Dublin to Cliffs of Moher & Galway: Train & Coach Day Trip

One Train, Two Coasts, and a Castle Built in 1425

You board a train at Dublin Heuston at 7am and spend the day moving between a 15th-century castle, Europe's highest sea cliffs, and a limestone moonscape, with a coach handling the ground between them. Admission to Bunratty is included, as are your train seat and a guide. You get free time in Galway to eat and explore before returning to Dublin by evening.

Step-by-step itinerary

Stops and time at each

1. Bunratty Castle and Folk Park1h 30m · entry included
2. Cliffs of Moher2h · entry included
3. The Burrenpass by

Visit Bunratty Castle, Cliffs, Burren, Galway

• Arrive in Limerick
• Visit Bunratty Castle and Folk Park
• Free time at Cliffs of Moher
• Photo stop at The Burren
• Free time in Galway for dinner and shopping

The experience

"Don't be late. This train leaves at seven and it doesn't wait." That's what the rep in the bright yellow jacket tells you at Dublin Heuston Station at 6:40am, and you realize you're about to spend the next twelve hours moving through Ireland the way it was meant to be seen. The coach and rail day trip from Dublin takes you west toward the Atlantic, starting at Bunratty Castle, which was completed in 1425 and spent centuries in neglect before being restored brick by brick. The folk park there lets you walk through buildings that were dismantled from villages across the region and rebuilt on site. It's less a museum and more a working piece of Irish history you can actually move through.

After Bunratty, the real landscape opens up. You get free time at the Cliffs of Moher, which sit among the highest sea cliffs in Europe, and the wind there is real, not the kind you read about. Then comes the coast road toward Galway, and somewhere along it the driver pulls over so you can photograph the Burren, a national park that the Irish word for "rocky place" actually describes perfectly. It's limestone, lunar, and the flora there has few parallels anywhere else in Europe. The stops aren't rushed. You get time to stand and look, to take the photo that doesn't quite capture it, to understand why people come back to this part of Ireland.

By the time you reach Galway, the day has moved through three distinct landscapes and you've got free time to eat dinner and walk the shops before heading back to Dublin by rail. The whole thing (transport, admission to Bunratty, reserved train seats, a host on the train, a qualified driver-guide) is included. You don't arrange tickets separately or worry about timing the connections. The itinerary does that for you.

What’s included

• Your day includes pickup and qualified driver-guide on the coach, admission to Bunratty Castle and Folk Park, reserved seats on the train from Dublin to Galway, a host accompanying you on the train, and all transport by rail and coach from Dublin Heuston Station.
• An information pack is provided.
• You have free time at the Cliffs of Moher for photos, a photo stop at the Burren, and free time in Galway for dinner and shopping before returning to Dublin by train in the evening.

Before you book

Days and timesMonday and WednesdayDeparts at 07:00

AgesAdult (16 and older) · Child (5 to 15 years) · Infant (under 5)

Meeting point and pickupNo hotel pickup: you go to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.Operator's directions: “Check in is 20 minutes prior to the departure time (6:40AM). Our yellow check-in stand is located close to the Customer Service Desk at Heuston Station where our representative will be waiting for you in their BRIGHT…”

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather or if the minimum number of travelers isn't reached. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated 3 days ago

Good to know

Easy physical levelPets welcomePublic transport nearby

Operated by Railtours Ireland First Class

Is this one for you?Book this if you want to see Ireland's west coast in one day without renting a car or arranging separate train tickets and admission: the early start and fixed schedule pack three major attractions into a single loop from Dublin.

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Top questions

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (5 to 15 years); Infant (under 5).

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24h before the start.

What time does the tour start from Dublin?

Check-in is at 6:40am at the yellow stand near the Customer Service Desk at Dublin Heuston Station. The train departs at 7am and does not wait for late arrivals.

Is admission to Bunratty Castle included?

Yes. Admission to Bunratty Castle and Folk Park is included in the tour price.

How long is the full day trip?

The tour runs from 7am departure until evening return to Dublin, approximately 12 hours total.

Are meals included?

No. You have free time in Galway to purchase dinner and explore. Other stops allow time for photos and shopping but not formal meal breaks.

Can I bring a wheelchair or mobility scooter?

No. The luxury coaches used on this tour are not wheelchair accessible, and the itinerary includes moderate physical activity such as short walks to meeting points. This tour is not suitable for those with mobility issues.

What's included in the tour price?

Qualified driver-guide, information pack, admission to Bunratty Castle, reserved train seats, a host on the train, and all travel by rail and coach from Dublin Heuston Station.

Are service animals allowed?

Yes, service animals are allowed on the tour.

What if the itinerary changes?

Due to operational reasons, certain itineraries may occasionally be altered. You'll be informed of any changes in advance when possible.

Is this tour suitable for all fitness levels?

The tour is suitable for all physical fitness levels, though it does include moderate activity such as short walks between stops and around the attractions.