Self-Launched All Ireland Plus: Dublin, Kerry, Galway, Belfast & the Causeway Coast by Rail
7 days · Ireland & Northern Ireland
Railtours Ireland First Class charges £2,080
No-markup version: ~£1,210 per person
Estimate only, not a guaranteed price. Always verify costs independently before booking.
A DIY version of Railtours Ireland's 7-day "All Ireland Plus" rail circuit — same big hitters (Blarney Castle, Cobh, Ring of Kerry, Cliffs of Moher, Connemara & Kylemore Abbey, Inis Móir, Titanic Belfast, Giant's Causeway) but booked yourself: Irish Rail and Translink trains, local day-tour coaches, public ferries and hostel/guesthouse beds. Ireland is expensive, so this isn't a bargain-basement trip, but you'll save roughly 40% versus the tour price and travel at your own pace. Costs are approximate 2026 backpacker/mid-budget rates in GBP per person.
Day-by-day
Dublin to Cork, Blarney & Cobh, then on to Killarney
Dublin → Cork → Cobh → Killarney
Book an early Irish Rail Intercity from Dublin Heuston to Cork Kent (approx. €20-30 if booked online in advance, ~2h40). From Cork Kent take the local commuter train to Blarney (15 min, ~€3 return to Cork) or bus 215; pre-book a Blarney Castle & Gardens ticket online (~€20) and go straight to the Stone before tour buses arrive. Back in Cork, hop the commuter rail to Cobh (~25 min, ~€5) for St Colman's Cathedral and the Cobh Heritage Centre / Queenstown Story (~€11). Evening: train Cobh → Cork → Killarney via Mallow (~2h, ~€20), or take the direct Cork–Killarney bus. Check into a Killarney hostel or guesthouse and find live trad music in a town-centre pub.
🚌Irish Rail Heuston–Cork Kent (~£22), commuter rail Cork–Blarney–Cobh (~£8), rail/bus Cork–Killarney (~£18)
🛏Hostel or guesthouse in Killarney town (dorm ~£22-30, private ~£55-75)
- →Blarney Castle & Gardens and the Blarney Stone (pre-booked ticket)
- →St Colman's Cathedral, Cobh
- →Cobh Heritage Centre / Queenstown Story
- →Evening trad music session in Killarney
Ring of Kerry by local coach tour
Killarney
The Ring of Kerry is a 179km loop with no useful public transport, so book a seat on one of the local Killarney day-tour coaches (Deros Tours, Killarney Day Tour or similar) — roughly €40-50 including stops at Ladies View, Moll's Gap, Waterville, the Kerry Bog Village (small entry fee) and views to the Skelligs and MacGillycuddy Reeks. Bring a packed lunch or eat at one of the designated stops. Back in Killarney by late afternoon: walk the short trail to Ross Castle or into Killarney National Park and Muckross Abbey (free).
🚌Local Ring of Kerry coach day tour (~£40)
🛏Hostel or guesthouse in Killarney town
- →Ring of Kerry full-day coach loop
- →Kerry Bog Village Museum
- →Ladies View & Moll's Gap photo stops
- →Ross Castle / Muckross Abbey walk
Killarney to Galway via Bunratty, the Cliffs of Moher & the Burren
Killarney → Limerick → Cliffs of Moher → Galway
Take the early bus or train Killarney → Limerick (~2h, ~£12-15), drop bags at Limerick station or a left-luggage spot, and see King John's Castle from outside / the medieval quarter on a quick walk. Then either take Bus Éireann route 300/51 towards Ennis and connect to the Cliffs, or — much simpler — book a Galway-based Cliffs of Moher day tour that also stops at Bunratty Castle & Folk Park and drives through the Burren (approx. €45-60), arranging to be picked up en route. Alternative: base in Ennis or Doolin for the night, see the Cliffs on foot from the visitor centre (~€10), and continue to Galway next morning by bus 350 along the coast. Evening arrival in Galway: Latin Quarter pubs.
🚌Bus/rail Killarney–Limerick (~£14), Cliffs of Moher & Burren day tour or Bus Éireann 350 (~£30)
🛏Hostel or guesthouse in Galway city (dorm ~£25-32)
- →Limerick medieval quarter & King John's Castle (exterior)
- →Bunratty Castle & Folk Park
- →Cliffs of Moher visitor centre and cliff walk
- →Burren coastal drive & photo stops
Connemara & Kylemore Abbey
Galway / Connemara
Book a Connemara day tour from Galway (Lally Tours, Galway Tour Company and others run daily, ~€40-50) covering Maam Cross, the Inagh Valley, Leenane, Letterfrack, Clifden and a 1-2 hour stop at Kylemore Abbey & Gardens (entry ~€17, or buy the combined ticket). If you'd rather self-drive the day, hire a car in Galway (~£45/day plus fuel) and follow the N59. Late afternoon back in Galway — walk the Claddagh and the Long Walk, and eat at the Saturday/weekly markets or a fish-and-chips spot.
🚌Connemara coach day tour (~£42) or shared car hire
🛏Hostel or guesthouse in Galway city
- →Connemara loop: Maam Cross, Leenane, Letterfrack, Clifden
- →Kylemore Abbey & Victorian walled gardens
- →Derrygimlagh Bog photo stop
- →Galway Claddagh & Long Walk evening stroll
Inis Móir (Aran Islands) then rail to Dublin
Galway → Inis Móir → Dublin
Take the early bus from Galway to Rossaveal pier (~1h, ~€12, or the tour-bus connection), then the public Aran Islands ferry to Inis Móir (~40 min, ~€25-30 return; book Aran Island Ferries online). On the island hire a bike (~€15) or join the local minibus, ride out to Dún Aonghasa (entry ~€5) on the cliff edge, then see the Seven Churches (Na Seacht dTeampaill) and the seal colony at Kilronan. Lunch in Kilronan. Afternoon ferry back and bus to Galway, then an evening Irish Rail Intercity Galway → Dublin Heuston (~2h20, ~€20-30 booked in advance).
🚌Bus Galway–Rossaveal (~£12), Aran ferry return (~£27), bike hire (~£14), rail Galway–Dublin (~£26)
🛏Hostel or budget hotel in Dublin city centre (dorm ~£25-35)
- →Aran Islands ferry crossing
- →Dún Aonghasa fort & cliffs
- →Seven Churches ruins
- →Cycling Inis Móir back roads
- →Kilronan lunch
Dublin to Belfast: Titanic Experience & city sightseeing
Dublin → Belfast
Take the Enterprise train Dublin Connolly → Belfast Lanyon Place (~2h10, ~£20-30 booked in advance; note you cross into sterling). Check in, then use the Belfast hop-on-hop-off bus (~£15) or just walk: City Hall, Cathedral Quarter, the Titanic Quarter. Pre-book the Titanic Belfast experience online (~£25-27) and allow 2-3 hours. Evening in the Cathedral Quarter — the Duke of York, traditional music at Kelly's Cellars or Maddens.
🚌Enterprise train Dublin–Belfast (~£25)
🛏Hostel or budget hotel in Belfast city centre (dorm ~£22-30)
- →Titanic Belfast visitor experience
- →Belfast hop-on-hop-off bus or self-guided walk
- →Cathedral Quarter & City Hall
- →Traditional music session
Giant's Causeway & Causeway Coast, back to Dublin
Belfast → Causeway Coast → Dublin
Join a small-group Causeway Coast day tour from Belfast (Odyssey Coach Tours, Allen's Tours etc., ~£35-45) covering Carnlough, the Glens of Antrim, Cushendall and Cushendun, Dunluce Castle (exterior viewpoint) and 1.5-2 hours at the Giant's Causeway (free to walk down; the visitor centre is ~£14 and optional). Alternatively, if you're confident on the left, hire a car (~£40/day) for full flexibility. Tour returns to Belfast around 17:00-18:00 — take a late Enterprise or Goldline bus back to Dublin (~£20-28, last trains mid-evening, so check times and have a Dublin bed booked).
🚌Causeway Coast day tour (~£40), rail or Goldline coach Belfast–Dublin (~£25)
🛏Not included — optional final night in Dublin (~£30) if you can't catch a late connection
- →Giant's Causeway (UNESCO World Heritage Site)
- →Dunluce Castle viewpoint
- →Glens of Antrim & Carnlough harbour
- →Cushendall and Cushendun photo stops
Self-launched vs. Railtours Ireland First Class
| This itinerary (self-launched) | Railtours Ireland First Class | |
|---|---|---|
| Price per person | ~£1,210 | £2,080 |
| Duration | 7 days | 7 days |
| Who books it | You and your group, direct | Tour operator, guided group |
| Savings | £870 per person (42%) | |
Estimate only, not a guaranteed price. Always verify costs independently before booking.
Want to see more Railtours Ireland First Class-style trips? Check them out here.~£1,210
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 Self-Launched All Ireland Plus: Dublin, Kerry, Galway, Belfast & the Causeway Coast by Rail cost?+
Doing it yourself with this self-launched itinerary costs an estimated £1,210 per person for 7 days in Ireland & Northern Ireland. 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 Railtours Ireland First Class?+
Yes — Railtours Ireland First Class charges around £2,080 per person for a similar tour. Doing the same route independently, using the same standard of accommodation and activities, costs an estimated £1,210 — a saving of roughly £870 (42%) per person.
How long is the Ireland & Northern Ireland trip?+
This itinerary runs 7 days, covering 7 day-by-day stops through Ireland & Northern Ireland.
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, slow-travel, backpacker trip through Ireland & Northern Ireland, 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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