Railbookers · Independent rail vacation

Dublin, London, and Amsterdam

Independent rail journey through Dublin, London, and Amsterdam capitals

Illustration of Dublin, London, and Amsterdam

Railbookers runs this 8-day independent rail vacation that begins in Dublin and ends in Amsterdam, with three nights in London in between. Travelers move between the three capitals largely at their own pace, checking into a hotel for two or more nights in each city rather than packing and moving daily. Dublin opens with a small group food tour that stops at Trinity College and traditional pubs for home-cooked Irish dishes. The journey to London on day 3 includes a ferry crossing to Holyhead before continuing on by rail, and day 6 uses the Eurostar to reach Amsterdam. London days mix a hop-on hop-off bus pass and Thames river cruise with a half-day guided tour past Westminster Abbey and St. Paul's Cathedral. In Amsterdam, an included Rijksmuseum visit and canal cruise close out the trip. The pace suits travelers who want the structure of pre-booked rail and hotels with room to explore each city independently.

What to know before you look closer

  • The 16 hotels listed are accommodation options across price tiers and cities, not a fixed sequence of consecutive stays, so which hotel you get depends on the tier and city you select.
  • The Dublin to London leg on day 3 involves a ferry crossing to Holyhead before continuing on by rail, adding a transfer partway through that travel day.
  • The evidence pack lists no departure dates, so we cannot confirm which months this trip actually runs.

Day by day

  1. Day 1

    Your Journey Begins in Dublin

    Welcome to Ireland! Check in at your hotel for a two-night stay and set out to explore the famous Capital. Explore the vibrant centre of Dublin to introduce yourself on your first night, while immersing in the city's fascinating history, lively atmosphere, and rich cultural heritage. Find somewhere local to enjoy some traditional Irish dishes, like a homecooked stew!

  2. Day 2overnight: Dublin

    Dublin

    Today, join a small group food tour and discover Dublin’s rich culinary scene. Begin at historic Trinity College, then stroll through the city while enjoying gourmet breakfast bites with the locals. Visit traditional pubs for classic home-cooked Irish dishes, uncover hidden gems, and even stop by a local speakeasy. After your tour, continue exploring Dublin at your own pace.

  3. Day 3railovernight: London

    Dublin to London

    Enjoy your final breakfast in Dublin, before catching the scenic ferry across to Holyhead, and then on to London by rail. Check-in at your hotel ready for a three-night stay, and then venture on out into the city for an introductory evening in the Capital. Why not take a ride over to Oxford Street and treat yourself to some evening shopping along the famous bustling streets, followed by a leisurely stroll through Hyde Park?

  4. Day 4overnight: London

    London

    Spend a full day discovering the best of London with your hop-on, hop-off bus pass, the perfect way to see the city at your own pace. Ride through bustling streets and take in iconic sights such as the Tower of London, Buckingham Palace, and the Houses of Parliament. Your pass also includes a scenic river cruise along the Thames, offering a unique perspective of landmarks like the London Eye and Tower Bridge. With the freedom to hop on and off at key stops, you can explore the attractions that interest you most before returning to your hotel.

  5. Day 5overnight: London

    London

    After breakfast, set out on a half-day guided tour to uncover the history and charm of London. Settle in for a panoramic drive through the city, where your expert guide will share fascinating stories as you pass iconic sights like Westminster Abbey, the Elizabeth Tower, St. Paul’s Cathedral, and more. Take in the rich blend of old and new as you glide through lively streets and past grand landmarks that have shaped the city’s past and present. The rest of the day is yours to continue exploring at your own pace.

  6. Day 6railovernight: Amsterdam

    London to Amsterdam

    Hop onboard the Eurostar today and ride the rails from one Capital City to another! On Arrival, make your way to your hotel and check in for a two-night stay and enjoy the rest of the day exploring the city at your own leisure. Grab a photo opportunity at the famous iAmsterdam sign to look back on in future years and take a walk through Dam Square – Amsterdam’s iconic landmark, where you can find the Royal Palace, the National Museum and the New Church.

  7. Day 7overnight: Amsterdam

    Amsterdam

    On your second day in the city, enjoy breakfast and then spend your time seeing all the sights you didn’t get a chance to experience yesterday. Start off with a visit to the famous Rijksmuseum located at the Museum Square and beat the busy crowds by going early morning. Afterwards, see Amsterdam from a different perspective when using your included one-hour canal cruise, and enjoy panoramic views of the city. The evening is yours to spend at leisure, so why not try and stop by Anne Frank’s House or the Heineken Brewery Museum?

  8. Day 8rail

    Your Journey Ends in Amsterdam

    Enjoy your final breakfast at your hotel before checking out today and prepare to make your way to the airport or onward journey. If you would like to extend your journey, just ask one of our rail experts for more details.

The moments this trip is built around

  • Day 2A small group food tour of Dublin starts at Trinity College and stops at traditional pubs and a local speakeasy for home-cooked Irish dishes.
  • Day 4A London hop-on, hop-off bus pass includes a Thames river cruise past landmarks such as the London Eye and Tower Bridge.
  • Day 6The Eurostar carries travelers from London to Amsterdam, with time on arrival to see the iAmsterdam sign and Dam Square.
  • Day 7An early visit to the Rijksmuseum is followed by an included one-hour canal cruise for a different view of Amsterdam.

Included

  • Rail as per the itinerary 2 nights hotel accommodation with breakfast in Dublin 3 nights hotel accommodation with breakfast in London 2 nights’ hotel accommodation with breakfast in Amsterdam Ferry from Dublin to Holyhead Small group food tour in Dublin London hop-on, hop-off pass with river cruise Royal London Half-Day Tour Rijksmuseum Fast Track Tickets Amsterdam 1-hour Canal Cruise

Questions travellers ask

Is the rail travel included?
Yes. Railbookers includes rail travel as per the itinerary, plus the ferry crossing from Dublin to Holyhead and the Eurostar from London to Amsterdam.
Is this trip guided or independent?
It is an independent, self-guided rail vacation. Travelers make their own way between cities, though a few local guided tours are included, such as a Dublin food tour and a half-day London tour.
Which hotels are used?
Railbookers offers 16 accommodation options across different tiers and cities, including the InterContinental Dublin, Conrad Dublin, and Hilton Dublin; the exact hotel depends on the tier and city selected.
What is included besides rail and hotels?
The package includes daily breakfast, a small group food tour in Dublin, a London hop-on hop-off pass with a river cruise, a Royal London half-day tour, Rijksmuseum fast-track tickets, and a one-hour Amsterdam canal cruise.
How much walking is involved?
The trip includes city walking tours, a hop-on hop-off bus day in London, and a canal cruise in Amsterdam, so expect a normal amount of city walking and station transfers rather than hikes.

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