Shades of Ireland & Northern Ireland: Self-Launched (Dublin to Belfast)
13 days · Ireland & Northern Ireland
Collette charges £3,600
No-markup version: ~£1,580 per person
Estimate only, not a guaranteed price. Always verify costs independently before booking.
A self-launched 13-day loop from Dublin to Belfast covering the same highlights as Collette's guided coach tour — Dublin's landmarks and Guinness Storehouse, Kilkenny and Waterford, Blarney Castle and the Ring of Kerry, the Cliffs of Moher, Galway and Sligo, Donegal and Derry, the Inishowen Peninsula, Giant's Causeway and the Glens of Antrim, and Belfast's Titanic experience. Independent travellers use express coaches, local buses and trains instead of a private motorcoach, staying in hostels, guesthouses and budget hotels. Costs are rough backpacker estimates in GBP and assume shared dorm or budget twin rooms, self-catering plus pub meals, and self-booked activities.
Day-by-day
Arrive Dublin
Dublin
Land at Dublin Airport and take the Aircoach or Dublin Express bus into the city centre (about £8, 30-40 min) rather than a taxi. Check into a hostel or budget guesthouse around Temple Bar, Smithfield or Stoneybatter. Spend the evening easing in with a wander along the Liffey and a first pint and Irish stew in a traditional pub — the operator's welcome dinner equivalent, but self-arranged.
🚌Aircoach / Dublin Express bus from airport, ~£8
🛏Hostel or budget guesthouse, Dublin city centre
- →Airport coach transfer
- →Evening walk along the River Liffey
- →Traditional pub dinner
Dublin City Day
Dublin
Self-explore Dublin's headline sights on foot: O'Connell Street, the National Gallery (free), Trinity College and St Patrick's Cathedral (£8). Walk through Phoenix Park. In the afternoon pre-book the Guinness Storehouse online (about £22-26 including the Gravity Bar pint) — book direct rather than paying a tour markup. Finish with a traditional Irish music session in a Temple Bar or Stoneybatter pub.
🚌On foot / Leap Card city bus or Luas, ~£5
🛏Hostel or budget guesthouse, Dublin city centre
- →St Patrick's Cathedral
- →National Gallery (free entry)
- →Phoenix Park
- →Guinness Storehouse self-guided tour (booked direct)
Dublin to Kilkenny and Waterford
Waterford
Take an early Expressway or Bus Éireann coach south to Kilkenny (about £12, 2h) and spend the morning in the medieval city — Kilkenny Castle grounds, the Kilkenny Design Centre and cobbled lanes. Then continue by coach to Waterford (about £10, 1h). Book a walking tour or simply self-guide the Viking Triangle, Reginald's Tower and the Medieval Museum (£7). Optional: the House of Waterford Crystal factory tour (about £15) if you want the full demo.
🚌Expressway / Bus Éireann coach Dublin-Kilkenny-Waterford, ~£22 total
🛏Budget guesthouse or hostel, Waterford
- →Kilkenny Castle and medieval city walk
- →Waterford Viking Triangle
- →Medieval Museum
- →Optional: House of Waterford Crystal factory tour
Waterford to Killarney via Blarney
Killarney
Travel by coach to Cork (about £13) then take a local bus to Blarney (about £4). Visit Blarney Castle and kiss the Blarney Stone — buy the ticket at the gate (about £16). Explore the castle grounds and gardens, then continue to Killarney by bus or train (about £16, 2h). Check into a Killarney hostel or guesthouse and eat dinner in town.
🚌Coach Waterford-Cork, local bus to Blarney, bus/train to Killarney, ~£33
🛏Hostel or budget guesthouse, Killarney
- →Blarney Castle and Blarney Stone
- →Blarney gardens
- →Killarney town evening
Ring of Kerry by Local Bus
Killarney / Ring of Kerry
The Ring of Kerry is easiest without a car via a local day tour operator (about £25-30) or the seasonal public Ring of Kerry bus. Stop at Killorglin, Cahersiveen, Waterville, the Coomakista viewpoint and Ladies View. For a slice of the operator's jaunting car ride, take a short pony-and-trap trip through Killarney National Park and past Ross Castle (about £15 per person, negotiable).
🚌Ring of Kerry day bus or local tour, ~£27
🛏Hostel or budget guesthouse, Killarney
- →Ring of Kerry loop
- →Ladies View and Coomakista viewpoint
- →Ross Castle and Killarney National Park
- →Optional: jaunting car ride
Killarney to the Cliffs of Moher and Ennis
Ennis
Take a bus to Limerick (about £14) then the Ennis link (about £5). Base in Ennis and catch a local Cliffs of Moher shuttle or the public bus to Doolin and the Cliffs (about £12 return). Walk the cliff path to O'Brien's Tower, watch puffins and seabirds, and see the visitor centre. Return to Ennis for a trad music session in a pub.
🚌Bus Killarney-Limerick-Ennis, shuttle to Cliffs of Moher, ~£31
🛏Budget guesthouse or hostel, Ennis
- →Cliffs of Moher and O'Brien's Tower
- →Cliffs visitor centre
- →Ennis pub music session
Ennis to Galway and Sligo
Sligo
Bus to Galway (about £12, 1h30). Explore the Latin Quarter, the Spanish Arch and Galway Cathedral on foot. Optionally visit a working farm or heritage centre on the way for a slice of the operator's farm visit (booked locally, about £15). Then take a Galway-Sligo coach or train (about £16, 2h). Settle into a Sligo hostel and eat in town.
🚌Bus Ennis-Galway, coach/train Galway-Sligo, ~£28
🛏Hostel or budget guesthouse, Sligo
- →Galway Latin Quarter and Spanish Arch
- →Galway Cathedral
- →Optional: local farm or heritage experience
Sligo to Donegal Town and Derry
Derry / Londonderry
Take a local bus to Donegal Town (about £12) and walk the Diamond and town square with a look at Donegal Castle (£5). Then continue north across the border to Derry (about £10, 1h30) — travel is straightforward, no border formalities. Join a locally run Derry walking tour of the walls, Bogside murals and Craft Village (about £12) or self-guide with a map.
🚌Bus Sligo-Donegal-Derry, ~£22
🛏Hostel or budget guesthouse, Derry city centre
- →Donegal Town and Donegal Castle
- →Derry city walls and Bogside murals
- →Craft Village
Inishowen Peninsula and Malin Head
Derry / Malin Head
Explore the Inishowen Peninsula by local bus or a small-group day tour from Derry (about £30-40). Reach Malin Head, Ireland's most northerly point, plus the Inishowen 100 coastal route, Fort Dunree and the Doagh Famine Village. In the evening, catch Derry's storytelling and music scene — the operator's 'cultural tour through storytelling and song' equivalent is simply a night in the city's legendary pubs.
🚌Inishowen day tour or local buses, ~£35
🛏Hostel or budget guesthouse, Derry city centre
- →Malin Head
- →Inishowen 100 coastal route
- →Fort Dunree
- →Optional: Doagh Famine Village
- →Derry pub storytelling session
Derry to Giant's Causeway and Belfast
Belfast
Take the train or bus to Coleraine/Portrush (about £13) and connect to the Causeway Coast. Visit the Giant's Causeway (National Trust ticket about £14) and walk the coastal route past the basalt columns. On the way, the Glens of Antrim and Dark Hedges are passable by Causeway Rambler bus (seasonal, about £8 day pass). Continue to Belfast by train (about £12) and check into a hostel or budget hotel.
🚌Train/bus Derry to Coleraine, Causeway Rambler, train to Belfast, ~£33
🛏Hostel or budget hotel, Belfast
- →Giant's Causeway
- →Glens of Antrim
- →Dark Hedges
- →Causeway Coast walk
Belfast City Day
Belfast
Explore Belfast on foot and by local bus: the Cathedral Quarter, St George's Market, and the historic shipyard cranes Samson and Goliath. Book the Titanic Belfast experience online in advance (about £25). In the afternoon take a locally run black-taxi or walking tour of the city's neighbourhoods and murals (about £15), then eat and drink in the Cathedral Quarter.
🚌Local Metro bus, ~£5
🛏Hostel or budget hotel, Belfast
- →Titanic Belfast
- →Samson and Goliath cranes
- →St George's Market
- →Black-taxi neighbourhood tour
Belfast Free Day and Optional Excursions
Belfast
Use the day for anything missed: the Ulster Museum (free), the Botanic Gardens, Crumlin Road Gaol or a half-day trip to Carrickfergus Castle. If flying out of Dublin, pre-book the Aircoach or Ulsterbus Goldliner Belfast-Dublin connection (about £20-25), which is far cheaper and easier than a taxi.
🚌Local buses, ~£5
🛏Hostel or budget hotel, Belfast
- →Ulster Museum
- →Botanic Gardens
- →Optional: Carrickfergus Castle
- →Optional: Crumlin Road Gaol
Depart Belfast
Belfast
Check out and head to Belfast International or George Best City Airport (bus from Europa Buscentre, about £2-7 depending on airport). If routing home via Dublin, take the pre-booked Goldliner or Aircoach coach to Dublin Airport (about £22, 2-3h).
🚌Airport bus or Belfast-Dublin coach, ~£7-22
🛏N/A — departure day
- →Airport transfer
- →Departure
Self-launched vs. Collette
| This itinerary (self-launched) | Collette | |
|---|---|---|
| Price per person | ~£1,580 | £3,600 |
| Duration | 13 days | 13 days |
| Who books it | You and your group, direct | Tour operator, guided group |
| Savings | £2,020 per person (56%) | |
Estimate only, not a guaranteed price. Always verify costs independently before booking.
Want to see more Collette-style trips? Check them out here.~£1,580
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 Shades of Ireland & Northern Ireland: Self-Launched (Dublin to Belfast) cost?+
Doing it yourself with this self-launched itinerary costs an estimated £1,580 per person for 13 days in Ireland & Northern 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 Collette?+
Yes — Collette charges around £3,600 per person for a similar tour. Doing the same route independently, using the same standard of accommodation and activities, costs an estimated £1,580 — a saving of roughly £2,020 (56%) per person.
How long is the Ireland & Northern Ireland trip?+
This itinerary runs 13 days, covering 13 day-by-day stops through Ireland & Northern 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, budget trip through Ireland & Northern 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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