medieval banquet in Bunratty Castle

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 19 reviews · from $89Best value

Travel from Dublin to Galway by train, explore the west coast by coach, and spend the night in Bunratty Village. You’ll visit Bunratty Castle and Folk Park, see the Cliffs of Moher and the Burren, enjoy a four-course medieval banquet with Irish music, and return to Dublin by train.

“I cannot say enough how great this tour was! Best way to see multiple towns in Ireland. Transportation was very nice and it was great to not have to worry about getting to and from places. The tour guides were friendly and entertaining.”

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14.2-Day Killarney and Ring of Kerry Rail Tour from Dublin.

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 17 reviews · 2 days (approx.) · from $558

Take a rail journey from Dublin Heuston to Killarney, spend a free evening in town, then tour the Ring of Kerry by coach. Expect stops at Kerry Bog Village, Sneem, Moll’s Gap, and Ladies View. Guides such as John, Bryan, Ray, Peter, and Morris have led past departures, though train arrangements can vary.

“Ray our tour leader was fantastic knew the history well and was hilarious with his jokes most enjoyable trip round the ring of Kerry and the Millacuddys Reef”

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15.6-Day All of Ireland Rail Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.4 · 15 reviews · 6 days · from $2,353

Travel Ireland with Railtours Ireland First Class on a six-day route linking Cork, Blarney, Cobh, Killarney, Galway, the Aran Islands, Belfast, and Dublin. You get reserved train seats, local guides, admissions, transfers, breakfasts, and three-star lodging. Brendan is one named guide praised for bringing the history to life, while the pace can be demanding.

“Great value and wonderful way to explore a new country. If you're a seasoned solo traveler backpack this isn't your trip. With minimal train experience we appreciated the level of service and travel guides. Well worth the time and expense.”

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