Sustainable Ring of Kerry Rail Tour from Dublin
About this activity
Highlights
- Scenic train journey through Irish countryside
- Explore Killarney National Park's natural beauty
- Visit historic Muckross House and Gardens
- Discover picturesque coastal villages along the Ring of Kerry
- Experience Ireland's rich cultural heritage firsthand
Full description
Included / Excluded
- Round-trip train travel from Dublin to Killarney
- Guided tour of the Ring of Kerry
- Visit to Killarney National Park and Muckross House
- Meals and beverages
Itinerary
We take the train from Dublin to Killarney where we onto the coach to do the Ring of Kerry. There are plenty of stops along the Ring of Kerry for morning tea, lunch and photo stops, etc. Ireland’s highest mountains are located in Kerry, and Carrantuohill – which can be seen en route – is the highest, standing at 1041 metres high. An essential part of any visit to Ireland, this tour circles the magnificent MacGillycuddy Reeks and runs through its many passes and valleys along the shores of Dingle Bay and Kenmare Bay. The natural beauty of the Ring of Kerry provides many photo opportunities, as it passes through the many picturesque villages such as Glenbeigh, Waterville and Sneem. We return via Ladies View, the famous Lakes of Killarney and through the Oakwoods of Killarney's magnificent National Park.
Meeting point
Start Location
Heuston Station, Saint James, Dublin, Ireland
Important information
Know before you book
- This tour involves a full day of travel and exploration; plan accordingly.
- Meals and beverages are not included; consider bringing snacks or purchasing along the way.
- The tour operates rain or shine; dress appropriately for the weather conditions.
Know before you go
- Wear comfortable walking shoes suitable for varied terrains.
- Bring a light rain jacket, as weather can be unpredictable.
- Ensure your camera is charged to capture the stunning landscapes.
Cancellation policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Accessibility
- Service Animals Allowed
- Easy Public Transport
Good to know
- Check in at 6:40AM! Train departs at 7am & it does not wait. Our yellow check-in stand is located close to the Customer Service Desk at Heuston 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.
Traveler reviews
Sustainable Ring of Kerry...Chose another tour!
It was a 111-mile drive on a bus...Not worth it! I did like the train ride, I love train rides. Pick another tour!
Ring of Kerry
Fiona was excellent tour guide. The guide on the bus was a little difficult to understand his accent. I wish he could speak slower. Also not too much time in Cork. One hour is not enough to eat and look around.
Check the weather!
Do not go on this tour if it is forecast to be a warm day. We were in Ireland during a heatwave and the coach we were on for 7 hours was between 95*-105* F all day with no air conditioning and only minimal stops to cool off. We chose this tour so my year older parents could experience the Ring of Kerry. My parents sat in direct sunlight from the sunroof for the majority of the day with no way to shield the direct light and heat. The conditions on the coach were unsafe and did not allow us to enjoy the day. The tour guides simply commented “it is warm” and that Ireland rarely gets that warm so doesn’t have the infrastructure to deal with this. I understand this in older buildings, but not on a bus. The temperature was unacceptable, especially considering we were not allowed to eat or drink on the coach. We stopped at 6 places on the Ring of Kerry to take photos which were only 5-10 min stops. Even though this is a Ring of Kerry tour, we had several 30-45 min stops at very small locations which were extra money and were not well advertised prior to the tour and seemed to be a financial arrangement between the company and the stops. You either had to spend the money on the activity or sit and wait by the coach for the activity to be finished. It would be much more preferable to stop in larger locations (e.g. some of the villages along the way) with more choices for activities.
Ring of Kerry Rail Tour
Tour really showed the picturesque landscape of Ireland’s Ring of Kerry. Train from Dublin to Killarney was very relaxing. Then the bus throughout Kerry was fantastic. Norm was a terrific guide and kept us informed on everything around us. We made a couple of stops along the way that were not included in the door. I would highly recommend you save yourself 8 euros and bypass the museum. Enjoy a nice Irish coffee in the Inn instead! Museum was awful. The other stop was a demonstration from a herder showing his dogs bringing sheep down from the hills. It was the best 7 euros we spent… it was truly amazing to watch these dogs at work. Overall the tour was great. In the 14 hours you are on it, you will see some of the best views in all of Ireland.
Not what we expected
Andrew met us at the Dublin train station and got us to Kilarney. Then he handed us over to a different tour company and their driver. It was a day of just driving. Not much time at any one place. Often you had to choose between using the toilet or seeing a local sight. The most time we had was 1 hour for lunch. Otherwise it was 15 or 20 minutes max. Back at Kilarney Andrew gave us a quick tour of the town before our loooong train ride back to Dublin. Andrew was funny, kind, helpful, and informative. Andrew was the best part of the trip, the rest was a bust for us. Next time we will just do a bus trip to the west as we have longer stops and it's much, much cheaper.