Rail Tours in Ireland: Our 15 Picks

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

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

Review of Dublin to Cork by train, Blarney Castle and Cobh, with timing, costs, highlights, drawbacks and practical booking advice.

“It is a great tour, it is a long day though. I would have given it 5 stars however our train journey back from Cobh turned into a bus ride half way and it wasn’t a great bus! Our tour guide Andrew was a wealth of information, friendly and had a great sense of humour. Would highly recommend this tour!”

Check availability →Read our full review

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

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

Review of the Dublin to Giant’s Causeway rail and coach tour, with timing, stops, costs, guides, transport, and practical booking advice.

“So much fun! Sean, Patrick, and Rodney were absolute dreams to work with. Our train was delayed and Rodney was able to make up for it by stopping at some incredible sights along the way to meet up with our tour down the path. Be sure to walk all the paths and see all of the local draws!”

Check availability →Read our full review

3.Sustainable Ring of Kerry Rail Tour from Dublin

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

Review of the Ring of Kerry rail tour from Dublin, with train comfort, mountain views, guide quality, costs, stops, and practical tips.

“The scenery was breathtaking! Our guide shared so many wonderful stories if the area and interesting history. The sheep farm and border collie demo was wonderful!”

Check availability →Read our full review

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

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

See Blarney Castle, Cork, the Ring of Kerry, Cliffs of Moher, and Galway by rail and coach on this packed three-day Ireland tour.

“Country was beautiful, pub food was very good, Celtic Steps show was amazing. Tour guide was very impatient and sharp with passengers. His storytelling was very informative. The first day we got out of the bus and walked for places, u could not hear his comments. With 42 people u need listening devices. All in all it was enjoyable.”

Check availability →Read our full review

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

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

Review of Ireland’s rail tour to Bunratty Castle, the Cliffs of Moher, the Burren, and Galway, with practical tips on timing and value.

“The experience was amazing. Our tour guide John was wonderful. Traveling by rail was a great way to see the countryside. All the stops along the way were great. This is a must do if you’re headed to Ireland.”

Check availability →Read our full review

6.Rail Tour from Dublin: The Ring of Kerry

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

Review the Ring of Kerry rail tour from Dublin, with Killarney, Carrauntoohil, coastal views, practical tips, price, and honest drawbacks.

“Very well organised tour. Helpful staff all around. Enjoyed thoroughly.”

Check availability →Read our full review

7.Cork and Blarney Castle Visit from Cobh by Train

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

Review of the Cobh to Blarney Castle rail and coach tour, with Cork sights, Cobh Cathedral, practical tips, price advice, and honest drawbacks.

“It was a great tour. It covered many interesting locations, including the Blarney Castle. It gave a great overview of Cork. Andrew, the guide, was so knowledgeable and entertaining and kind. Darrin was an amazing driver and also very kind. I would highly recommend this tour. Great value for the price.”

Check availability →Read our full review

8.Oakfield Park Day Pass and Train Ride

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

Explore Oakfield Park in Donegal with garden walks, a 4.5km miniature railway, lakes, sculptures, and flexible park access.

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

Check availability →Read our full review

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

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

Fly over Galway Bay to Inis Mór, tour Dún Aonghasa, explore Galway, and return to Dublin by train in one very full Irish day.

“The tour went well, a little unclear as to returning where to meet guide, much was self guided. Overall glad I went”

Check availability →Read our full review

10.Sustainable Connemara and Galway Bay Rail Tour from Dublin

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

Review of Railtours Ireland’s Connemara and Galway Bay trip from Dublin, with Kylemore Abbey, train tips, costs, timing, and honest drawbacks.

“Great bus driver/guide who gave the best history of Ireland that I heard among the many that I had heard!”

Check availability →Read our full review

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

Explore Cork, Blarney, Kerry, Dingle, the Cliffs of Moher and Galway Bay on a four-day rail and coach tour from Dublin.

“Loved the Cliffs of Moher! BB was a bit further from town but still walkable.”

Check availability →Read our full review

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

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

Explore Ireland by rail and coach on a six-day tour from Dublin, with Blarney, the Ring of Kerry, Galway, Belfast, and five breakfasts included.

“My mother and I did a trip to Ireland together and chose rail tours to experience outside of Dublin. So glad we did! It was a wonderful experience, all of the guides were extremely knowledgeable and personable. It felt like being with informed friends. All our accommodations were great and all guess work was taken out of it for us. They took care of everything and the one glitch they worked quickly to help us resolve. Could not be happier with out experience.”

Check availability →Read our full review

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

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

Review of a 2-day rail and coach tour from Dublin to the Cliffs of Moher, Galway, Kylemore Abbey, and Connemara, with practical tips.

“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.”

Check availability →Read our full review

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

Review of a 2-day rail trip from Dublin to Belfast, Titanic Belfast, Giant’s Causeway, Dark Hedges, hotels, costs, and practical tips.

“SO MUCH FUN!!!!! My husband and I were traveling with our 20 year old daughter. She is the game of thrones watcher. We are not. But I wanted to schedule something I thought she would like and Eric and I were excited about Belfast. Well...I can't say enough great things about this tour. Northern Ireland was unbelievable. The train ride was awesome. The city of Belfast is full of history and beautiful. We took the hop on hop off all around the city. We went to the Titanic visitor center and enjoyed it very much. Our bus guide was very informative. We learned a lot about the city. Our hotel…”

Check availability →Read our full review

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

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

Review of the 2-day Northern Ireland rail tour from Dublin, with Belfast, the Antrim Coast, Carrick-a-Rede, Giant’s Causeway, and practical tips.

“Having an escort from Dublin to Belfast was brilliant. The hotel accommodations were brilliant. II only give this a four instead of five, because it seems a walking tour could have been arranged for Belfast near the hotel. We were too late to go to the Titanic, but would have loved to see the city. would love to revisit Ireland, and this coach tour up to the Giant's Causeway was brilliant. Driver / Guide was brilliant.”

Check availability →Read our full review