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Authentic Europe · Self-guided

The Irish City Highlights Tour

Self-guided 8-day rail trip through Dublin, Belfast and Galway

Illustration of The Irish City Highlights Tour

Authentic Europe runs this self-guided, 8-day, 7-night rail trip around Ireland and Northern Ireland, starting and ending in Dublin. After two days at leisure in Dublin, the trip travels to Belfast on day 3 for two more days at leisure, then continues by train on day 5 to Galway on the west coast of Ireland, including a taxi transfer between Dublin's two railway stations along the way. Two days at leisure follow in Galway before the train returns to Dublin on day 7 for departure on day 8. There is no guide traveling with you; each day at leisure is unstructured, and Authentic Europe provides 24/7 phone support instead. Giants Causeway, Game of Thrones sites and the Cliffs of Moher can be added as optional excursions. This suits independent travelers who want fixed hotels and pre-booked train tickets across Dublin, Belfast and Galway on Ireland's west coast, without a guide setting the pace, and who are comfortable arranging their own sightseeing once they arrive in each city.

What to know before you look closer

  • The Merrion Hotel is listed with no city given. Since Belfast (Maldron Hotel Belfast City) and Galway (Clayton Hotel Galway) already have named hotels, this is presumably the Dublin hotel, though the evidence does not say so directly.
  • The Giants Causeway, Game of Thrones sites and Cliffs of Moher excursions named in the highlights are optional add-ons, not part of the included itinerary or price.
  • No current departure dates are listed in the evidence available to us; confirm availability with Authentic Europe.

Day by day

  1. Day 1overnight: Dublin

    Arrival in Dublin, the capital of Ireland

  2. Day 2overnight: Dublin

    Day at leisure in Dublin

  3. Day 3overnight: Belfast

    Travel to Belfast, the capital of Northern Ireland

  4. Day 4overnight: Belfast

    Day at leisure in Belfast

  5. Day 5railovernight: Galway

    Travel by train to Galway on the west coast of Ireland

  6. Day 6overnight: Galway

    Day at leisure in Galway

  7. Day 7railovernight: Dublin

    Return to Dublin by train

  8. Day 8

    Departure from Dublin

The moments this trip is built around

  • Day 3The trip travels from Dublin to Belfast, the capital of Northern Ireland.
  • Day 5The train travels to Galway on the west coast of Ireland, including a taxi transfer between Dublin's two railway stations along the way.
  • Day 7The train returns from Galway to Dublin.

Included

  • 7 nights hotel accommodation in a standard room with private shower or bath/WC, including breakfast
  • Train Dublin – Belfast – Galway – Dublin
  • Taxi between two railway stations in Dublin (Belfast to Galway journey)
  • Electronic travel documentation, including a detailed travel itinerary and travel vouchers
  • 24/7 emergency phone service while travelling

Questions travellers ask

Is this trip guided or independent?
It is self-guided. There is no group leader, only 24/7 phone support if you need help.
Which trains are included?
Intercity rail covering Dublin to Belfast to Galway and back to Dublin, including a taxi transfer between Dublin's two railway stations on the Belfast to Galway leg.
Where does the trip start and end?
It starts and ends in Dublin, with stops in Belfast and Galway in between.
What hotels are included?
Maldron Hotel Belfast City in Belfast, Clayton Hotel Galway in Galway, and The Merrion Hotel (no city given in the evidence, though it is presumably the Dublin hotel).
How much does it cost?
Prices start from 765 EUR per person, about $876 USD, roughly $110 per day.
Are excursions like the Giants Causeway included?
No. The Giants Causeway, Game of Thrones sites and the Cliffs of Moher are listed as optional excursions that can be added, not included in the base price.

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