Travel by train & ferry to Dublin
London To Dublin Package
Slow travel is all the craze these days! Go Car Free, Carefree and travel in comfort and at a leisurely pace.
Travel to Ireland the classic route by rail through the heart of England, along the lovely North Wales Coast and then on the world’s largest cruise ferry to Dublin City Centre.
Spend three nights in a 3*/4* standard hotel in Dublin City Centre and return to London – All in four days!
- Return Rail & Ferry London to Dublin.
- Transfers from Dublin Ferryport to City Centre Hotel.
- City Sightseeing Dublin Tour.
- 3 Nights Dublin 3*/4* Standard Hotel.
- Full Irish Breakfast.
$927pps
"“You’ll Love These Guys Even If You Dislike Group Journeysâ€"
Jan 2017 by Jade_Royale
There are countless stunning places in the world—Ireland being one of the most enchanting—but what made our visit outstanding was the remarkable Irish people. Our hosts from Railtours were top-rate in just about every respect. These eloquent, gracious and knowledgeable men and women are all retired from their professions and it’s obvious that they absolutely love hosting visitors to Ireland:
Brian accompanied us from Dublin to Cork & Cobh and impressed us with the detailed history of the areas we visited; Margaret ensured we got comfortably from Cobh to Killarney and gave us an insight into Irish family life and values; Paddy was with us at the Ring of Kerry and again in Northern Ireland and was so much fun to tease about allegedly being a leprechaun in disguise; Owen, “The Transfer Engineer in Galway” made us laugh for two days and thoughtfully orchestrated an earlier departure from Galway to escape a rainy day without our asking (can he read minds?).
Andy, who occasionally acts in plays and movies, was tremendous fun when he accompanied us in Limerick/Cliffs of Moher and again when we returned from Galway to Dublin… his singing, sense of humor, knowledge about various subjects and curiosity about other cultures brightened long journeys.
We also had a great time with Ray, who picked us up when we arrived in Dublin and sent us off when we departed. We were impressed with Railtours from the outset, when we were met in London at the start of our 10-day journey completely by land and sea. I’m afraid I forgot the name of our excellent host in London but he was efficient and thoughtful.
The logistics and organization behind the scenes were superb too. The devil is the details and so is heaven: They got the museum in Cobh to open just for the six of us on a public holiday. On the trains, we always got eight seats for two of us plus a host. The itinerary was sensitively planned and took into account that we would appreciate some rest every now and then after dragging our luggage all over Ireland. Even when the “group” consisted of just two of us, a host was always there to accompany us.
But don’t expect all the hosts to have doctorate-level technical details of history, geology, theology, etc the same way that guides on the Egyptian Nile River have PhDs in Egyptology. It wouldn’t be fair to expect that of every Railtours host. Having said that, I came away knowing much more about the etymology of English terms and words, Irish and European history, etc than I asked for.
On numerous occasions, we joined non-Railtours groups probably because there were just two of us… it was January and gorgeously clear and sunny but winter nonetheless. Much of the time, these external programs were well-selected. We particularly enjoyed Martin’s rich commentaries on Connemara and Kylemore Abbey, and Mark’s fabulously hilarious journey to the Giants Causeway. At the end of the two trips, both gentlemen ensured that we got to the train station punctually to avoid a three-hour wait for the next train. No mean feat when the groups had 30-40 people, and I suspect that our Railtours hosts influenced the effort. Well done.
This is the first time my sister or I have ever joined a group; they tend to be unappealing. But Railtours made the group format surprisingly enjoyable, personalized and sufficiently immersive for an introductory visit. The “first class” in Railtours Ireland Frist Class is apt!
Visited January 2017
- Return Rail & Ferry London to Dublin.
- Transfers from Dublin Ferryport to City Centre Hotel.
- City Sightseeing Dublin Tour.
- 3 Nights Dublin 3*/4* Standard Hotel.
- Full Irish Breakfast.
1
London to Dublin
Dublin City Centre Hotel
Check-in is 20 minutes prior to Train Departure Time - look for our check-in hosts in the yellow jackets!
Check-in at London Euston Station at the Network Rail Mobility Assistance Reception for the 09:02 departure of your train direct to Holyhead. You will be met by your Railtours Ireland host and escorted into your reserved seats.
Your train, complete with snack car/bar will speed through the heart of England and along the North Wales coast to reach Holyhead in just 3 hours and 40 minutes. Holyhead rail station is also the cruise ferry terminal so after a short bus transfer to the berth you walk onto the ship – The Irish Ferries ‘Ulysses’ to Dublin.
Enjoy an invigorating 3 hours and 15 minute voyage across the Irish Sea to Dublin. Facilities on board the ship include a range of restaurants and bars, a 2-screen cinema and a traditional promenade deck, from where you can enjoy the fresh sea air.
Arrive into Dublin at 17:25hrs where you will be welcomed by your Railtours Ireland host and transferred to your hotel in Dublin City Centre for a 3-night stay.
2
Discover Dublin at your leisure
Dublin City Centre Hotel
FULL IRISH BREAKFAST INCLUDED
Free to discover Dublin with your 48hr Hop-On-Hop-Off Bus Tour ticket.
The popular tour, the 2-day Hop-On Hop-Off Tour, is offered with both live and multilingual commentary. All drivers are Fáilte Ireland approved, which means that not only are they great story tellers, they're also brimming with information and history of Dublin's past, and will have you laughing all the way around the tour route.
3
Discover Dublin at your leisure
Dublin City Centre Hotel
FULL IRISH BREAKFAST INCLUDED
Free to discover Dublin with your 48hr Hop-On-Hop-Off Bus Tour ticket.
The popular tour, the 2-day Hop-On Hop-Off Tour, is offered with both live and multilingual commentary. All drivers are Fáilte Ireland approved, which means that not only are they great story tellers, they're also brimming with information and history of Dublin's past, and will have you laughing all the way around the tour route.
4
Dublin to London
FULL IRISH BREAKFAST INCLUDED
Your Railtours Ireland host will transfer you to the Dublin ferry port.
Dublin – London (via Irish Ferries Ship - Ulysses):
Monday-Saturday: 08:05am Depart Dublin by cruise ferry.
11:30: Arrive Holyhead by ferry.
12:38: Depart HolyHead Direct.
16:38: Arrive London Euston Station
Sunday: 08:05am Depart Dublin by cruise ferry.
11:30: Arrive Holyhead by ferry.
12:38: Depart HolyHead and change at Crewe.
16:44: Arrive London Euston Station.