Railbookers · Independent rail vacation

Dublin, London, Brussels, and Amsterdam

Independent rail journey through Dublin, London, Brussels, and Amsterdam

Illustration of Dublin, London, Brussels, and Amsterdam

Railbookers runs this 10-day independent rail vacation that begins in Dublin and ends in Amsterdam, with stops in London and Brussels along the way. The pace is relaxed, with two or three nights booked in each city rather than a hotel change every night. Dublin's hop-on hop-off pass stops at the Guinness Storehouse, where travelers learn the brewing process and sample beers. Day 3 crosses to England by ferry to Holyhead and train, followed by three nights in London that include a glass capsule ride on the London Eye and a half-day guided tour past Westminster Abbey and St. Paul's Cathedral. Day 6 uses the Eurostar to reach Brussels, where a guided beer-tasting tour explores the city's bars, and day 8 continues by direct high-speed train to Amsterdam for a Rijksmuseum visit and a canal cruise. It suits travelers who want the ease of pre-booked rail and hotels with time to explore each city independently.

What to know before you look closer

  • Amsterdam hotel options range from the Holiday Inn Express to the Sofitel Legend The Grand Amsterdam, and Dublin, London, and Brussels each list several hotel choices too, so the exact tier and hotel depend on what 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 1overnight: Dublin

    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 center of Dublin to introduce yourself on your first night, while immersing yourself 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

    Make the most of your day exploring Dublin using your included hop-on, hop-off bus pass to make your way around the city of Dublin and visit the attractions with ease! Hop off at the Guinness Storehouse, to learn about the famous brewing process, sample beers, and enjoy panoramic views of the city along the way.

  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 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

    Continue exploring the city at your own pace, then enjoy an unforgettable ride on the iconic London Eye. Step into your glass capsule and take in unobstructed, panoramic views of London’s most famous landmarks, from the Houses of Parliament and Big Ben to the Shard and St. Paul’s Cathedral. This elevated experience offers a unique perspective of the city’s skyline before you continue your adventures in London.

  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: Brussels

    London to Brussels

    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 leisure.

  7. Day 7overnight: Brussels

    Brussels

    After breakfast, make your way to pleasure your palate with world-renowned Belgian beers on a beer-tasting tour of Brussels. Accompanied by your guide, educate your taste buds to recognize fine Belgian beer and gain insight into what distinguishes the amber liquid from other beers around the world. Absorb the ambiance of convivial bars and taverns as you explore the thriving beer scene of the city on this enriching tour.

  8. Day 8overnight: Amsterdam

    Brussels to Amsterdam

    Hop onboard a direct high-speed service from Brussels to Amsterdam this morning. 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 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.

  9. Day 9overnight: Amsterdam

    Amsterdam

    On your second day in the city, enjoy breakfast and then spend your time seeing all the sights you did not get a chance to experience yesterday. Start 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?

  10. Day 10rail

    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 2The Dublin hop-on hop-off bus pass includes a stop at the Guinness Storehouse to learn the brewing process, sample beers, and take in panoramic city views.
  • Day 4A glass capsule ride on the London Eye gives panoramic views of the Houses of Parliament, Big Ben, the Shard, and St. Paul's Cathedral.
  • Day 6The Eurostar carries travelers from London to Brussels for a two-night stay.
  • Day 7A guided beer-tasting tour explores Brussels's bars and taverns, tasting fine Belgian beer.
  • Day 9An early visit to the Rijksmuseum is followed by an included one-hour canal cruise through 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 Brussels 2 nights hotel accommodation with breakfast in Amsterdam Ferry from Dublin to Holyhead Dublin Hop-on, Hop-off Bus Pass London Eye Skip the Line Tickets Royal London Half Day Tour Belgian Beer Tasting Tour Rijksmuseum Fast Track Tickets Amsterdam 1 hour Canal Cruise

Questions travellers ask

Is the rail travel included?
Yes. Railbookers includes rail travel per the itinerary, plus the ferry crossing from Dublin to Holyhead, the Eurostar from London to Brussels, and a direct high-speed train from Brussels to Amsterdam.
Is this trip guided or independent?
It is an independent, self-guided rail vacation. A few local guided tours are included, such as the Royal London half-day tour and the Belgian beer-tasting tour in Brussels.
Which hotels are used?
Several hotel options are listed for each city, ranging from the Holiday Inn Express to the Sofitel Legend The Grand Amsterdam; the exact hotel depends on the tier and city you select.
What is included besides rail and hotels?
Daily breakfast, a Dublin hop-on hop-off bus pass, skip-the-line London Eye tickets, a Royal London half-day tour, a Belgian beer-tasting tour, Rijksmuseum fast-track tickets, and a one-hour Amsterdam canal cruise.
How much walking is involved?
The trip includes hop-on hop-off city touring, a guided half-day tour in London, and a walking beer-tasting tour in Brussels; no hiking or altitude activity is mentioned.

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