Dublin to Kilkenny Castle & Waterford Crystal Rail Tour

The Times Square New Year's Eve Ball is made here, and you'll watch it happen.

A full-day guided rail tour from Dublin takes you through Ireland's scenic southeast to Kilkenny and Waterford, with reserved train seats, a live English-speaking guide, and admission to the Waterford Crystal Visitor Centre included. You arrive in Kilkenny at 9:00am for a guided walk through its medieval limestone streets, then travel to Waterford to see craftsmen blowing and cutting crystal by hand. The return journey follows the scenic Suir Valley back to Dublin. Check in at Heuston Station by 7:00am. The train departs at 7:20am and does not wait.

Step-by-step itinerary

Rail tour to Kilkenny and Waterford

• Travel by train from Dublin to Kilkenny
• Meet at Kilkenny Castle front gate
• Explore Kilkenny medieval streets
• Visit Church of Ireland Cathedral of St Canice
• Enjoy free time in Kilkenny pubs
• Travel by train from Kilkenny to Waterford
• Tour Waterford Crystal Visitor Centre
• Return by scenic rail through Suir Valley

The experience

You start early: check-in at Heuston Station is 7:00am, and the train leaves at 7:20am sharp. A guide meets you there and stays with the group for the full day. The train carries you southeast through the Irish countryside to Kilkenny, arriving at 9:00am. Kilkenny is built almost entirely of black limestone (the reason locals call it the Marble City), and the medieval streets cluster around Kilkenny Castle, where your guide leads a walking tour through the old town. You get free time to explore on your own, grab food at one of the pubs on High Street, or visit St Canice's Cathedral if you want to linger.

From Kilkenny, the tour moves on to Waterford, a Viking city on the River Suir. The Waterford Crystal Visitor Centre is your main stop here. This is not a shop or a museum behind glass. You walk into the working factory and watch craftsmen at their benches doing the traditional tasks of blowing and cutting the crystal. These are the same people who produce the pieces that end up in Times Square for the New Year's Eve Ball. The visitor centre shows you how the work happens, and you can buy pieces if you want to take something home.

The return train takes you back through the Suir Valley in daylight, so the scenery works both ways. The full day runs 12 and a half hours from check-in to the end of the tour. Reserved seats on both trains mean you don't queue or hunt for a place. Your guide handles the logistics. An information pack is included, and the tour is built for anyone with a moderate level of fitness. There are short walks to meeting points and around the towns, but nothing strenuous.

What’s included

• Reserved seats on both trains.
• return rail tickets from Dublin.
• a live English-speaking guide for the full day.
• admission to the Waterford Crystal Visitor Centre where you watch craftsmen at work.
• an information pack.
• and free time to explore Kilkenny's medieval streets on your own.

Before you book

Days and timesFridayDeparts at 07:20

Book up to14h before

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

GroupUp to 41

Live guideEnglish

Meeting point and pickupNo hotel pickup: you go to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.

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

Prices and times updated 4 days ago

Good to know

Moderate physical effortStroller-friendlyPets welcomePublic transport nearby

Operated by Railtours Ireland First Class

Is this one for you?Book this if you want guided storytelling woven through three stops without managing train schedules yourself, and your English is comfortable enough to follow live commentary.

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Top questions

Can children come?

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

What time do I need to arrive at Heuston Station?

Check-in is 7:00am at the yellow stand near the Customer Service Desk, where a representative in a bright yellow jacket will be waiting. The train departs at 7:20am and does not wait for late arrivals.

What exactly do I see at the Waterford Crystal factory?

The Waterford Crystal Visitor Centre lets you watch craftsmen at work blowing and cutting the crystal by hand: the same traditional techniques used to make the pieces that hang in Times Square for New Year's Eve. You see the process, not just the finished product.

How much free time do I get in Kilkenny?

After the guided walk through the medieval streets, you have free time to explore the town on your own, eat at one of the pubs, or visit St Canice's Cathedral before the group moves on to Waterford.

Is entry to Kilkenny Castle included in this tour?

The tour includes a guided walk around Kilkenny's medieval streets, but entry to Kilkenny Castle itself is not included in the standard tour. You can add it at checkout if you want to go inside.

What's included in the price?

The tour includes reserved seats on both trains, return rail tickets, admission to the Waterford Crystal Visitor Centre, a live English-speaking guide for the full day, and an information pack. Food, drinks and gratuities are not included.

Do I need to arrange my own transport to Heuston Station?

Hotel pickup is not included, so you'll need to make your own way to Heuston Station by 7:00am. Public transportation options are available nearby if you don't have a car.