Authentic Europe · Partly guided tour

Dublin & South Ireland Highlights Tour

Partly guided Dublin, Killarney, and Ring of Kerry rail and coach tour

Dublin & South Ireland Highlights Tour, a rail journey with Authentic Europe

Authentic Europe's Dublin & South Ireland Highlights Tour is a 6-day, 5-night partly guided trip that starts and ends in Dublin, with a stop in Killarney by way of Cork and Cóbh. The first two days are spent in Dublin at leisure, then day 3 travels by train to Killarney via Cork and Cóbh, with included admission to Blarney Castle and Gardens and the Cóbh Heritage Centre along the way. Day 4 is a full day of coach touring around the Ring of Kerry, and day 5 tours the Dingle Peninsula before returning to Dublin. A tour escort accompanies the stations and the train, with English-speaking guides and drivers included per the itinerary, though the escort or guide may change during the trip. Four-star hotels and breakfast are included throughout, with one breakfast served as a takeaway due to an early train departure. This suits travelers who want the ease of a guided tour paired with some independent time in Dublin, especially those drawn to Irish scenery and history.

What to know before you look closer

  • One of the five included breakfasts is a takeaway due to an early train departure.
  • The trip is only partly guided: a tour escort and guides are included per the itinerary, but the evidence notes the escort or guide may change throughout the tour.
  • Most of the touring on this trip is by coach rather than train: only day 3, the transfer from Dublin to Killarney via Cork and Cóbh, is by rail. The Ring of Kerry and the Dingle Peninsula are toured by coach.

Day by day

  1. Day 1overnight: Dublin

    Arrive in Dublin, the capital of Ireland

  2. Day 2overnight: Dublin

    Day at leisure in Dublin

  3. Day 3railovernight: Killarney

    Travel to Cork, Cóbh and Killarney by train

  4. Day 4overnight: Killarney

    Tour the Ring of Kerry

  5. Day 5overnight: Dublin

    Tour the Dingle Peninsula and return to Dublin

  6. Day 6

    Departure from Dublin

The moments this trip is built around

  • Day 3The train journey from Dublin to Killarney includes stops in Cork and Cóbh, with admission to Blarney Castle and Gardens and the Cóbh Heritage Centre.
  • Day 4A full day of coach touring covers the Ring of Kerry.
  • Day 5A day of coach touring covers the Dingle Peninsula before the return to Dublin.

Included

  • 5 nights accommodation in 4-star accommodation with private shower or bath/WC and breakfast (1 of which is takeaway due to an early train departure)
  • Rail journeys and touring by coach as per day-to-day itinerary
  • Tour escort on the stations and on the train. English speaking guides and drivers as per day-to-day itinerary. The tour escort/guide may change throughout the tour
  • 24-hour Hop on Hop off sightseeing ticket for Dublin
  • Admission to Blarney Castle and Gardens and the Cóbh Heritage Centre
  • All taxes and service charges
  • Electronic travel documentation, including a detailed travel itinerary and travel vouchers
  • 24/7 emergency phone service while travelling

Questions travellers ask

Is the train travel included?
Yes, for part of the trip. Authentic Europe includes a train journey from Dublin to Killarney via Cork and Cóbh on day 3; the rest of the touring, including the Ring of Kerry and Dingle Peninsula, is by coach.
Is this trip guided or independent?
It is partly guided. A tour escort accompanies the stations and the train, and English-speaking guides and drivers are included as per the itinerary, though the escort or guide may change during the tour.
What is included besides the hotel and transport?
A 24-hour hop-on hop-off ticket in Dublin, admission to Blarney Castle and Gardens, admission to the Cóbh Heritage Centre, and all taxes and service charges.
What hotel will I stay in?
The evidence names the International Hotel Killarney for the Killarney nights; no hotel is specified for the Dublin nights.
What standard are the hotels?
The included accommodation is described as 4-star, with private shower or bath/WC and breakfast; one breakfast is a takeaway due to an early train departure.
Can I add extra nights?
Yes, in Dublin, from 179 euros per person per night.

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