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Euroventure · Self-guided rail holiday

Best of the UK & Ireland

21-day self-guided rail loop London to Liverpool via Edinburgh, Dublin, Belfast

Illustration of Best of the UK & Ireland

Euroventure's 21-day self-guided rail holiday loops through the United Kingdom and Ireland, starting and ending in London. The route connects seven cities: York, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Belfast, Galway, and Dublin via train and ferry, with each stop lasting two to three nights. Days are shaped by your own pace; you might spend a morning exploring York Minster and city walls, then board a 2.5-hour train to Edinburgh, where Arthur's Seat and the Royal Mile await. Glasgow's Kelvingrove Art Gallery, the Titanic Belfast Museum, Dublin's Trinity College and Book of Kells, and Liverpool's Beatles Story Museum anchor each leg. Accommodation, train tickets, ferries, and seat reservations are pre-booked; you navigate with a personalised travel booklet and 24-hour emergency support. This trip suits independent travellers new to rail travel, budget-conscious explorers, and anyone drawn to British and Irish history and cities, with optional guided walks and pub crawls available at each stop.

What to know before you look closer

  • The itinerary includes a ferry from Glasgow to Belfast described as 6 hours, but the day-by-day entry labels it as Belfast/Galway; confirm ferry routing and timing before booking
  • Final hotel tier and specific properties depend on the accommodation tier you select; Euroventure marks them as 'or similar'
  • Day 20 loops back to London from Liverpool by 2.5-hour train, adding travel time to what is marketed as a 21-day trip

Day by day

  1. Day 1overnight: London (3 nights)

    London

    Begin in London; Buckingham Palace, the River Thames, museums, galleries and theatres, plus afternoon tea or fish and chips.

  2. Day 4railovernight: York (2 nights)

    London/York

    4-hour train to York, a medieval city known for its ghost tours. Highlights: York City Walls, York Minster, the Shambles.

  3. Day 6railovernight: Edinburgh (3 nights)

    York/Edinburgh

    2.5-hour train to Edinburgh. Highlights: the Royal Mile, Arthur's Seat, Calton Hill views.

  4. Day 9railovernight: Glasgow (2 nights)

    Edinburgh/Glasgow

    1-hour train to Glasgow. Highlights: Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum, the University of Glasgow, the Necropolis via Glasgow Cathedral.

  5. Day 11overnight: Belfast (2 nights)

    Glasgow/Belfast

    6-hour ferry to Belfast. Highlights: Titanic Belfast Museum, Belfast Castle, St George's Market.

  6. Day 13railovernight: Galway (2 nights)

    Belfast/Galway

    6.5-hour train/transfer to Galway. Highlights: Eyre Square, the Latin Quarter, Salthill Promenade.

  7. Day 15railovernight: Dublin (3 nights)

    Galway/Dublin

    2.5-hour train to Dublin. Highlights: Trinity College and the Book of Kells, Temple Bar, the Botanic Gardens.

  8. Day 18railovernight: Liverpool (2 nights)

    Dublin/Liverpool

    6.5-hour ferry and train to Liverpool. Highlights: Albert Dock, The Beatles Story Museum, Liverpool Cathedral.

  9. Day 20railovernight: London (2 nights)

    Liverpool/London

    2.5-hour train back to London to close the loop, with time to rest or explore further.

The moments this trip is built around

  • Day 1Begin in London with Buckingham Palace, the River Thames, and museums or afternoon tea
  • Day 4Take a 4-hour train to York and explore the medieval city walls and York Minster
  • Day 6Travel 2.5 hours by train to Edinburgh and climb Arthur's Seat or walk the Royal Mile

Included

  • Train tickets from the first to the last city on the route
  • Any Interrail or Eurail passes if required, based on best value
  • All possible seat reservations on high-speed rail, night trains or ferries
  • Accommodation in top-rated, centrally located hostels or hotels, tested by the operator
  • Walking directions between stations and accommodation
  • Travel Disruption Protection (alternative travel if strike or similar disruption)
  • 24hr emergency phone number
  • A personalised travel booklet with maps, language guides and top tips
  • Optional walking tours, pub crawls and other activities at partner hostels
  • Exclusive discounts on attractions across Europe

Questions travellers ask

Is train travel included in the price?
Yes, Euroventure includes train tickets from the first to the last city on the route, any required Interrail or Eurail passes, and all seat reservations on high-speed rail, night trains and ferries.
Is this an escorted tour or self-guided?
This is a self-guided rail holiday. You navigate independently but have access to 24-hour emergency phone support, a personalised travel booklet with maps and language guides, and optional walking tours and activities at partner hostels.
What is included in the price?
The from-price of GBP 1249 includes train and ferry tickets, all seat reservations, accommodation in centrally located hotels or hostels, walking directions to accommodation, Travel Disruption Protection, the travel booklet, and exclusive discounts on attractions.
How many nights will I spend in each city?
London (3 nights), York (2 nights), Edinburgh (3 nights), Glasgow (2 nights), Belfast (2 nights), Galway (2 nights), Dublin (3 nights), Liverpool (2 nights), and a final 2 nights in London.
Do I sleep on the train?
The itinerary does not mention sleeper trains; overnight stops are in hotels or hostels in each city.
How much walking is involved?
This is a city-focused itinerary with walking tours, urban exploration, and sightseeing on foot. Walking directions are provided between stations and accommodation; climbing Arthur's Seat in Edinburgh involves steeper terrain.

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