Highlights of Ireland — Self-Launched: Dublin to Belfast
9 days · Ireland
G Adventures charges £1,850
No-markup version: ~£680 per person
Estimate only, not a guaranteed price. Always verify costs independently before booking.
This self-launched version of G Adventures' popular Highlights of Ireland itinerary takes you from Dublin to Belfast across 9 days, hitting all the iconic stops — the Ring of Kerry, Cliffs of Moher, Galway, Derry, the Dark Hedges, and Giant's Causeway — without the premium group-tour price tag. Swap the private coach for express buses and trains, and the tour-package hotels for well-rated guesthouses and budget hotels. Ireland is extremely well set up for independent travel, with reliable public transport, excellent hostels, and a pub culture that practically guarantees you'll make friends along the way. All costs are approximate estimates per person.
Day-by-day
Arrive in Dublin
Dublin
Fly into Dublin Airport and make your way into the city centre. The Dublin Express bus runs directly from the airport to the city centre for around £6 (€7). Check into your hostel or budget guesthouse in the Temple Bar or city centre area. Spend the evening getting your bearings — grab a pint in a traditional pub on Dame Street or Stag's Head and soak up the craic. No pre-booking required for your first night out.
🚌Dublin Express airport bus to city centre (~£6)
🛏Generator Dublin or Abbey Court Hostel — dorm from ~£22/night, private room from ~£60/night
- →Arrive and settle in — take the Dublin Express bus from the airport (approx. £6)
- →Evening pint in a traditional pub in Temple Bar or on Dame Street
- →Stroll along the River Liffey and Ha'penny Bridge
Free Day in Dublin
Dublin
A full free day to explore one of Europe's most vibrant capital cities. Walk the cobbled streets of Temple Bar, visit Trinity College to see the Book of Kells (book online in advance to skip queues), and wander through St. Stephen's Green. The Guinness Storehouse is a must-do — book via their website for a discounted rate. In the evening, catch live traditional music in Mulligan's or O'Donoghue's — no ticket required, just show up.
🚌Walking and Dublin Bikes city bike scheme (day pass ~£1.50)
🛏Generator Dublin or Abbey Court Hostel
- →Book of Kells & Trinity College Library — book online, approx. £16
- →Guinness Storehouse self-guided tour — book direct online, approx. £20
- →Free walking tour of Dublin city centre (tip-based, via Sandeman's or similar)
- →Live traditional music session in a local pub — free entry
Dublin to Killarney
Killarney
Take the direct Bus Éireann or Aircoach service from Dublin to Killarney (approx. 3.5–4 hours, ~£18–22 booked in advance via buseireann.ie). Alternatively, the train from Dublin Heuston to Killarney via Irish Rail takes around 3.5 hours (~£25–35 depending on timing). Arrive in Killarney and check in to your guesthouse. Spend the afternoon exploring Killarney town on foot or hire a bike to ride around the lakes. The Killarney National Park is free to enter and spectacular.
🚌Bus Éireann or Irish Rail Dublin → Killarney (~£20–30)
🛏Killarney Railway Hostel or Súgán Hostel — dorm from ~£20/night, private from ~£55/night
- →Bus Éireann or Irish Rail from Dublin to Killarney (~£20–30)
- →Explore Killarney National Park on foot or by rental bike (~£15/day)
- →Killarney town stroll — browse local shops and cafés
- →Evening meal in a local pub — Kerry lamb stew recommended
Ring of Kerry Day Trip
Killarney
Join a shared day-trip bus tour around the Ring of Kerry — the most practical and affordable way to experience this famous 179km coastal route without a car. Several local operators run these daily from Killarney town for around £25–35 per person (try Castlelough Tours or similar via GetYourGuide). Alternatively, hire a bike and tackle a portion of the route or rent a car between a group. Stops typically include Moll's Gap, Ladies' View, Cahersiveen, and Waterville. Return to Killarney for the night.
🚌Shared day-trip coach from Killarney town (~£25–35)
🛏Killarney Railway Hostel or Súgán Hostel
- →Shared Ring of Kerry day-trip bus from Killarney (~£25–35 via GetYourGuide or local operators)
- →Stops at Ladies' View, Moll's Gap, Waterville and coastal viewpoints
- →Optional: Kerry Cliffs viewpoint (small entry fee ~£4)
- →Evening pint back in Killarney
Killarney to Galway — Guided City Walk
Galway
Take the Bus Éireann service from Killarney to Galway (approx. 4–4.5 hours, with a change in Limerick — book via buseireann.ie, ~£20–28). On arrival, check into your hostel in Galway's city centre. Join a free walking tour of Galway to get your bearings (Galway Free Walking Tour departs daily from Eyre Square — tip-based). Spend the afternoon wandering the colourful Latin Quarter, Shop Street, and the Spanish Arch. Galway is famous for its street performers and live music — the evening practically organises itself.
🚌Bus Éireann Killarney → Galway (~£20–28)
🛏Sleepzone Galway or Kinlay Hostel Galway — dorm from ~£20/night, private from ~£55/night
- →Bus Éireann Killarney → Galway (~£20–28)
- →Free tip-based walking tour of Galway city (Galway Free Walking Tour, departs Eyre Square)
- →Explore the Latin Quarter, Shop Street, and Spanish Arch
- →Live traditional music in Tig Coilí or Taffes Bar — free entry
Cliffs of Moher Hike
Galway / Cliffs of Moher
The Cliffs of Moher are an unmissable highlight of the Wild Atlantic Way. Take the Galway to Cliffs of Moher day-trip bus — multiple operators run this daily (Lally Tours, Paddywagon, or via GetYourGuide, approx. £25–35 return including cliff entry). The cliff-top path offers dramatic walking with views stretching to the Aran Islands. The official entry fee to the Cliffs of Moher visitor experience is approx. £8. Many travellers also hike the Burren section of the Cliffs of Moher Coastal Walk — around 18km of stunning cliff-edge trail. Return to Galway for the evening.
🚌Shared day-trip coach from Galway (~£25–35 return)
🛏Sleepzone Galway or Kinlay Hostel Galway
- →Shared day-trip bus Galway → Cliffs of Moher and back (~£25–35 via GetYourGuide or Lally Tours)
- →Cliffs of Moher visitor experience entry (~£8)
- →Cliff-top coastal hike with views to the Aran Islands
- →Optional evening: pub session in Galway's Latin Quarter
Galway to Belfast via Derry and the Dark Hedges
Belfast
This is the longest travel day of the trip. Take the Bus Éireann or GoBus service from Galway to Derry/Londonderry (approx. 4 hours, ~£20–28). Spend a couple of hours in Derry exploring the historic city walls (free to walk), the Bogside murals, and grabbing lunch — Walled City Brewery is a great local spot. Then take the Translink bus from Derry to Ballymoney or Armoy for a detour to the Dark Hedges (a famous avenue of beech trees, made famous by Game of Thrones — free to visit). Continue by local bus or taxi to Belfast to check in for the night.
🚌Bus Éireann/GoBus Galway → Derry (~£20–28), Translink bus Derry → Belfast via Dark Hedges detour (~£10–15)
🛏Global Village Backpackers Belfast or Belfast International Youth Hostel — dorm from ~£20/night, private from ~£55/night
- →GoBus or Bus Éireann Galway → Derry (~£20–28)
- →Free walk along Derry's historic city walls
- →Bogside murals self-guided walk — free
- →Detour to the Dark Hedges by Translink bus or shared taxi (~£8–12)
- →Arrive Belfast — evening explore Cathedral Quarter
Giant's Causeway and Bushmills Distillery
Belfast
Take a shared day trip from Belfast to the Giant's Causeway — the only UNESCO World Heritage Site in Northern Ireland and one of the most dramatic natural landscapes in Europe. Multiple operators run this daily from Belfast (Paddywagon, McComb's Coach Travel, or book via GetYourGuide — approx. £25–35 including entry to the Causeway visitor centre). Most tours also stop at Bushmills Distillery — the world's oldest licensed whiskey distillery — for a guided tour and tasting (book in advance, approx. £15). Return to Belfast in the early evening to explore the Titanic Quarter.
🚌Shared day-trip coach Belfast → Giant's Causeway → Bushmills → Belfast (~£25–35)
🛏Global Village Backpackers Belfast or Belfast International Youth Hostel
- →Shared day trip Belfast → Giant's Causeway (~£25–35 via GetYourGuide or Paddywagon)
- →Giant's Causeway visitor experience entry (~£13.50 — National Trust, free for members)
- →Bushmills Distillery guided tour and tasting (~£15)
- →Evening: free self-guided Titanic Quarter walk in Belfast
Depart Belfast
Belfast
Depart at any time. If you have time before your flight or onward journey, explore the Titanic Museum (book in advance, approx. £20) or take a free Black Taxi Tour of the Peace Walls and murals (shared taxi, approx. £10–15 per person). Belfast City Airport is a short taxi ride from the city centre (~£10); George Best Belfast City is also served by Translink buses. Dublin Airport is approx. 2 hours by GoBus or Translink/Bus Éireann (~£15–20) if you're flying home from there.
🚌Taxi to Belfast City Airport (~£10) or GoBus to Dublin Airport (~£15–20)
🛏Check out — no accommodation needed
- →Optional: Titanic Belfast Museum (~£20 — book in advance)
- →Optional: Black Taxi Tour of the Peace Walls (~£10–15 per person shared)
- →Transfer to Belfast City Airport (~£10 by taxi) or Dublin Airport by GoBus (~£15–20)
Self-launched vs. G Adventures
| This itinerary (self-launched) | G Adventures | |
|---|---|---|
| Price per person | ~£680 | £1,850 |
| Duration | 9 days | 9 days |
| Who books it | You and your group, direct | Tour operator, guided group |
| Savings | £1,170 per person (63%) | |
Estimate only, not a guaranteed price. Always verify costs independently before booking.
Want to see more G Adventures-style trips? Check them out here.~£680
estimated per person
You never pay Travel Crew for this — you pay hostels, transport, and activity providers directly, the same as if you'd booked it all yourself.
This publishes your dates so other travellers can find and join you — no tour operator needed.
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Frequently asked questions
How much does Highlights of Ireland — Self-Launched: Dublin to Belfast cost?+
Doing it yourself with this self-launched itinerary costs an estimated £680 per person for 9 days in Ireland. This is an AI-generated estimate based on typical budget-traveller prices — actual costs will vary by season and how you book.
Is this cheaper than booking with G Adventures?+
Yes — G Adventures charges around £1,850 per person for a similar tour. Doing the same route independently, using the same standard of accommodation and activities, costs an estimated £680 — a saving of roughly £1,170 (63%) per person.
How long is the Ireland trip?+
This itinerary runs 9 days, covering 9 day-by-day stops through Ireland.
How do I join this trip?+
You can join an existing open departure using this itinerary if one is scheduled, or launch your own departure with your own dates and invite other travellers to join you — no tour operator required.
Isn't it easier to just use a tour operator?+
Well, yes, a tour operator will book all the individual parts of your travel for you and provide a guide. That's obvious, but doing this has the potential to save the group thousands, which can in turn improve your itinerary substantially or save you huge amounts of money. Also, when you launch a departure, Travel Crew has tools in place to help you book the individual sections of the trip or make it easier for you to do this as a group. Really, you do not need a middle man. If you are more comfortable paying more and using a middle man, then you should certainly do this.
Is it safer to book through a tour operator?+
Arguably, there isn't much difference. A self-launched trip runs on the same principle as a group travel crew: collective responsibility, everyone looking out for each other, the same way it would if a group of friends organised the trip themselves — because that's exactly what's happening. You should always take out travel insurance before you go, self-launched or not; that doesn't change either way. Every open departure is published publicly with real dates and a real trip organiser, so it's never an anonymous arrangement, and our support team is reachable any time you need help, including in an emergency while you're away. Longer-term, we're building direct relationships with ground DMCs in popular destinations, offered as an optional paid add-on for extra on-the-ground support. Ultimately, though, the group is responsible for its own conduct and safety on a self-launched trip, same as on any trip you plan yourself.
What kind of trip is this?+
This is a culture, backpacker, city-breaks trip through Ireland, self-launched rather than run by a tour operator — you organise it with a group you find or bring yourself.
Would you like to name the operator, name the trip, or have any suggestions about how to improve this itinerary?
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