When it comes to Europe and its many different cultures, Dublin is surely a city that springs to mind. Dublin is well known for its friendly atmosphere and has the greatness everyone is looking for.
Dublin itself and the surrounding towns and villages offer everything you could wish for as a traveller in Ireland. A well-planned day trip with time-saving train connections to some of the island's most beautiful places is all you need to enjoy this island of museums, ancient history, lively cities, landscapes and so much more.
In this article we introduce you to eight breathtaking day trips by train from Dublin.
CORK | ROCK OF CASHEL | KILKENNY | LIMERICK | GALWAY | WICKLOW MOUNTAINS | HOWTH | BELFAST
1. Cork
Set on the River Lee, the city of Cork is Ireland's heart of history and architecture.
Cork's main attractions include places like Blarney Castle, Cobh, Killarney and the Ring of Kerry, so it's better to go on a tour of several days so you don't miss out on anything.
HOW DO I GET FROM DUBLIN TO CORK?
You can board the train from Dublin to Cork, which runs on the main Intercity line, at either Connolly Station or Heuston Station in Dublin. The train journey between the two cities takes about 2.5 hours.
Food and drink are available on the trains, and almost all train trips are accompanied by tour guides.
2. Rock of Cashel
The Rock of Cashel is an ancient site that today serves as a tourist attraction and a collection of ancient monuments. It is in County Tipperary and includes a 12th-century basilica.
You can make this trip even better by combining it with a visit to Blarney Castle and an afternoon in Cork.
HOW TO GET FROM DUBLIN TO THE ROCK OF CASHEL
The journey to the Rock of Cashel is a pleasure in itself, by train from Dublin Heuston station to Thurles Junction.
After about 8 minutes, a bus then leaves for the Rock of Cashel. It takes about 2 hours to reach the Rock by train from Dublin.
3. Kilkenny
Just 126 km away to the south-east of Dublin lies Kilkenny, a medieval city and another amazing place that's easy to visit as a day trip from Dublin.
Many sites of religious and cultural importance are in and around Kilkenny, such as Kilkenny Castle, St. Canice’s Cathedral, Saint Mary’s Cathedral, the Black Abbey and Smithwick’s Brewery.
These day trips can be planned so that you need no more than 8–9 hours to explore all these places without rushing.
HOW TO GET FROM DUBLIN TO KILKENNY
Plenty of trains leave Dublin's main stations every day, and many of them call at Kilkenny MacDonagh station. The train journey takes about 1.5 hours.
4. Limerick
In the south of Ireland, in the province of Munster, lies Limerick, an old city on the banks of the River Shannon.
As the city is teeming with history, you can take entertaining and time-saving trips to King John’s Castle (13th century) or St. Mary’s Cathedral (12th century).
If you'd like to get to know Ireland's ancient culture, you can visit art galleries and museums in Limerick such as the Limerick City Gallery of Art, the Hunt Museum, Adare Manor and many more.
If you get peckish, there's the Milk Market with local food and crafts.
HOW TO GET FROM DUBLIN TO LIMERICK
To travel from Dublin to Limerick, you take a train from Dublin's Heuston Station, change and wait 28 minutes at Limerick Junction before reaching Limerick's main station.
The whole journey from Dublin to Limerick takes about 3 hours, including the change.
5. Galway
If you're in Dublin looking for endless coastline, lively pubs and places steeped in history, Galway is just the place for you.
If you want to enjoy the beauty of Galway and its surroundings, you should plan trips of several days to the Cliffs of Moher, Killary Harbour, Connemara National Park and 16th-century Dunguaire Castle.
The train is the best way to travel between these two cities – and not just because of the short journey time, the food or the free internet on board.
It's also because the train runs through the beautiful Emerald Isle, so passengers can enjoy the gorgeous Irish countryside.
HOW TO GET FROM DUBLIN TO GALWAY
Galway lies west of Dublin and can be reached by train from Dublin's Pearse, Heuston or Connolly stations in about 3 hours.
6. Wicklow Mountains
The Wicklow Mountains are a mountain range in Ireland that stretches from the border of County Wicklow to its centre.
The mountain scenery is made up of fields and wide-open landscapes.
Places worth seeing in the national park include Glencree Valley, Powerscourt Gardens and the Wicklow Gap.
HOW TO GET FROM DUBLIN TO THE WICKLOW MOUNTAINS
The route to these mountains, 30 km from Dublin, is very scenic and can be covered by car or bus.
The best way, though, is to travel by train, as it lets you enjoy the Irish countryside in less time. It takes about 1.5 hours to reach County Wicklow.
7. Howth
If you're looking for a lovely seaside adventure and clifftop walks, you should take a day trip to the Irish village of Howth.
Howth has plenty of adventure to offer its visitors, including wonderful boat trips, a stunning coastline and brilliant views of the Irish mountains.
Other sights on a day trip to Howth include St. Mary’s Abbey, the Radio Museum, the Baily Lighthouse and Ireland's Eye.
HOW TO GET FROM DUBLIN TO HOWTH
Getting from Dublin to Howth is really easy thanks to the DART train service, which takes just 35 minutes for the whole route.
8. Belfast
Just across the Irish border in
Northern Ireland
lies Belfast, a city with plenty of history and eccentricity to offer the wanderer.
Belfast is best known as the home of the famous RMS Titanic, the ship that hit an iceberg and sank.
As well as the Titanic Museum, the city has the W5 Space Center, the Ulster Museum, the Belfast Castle Estate and many other sights to explore.
HOW TO GET FROM DUBLIN TO BELFAST
Belfast is 165 km from Dublin, and day trips are easy to book. The quickest option is the main Belfast–Dublin line, which takes about 2 hours by train.
