Highlights of Britain & Ireland — Self-Launched
15 days · Britain & Ireland (England, Wales, Ireland, Northern Ireland, Scotland)
Globus charges £3,300
No-markup version: ~£1,141 per person
Estimate only, not a guaranteed price. Always verify costs independently before booking.
A self-launched, solo-friendly version of Globus's 15-day coach circuit from London through Stonehenge, Bath, Wales, southern Ireland, Dublin, Belfast and Edinburgh back to London. Instead of a 46-seat coach, you'll use trains, ferries and a handful of short local buses; instead of included group dinners you'll eat where locals eat. Every headline sight — the Roman Baths, Blarney Stone, Killarney jaunting car, Rock of Cashel, Titanic Belfast, Edinburgh Castle, York Minster, Blenheim Palace — is still on the list, just booked direct or via GetYourGuide. Costs are rough backpacker/budget-traveller estimates in GBP and assume a mix of hostel dorms and budget guesthouses; London and Edinburgh will be your priciest nights, so book those early.
Day-by-day
Arrive London — settle into the East End
London, England
Land at Heathrow or Gatwick and take the Elizabeth line or a National Express coach into town (roughly £6–13). Check into a hostel in Shoreditch or King's Cross. Spend the evening on a free self-directed wander: Brick Lane for curry and street art, or the South Bank for a walk past the London Eye at dusk. Pick up an Oyster/contactless card — you'll need it all trip.
🚌Elizabeth line Heathrow–central London ~£12.80
🛏Hostel dorm in Shoreditch/King's Cross (£20–28)
- →Elizabeth line or coach transfer into central London
- →Evening walk: Brick Lane or South Bank
- →Set up contactless travel card
London classic sights on foot
London, England
Do the Globus morning sightseeing route yourself: Westminster (Houses of Parliament, Big Ben, Westminster Abbey), Whitehall, Downing Street and Piccadilly Circus, then Buckingham Palace for the Changing of the Guard (free, check the schedule — usually 11am on selected days). In the afternoon, pay into St Paul's Cathedral (£23) and climb to the Whispering Gallery. Consider a GetYourGuide Westminster walking tour (~£15) if you want the history narrated.
🚌Tube day cap ~£8.50
🛏Hostel dorm, London (£20–28)
- →Self-guided Westminster & Whitehall walk
- →Changing of the Guard at Buckingham Palace (free)
- →St Paul's Cathedral entry ~£23
- →Optional GetYourGuide Westminster walking tour ~£15
Stonehenge & Bath, overnight in Bristol
London – Salisbury Plain – Bath – Bristol
Take an early train from Waterloo to Salisbury (~£20–30 advance) and the local Stonehenge tour bus out to the stones (£16 return plus ~£25 entry) — or book a combined Stonehenge + Bath GetYourGuide day tour from London (~£85) if you'd rather not juggle connections. Continue by train Salisbury → Bath Spa (~£12). Wander the Roman Baths (£27 entry, cheaper after 3pm in some seasons), then catch a 15-minute train to Bristol for the night.
🚌Trains London–Salisbury–Bath–Bristol ~£45
🛏Hostel dorm in Bristol (£20–26)
- →Stonehenge visitor centre & stone circle ~£25
- →Roman Baths, Bath ~£27
- →Bath Abbey & Pulteney Bridge stroll (free)
Cardiff, then ferry to Ireland
Bristol – Cardiff – Pembroke – Rosslare – Waterford
Train Bristol to Cardiff (~£10, 50 mins) and walk the castle-and-Cathays-Park orientation route yourself; Cardiff Castle grounds are free, the keep tour is ~£15. Then take the train west to Pembroke Dock (~£15) for the Irish Ferries/Stena crossing to Rosslare (~£35–45 foot passenger, 4 hrs, book ahead). Late bus or shared taxi from Rosslare to Waterford (~£10). Long day — pack snacks.
🚌Train Cardiff–Pembroke ~£15 + ferry ~£40 + bus ~£10
🛏Budget guesthouse/hostel in Waterford (£20–28)
- →Cardiff Castle & Cathays Park walk
- →Irish Sea ferry crossing Pembroke–Rosslare
- →Waterford evening stroll along the Quays
Blarney Castle & Kinsale
Waterford – Blarney – Kinsale – Rosscarbery
Bus Éireann from Waterford to Cork (~£12), then a local bus to Blarney. Kiss the stone — Blarney Castle entry is ~£20 and queues build by 11am, so go early. Afternoon in Kinsale: harbour walk, Charles Fort views, and a seafood lunch. Evening bus down the coast to Rosscarbery or Clonakilty for a quiet West Cork night.
🚌Bus Éireann Waterford–Cork–Blarney–Kinsale–Rosscarbery ~£25
🛏Hostel or B&B in Rosscarbery/Clonakilty (£22–30)
- →Blarney Castle & kissing the Blarney Stone ~£20
- →Blarney Woollen Mills browsing
- →Kinsale harbour & Charles Fort walk (free)
Ring of Kerry & Killarney jaunting car
Rosscarbery – Kenmare – Killarney – Limerick
Bus to Killarney via Kenmare (~£15), arguably the prettiest stretch of the whole route. Book a jaunting car through Killarney National Park at the Muckross entrance (~£20 per person sharing, ~£60 per car) and walk to Ross Castle and Muckross House. If the weather holds, a half-day Ring of Kerry bus loop from Killarney runs ~£25. Evening train or bus to Limerick (~£12).
🚌Buses Rosscarbery–Kenmare–Killarney ~£15 + Limerick ~£12
🛏Hostel in Limerick (£18–25)
- →Horse-drawn jaunting car in Killarney National Park ~£20
- →Ross Castle & Muckross House grounds
- →Optional Ring of Kerry coach loop ~£25
Rock of Cashel & the Irish National Stud
Limerick – Cashel – Kildare – Dublin
Bus to Cashel (~£10) for the Rock of Cashel — OPW Heritage Card (~£40) pays for itself if you're doing several sites. Then bus/train via Limerick Junction to Kildare for the Irish National Stud & Gardens (~£16). Continue by commuter train into Dublin Heuston (~£10). Drop bags and head to Temple Bar-adjacent pubs — but drink on Wexford or Camden Street where prices are sane.
🚌Buses + Irish Rail to Dublin ~£25
🛏Hostel dorm in Dublin (£22–32)
- →Rock of Cashel entry ~£8 (or Heritage Card)
- →Irish National Stud & Japanese Gardens ~£16
- →Evening in Dublin's Camden/Wexford Street pubs
Dublin: Trinity, cathedrals & a proper night out
Dublin, Ireland
Self-guided orientation walk: O'Connell Street, the Georgian squares, St Patrick's Cathedral (~£10) and Trinity College's Book of Kells (~£19, book a timed slot online). A free Sandemans walking tour (tip-based, ~£10) covers the history well. Book ahead for a Guinness Storehouse or Jameson Bow St tour (~£25–30) if that's your thing.
🚌Walking + short Luas hops ~£4
🛏Hostel dorm in Dublin (£22–32)
- →Trinity College & Book of Kells ~£19
- →St Patrick's Cathedral ~£10
- →Free tip-based walking tour
- →Optional Guinness Storehouse ~£28
Carlingford Irish coffee & Belfast
Dublin – Carlingford – Belfast, Northern Ireland
Bus from Dublin to Carlingford (~£14) — a gorgeous medieval lough-side village — and order an Irish coffee at a local pub (~£8). Continue north on the cross-border bus/train via Newry to Belfast (~£15). Use the afternoon for a walk past City Hall, the Albert Memorial Clock and Queen's University, and book Titanic Belfast (£24, last entry ~5pm) or the hop-on hop-off bus (~£15).
🚌Dublin–Carlingford–Belfast buses ~£29
🛏Hostel dorm in Belfast (£20–28)
- →Irish coffee in Carlingford ~£8
- →Belfast City Hall & Queen's Quarter orientation walk
- →Titanic Belfast experience ~£24
Ferry across the North Channel to Scotland
Belfast – Cairnryan – Edinburgh
Bus to Belfast port and the Stena Line or P&O crossing to Cairnryan (~£35–45 foot passenger, ~2h15). From Cairnryan, the local bus to Ayr or Stranraer (~£10) connects with ScotRail to Glasgow (~£15) and on to Edinburgh (~£12). It's a full travel day — buy a railcard discount ticket in advance. Evening arrival: wander the Royal Mile after dark.
🚌Bus + ferry + two trains ~£75
🛏Hostel dorm in Edinburgh (£22–35)
- →North Channel ferry crossing
- →ScotRail journey through Ayrshire
- →Evening stroll down the Royal Mile
Edinburgh Castle & the Old Town
Edinburgh, Scotland
Book Edinburgh Castle online in advance (£21–23) to skip the queue and see the Crown Jewels — go at opening time. Then walk the Royal Mile, pop into St Giles' Cathedral (free, donations), and climb Arthur's Seat in the afternoon for the best free view in Britain. A GetYourGuide Old Town/New Town walking tour runs ~£15. August travellers can try for Edinburgh Military Tattoo tickets (£30–90) — book months ahead.
🚌Walking; Lothian bus day ticket ~£5
🛏Hostel dorm in Edinburgh (£22–35)
- →Edinburgh Castle & Crown Jewels ~£22
- →Royal Mile & St Giles' Cathedral walk
- →Arthur's Seat hike (free)
- →Optional Old Town walking tour ~£15
Alnwick, York Minster & the Shambles
Edinburgh – Alnwick – York, England
LNER/CrossCountry train Edinburgh to Alnmouth (~£20 advance), then the local bus into Alnwick (~£5) — the market town and Alnwick Castle (£20) are worth a couple of hours. Continue by train to York (~£20) and visit York Minster (£18) plus the free Shambles and city walls walk. Evening: a York Free Walking Tour (tip-based) or a pint in one of the medieval pubs.
🚌Two trains + local bus ~£45
🛏Hostel or budget hotel in York (£25–35)
- →Alnwick market town & castle ~£20
- →York Minster ~£18
- →Shambles & city walls walk (free)
York to Stratford-upon-Avon
York – Stratford-upon-Avon
Train York to Birmingham (~£25) then a local service to Stratford-upon-Avon (~£10). Walk to Anne Hathaway's Cottage (~£13, cheaper to photograph the garden from the lane), and if you're a Shakespeare fan, book the Shakespeare's Schoolroom & Guildhall (~£12). Catch an evening RSC performance at the Royal Shakespeare Theatre if the timing works — cheapest seats from ~£20.
🚌Trains York–Birmingham–Stratford ~£35
🛏Guesthouse or hostel in Stratford (£28–38)
- →Anne Hathaway's Cottage ~£13
- →Shakespeare's Schoolroom & Guildhall ~£12
- →Optional RSC theatre ticket from ~£20
Blenheim Palace back to London
Stratford-upon-Avon – Blenheim – London
Bus to Oxford (~£10) then the S3/Stagecoach bus to Woodstock (~£5) for Blenheim Palace — park-and-gardens entry is ~£22, palace interior ~£38 booked direct. Then a coach from Oxford to London Victoria (~£12–18, Oxford Tube or National Express). Final night: splurge on fish and chips somewhere decent or just hit a rooftop for sunset.
🚌Buses + coach ~£30
🛏Hostel dorm, London (£20–28)
- →Blenheim Palace & gardens ~£22–38
- →Oxford city centre wander (free)
- →Coach back to London
Depart London
London, England
Final breakfast, a last wander around whichever neighbourhood you liked best, and off to Heathrow/Gatwick or St Pancras for the Eurostar. If you have a spare morning, the British Museum is free.
🚌Elizabeth line or coach to airport ~£13
🛏—
- →Free British Museum visit (optional)
- →Transfer to airport or Eurostar
Self-launched vs. Globus
| This itinerary (self-launched) | Globus | |
|---|---|---|
| Price per person | ~£1,141 | £3,300 |
| Duration | 15 days | 15 days |
| Who books it | You and your group, direct | Tour operator, guided group |
| Savings | £2,159 per person (65%) | |
Estimate only, not a guaranteed price. Always verify costs independently before booking.
Want to see more Globus-style trips? Check them out here.~£1,141
estimated per person
You never pay Travel Crew for this — you pay hostels, transport, and activity providers directly, the same as if you'd booked it all yourself.
This publishes your dates so other travellers can find and join you — no tour operator needed.
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Frequently asked questions
How much does Highlights of Britain & Ireland — Self-Launched cost?+
Doing it yourself with this self-launched itinerary costs an estimated £1,141 per person for 15 days in Britain & Ireland (England, Wales, Ireland, Northern Ireland, Scotland). This is an AI-generated estimate based on typical budget-traveller prices — actual costs will vary by season and how you book.
Is this cheaper than booking with Globus?+
Yes — Globus charges around £3,300 per person for a similar tour. Doing the same route independently, using the same standard of accommodation and activities, costs an estimated £1,141 — a saving of roughly £2,159 (65%) per person.
How long is the Britain & Ireland (England, Wales, Ireland, Northern Ireland, Scotland) trip?+
This itinerary runs 15 days, covering 15 day-by-day stops through Britain & Ireland (England, Wales, Ireland, Northern Ireland, Scotland).
How do I join this trip?+
You can join an existing open departure using this itinerary if one is scheduled, or launch your own departure with your own dates and invite other travellers to join you — no tour operator required.
Isn't it easier to just use a tour operator?+
Well, yes, a tour operator will book all the individual parts of your travel for you and provide a guide. That's obvious, but doing this has the potential to save the group thousands, which can in turn improve your itinerary substantially or save you huge amounts of money. Also, when you launch a departure, Travel Crew has tools in place to help you book the individual sections of the trip or make it easier for you to do this as a group. Really, you do not need a middle man. If you are more comfortable paying more and using a middle man, then you should certainly do this.
Is it safer to book through a tour operator?+
Arguably, there isn't much difference. A self-launched trip runs on the same principle as a group travel crew: collective responsibility, everyone looking out for each other, the same way it would if a group of friends organised the trip themselves — because that's exactly what's happening. You should always take out travel insurance before you go, self-launched or not; that doesn't change either way. Every open departure is published publicly with real dates and a real trip organiser, so it's never an anonymous arrangement, and our support team is reachable any time you need help, including in an emergency while you're away. Longer-term, we're building direct relationships with ground DMCs in popular destinations, offered as an optional paid add-on for extra on-the-ground support. Ultimately, though, the group is responsible for its own conduct and safety on a self-launched trip, same as on any trip you plan yourself.
What kind of trip is this?+
This is a culture, city-breaks, backpacker trip through Britain & Ireland (England, Wales, Ireland, Northern Ireland, Scotland), self-launched rather than run by a tour operator — you organise it with a group you find or bring yourself.
Would you like to name the operator, name the trip, or have any suggestions about how to improve this itinerary?
Drop your comment below — if you've done a similar route, tell us what worked, what you'd add, or what you'd skip.
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