The 15 Train Experiences in Ireland That Earn Their Price

1.Dublin to Cork, Blarney Castle & Cóbh Heritage Centre by train

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 510 reviews · 12 hours (approx.) · from $195Our pick

Train from Dublin to Cork, kiss Blarney Stone, explore Cobh’s Titanic links, then ride back to Dublin with included admissions.

“I took this tour with my husband and my son, and we had a great time! The tour was really well organized, and our guides were knowledgeable and friendly. We went with Brian, Alex, and John. When my son mentioned that he wanted to go to the ocean while we were in Dublin, John suggested going to Howth and gave us directions on our map. He also showed us where to find some antique shops in Dublin. We had plenty of time at Blarney Castle, and that was important to me. We highly recommend this tour!”

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

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

Dublin to Northern Ireland by rail and coach, 2 hours at Giant's Causeway, Dunluce photo stop, and optional Carrick-a-Rede bridge.

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

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3.Sustainable Ring of Kerry Rail Tour from Dublin

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

Train and coach tour from Dublin around the Ring of Kerry, with Killarney lakes, mountain views, photo stops, and guided sheepdog extras.

“The stops we made were beautiful, but we were rushed! The driver was in a hurry and drove much faster than the passenger cars. There were photo opportunities that we missed due to the speed. We were back at Killarney at 3:15. Our train left at 5:40. Eddie, the train guide was great though!”

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

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

A 3-day rail and coach tour hitting Blarney Castle, Cork and Cobh, the Ring of Kerry, and the Cliffs of Moher plus Galway.

“We really enjoyed this tour and the stops to see places we would have never known or come across on our own. Our tour guide John was excellent, shared lots of interesting and helpful information along the way. He also went above and beyond to make sure everyone knew the plan and was taken care of.”

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

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

Big sights in one long rail day, from Bunratty Castle to the Cliffs of Moher, plus the Burren and Galway, with admissions included.

“I understand the complexity of herding cats, let alone tourists, and the tour did a great job. Yet it would have been nice to not put our tour in in its own rail car. Rather, I would have preferred having that extra rail car added to the train and then letting the tourists finding their own seats, mixing us up with Irish citizens using the train in their normal lives. I went to Ireland not to meet other tourists from the USA, but to meet the Irish.”

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6.Rail Tour from Dublin: The Ring of Kerry

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

One day from Dublin to Killarney by train, then a guided Ring of Kerry loop with Carrauntoohil, Moll’s Gap, Ladies View, and Killarney Lakes.

“Our guide, John, got us to where we caught up with the tour bus and then joined a tour group already together. This was a second tour we did with John, and he's very knowledgeable and does a lot of little things that made then trip special (ie taking a picture of us together on the train ride, giving us a map of Ireland that we all signed). I felt awful for him because while he sat and waited for us to return from the bus trip, his wallet was stolen. But he still made sure we were all ok and helped us go to a store after the tour…”

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7.Cork and Blarney Castle Visit from Cobh by Train

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 106 reviews · 6 hours 30 minutes (approx.) · from $122

Train from Cobh to Cork, included Blarney Castle admission, Cork highlights, and St Colman’s Cathedral, all guided.

“We chose this tour because doing a little travel by train was appealing. Easy to find our yellow jacket guide at the train station. Was an enjoyable, stress free adventure with Andrew and our bus driver William. If you have a bigger shoe size than me you might experience a little stress going up and down the castle steps but may be worth the bragging rights of hanging over on your back to kiss the Blarney Stone!”

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8.Oakfield Park Day Pass and Train Ride

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 104 reviews · from $16Best value

Oakfield Park day pass with a miniature-gauge train ride in Donegal. Stroll self-paced, then ride to lower gardens for 3 hours.

“Buffers restaurant was delightful. The park itself is a very peaceful place and well manicured.”

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

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

Dublin rail to Galway, then a scenic flight to Inis Mor for fort views, quick stops on Aran, and free time in Galway City.

“My recommendation is based on the history and beauty of the island only. I wouldn't go by rail as we were escorted all the way from Dublin to Galway on the train, which was not needed. It was just Mum and I and another couple of ladies who were doing another tour. This also happened on our return journey to Dublin. My recommendation during the winter months is not to provide the escort, as we are all adults and can find our seats, as per the package provided to us in Dublin for our day trip. Once in Galway we were offloaded to a transfer bus to the airport for…”

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10.Sustainable Connemara and Galway Bay Rail Tour from Dublin

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

A timed rail-and-coach day trip from Dublin to Connemara and Galway Bay, with Kylemore Abbey and coastal stops plus a real Irish-language feel.

“This rail tour was well worth the money. The RailTours staff were easy to locate in the train stations and were so helpful and friendly. My elderly mom traveled with us and she has some mobility issues. The staff were helpful and always made sure she was comfortable. The stops were really meaningful and its was a tremendous way to see the country side. The only downfall was the coach driver once we were out of RailTours hands wasnt very attentive to our coach seat reservations causing two of our traveling companions to not get to sit together even though our seats were reserved together. Overall a great way to…”

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

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

4 days of rail and coach from Dublin to Cork, Kerry, Dingle, Cliffs of Moher, and Galway, based in Killarney.

“Do yourself a favor and book this trip! Our only regret was that we weren't able to book a longer tour with Railtours. We had three different guides in the four days and they were all wonderful. So friendly and helpful and also knowledgeable about the history of the area. Would do it again!”

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

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

A 6-day rail and coach loop from Dublin covering Cork, Kerry, Galway, the Aran Islands, and Belfast, with key admissions included.

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

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

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

Two-day rail and coach from Dublin to Bunratty and Cliffs of Moher, then Galway and Connemara, with an overnight stay and guiding.

“I like the combination of train and bus. Our guide was Bob and he did a wonderful job. He showed us some turf peat at Bunratty Castle. The Cliffs of Moher were beautiful. We arrived in Galway about 5:00 so any touring was on our own. The next day was on the bus through the Connemara region to Kylemore Abbey. Please note this trip does not include a stop to Connemara marble store in Moycullen or viewing of the green marble mountains in Clifden. I though it did. I loved the views at the Kilary Fjord.”

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

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

2-day train tour from Dublin to Belfast and Giant's Causeway, with Titanic Belfast, hop-on buses, Game of Thrones sites, and hotel.

“This was the highlight of my trip to Ireland. I was torn between booking this trip and a much cheaper 2 day trip to Northern Ireland that I found which was bus based. Ultimately I bit the bullet and paid more for this one, as that had mediocre reviews and this one had excellent reviews, and I did not regret it. You start on a lovely train ride north to Belfast, and then are checked into your hotel. After that, you climb aboard the complimentary hop on hop off bus tour, which you are recommended to not hop off of in the first cycle, so that you can get a…”

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

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

Two days by rail from Dublin to Belfast and Northern Ireland’s Antrim Coast, with Giant’s Causeway and Carrick-a-Rede.

“Sean, Paul, and Peter were knowledgeable and personable. They went over and above to make this a once in a lifetime experience!”

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