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Irish Cities Explorer: Dublin to Galway by Rail

Irish Cities Explorer
Irish hospitality | The welcome of the Emerald Isle is unforgettable.
Poignant ports | Discover the heritage town of Cobh with its strong links to the Titanic.
Capital appeal | Explore Dublin’s history, heritage, and wide range of distilleries.
Vibrant Galway | Immerse yourself in the magic of Galway – home of traditional Irish music.
Foodie heaven | Explore the food markets of Cork, Ireland’s gastronomic capital.
What is included
  • 7 nights
  • 7 breakfasts
  • notes for walking tours
  • detailed cultural information
  • rail travel Dublin-Cork-Galway
  • Irish Cities Explorer: Dublin to Galway by Rail
    Irish Cities Explorer
  • Begin in the Irish capital
  • Trinity College
  • Dublin's Temple Bar
  • Next stop: Cork
  • Explore the city's pretty waterways
  • Historic Cork
  • Head to the coast to visit colourful Kinsale
  • Galway, your final destination
  • Galway is renowned for its seafood
  • Visit the Aran Islands from Galway
What is included
  • 7 nights
  • 7 breakfasts
  • notes for walking tours
  • detailed cultural information
  • rail travel Dublin-Cork-Galway

Holiday information

A rail holiday in Ireland

Discover three great Irish Cities – Dublin, Cork and Galway – on this independent journey by rail, which also takes in the heritage town of Cobh, with its Titanic Experience, as well as beautiful, coastal Kinsale. You stay in high-quality hotels, and can explore using our included walking tours.
It’s the variety of experience that sets this fascinating rail journey apart. The variety of exploring three iconic but very different cities, and the even greater variety of leaving them behind to travel into the Irish countryside: to traditional towns where colourful houses greet the sea, and to poignant ports where past travellers bid farewell to the Emerald Isle – including those boarding the Titanic for its single, tragic voyage across the Atlantic.

Also adding to the sense of variety on this holiday are the hotels. Some impress with their modern boutique comfort, while others have great historic appeal – including Cork’s Imperial Hotel, a local landmark in its own right. Each enjoys a superb location in its respective city, perfect for discovering their contrasting charms: cosmopolitan Dublin, with its ancient roots and leading innovation; Cork – the country’s creative food capital; and Galway, vibrant home of Ireland’s traditional music scene.


Itinerary

The key to Inntravel holidays is flexibility. You can start on the day of your choice, and are free to add extra nights.
  • The average maximum daytime temperatures and monthly rainfall relate to the nearest weather station and are intended as a guide only.
    Average temperatures and rainfall
      Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
    °C 8 9 10 12 15 17 19 19 17 14 10 8
    mm 64 51 56 62 57 67 67 69 52 67 67 66
  • Arrival in Dublin
    Night 1: at Brooks Hotel, Buswells Hotel, or – on the upgrade version of the holiday – The Wilder Townhouse (the first of two nights in Dublin).
    As your first night’s accommodation is on the day of travel, Day 1 is your first day of exploration.
  • Explore Dublin
    Your holiday begins with a full day in the Irish capital, where our self-guided walking tour reveals not only Dublin’s history and heritage, but also its numerous green oases and generous choice of distilleries. The Guinness Storehouse is unmissable, if only for the views from its Gravity Bar, but we also recommend independent tasting experiences, and – for something a little different – the chance to enjoy afternoon tea while touring the city in a vintage double-decker bus! The Irish Emigration Museum delves brilliantly into the past, while a trip to Trinity College will bring you up close with one of Europe’s most magnificent libraries and its Book of Kells – Ireland’s greatest cultural treasure.
  • Dublin to Cork: 2hrs45 by train
    Your onward journey departs from Dublin’s historic Heuston Station, and takes you directly to Cork – for an afternoon exploring the beautiful city centre (see ‘Days 3-4’ for our recommendations). Your three nights here are spent either in the heart of the city at The Imperial Hotel, or – on the upgrade version of the holiday – just above it at The Montenotte.
  • Explore Cork, Cobh & Kinsale
    Ireland’s second city has so much to offer: it is known as the country’s food capital, and its attractive streets are home to an impressive array of museums, monuments, restaurants, traditional pubs, and even a fascinating, 19th-century ‘gaol’. After unlocking the secrets of the past here, we highly recommend climbing St Anne’s Church tower for 360-degree views of the city, before refuelling at the English Market – widely regarded as one of the best food markets in Europe.

    Cork also makes a perfect base for exploring further afield, including by scenic rail to Cobh. In this must-visit heritage town, not only can you learn more about Ireland’s great migration story, but you can tour the Titanic Experience and take a boat to historic Spike Island. Other day tours from Cork bring you by bus to the pretty coastal town of Kinsale, or to Blarney Castle, a medieval stronghold.
  • Cork to Galway: 4hrs by train
    Leaving Cork, you travel on to Galway via Limerick, on a journey that takes you through the country’s west. Once you arrive in Galway, your two nights in this most vibrant of Irish cities are spent at HYDE Hotel, with the option to upgrade to The Hardiman Hotel.
  • Explore Galway
    There’s a wonderful energy to Galway – most famously in the traditional pubs with their lively music scene, but also in the streets that hum with people and performers. Our self-guided trail will lead you expertly around the city, picking out the best landmarks to visit – St Nicholas’ Collegiate Church and the Spanish Arch are two of our favourites – as well as the best places to sample its famous seafood and to see its uplifting, brightly painted houses.

    If you’re keen to explore beyond the city, we suggest a boat trip that takes in the Aran Islands – with their rugged beauty and renowned knitwear – and the towering natural masterpieces that are the Cliffs of Moher. Daily boats depart Galway between April and mid-September.

Accommodation

Our chosen hotels are highlights in their own right – whether for their history, style, location or superb service.

In some places, we work with more than one hotel, as shown below. All are hand-picked by us and, unless there is a price implication (in which case we will contact you to discuss your options), we will tell you which one we have booked for you on your booking confirmation.

Wherever you stay in Dublin and Galway, we recommend an extra night so that you have more time to explore.

We also offer an upgrade version of the holiday. Please indicate your preference at the time of booking.

Extend your stay

Prices & travel options
All prices are in £ sterling (GBP). If you'd like to see what they equate to in your currency, use the converter. For general information on pricing, see the 'your holiday price explained' page.
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  • 7 nights: 01 January 2025 - 31 December 2025 & 01 January 2026 - 31 December 2026

    Start any day | End by latest date(s) shown above

    Starting Price *
    23 - 27 Jul 2025 from £1503
    28 Jul - 7 Sep 2025 from £1468
    8 - 25 Sep 2025 from £1463
    26 Sep - 31 Oct 2025 from £1418
    1 Nov - 24 Dec 2025 from £1318
    1 - 30 Apr 2026 from £1036
    1 - 31 May 2026 from £1136
    1 - 30 Jun 2026 from £1136
    1 - 31 Jul 2026 from £1111
    1 - 31 Aug 2026 from £1061
    1 - 30 Sep 2026 from £1096
    1 - 31 Oct 2026 from £1011

    * Final price is subject to change due to the customisable nature of our holidays. We will contact you to confirm the final price based on your selections.

    Includes accommodation, meals, travel between hotels and any other services integral to the holiday as described, plus a detailed information pack, but no travel from the UK, nor any connecting travel from the airport unless stated below.

    Book your flights through us and we'll find the best route and times to suit you. Please contact us to find out more about our flight booking service. We can also book connecting travel - see below.

  • RECOMMENDED AIRPORT(S):
    Dublin

    Travelling from the UK

    Travelling from outside the UK

    If you are flying from outside Europe,  we recommend flying via Dublin. To discuss onward connecting travel to the start of your holiday, please contact us.

    Travelling from outside the UK
    We have many years' experience catering for customers who live outside the UK, and will be happy to make tailored arrangements to fit with your plans.

    You have two options:

    1) Book your own flights to London, from where we can book flights and onward connecting travel to your hotel.

    2) Book your own flights direct to an airport appropriate to your chosen holiday. You can either make your own way from the airport to the hotel, or we'll be happy to book onward connecting travel for you. Please consult with us before booking your flights, so that we can advise you on the suitability of your proposed route and timings.
    Outward route Airline
    Aberdeen - Dublin Ryanair,  Various carriers (contact us) 
    Outward route Airline
    Birmingham - Dublin Ryanair 
    Outward route Airline
    Bristol - Dublin Ryanair 
    Outward route Airline
    Nottingham East Midlands - Dublin Ryanair 
    Outward route Airline
    Gatwick - Dublin Ryanair 
    Outward route Airline
    Luton - Dublin Ryanair 
    Outward route Airline
    Stansted - Dublin Ryanair 
    Outward route Airline
    Manchester - Dublin Ryanair 
    Outward route Airline
    Newcastle - Dublin Ryanair 
    Travelling from outside the UK

    If you are flying from outside Europe,  we recommend flying via Dublin. To discuss onward connecting travel to the start of your holiday, please contact us.

    This list of flight options should be used as a guide only, and you should check each airline’s website for current routes, frequency and schedules. Not all flights operate daily, and may not run for the entire season. You should also heed the latest flight arrival time and earliest flight departure time, as it may not be possible to arrange connecting travel outside these times. Please do not book your flights until we have confirmed your accommodation to you. Alternatively, our expert reservations team will be happy to offer advice and to make flight bookings for you for any of the options listed above. We charge £35 per person for our flight booking service. Your flights are then covered by our package-booking conditions, which give you greater protection in the event of delay or cancellation, as well as providing ATOL cover.

  • Prices below are based on 2 people travelling together. If you are travelling solo or as a party of 3 or more and our arrangements include a taxi, please contact us for prices; additional passengers often pay less.

    Unless otherwise stated, connecting travel by rail or bus tend to be from the city centre station, rather than from its airport, and connections between the two should be paid for locally.

    Where a price range is given, the price you pay depends on your date of travel.

    Connecting travel options - flying via Dublin

    Outward route Price per person Latest flight
    arrival time
    own travel arrangements from airport to hotel pay locally flexible
    Homeward route Price per person Earliest flight
    departure time
    bus Galway to Dublin airport (2h30) £25-£26 flexible
Reviews

If you've experienced this holiday first hand, why not write a review?

We are keen for as many customers as possible to review their holiday. To make it easier to do so, we include a specific review section on our post-holiday questionnaire, and this is what we publish here, unedited. Read our full review policy >

FAQs

If you have any questions relating to this or any other Inntravel holiday, our friendly travel experts will be happy to help. You might also find our General FAQs section helpful.
  • The information that we send to you 2-3 weeks before your holiday includes practical information about each stage of your journey so that you can travel confidently from one hotel to another, recommendations for places to visit and eat out in each place, plus cultural information about the area. Where applicable, we also provide notes for a self-guided walking tour of most cities, and some large towns. Sample travel pack >
  • We can book a wide range of routes from the UK with a variety of airlines. As well as being more convenient for you to book all elements of your holiday together, it also means that we’ll accept liability for your travel arrangements, so if things go wrong, such as the airline going bust, we’ll make suitable alternative arrangements for you. The fee for this service is £35 per person (£15 for children aged 2-11). More information on flights >
  • We can’t book flights that originate outside the UK, but if you wanted to book your own flights to London (or elsewhere in the UK), we can make all onward travel arrangements (including flights) from there. More information about how we can tailor holidays for customers outside the UK >
  • Once you’ve decided on your exact itinerary (our travel experts will be happy to offer advice), you need to provide us with your party’s details, either by phone or via our booking form. At this point we also ask you to pay a deposit so that we can secure a room for you immediately on confirming availability with the hotel(s). If it turns out that we can’t secure the accommodation for the holiday you’ve requested, or offer an acceptable alternative, we’ll refund your deposit promptly and in full. After booking your accommodation and other key elements, we'll then book your travel (or you can do so if you’re making your own arrangements) and send you a Booking Confirmation and Invoice.

    More information about the booking process >
    Information about accommodation, general practicalities and more >
    Booking conditions >
  • Yes, it’s something we insist on, even for holidays in the UK. The vast majority of holidays go smoothly, but when things go wrong, it can be expensive to put them right. Buying a new pair of walking boots after your suitcase is stolen mightn’t seem so bad, but the bill for being airlifted down from a mountain with a broken leg or flown home while still recovering from an illness or accident can incur a five or six-figure bill.

    Many insurers offer travel insurance (you can find details on our insurance page of a policy that you may like to consider if you are a UK resident), but you do need to make sure that you’re covered for medical emergencies – including falling ill with Covid-19 while on holiday – and repatriation. We also recommend that you are covered for other eventualities, such as cancellation and loss of luggage and passports.

    When you purchase a policy, be sure to check that it covers the activities you'll be doing on holiday and that it is adequate for your own individual needs.
  • It is your responsibility to ensure you are in possession of the correct travel documents, with the correct validity. If you’re a British citizen, you do not need a passport nor visa to travel to Ireland, but some carriers and airlines might require identification, and proof of British nationality may also be required on entry (please check the Ireland Citizens Information Board for guidance on acceptable ID). If you are a citizen of another country, you’ll need to check requirements with the national embassy or your own consulate.

    Current information regarding vaccinations and travel health advice for UK citizens can be found through the Travel Health Pro website. You must make sure you have adequate insurance cover for illness, accidents and repatriation (see the insurance question). You should also apply for a Global Health Insurance Card (GHIC) if your EHIC has expired (if you have a still-valid EHIC, you can use this until it expires).
  • The principal language is English, though Irish is spoken as a first language in certain areas. The currency is the Euro. Irish time is GMT/UTC. It uses Daylight Saving Time, so in summer is on BST.
  • For information on the practicalities of travel now that the UK is no longer part of the European Union, visit www.gov.uk/visit-eu-switzerland-norway-iceland-liechtenstein.
  • The UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) provides up-to-date, country-by-country travel advice, as well as information on security, local laws, passports and visas for UK citizens.

    If you live outside the UK, see our essential travel information page for a list of relevant websites.
Price from
£1,011pp | 7 nights
Irish Cities Explorer: Dublin to Galway by Rail. 7 nights
Price from
£1,011pp
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