Ireland Explorer — Self-Launched
13 days · Ireland
G Adventures charges £1,800
No-markup version: ~£855 per person
Estimate only, not a guaranteed price. Always verify costs independently before booking.
A 13-day self-launched loop of the whole island of Ireland, from Belfast to Dublin via the Causeway Coast, Derry, Galway, the Cliffs of Moher, Killarney and the Ring of Kerry. You'll use public buses, the cross-border Enterprise train and local day-tour operators instead of a private vehicle, stay in well-located hostels and family-run guesthouses, and self-book the same headline experiences (Bushmills, Derry's walls, Cliffs of Moher, Ring of Kerry) through GetYourGuide, Klook or direct. Same route, same highlights — a fraction of the group-tour price. All costs are approximate per person and exclude international flights.
Day-by-day
Arrive in Belfast
Belfast
Land and make your own way into the city — the Airport Express 300 bus runs from Belfast International to the city centre for about £7.50 single (taxi is roughly £25, shareable). Check into a hostel or budget guesthouse in the Cathedral Quarter or around Queen's, then spend the evening orienting yourself with a wander past City Hall and a pint in a traditional pub like The Crown Liquor Saloon or White's Tavern.
🚌Airport Express 300 bus, £7.50 single
🛏Hostel dorm or budget guesthouse, central Belfast (approx £22-30/night)
- →Airport Express 300 into Belfast
- →Evening walk around Cathedral Quarter
- →Pint in a traditional Belfast pub
Giant's Causeway and Bushmills
Belfast / Bushmills
Do the Causeway Coast independently: take the train from Belfast to Coleraine (about £9-10, roughly 1h20) then the 402/172 bus to Bushmills and the Giant's Causeway (about £5 day ticket). Entry to the Causeway stones themselves is free if you walk down rather than pay for the visitor centre. Book a Bushmills Distillery tour direct on the distillery website (approx £12-15) — the oldest licensed working distillery in Ireland. Return to Belfast in the evening, or overnight in Bushmills/Portrush if you want a slower pace.
🚌Train Belfast–Coleraine ~£10, local bus ~£5
🛏Belfast hostel or guesthouse (approx £22-30/night)
- →Giant's Causeway (free via public path)
- →Bushmills Distillery guided tour (self-booked direct)
- →Causeway Coast walk
Derry's walls and history
Londonderry/Derry
Take the train or bus from Belfast to Derry (about £10-12, roughly 2h). Join a self-booked walking tour of the Bogside murals and the 17th-century city walls — independent guides run these for around £10-12 via GetYourGuide or on the day from the Visit Derry office. Walk the full circuit of the walls (free), then browse the Walled City Market if it's on, or duck into the Tower Museum (about £4). Overnight in Derry.
🚌Bus or train Belfast–Derry ~£11
🛏Hostel or guesthouse inside/near the walls, Derry (approx £22-28/night)
- →Bogside murals and city walls walking tour (~£11)
- →Free self-guided walk of the city walls
- →Tower Museum (~£4)
Derry to Belfast
Belfast
A relaxed morning in Derry — coffee on the Craft Village, a look at St Eugene's Cathedral (free) — then travel back to Belfast. Use the afternoon for Titanic Belfast (about £17.50, book online for a slight discount) or the free Ulster Museum and Botanic Gardens. Evening: live traditional music in a Cathedral Quarter pub.
🚌Bus/train Derry–Belfast ~£11
🛏Belfast hostel or guesthouse (approx £22-30/night)
- →Titanic Belfast (~£17.50)
- →Ulster Museum (free)
- →Botanic Gardens (free)
- →Traditional music session
Cross the border to Dublin
Dublin
Take the cross-border Enterprise train from Belfast to Dublin Connolly (about £17-20 booked in advance, roughly 2h15) — one of the most scenic rail hops on the island. Check into a hostel in Temple Bar, Smithfield or around Parnell Square, then spend a free afternoon on a self-guided walking loop: Trinity College, Grafton Street, St Stephen's Green and Dublin Castle. Evening pint in a non-touristy pub like The Cobblestone or Mulligan's.
🚌Enterprise train ~£18
🛏Hostel dorm, central Dublin (approx £28-40/night — Dublin is the priciest stop)
- →Enterprise train Belfast–Dublin
- →Self-guided city walk: Trinity College, Grafton Street, St Stephen's Green
Dublin deep dive
Dublin
Full free day. Pick your history: the Guinness Storehouse (about £26-29, book online), Jameson Distillery Bow St (about £22), Kilmainham Gaol (about £8, book well ahead — it sells out), or the free National Museum of Ireland and National Gallery. Late afternoon, join a self-booked historical walking tour (roughly £12-15) or simply wander the Georgian squares and the Docklands.
🚌Walking + Leap Card bus/Luas hops ~£5
🛏Hostel dorm, central Dublin (approx £28-40/night)
- →Guinness Storehouse (~£28)
- →Kilmainham Gaol (~£8, pre-book)
- →National Museum of Ireland (free)
- →Optional historical walking tour (~£14)
West to Galway
Galway
Bus or train to Galway (Citylink or Irish Rail, about £15-20, roughly 2.5-3h). Galway is compact and walkable — join a self-booked guided walking tour of the Latin Quarter and Claddagh (roughly £12-15), or DIY it with a map. Afternoon free for the Spanish Arch, the Long Walk and buskers on Shop Street. Evening trad session in a pub like Tigh Neachtain or The Crane Bar.
🚌Citylink bus or Irish Rail ~£17
🛏Hostel dorm or budget guesthouse, Galway city (approx £25-35/night)
- →Galway Latin Quarter walking tour (~£13)
- →Spanish Arch and Long Walk
- →Traditional music session
Cliffs of Moher and the Wild Atlantic Way
Galway / Cliffs of Moher
Book a day tour from Galway to the Cliffs of Moher (roughly £35-45 with GetYourGuide or a local operator like Galway Tour Company) — these include the coastal Burren drive and often the visitor centre entry. Alternatively, take the public Bus Éireann 350 route down the coast (about £15-18 return, scenic but slower) and pay the €7-10 visitor centre fee on arrival. Walk the cliff path, then return to Galway for a pub dinner.
🚌Cliffs of Moher day tour (transport included) or Bus Éireann 350 ~£17
🛏Galway hostel or guesthouse (approx £25-35/night)
- →Cliffs of Moher day tour (~£40)
- →Burren coastal drive
- →Cliff path walk
Galway to Killarney
Killarney
Bus to Killarney via Limerick (about £15-18, roughly 3.5-4h) — buy a single on Bus Éireann or Expressway. Afternoon free: walk into Killarney National Park (free) to see Ross Castle and the lakeshore, or rent a bike for a couple of hours (about £12). Evening in town for a pub dinner and music.
🚌Bus Galway–Killarney ~£17
🛏Hostel dorm or family-run B&B, Killarney (approx £25-32/night)
- →Killarney National Park and Ross Castle (free)
- →Optional bike hire (~£12)
Ring of Kerry
Killarney / Ring of Kerry
A full day on the Ring of Kerry. The cheapest option is the public Ring of Kerry bus (Bus Éireann 280/rural transport link, roughly £15-20 day ticket), but most travellers book a self-booked coach day tour from Killarney (about £30-40) which includes the Gap of Dunloe and coastal stops with commentary. Either way: have lunch in a village like Waterville or Sneem and be back in Killarney for the evening.
🚌Ring of Kerry day tour or public bus day ticket ~£20
🛏Killarney hostel or B&B (approx £25-32/night)
- →Ring of Kerry day tour (~£35)
- →Sneem and Waterville stops
- →Gap of Dunloe viewpoints
Killarney to Cork
Cork / Blarney
Morning in Killarney then bus to Cork (about £14-16, roughly 2h). If you want the classic stop, break the journey at Blarney and climb to the famous stone (castle entry about £18) before continuing. Arrive Cork and take yourself on a self-guided orientation walk: the English Market, St Patrick's Street, Shandon Bells and the river quays. Overnight in Cork.
🚌Bus Killarney–Cork ~£15
🛏Hostel dorm or budget guesthouse, Cork city (approx £25-32/night)
- →Blarney Castle and stone (~£18, optional)
- →English Market visit (free)
- →Self-guided Shandon and riverside walk
Cork and Cobh
Cork / Cobh
Free day in Cork. Take the local commuter train to Cobh (about £4 return) for the Titanic Experience (roughly £10) and the colourful harbourfront, or stay in the city for the Crawford Art Gallery (free), the Butter Museum, and a pint in a Frank O'Connor-style local. Spend the evening in Cork's foodie scene — the English Market stalls and street food are excellent value.
🚌Commuter train Cork–Cobh ~£4 return
🛏Cork hostel or guesthouse (approx £25-32/night)
- →Cobh Titanic Experience (~£10)
- →Crawford Art Gallery (free)
- →Cork food market crawl
Cork to Dublin and depart
Cork / Dublin
Travel back to Dublin by bus or train to catch your flight (Cork–Dublin bus about £12-18, roughly 3h; if you're flying out of Cork there are direct connections to UK and European hubs). If you have time before your flight, squeeze in a final walk along the Liffey, a last pint, and one last look at the Ha'penny Bridge. Plan onward travel for after mid-afternoon.
🚌Bus Cork–Dublin ~£15
🛏None (departure day)
- →Bus/train Cork to Dublin
- →Final Dublin wander before departure
Self-launched vs. G Adventures
| This itinerary (self-launched) | G Adventures | |
|---|---|---|
| Price per person | ~£855 | £1,800 |
| Duration | 13 days | 13 days |
| Who books it | You and your group, direct | Tour operator, guided group |
| Savings | £945 per person (53%) | |
Estimate only, not a guaranteed price. Always verify costs independently before booking.
Want to see more G Adventures-style trips? Check them out here.~£855
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 Ireland Explorer — Self-Launched cost?+
Doing it yourself with this self-launched itinerary costs an estimated £855 per person for 13 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 £1,800 per person for a similar tour. Doing the same route independently, using the same standard of accommodation and activities, costs an estimated £855 — a saving of roughly £945 (53%) per person.
How long is the Ireland trip?+
This itinerary runs 13 days, covering 13 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, budget, backpacker 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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