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Railbookers · Independent rail vacation

Dublin, London, Paris and Barcelona

Independent rail journey through Dublin, London, Paris, and Barcelona

Illustration of Dublin, London, Paris and Barcelona

Railbookers runs this 13-day independent rail vacation that begins in Dublin and ends in Barcelona, with stops in London and Paris along the way. The pace is relaxed, with three nights booked in each of the four cities rather than a hotel change every night. Dublin's days include a visit to Trinity College's Old Library to see the Book of Kells and a stroll through the grounds of Dublin Castle. Day 4 crosses to England by ferry to Holyhead and train, and London includes a Churchill War Rooms and Westminster tour past the Houses of Parliament and No. 10 Downing Street. Day 7 uses the Eurostar to reach Paris, where a priority access ticket to the top of the Eiffel Tower and a Louvre Museum visit fill the days. Day 10 continues by train to Barcelona, where a tour of Gaudi's Sagrada Familia, including an elevator ride to the towers, closes out the trip. It suits travelers who want pre-arranged rail and hotels across four capitals.

What to know before you look closer

  • Paris and Barcelona hotel lists mix upscale brands like Sofitel and Kimpton with standard chains like Novotel and Holiday Inn, so the exact hotel and comfort level depend on what you select.
  • The Dublin to London leg on day 4 involves a ferry crossing to Holyhead before continuing on by rail, adding a transfer partway through that travel day.
  • The included Louvre Museum ticket cannot be used on Tuesdays, when the museum is closed.
  • 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 three-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

    Make the most of your first full day to explore 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 3overnight: Dublin

    Dublin

    Set out for a day of sightseeing today after breakfast, as today you will visit the Old Library in Trinity College Dublin, Europe’s largest vaulted library, to view the illuminated manuscript of the Book of Kells and discover its intricate symbolism and ornate design. Afterwards, take a stroll through the gardens and grounds of the 12th-century Dublin Castle built by King John, and once the residence of British rule in Ireland.

  4. Day 4railovernight: 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?

  5. Day 5overnight: 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.

  6. Day 6overnight: London

    London

    On your final day in London, take a deeper dive into the History of London today with a visit to the Churchill War rooms and Westminster and gage an in-depth guide to London during wartime, and the life of Winston Churchill. Listen to fascinating historical tales as you pass by the Houses of Parliament, No. 10 Downing Street, Westminster Abbey, Big Ben, and more. After a full day of sightseeing, end the day and treat yourself to some new flavors of food – London has a diverse mix of food cultures, so enjoy an evening at an Indian Restaurant or take an evening stroll to Chinatown.

  7. Day 7railovernight: Paris

    London to Paris

    Hop onboard the Eurostar today and ride the rails from one Capital City to another! Upon arrival in Paris, make your way to check in at your hotel for a three-night stay. The rest of the day is yours, so make the most of your first day and enjoy the thrill of exploring Paris at your own leisure.

  8. Day 8overnight: Paris

    Paris

    After a leisurely breakfast, make your way to one of the most visited monuments in the world, the Eiffel Tower. Skip the queue today with your priority access summit ticket and soak up the stunning views of the French Capital. After viewing the city from high above in the Eiffel, enjoy a new contrast and soak up the city skyline from the river on your included Seine Sightseeing Cruise.

  9. Day 9overnight: Paris

    Paris

    On your final, full day in Paris, it is time to uncover the rest of the romantic city, using your Hop on Hop off bus tickets to navigate your way to the parts of the city left to see! Make your way over to the Louvre Museum today (closed on Tuesdays) to visit some of the most famous art collections in the world, including the famous ‘Mona Lisa’ by Leonardo Da Vinci. Be sure to stop at the Champs-Élysées; A grand boulevard lined with trees, luxury shops, and iconic landmarks, such as the Arc de Triomphe.

  10. Day 10railovernight: Barcelona

    Paris to Barcelona

    Enjoy breakfast at the hotel and then make your way to the station for your train to Barcelona. Upon arrival, check-in at your hotel for a three-night stay and then perhaps head out for some dinner at a local restaurant before retiring to the hotel for a good night’s rest.

  11. Day 11overnight: Barcelona

    Barcelona

    After breakfast embark on a tour of Gaudi's masterpiece, the spectacular Sagrada Familia. You'll also visit the museum to learn more about the history of the building and see a range of related artifacts. Don't forget to check out the views of the city when you ride the elevator to the top! After, spend time wandering along the city’s most famous shopping street, Las Ramblas. This tree-lined boulevard is packed with plenty of street artists, shops, and great places to sit and people-watch.

  12. Day 12overnight: Barcelona

    Barcelona

    Wake up, enjoy a relaxing breakfast at your hotel and get ready for the last day of sightseeing today. A great way to easily get between the sights of the city is by your included City Sightseeing hop-on, hop-off tour. Be sure to make the most of that pass today and navigate the streets of Barcelona with ease! Perhaps explore the beautiful Park Güell today, or head down to the seafront to enjoy some Mediterranean Sea air.

  13. Day 13rail

    Your Journey Ends in Barcelona

    Enjoy a final breakfast this morning before making your way to the airport or station for your journey home. If you wish to extend your holiday, perhaps with an additional day in a different city, one of our Rail Experts will be happy to assist you with the details.

The moments this trip is built around

  • Day 3A visit to Trinity College's Old Library views the illuminated Book of Kells, followed by a stroll through the grounds of the 12th century Dublin Castle.
  • Day 6A tour of the Churchill War Rooms and Westminster covers London during wartime and the life of Winston Churchill, passing the Houses of Parliament and No. 10 Downing Street.
  • Day 8A priority access ticket reaches the summit of the Eiffel Tower, followed by a Seine sightseeing cruise.
  • Day 9A Louvre Museum visit takes in the 'Mona Lisa' by Leonardo Da Vinci, and the day also passes the Champs-Elysees.
  • Day 11A tour of Gaudi's Sagrada Familia includes the museum and an elevator ride to the top of the towers.

Included

  • Rail travel as per the itinerary 3 nights hotel accommodation with breakfast in Dublin 3 nights hotel accommodation with breakfast in London 3 nights’ hotel accommodation with breakfast in Paris 3 nights’ hotel accommodation with breakfast in Barcelona Ferry from Dublin to Holyhead Dublin Hop-on, Hop-off Bus Pass Book of Kells and Dublin Castle tour London Eye Skip The Line Tickets Churchill War Rooms and Westminster Tour Skip-the-Line Eiffel Tower Ticket Scenic Paris River Cruise 2-day Paris Hop-on, Hop-off pass Skip-the-Line Louvre Museum Tickets (Closed on Tuesdays) Barcelona 2-day Hop on Hop off Pass Skip the line tour of Sagrada Familia with Towers access

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 Paris, and a train from Paris to Barcelona.
Is this trip guided or independent?
It is an independent, self-guided rail vacation. Guided tours are included, such as the Book of Kells and Dublin Castle tour and the Churchill War Rooms and Westminster tour.
Which hotels are used?
Multiple hotel options are listed for each city, from upscale brands like Sofitel and Kimpton to standard chains like Novotel and Holiday Inn; the exact hotel depends on the tier and city you select.
What is included in Barcelona?
A 2-day Barcelona hop-on hop-off pass and a skip-the-line tour of the Sagrada Familia with towers access.
How much walking is involved?
The trip includes city walking tours in each of the four cities, museum and landmark visits, and an elevator ride to the top of the Sagrada Familia towers; no hiking or altitude activity is mentioned.

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