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Railbookers · Independent rail vacation

Dublin, London, and Edinburgh

Independent rail journey from Dublin to Edinburgh via London

Illustration of Dublin, London, and Edinburgh

Railbookers runs this 10-day independent rail vacation that starts in Dublin and ends in Edinburgh, spending three nights each in Dublin, London, and Edinburgh. The days move at a relaxed pace, with time to settle into each city rather than switching hotels nightly. Dublin includes a Secret Food Tour through traditional pubs and a full-day trip along the Antrim coast to the Giant's Causeway, with stops at Dunluce Castle and the Dark Hedges. Day 4 crosses to England by ferry to Holyhead and train, followed by three nights in London built around a hop-on hop-off bus pass, a river cruise, and a skip-the-line London Eye ticket. Day 7 continues north by rail from Kings Cross Station to Edinburgh, where a skip-the-line Edinburgh Castle ticket and a small-group day trip to Glencoe, Cairngorms National Park, and Loch Ness round out the trip. It suits travelers who want pre-arranged rail and hotels with room to explore each city on their own.

What to know before you look closer

  • Several hotels are listed for each city (five in Dublin, several in London, five in Edinburgh), so the itinerary alone does not fix which specific hotel you get.
  • The Dublin to London leg on day 4 involves a ferry crossing to Holyhead before connecting to a train, adding a transfer partway through that travel day.
  • The Loch Ness boat tour on day 9 is described as something to do 'if you like,' so it reads as optional rather than a guaranteed part of the Highlands day trip.
  • The evidence pack lists no departure dates, so we cannot confirm which months this trip actually runs.

Day by day

  1. Day 1overnight: Dublin

    Your Journey Begins in Dublin

    Welcome to Ireland! Your adventure begins with a two-night stay in the center of Dublin. Settle in at your hotel, then take a stroll along the river or through the famous Temple Bar area for some local pub cuisine.

  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 3overnight: Dublin

    Dublin

    Head north today on a full-day tour from Dublin to discover some of Northern Ireland’s most dramatic highlights. Travel along the stunning Antrim coast to the UNESCO-listed Giant’s Causeway, where you’ll have time to walk among the famous hexagonal basalt columns and take in the wild coastal scenery. Continue with a photo stop at the atmospheric ruins of Dunluce Castle and a visit to the Dark Hedges, made famous by film and television. Round out the day at the Titanic Exhibition in Belfast, tracing the story of the world’s most famous ship before returning to Dublin for the evening.

  4. Day 4railovernight: London

    Dublin to London

    Check out of your hotel in Dublin after breakfast and make your way from Ireland to England. Catch the ferry from Dublin over to Holyhead and connect onto a train that will transport you south to the English capital. Check-in at your hotel for a three-night stay and head out to start exploring! Why not speak to one of our Rail Experts about organizing theatre tickets on the spectacular West End to celebrate your arrival?

  5. Day 5overnight: 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.

  6. Day 6overnight: London

    London

    Spend another full day enjoying the delights of London. Your holiday includes a skip-the-line ticket on the iconic London Eye. Gaze out over London, spotting sights such as the Palace of Westminster, Big Ben, Tower Bridge and the City. Afterwards, why not enjoy a stroll down the banks of the River Thames, spotting the landmarks from a different perspective?

  7. Day 7overnight: Edinburgh

    London to Edinburgh

    Check out of your London hotel after breakfast and make your way to the historic Kings Cross Station for your journey to Edinburgh. Ride the rails north through England, admiring wonderful scenery along the way. On arrival, check-in at your hotel for a three-night stay. This evening be sure to indulge in some traditional Scottish cuisine, such as haggis with tatties and neaps.

  8. Day 8overnight: Edinburgh

    Edinburgh

    Spend a full day in Edinburgh today, experiencing the rich history and thriving modern culture of the Scottish capital. Your holiday includes a skip-the-line entrance ticket to Edinburgh Castle, where you'll be able to glimpse one of the most historic attractions in the country. Marvel at the Crown Jewels in the Royal Palace visit St Margaret's Chapel and gaze out over the rooftops from Castle Rock.

  9. Day 9overnight: Edinburgh

    Edinburgh

    Journey through Scotland today on a tour of the dramatic beauty of the Highlands. Travel through deep blue lochs, quaint villages and towering mountains as you visit Glencoe, Cairngorms National Park and Fort Augustus. There will even be time for a boat tour on Loch Ness if you like! Your local guide will teach you all about the history of the area, and there'll be plenty of time for photo opportunities in one of the most stunning corners of the world.

  10. Day 10rail

    Your Journey Ends in Edinburgh

    Check out of your hotel after breakfast this morning and continue with your travels. If you'd like to extend your holiday, perhaps with an additional day in a different city, one of our Rail Experts can help you make all the arrangements.

The moments this trip is built around

  • Day 3A full-day tour travels the Antrim coast to the Giant's Causeway to walk among its basalt columns, with a photo stop at Dunluce Castle, a visit to the Dark Hedges, and the Titanic Exhibition.
  • Day 5A London hop-on, hop-off bus pass includes a Thames river cruise past the Tower of London, Buckingham Palace, and Tower Bridge.
  • Day 7The rail journey to Edinburgh departs from London's historic Kings Cross Station, riding north through England's scenery.
  • Day 8A skip-the-line ticket to Edinburgh Castle lets visitors see the Crown Jewels in the Royal Palace and St Margaret's Chapel.
  • Day 9A small-group day trip through the Highlands visits Glencoe, Cairngorms National Park, and Fort Augustus, with time for an optional Loch Ness boat tour.

Included

  • 3 nights' hotel stay with breakfast in Dublin 3 nights' hotel stay with breakfast in London 3 nights' hotel stay with breakfast in Edinburgh Rail travel in standard class throughout Ferry from Dublin to Holyhead Dublin Secret Food tour including drinks upgrade Day trip to Giant’s Causeway from Dublin London Hop-on, Hop-off Pass with River Cruise London Eye Ticket with Skip the Line Skip-the-Line Edinburgh Castle Entrance Ticket Loch Ness, Glencoe and the Highlands Small-Group Day Trip from Edinburgh

Questions travellers ask

Is the rail travel included?
Yes. Standard class rail travel is included throughout, along with the ferry crossing from Dublin to Holyhead.
Is this trip guided or independent?
It is an independent, self-guided rail vacation. Several local guided day trips are included, such as the Giant's Causeway day trip from Dublin and the Highlands day trip from Edinburgh.
Which trains are used?
The evidence names Kings Cross Station as the departure point for the London to Edinburgh leg; the Dublin to London leg combines a ferry to Holyhead with a connecting train.
What is included besides rail and hotels?
Breakfast each night, a Dublin Secret Food Tour with a drinks upgrade, a Giant's Causeway day trip, a London hop-on hop-off pass with river cruise, a skip-the-line London Eye ticket, a skip-the-line Edinburgh Castle ticket, and a small-group Highlands day trip to Loch Ness and Glencoe.
How much walking is involved?
The trip includes walking at the Giant's Causeway, touring Edinburgh Castle, and city sightseeing in London and Dublin; no hikes or high-altitude activity are mentioned.

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