Ireland train holiday, wild Atlantic way

No car? No problem! This Wild Atlantic Way rail holiday allows you to see the most attractive sights in the area by rail, with a few transfers. Local guides help you get to know the places you stop beyond the stations.
Wild Atlantic Way train holiday Dublin Kinsale Killarney Ennis highlights of County Clare Galway Guided tours by foot and by boat
Price
£2235To£2335 excluding flights
Convert currency:
Convert prices to approx. UK Sterling Convert prices to approx. US Dollars Convert prices to approx. Euros Convert prices to approx. Canandian Dollars Convert prices to approx. Australian Dollars Convert prices to approx. South African Rand Convert prices to approx. New Zealand Dollars Convert prices to approx. Indian Rupees
Duration
8 Days
Type
Tailor made
Reviews
More info
Price (pp) for 2 adults sharing a double/twin room for 7 nights B&B.
Includes train travel described, private return transfer from Cork to Kinsale, a group foodie walking tour, a guided walking tour, a private tour in Co Care & a boat trip in Galway.
Make enquiry

Description of Ireland train holiday, wild Atlantic way

The Wild Atlantic Way is best known as a coast road for drivers but there’s no reason you can’t explore its best scenery car-free. This train holiday with added transfers takes you to some of the true highlights of the area, including Killarney in the ‘Kingdom of Kerry’, County Clare, and Galway.

With short train journeys – none longer than three hours – there’s plenty of time for exploring off the beaten track. You’ll get guided tours, including a foodie walking tour in Kinsale and a tour of County Clare with a brilliant local guide, where you’ll venture between the Burren and the famous Cliffs of Moher.
The trip ends in Galway, where you can enjoy a boat tour of its famous bay before time in the town.

Exploring Ireland means getting to know the local communities who make these places what they are. There are opportunities to spend the evenings in the pubs, seeking out traditional folk sessions, local seafood, and the obligatory pint of Guinness.

Our partners for this trip make great customer service their goal. Whilst you won’t always be guided on this tour, you’ll always be looked after – and the team will ensure your holiday goes down as smoothly as a Galway oyster.

Map

Price information

£2235To£2335 excluding flights
Convert currency:
Convert prices to approx. UK Sterling Convert prices to approx. US Dollars Convert prices to approx. Euros Convert prices to approx. Canandian Dollars Convert prices to approx. Australian Dollars Convert prices to approx. South African Rand Convert prices to approx. New Zealand Dollars Convert prices to approx. Indian Rupees
Price (pp) for 2 adults sharing a double/twin room for 7 nights B&B.
Includes train travel described, private return transfer from Cork to Kinsale, a group foodie walking tour, a guided walking tour, a private tour in Co Care & a boat trip in Galway.
Make enquiry

Departure information

This trip can be tailor made throughout the year to suit your requirements

Travel guides

Europe railway
Our European railway holidays take joy in the journey. Read our guide for more.
Ireland
Use our travel guide make the most of your time from the Giant's Causeway all the way to the Kerry Way.

Holiday information

Travel flight free
Travelling to Ireland flight-free has never been easier, thanks to the number of ferry routes existing between the Emerald Isle and mainland Britain. The most convenient route for this rail tour would be from Holyhead in North Wales to Dublin. Holyhead is well-connected by the mainline rail network. There is also an overnight service from Liverpool, or you can travel from Cainryan in Southwest Scotland to Belfast and from there connect by express train to Dublin.
Dietary requirements:
We can cater for vegetarian and vegan diets.

Reviews

2 Reviews of Ireland train holiday, wild Atlantic way

3.5 out of 5 stars
SHOW
0
1
1
0
0

Reviewed on 04 Oct 2024 by

1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your holiday?


Not being able to get a rental car.

2. What tips would you give other travellers booking this holiday?


Don't drive in western Ireland. Roads are too narrow and the stress level can be high. The cost of living ( hotels & restaurants ) is like the US. Hard to view the scenery because the roads are all lined with 8 ft. hedges. Terrible signage. A good part in Gaelic so unreadable. Very bad roads ( not so much pot holes but undulating )with a 3 inch shoulder. No place to stop when there is a scenic point. Fairly aggressive drivers against pedestrians and other motorists. Too crowded hotels and restaurants ( at least in Sept. ). No public restrooms along scenic roads and cities. You have to pay for everything!The island has too many tourists and has not adapted yet.

3. Did you feel that your holiday benefited local people, reduced environmental impacts or supported conservation?


Our vacation benefited local people mainly due to tourism. Conservation or environment is not a thing that the Irish worry about.

4. Finally, how would you rate your holiday overall?


Mediocre. The hotels and B & Bs were decent. Food was fine but costly ( we averaged $ 150./night....we don't eat lunch ). This operator was not ready for prime time. If you wish more details let me know.

Read the operator's response here:

Hi Christian, thanks for taking the time to leave us feedback. A member of our senior management has reached out to you to discuss your holiday in more detail.

Reviewed on 23 Sep 2022 by

1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your holiday?


The wonderful coastal and mountain scenery of counties Cork and Kerry, and the traditional music in the pubs. Friendliness of both locals and other tourists.

2. What tips would you give other travellers booking this holiday?


The location of the accommodation determines where you'll be staying each evening. However, any guide-book will be suggesting lots of itinerary possibilities and you could end up wanting to go everywhere and see everything. That would entail a lot of driving and the coastal roads out and along the peninsulas and over mountain passes are narrow and winding so you really can't rush to get to places. Leave yourself plenty of time. Do your research prior to the trip and decide what your must-sees are ahead of arrival.

3. Did you feel that your holiday benefited local people, reduced environmental impacts or supported conservation?


Definitely - we stayed in small-scale, family-run accommodation, ate in local restaurants and booked a folk-concert, boat-trip, and kayak trip locally. It would be difficult to do this trip without driving, unless maybe cycling but maybe the roads are not ideal for that.

4. Finally, how would you rate your holiday overall?


Very good.

Responsible Travel

As the pioneers of responsible tourism, we've screened this (and every) holiday so that you can travel knowing we've worked to maximise the benefits of your holiday to local people and places, and minimise any negative impacts.

Planet

We are constantly increasing our range of public transport holidays to provide options for those who wish to actively choose low-carbon transport options while on holiday. The Wild Atlantic Way is traditionally regarded as a car touring holiday – we have carefully orchestrated this holiday so that you can explore the world-famous scenery without the need to drive.

Where possible, the travel throughout this holiday is by train. Private transfers are only added in order to reach locations beyond the end of the railway line. One of the guided excursions is a walking tour, and another is a boat trip around Galway harbour.

We are members of AITO – The Association of Independent Tour Operators and adhere to their strict environmental code of conduct.

The internet is our main marketing channel. We produce a limited amount of printed materials on request by customers, but we are constantly seeking to reduce our paper documentation where possible. Our preferred method of providing holiday documents is via an app. We also ensure that any leftover marketing materials are recycled.

People

For us, true sustainability is promoting and maintaining a way of life in remote and often rural locations, providing a key source of income for members of the local community. Where possible, we will always work with locally-owned and managed businesses in order to provide an authentic experience in each destination. All transfers and tours are conducted by local people who share our values and commitment to sustainable travel. If available, we always partner with small – usually family-owned – accommodation in each location.

We strive to ensure that interaction with the local community is always at the heart of the experience. Each of the guided excursions in this tour are led by local companies and individuals – some of whom have lived in the area for their entire lives – to ensure that our customers experience each destination with someone who knows its every inch. The jaunting car tour in Killarney, for example, has been run by the same family for generations.

We directly employ a small team in central Glasgow who travel to work by public transport, cycling or on foot. Each member of our staff undertakes at least two educational visits in a year, so we can always recommend and include the best local restaurants and experiences. We stick to our promise that we won’t send you anywhere we haven’t been ourselves. The whole team share our values of environmental and sustainable responsibility.

Popular similar holidays

Ireland holiday by train

Ireland holiday by train

From £1165 - £1795 8 days excluding flights

Discover contrasts of Dublin, Galway and Belfast, car-free

Dublin, Belfast & Causeway Coast guided rail tour

Dublin, Belfast & Causeway Coast guided rail tour

From £2295 - £2350 7 days excluding flights

Visit Dublin, Belfast & the Causeway Coast by train

Wild Atlantic Way guided rail tour in Ireland

Wild Atlantic Way guided rail tour in Ireland

From £2695 - £2750 8 days excluding flights

A fully guided tour around Ireland's famous touring route