Connemara and Galway Bay Rail Tour from Dublin

Dublin, Ireland

Leave Dublin for the day and take a coach and rail tour to Connemara and Galway. You'll travel through breathtaking Irish scenery, pass by stunning Kylemore Abbey and tour the lovely lakes, mountains, stone walls and thatched cottages of Connemara.

Departing from Dublin Heuston Station, you'll catch the train to Galway (light breakfast available onboard). The trip takes you through Ireland's midlands, crossing vast tracts of peat (turf) boglands and across the mighty Shannon River at Athlone.

On arrival in Galway, you'll transfer to your waiting coach and head into the magnificent scenery of this region known as Connemara (inlets of the sea).

USD $113.26

Traveler Reviews

Review by: Deborah C	March 2012
Beautiful view of Ireland. Train ride is very comfy and scenic. Kylemore Abbey and gardens are well worth seeing. Wish we had more time to check out Galway.

Review by: LILIANA M A	October 2011
the tour was wonderful amazing views great tour guide would recommend it to all

Review by: Michael E	August 2011
This tour was highly disappointing. The actual tour was different than what was advertised. The newly added "highlight" of the tour was a stop at Kylemore Abbey--which was little more than the proverbial tourist trap--and a waste of two hours. The first hour was spent standing on line with other tour bus tourists in a plain food cafeteria to have lunch. The proof of the pudding that this tour ws a complete bust was that it was the first tour I've ever taken where the tour guide did not ask people on the bus after everyone boarded how they enjoyed the tour!!!!! He knew the answer!!!!!

Review by: janet S	August 2011
The Abbey was beautiful and worth seeing, however not on this tour. The train portion was wonderful and provided for beautiful scenery and a chance to see the countryside. The train guides were very helpful and easily accessed. However, the coach guide was the worst I've ever experienced on a tour. The tour bus (Lolly Tours) was a ramshackle vessel that had no shock absorbers and was noisy, hot and uncomfortable. Compared with other busses we saw at the Abbey, this one had definitely seen better days (like in the 80’s). The guide spoke incessantly into his overhead microphone about everything except tour-related facts. He told ridiculous unrelated stories and jokes that only he understood. He also stopped constantly (4 times each way) for picture opportunities which caused any visit to Galway Bay to not be possible due to time running out. It was advertised that there would be a harbor lunch in Galway, no such thing happened, in fact we saw none of Galway, but multiple stops to look at green hillsides of no note. I believe this tour operator ruined the trip and should never be used by Viator again - absolutely a waste of time, money and not at all as advertised. Take the train by yourself if you wish to view pretty scenery. The Abbey was nice, but not worth the money for that to have been all that we saw, and truly it was the only thing we saw. Between the bad tour bus and tour guide, we regretted every hour until we returned to the train depot at days end.

Review by: Susan P	July 2011
Very good trip. It's a long day, but worth it. Kylemore Abbey is spectacular.

Review by: Gregory Y	April 2011
A long road trip from Dublin but it was a fun trip.

Review by: Carole S	February 2011
Our winter tour to Connemara and Galway Bay was terrific! Our train companion, Frank, was charming and informative. We were met at Galway station by the Coach and tour driver, whose wit and information was delightful. I'd recommend this tour to everyone!

Review by: Miriam S	October 2010
The bus part of this trip was awful, through no fault of the driver. We unfortunately shared the bus with tourists who ignored times to return, not eating on the bus, and common courtesy extended by and to most people. I must admit that the time at the abbey was way insufficient.

Review by: Laurel K, United States of America	July 2010
This was a good tour, and the scenery iin Connermara is magnificient. However, the itnierary was changed from that in the advertisement so that we did not go to Roundstone Harbor for lunch but instead spend a lot of time at Kylemore Abbey, instead of a photo stop which was not worth it at all in my opinion, since though nice it is a repeat of what you see elsewhere. The Abbey lunch was however excellent. We also did not stop at the craft villages at the end, since we had spent more time with stops to take photos which was worth it. If the Harbor is important to you or the crafts, make sure you are on a tour that will stop there. Also, if you are interested in seeing any of Galway, go on your own from Dublin a day before and pick up the tour there, it is not difficult to take the train and that would have been a better way to do this.

Review by: Johnathan H, Ireland	July 2010
The highlight of the trip was Kylemore Abbey.

Review by: Anonymous	July 2010
The highlight of the trip was Kylemore Abbey.

Review by: Karen F, United States of America	October 2009
This was a waste of time and money. The brochure indicated we would lunch at Kylemore Abbey when in fact we only spent about 15 minutes there. We had lunch in a small pub and overwhelmed the staff. The bus driver spent more time talking with the tour guide instead of attending to the passengers. Nice train ride however the bus trip was a nightmare. We were late arriving back at train station and almost did not make the train back to Dublin. Wish we could have spent time in Galway. Don't make the same mistake and waste a precious day in this wonderful country!

Review by: Larry F	October 2009
This was a waste of time and money. The brochure indicated we would lunch at Kylemore Abbey when in fact we only spent about 15 minutes there. We had lunch in a small pub and overwhelmed the staff. The bus driver spent more time talking with the tour guide instead of attending to the passengers. Nice train ride however the bus trip was a nightmare. We were late arriving back at train station and almost did not make the train back to Dublin. Wish we could have spent time in Galway. Don't make the same mistake and waste a precious day in this wonderful country!

Review by: Chrystal V, United States of America	September 2009
The natural beauty of Connemara was just stunning. Our driver was a good natured fellow who knew a lot about the area. It was a nice sunny day, so the walk around Kylemore was great! They also have really good quiche at the Abbey.

Review by: Anonymous, United States of America	August 2009
Kylemore Abbey was beautiul, as well as the drive itself. The guide stopped as often as possible to allow us photo opportunities. But not enough time in Galway.

Review by: Anonymous, United Kingdom	August 2009
This was an excellent trip and well organized! The train was comfortable, which was just as well, as we had to get up very early to catch it! It was interesting to see the peat area and the Connemara goats with their little horns.

Review by: Elizabeth F, United States of America	August 2009
The abbey was disappointing as you really could only see the first floor. The cost of entry wasn't included in the trip so we had to come up with another 24 euros. Our bus left without us so we had to catch a different one and then we were dropped off in the middle of Galway with very vague instructions on how to get back to the bus station. The countryside was extremely beautiful!

Review by: Isabel S, Canada	July 2009
It was a long day, but worth every moment to travel to the West Country and see the beautiful countryside of the "Real Ireland". We loved the small fishing villages, the black-faced sheep, and the Connemara ponies. Recommend it very highly!

Review by: Kay B, United States of America	July 2009
Mixed feelings about this trip! Wonderful scenery, but almost all of the time was spent being on a train or a bus, with only twenty minutes off to eat lunch and another hour or so off to walk around. Six hours fully spent just on the train ride. I would have liked more time to look around and less on the trip!

Review by: Stephen S	July 2009
It was a long day, but worth every moment to travel to the West Country and see the beautiful countryside of the "Real Ireland". We loved the small fishing villages, the black-faced sheep, and the Connemara ponies. Recommend it very highly!

Review by: Anonymous, United States of America	May 2009
We enjoyed the excursion, but would have liked to spend more time in Galway itself.

Review by: Joe D, United States of America	April 2009
Wonderful time, great and knowledgeable tour guide. Connemara is unbelievable. Everything went according to plan. Would recommend.

Review by: William C, United States of America	April 2009
Not enough time at Kylemore Abbey. Would have liked a little time in Galway on our own before taking train back to Dublin.

Review by: David A, United States of America	March 2009
We switched to the Cliffs of Moher, the cliffs were wonderful, but there was not enough time to eat & I would have liked time to walk around Galway. I think going to the cave should be eliminated. We had to run to get to the train on time. The bus let us out several blocks away because traffic was so bad, it was quicker to walk. Also, dinner on the train was not good and they ran out of stuff, another reason maybe to have time in Galway, to walk and eat. Bus driver was great!!!

Review by: Dean T, Australia	January 2009
Connemara is a beautiful place. The views were breathtaking. The bus driver and guide was very pleasant and funny. He made the long trip very enjoyable.

Review by: Christine I, United States of America	December 2008
This was an opportunity to see a large, green sweep of country side. It was SO worth the time! I would return and bring my family members with me.

Review by: Anonymous, Australia	April 2008
Great day, only a small group of 10 on tour, which enable guide to give full attention to all. No shortage of photo ops and plenty of stories.

Review by: Angela B, United States of America	June 2007
I loved it! Kylemore Abbey makes the entire tour! The tour operator is really organized. I never felt like I was lost or left on my own to figure things out. For a beautiful tour, definitely take this one!