Northern Ireland Including Giant's Causeway Rail Tour from Dublin





Description
Sit back and relax on this combined rail and coach day trip from Dublin to Northern Ireland. With all your travel arrangements organized for you, you'll see Belfast and visit the famous coastal landscape known as the Giant’s Causeway, with its stunning basalt columns.
Tour Options
Itinerary
Photo stop
We spend about 2 hours at the Giant's Causeway where there are about 40,000 interlocking basalt columns resulting from a volcanic eruption. It was declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1986 and is owned and managed by the National Trust.
Highlights
What's included
Traveller Ratings
Important Information
- Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
- Service animals allowed
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries
- Not recommended for pregnant travelers
- Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
- Check in at 6:30AM! Train departs at 6:50am & it does not wait. Our yellow check-in stand is located in the main concourse area at Connolly Station where our representative will be waiting for you in their BRIGHT yellow jacket!
- Due to operational reasons it may, on occasion, be necessary to alter certain itineraries.
- Children U16 cannot book independently. They must be accompanied by a parent/guardian at all times.
- WHEELCHAIR POLICY: Our tours are a combination of train and luxury coach and include a moderate level of physical activity, such as short walks to meeting points etc. Unfortunately even the most modern luxury coaches (buses) are not wheelchair friendly, thus our tours are not suitable for those with mobility issues, and regretfully walkers, wheelchairs and mobility scooters cannot be accommodated on our tours.
- This tour offers stops en route for photographs, shopping, etc.
Reviews(329)
We had a great time on this tour! John met us at the train station and walked us through every step. It was such a relief to not have to navigate anything - he took care of it all! John was very friendly and had so much information to share. He was also happy to answer all of our questions about Ireland and even gave us some helpful tips for upcoming sightseeing we had planned. We could not recommend John more - he was a highlight of this tour. The Giant’s Causeway was breathtaking. You’re able to go right out on the rocks and explore a bit, and there is an optional trail that allows you to see even more of the landscape. We would highly recommend this tour - especially if you are lucky enough to get John as your tour guide!
The Emerald Pullman 7-Day Tour of Ireland was an outstanding experience from start to finish. The tour was exceptionally well organized, allowing us to relax and enjoy every moment while experiencing the very best of Ireland. The excursions were thoughtfully selected and provided a wonderful mix of history, culture, scenery, and local charm. From breathtaking landscapes to fascinating towns and cities, the tour offered a fantastic “big picture” view of Ireland while still allowing us to appreciate the unique character of each destination. What truly made the experience special was the team. They were witty, knowledgeable, professional, and incredibly helpful throughout the journey. Their stories, insights, and good humor brought Ireland to life and made every day enjoyable. If you’re looking for a stress-free way to experience the beauty, history, and spirit of Ireland, I highly recommend the Emerald Pullman tour. It exceeded our expectations and created memories we’ll cherish for years to come.
Hello Silvio, Thank you very much for your wonderful review! We were delighted to welcome you on boar our very special Emerald Pullman and we are so happy to hear you had a fabulous experience. Your kind words about the tour and the team are very much appreciate and have been passed on. We hope to welcome you back again some day! Kind regards, The Railtours Ireland Team
The guides were really good. We actually did the 8 day Emerald Pullman that toured all over Ireland and Northern Ireland. Only negative was the bus portion but this is mainly because I tend to get motion sickness. The sites visited were great and there really isn’t any other way to get to the locations.
Dear Grantley, Thank you very much for your lovely review about our Emerald Pullman 8-day Railcruise of Ireland! We are so glad to hear you enjoyed the tour and we hope we will have the pleasure of welcoming you both back to Ireland again some day. Kind regards, The Railtours Ireland Team
My trip to the Giants Causeway was fantastic, it was my first time up there. from the moment we got to the train station to minute we got off the tour bus everything was great, the coach driver was great with his information of the local areas and had a great sense of humour and he even looked for people who were late back to the bus, the tour guide coming home was drunk because he was with a different group of people all day, so me and my son couldn’t wait to get away from them.
Met Ian at Connelly Station with our small group. The train ride was very comfortable and after just over 2 hours we arrived in Belfast. The coach was not crowded and was quite comfortable. After a couple of short scenic stops, including lunch and the Bushmill Distillery, we arrived at the Giants Causeway. The driving rain and 30 mile per hour winds added to the experience. A couple more quick stops and we were back at Belfast Central Station. Had a wonderful conversation with Ian for the 2 hour return ride!
Dear James, Thank you for your wonderful review about our Giants Causeway tour! We are very happy to her you had a great time, and that the weather added to the experience! I will pass on your kind words to Ian. He will be delighted to receive your compliments. We look forward to seeing you again soon! Kind regards, The Railtours Ireland
Everything was on spot! We traveled from Florida and my friend from St Louis. We did not know what to expect. Ian our tour guide is so full of knowledges and made us feel very welcome. We were very lucky to have him. The sights were so amazing. Just how I pictured Ireland to be. Thank you “IAN our lucky charm.”
Dear Lisa, Thank you for your lovely review! We are delighted to hear you enjoyed our Giant's Causeway tour from Dublin! Your complimentary remarks about our host, Ian are very much appreciated and will be passed on. We look forward to welcoming you back on tour with us soon! Kind regards, The Railtours Ireland Team
We saw a lot on this tour including the Irish coast along with the main event, the Causeway. David was a super guide. Friendly knowledgeable and answered all of our questions including general question about Irish life and culture. John, the Allen’s driver was very knowledgeable and we learned alot with some entertainment. Hiw he pushed that bus around the narrow roads through the hedgerows and avoiding oncoming buses, I dont understand but was glad he did. Long but excellent day both in content and logistics.
Dear 996deant, Thank you very much for your wonderful TripAdvisor review. It is great to receive such lovely feedback on our tours, and we are delighted to hear you enjoyed our Giant's Causeway, Glens of Antrim, and The Causeway Coastal Route Tour! Thank you for mentioning David and John in your review, we will pass on your complimentary remarks! We look forward to welcoming back on tour with us soon! Kind regards, The Railtours Ireland Team
It was so cool that this is a naturally made thing. I love the little myth that goes along with it. This was an all-day event; you stop for lunch, but I would pack snacks or sandwiches. We did that and it was well worth it. Super amazing experience.
Dear 716lilliank, Thank you very much for your fabulous review! We are delighted to hear you enjoyed our Giant's Causeway, Glens of Antrim and The Causeway Coastal Route Day Tour. Your kind comments are truly appreciated. We hope to welcome you back on tour with us soon! Kind regards, The Railtours Ireland Team
The train ride was lovely as well as Paddy (the tour guide). The check in location was easily visible. The tour itself was a little disappointing. The ride was long with stops that were not mentioned in the itinerary. We were most excited about the cable bridge only to find out it is no longer accessible by coach. We stopped for a view and pictures but sadly that was as close as got. The buffet lunch was excellent at Black Hedges. The tour bus driver drove quit aggressively. At one point, a car in front of the bus pulled over to get out of his way. I enjoyed visiting the Giant causeway but felt this trip was way too long.
Visiting Northern Ireland and the Giant’s Causeway was incredible, but the tour itself was disappointing. The day started early, with a 6:30 AM meeting time for a 7 AM train, but the meeting point at Dublin Connolly Station was unclear. The commuter train to Belfast was part of a fragmented handoff process between multiple guides, making the experience feel disorganized. Once in Belfast, we were transferred to a large bus with assigned seats, where capturing scenic photos proved difficult due to the speed of travel and reflective windows. The biggest frustration was the lunch stop at The Dark Hedges Estate—crowded and inconveniently located across a busy road from the attraction. The food was subpar, adding to the disappointment. The Giant’s Causeway itself was spectacular, but access to the gift shop required a £12.50 National Trust entrance fee, which felt unnecessary. Additionally, our bus driver didn’t park in the designated car park, which confused passengers when they tried to return to the bus. Despite the stunning sights, the tour’s logistics and overall experience left much to be desired. Travelers should be prepared for a long day, returning to Dublin after 9 PM, with several drawbacks along the way.



