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Railbookers · Independent rail vacation

The Best of the United Kingdom and Ireland

21-day independent rail and ferry tour of Britain and Ireland

Illustration of The Best of the United Kingdom and Ireland

Railbookers operates this 21-day, 20-night vacation across the United Kingdom and Ireland, combining independent travel with select small-group tours. The trip starts in London with three nights and a Tower of London tour including early access to the Crown Jewels, then heads by train to Cardiff, by train and ferry to Dublin, and on to Belfast, with day trips to the Cliffs of Moher and the Giant's Causeway along the way. After a ferry crossing to Glasgow, the route runs north by train to Fort William for the Jacobite Steam Train across the Glenfinnan Viaduct, then by private driver to Inverness, by train to Edinburgh, and by train again to York before returning to London. Most stops last two nights or more, so travelers unpack rather than living out of a suitcase every night. It suits travelers drawn to castles, historic city centers and coastal landmarks who are comfortable managing hotel check-ins themselves between the included guided days.

What to know before you look closer

  • Day 14, from Fort William to Inverness, is by private driver through the Highlands rather than by train, breaking the otherwise rail-led route.
  • Several cities list multiple hotel options at different tiers (for example, six in Cardiff, three in Dublin); which one you get depends on the tier you choose.
  • The Jacobite Steam Train segment is seasonal; the operator replaces it with a regional train between November and April.
  • The evidence for this trip does not include current departure dates; confirm availability and current pricing with Railbookers before booking.

Day by day

  1. Day 1overnight: London

    Your Journey Begins in London

    Check in for a three-night stay. Hop-on, hop-off bus tour included.

  2. Day 2overnight: London

    London

    Tour of the Tower of London with early access to the Crown Jewels, plus a Thames River cruise.

  3. Day 3overnight: London

    London

    Explore London at your own pace: Westminster, Covent Garden, Big Ben, Buckingham Palace, the London Eye, museums.

  4. Day 4railovernight: Cardiff

    London to Wales

    Train from Paddington to Cardiff, under two hours.

  5. Day 5overnight: Cardiff

    Cardiff

    Hop-on, hop-off tour to Cardiff Castle, St. John's Church, the National Museum Cardiff, and the Principality Stadium.

  6. Day 6railovernight: Dublin

    Cardiff to Dublin

    Train to Holyhead, then a ferry over to Dublin.

  7. Day 7overnight: Dublin

    Dublin

    Guided walking tour uncovering Dublin's Viking origins, fight for independence, and cultural heritage.

  8. Day 8overnight: Dublin

    Cliffs Of Moher Day Trip

    Coach tour through fishing villages, lunch at Gus O'Connors pub, Dunguaire Castle, the Burren, and the Cliffs of Moher, plus Galway's Eyre Square.

  9. Day 9railovernight: Belfast

    Dublin to Belfast

    Train north to Belfast, checking in for a two-night stay.

  10. Day 10overnight: Belfast

    Giant's Causeway Day Trip

    Day trip with Dunluce Castle, the Giant's Causeway, the Dark Hedges, and the Titanic Museum.

  11. Day 11railovernight: Glasgow

    Belfast to Glasgow

    Ferry across to Cairnryan, then a train to Glasgow.

  12. Day 12railovernight: Fort William

    Glasgow to Fort William

    Train to Fort William for a two-night stay. Visit the West Highland Museum.

  13. Day 13railovernight: Fort William

    Jacobite Steam Train

    Scenic train journey through Scottish scenery, across the Glenfinnan Viaduct to Mallaig, then return to Fort William.

  14. Day 14overnight: Inverness

    Fort William to Inverness

    Private driver through the Highlands to Inverness. Visit Inverness Cathedral and the Victorian Market.

  15. Day 15overnight: Inverness

    Isle Of Skye Day Trip

    Day trip crossing Skye Bridge, with lunch and free time, and a visit to Eilean Ban Island.

  16. Day 16railovernight: Edinburgh

    Inverness to Edinburgh

    High-speed train to Edinburgh, under four hours, checking in for a two-night stay.

  17. Day 17overnight: Edinburgh

    Edinburgh

    Guided stroll through the Royal Mile and a visit to Edinburgh Castle, including St Margaret's Chapel, the Crown Jewels, and the Royal Palace.

  18. Day 18railovernight: York

    Edinburgh to York

    High-speed train south to York, under three hours, passing Durham and Berwick-upon-Tweed.

  19. Day 19railovernight: York

    York

    Walk the city walls, visit the National Railway Museum and York Minster, and walk down The Shambles.

  20. Day 20railovernight: London

    York to London

    Final train journey through the English countryside back to London.

  21. Day 21

    Your Journey Ends in London

    Check out of your hotel after breakfast and continue with your travels.

The moments this trip is built around

  • Day 2A guided tour of the Tower of London includes early access to the Crown Jewels, plus a Thames River cruise.
  • Day 8A coach day trip visits fishing villages, Dunguaire Castle, the Burren and the Cliffs of Moher, plus Galway's Eyre Square.
  • Day 10A day trip visits Dunluce Castle, the Giant's Causeway, the Dark Hedges and the Titanic Museum.
  • Day 13The Jacobite Steam Train crosses the Glenfinnan Viaduct on its route from Fort William to Mallaig and back.
  • Day 15A day trip crosses the Skye Bridge to the Isle of Skye, with a visit to Eilean Ban Island.

Included

  • Rail travel in standard class throughout
  • Ferry services between Holyhead and Dublin, Belfast and Cairnryan
  • 4 nights' total hotel accommodation with breakfast in London
  • 2 nights' hotel accommodation with breakfast in Cardiff
  • 3 nights' hotel accommodation with breakfast in Dublin
  • 2 nights' hotel accommodation with breakfast in Belfast
  • 1-night hotel accommodation with breakfast in Glasgow
  • 2 nights' hotel accommodation with breakfast in Fort William
  • 2 nights' hotel accommodation with breakfast in Inverness
  • 2 nights' hotel accommodation with breakfast in Edinburgh
  • 2 nights' hotel accommodation with breakfast in York
  • Hop-on, Hop-off tours in London
  • Guided tour of the Tower of London with Crown Jewels and a Thames River cruise in London
  • Small group walking tour of Dublin
  • Cliffs of Moher, Burren, and Galway Day Trip from Dublin
  • Giant's Causeway and Titanic Museum Day Trip from Belfast
  • Roundtrip journey on the Jacobite Steam Train (seasonal, replaced with the regional train from November - April)
  • Isle of Skye and Eilean Donan Castle Day Trip from Inverness
  • Guided tour of the Royal Mile and Edinburgh Castle
  • York Pass including Hop-on, Hop-off tour

Questions travellers ask

Is the train travel included?
Yes, standard-class rail throughout on UK Rail and Irish Rail, plus ferry crossings between Holyhead and Dublin, and Belfast and Cairnryan.
Is this trip guided or independent?
It combines an independent, self-guided rail vacation with select small-group tours, including guided walks in Dublin and Edinburgh and small-group day trips to the Cliffs of Moher and the Giant's Causeway.
Which cities does the route visit?
London, Cardiff, Dublin, Belfast, Glasgow, Fort William, Inverness, Edinburgh and York, ending back in London.
Are there any non-rail travel segments?
Yes. Day 14 from Fort William to Inverness is by private driver rather than train, and two other segments include a ferry crossing.
Does the Jacobite Steam Train run year round?
No, it is seasonal; the operator substitutes a regional train between November and April.
What is included with the hotels?
Breakfast is included throughout: 4 nights total in London, 2 in Cardiff, 3 in Dublin, 2 in Belfast, 1 in Glasgow, 2 in Fort William, 2 in Inverness, 2 in Edinburgh and 2 in York.

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