6-Day All Ireland Tour from Dublin Including Accommodation

Ireland’s best sights come in a fast, wide-ranging package here: Belfast and the Titanic story, Derry’s walls, Giant’s Causeway, the Cliffs of Moher, Dingle, Killarney, and Blarney Castle. I like that five nights of lodging and six breakfasts are built in, and I like having a driver on Ireland’s narrow roads instead of wrestling with a rental car. The tradeoff is a packed schedule, with long coach days and only limited time at some stops.

The guides make a real difference. Danny, Brian, Vincent, Gordon, Alex, and several other guides have led this route, and the strongest guides add local stories, music, humor, and useful advice. Accommodation ranges from hostel dorms to private bed-and-breakfast rooms, so choose carefully. Also expect occasional routing changes, bus changes, and the need to be back at the coach on time.

Key points to know before booking

• A six-day sweep of Ireland’s headline sights: You’ll cover Northern Ireland, Galway, County Clare, Kerry, Cork, and the return to Dublin.
• The best value is usually the economy room option: You get a private single, twin, double, or triple room rather than a mixed hostel dorm.
• The Cliffs of Moher and Giant’s Causeway are the major showstoppers: Both include admission, and both deserve proper walking shoes.
• Your guide shapes the trip: Danny, Brian, Vincent, Gordon, and others have received especially warm praise for storytelling, driving, and practical help.
• This is a group tour, not a custom trip: The maximum group size is 56, though some departures operate with far fewer people.
• Pack for changing weather and strict departure times: Rain, wind, wet steps, and short sightseeing windows are all part of the deal.

What this six-day Ireland tour really offers

At $1,087.65 per person, this tour is priced as a transport, lodging, breakfast, and sightseeing package rather than a simple bus ride. The price includes five nights, six breakfasts, the coach, live commentary, Wi-Fi, USB charging points, and admission to the Titanic Belfast attraction, Giant’s Causeway Visitor Centre, the Cliffs of Moher, and Blarney Castle.

That can be good value if you want to see a great deal of Ireland without planning each hotel, road, ferry crossing, and parking stop yourself. A rental car would give you more freedom, but you would also take on left-side driving, narrow rural roads, navigation, parking, and the job of reaching several towns on a fixed schedule.

You should not expect a slow, leisurely tour. This is Ireland in highlights mode. You’ll spend several hours on the coach on some days, then get a defined amount of time to walk, eat, take photos, or join an optional activity. If you want to linger in Dingle for two days or stop at every stone fort along the coast, this route will feel restrictive.

The bus holds up to 56 people, although some departures have been much smaller. Smaller groups make it easier to hear the guide and get on and off quickly. Larger departures can feel more structured, and punctuality matters. The coach may leave without you if you are more than about 15 minutes late, so treat every return time as firm.

Day one: Monasterboice, Titanic Belfast, and Belfast’s divided past

The first morning begins at 7:50 am from Paddy’s Palace at 5 Beresford Place, near Gardiner Street Lower in Dublin. The meeting point has caused some confusion, so check the exact pickup instructions before you set out and look for the green Paddywagon coach. If you want to use another Paddywagon pickup point, changes must be confirmed by phone or email by 5:00 pm the previous day.

The first stop is Monasterboice, an early monastic site with Celtic crosses and a round tower. It is a useful opening stop because it places Ireland’s early Christian past beside the modern city you’ll visit later that day. The time here is brief, so think of it as an introduction rather than a full archaeological visit.

In Belfast, the included Titanic Belfast admission gives you about two hours with the city’s best-known attraction. The exhibition follows the ship from its design and construction in Belfast through its launch, maiden voyage, and sinking. It is an indoor stop, which makes it especially welcome if the weather has turned wet.

You can then pay separately for a black taxi tour. I consider this one of the most worthwhile extras because it focuses on Belfast’s Peace Wall, political murals, and the story of the Troubles. The taxi driver also points out places such as City Hall, Queen’s University, the Albert Clock, and the Botanic Gardens.

The optional tour is not included in the price, and it is arranged and paid for directly to the guide or driver. If Belfast’s recent political past matters to you, budget for it. If you prefer museums and free time, use the hour to walk around central Belfast instead.

Day two: the Dark Hedges, Giant’s Causeway, and Derry

Day two is one of the strongest sightseeing days. The Dark Hedges is a short photo stop beneath a striking avenue of beech trees planted by the Stuart family in the eighteenth century. The setting became widely known as the King’s Road in Game of Thrones, but you do not need to know the show to appreciate the trees.

The stop lasts about 20 minutes, which is enough for photographs but not for a long walk. Crowds and weather can affect how much time you want to spend, so have your camera ready before leaving the coach.

At Giant’s Causeway, the volcanic rock formations are the star. Hexagonal basalt columns descend toward the sea, creating one of Ireland’s most unusual coastal scenes. Local legend credits the giant Fionn mac Cumhaill with building the causeway to challenge a Scottish rival, and your guide fills in the story while you walk.

Admission to the visitor centre is included. The path from the centre to the stones takes about 10 minutes, and a mobility bus is available for a small fare if the walk is difficult. Wear shoes with a good grip, especially after rain. The rocks and coach steps can be slippery.

You then continue to Derry, where an included walking tour covers the city walls, built in the early seventeenth century, and the Bogside district. This is one of the places where your guide’s tone and preparation matter most. Derry’s modern history is painful and politically sensitive, and a clear explanation helps you understand what you are seeing without reducing the city to a single conflict.

The route may describe an overnight in Derry or Letterkenny, depending on the operating plan. This is a good example of why you should confirm the current daily arrangements at the start of the tour. You’ll have some free time in Derry, but the sightseeing day is long.

Day three: the Wild Atlantic Way and Galway

The third day shifts from Northern Ireland to the west coast. The coach follows the Wild Atlantic Way, with long views of the Atlantic, beaches, and open countryside. This is a scenic driving day, so a window seat is useful, though you should not expect a photo stop every few minutes.

Strandhill in County Sligo provides a lunch break and a chance to walk near the beach. It is known for surfing, and you can use the stop for a pub meal, a drink, or fresh air by the shore. The planned visit is about an hour, so keep an eye on the meeting time.

You reach Galway by mid-afternoon. This is one of the more relaxed parts of the route, with the choice of a free walking tour or independent exploration. Galway is a good place to browse shops, sit in a pub, or simply recover from the previous two busy days.

The tour’s schedule gives you a taste of Galway rather than a full city visit. If you want to see the city’s museums or take a slower evening walk, skip any optional activity that would leave you rushed. Breakfast is included, but other meals and drinks are your responsibility throughout the trip.

Day four: the Burren, Doolin, and the Cliffs of Moher

Day four brings the tour’s most dramatic coastal scenery. The Burren is a broad area of exposed limestone, with unusual plant life and stone formations. Its appearance can seem almost lunar, and your guide explains how Alpine, Arctic, and Mediterranean plants can grow in the same region.

The route also introduces the Great Famine of 1845 to 1849 and the mass emigration that followed. This historical context is useful because it connects the quiet western countryside to the family stories carried around the world by Irish descendants.

Doolin is the usual lunch stop before the Cliffs of Moher. You’ll have time for food and perhaps a drink, but this is not a long village visit. Plan your meal efficiently so you do not cut into the cliff walk.

At the Cliffs of Moher, you get roughly an hour and a half, with admission included. The cliffs rise more than 700 feet above the Atlantic, and the main pleasure is simply walking to different viewpoints while watching the sea and birds below. Puffins and gannets can be present, but sightings are not guaranteed.

Strong wind and rain can make the cliff paths uncomfortable. Hold onto hats and loose items, and use care near wet edges. You will want photographs, but do not spend the entire visit looking through a phone screen. The scale of the cliffs is best understood on foot.

After crossing the River Shannon, the coach passes through Limerick and pauses in Adare, a heritage town known for thatched cottages. The visit is short, more of a stretch and photo stop than a full town tour. You then continue toward the Dingle Peninsula for the night.

Day five: Slea Head, Inch Beach, and Dingle

Day five is devoted to the Dingle Peninsula, one of the most rewarding sections of the route. The drive includes Inch Beach, a long stretch of sand, followed by Dingle town and the Slea Head circuit.

Slea Head brings sea views, the Blasket Islands, Sleeping Giant Island, old beehive huts, and small beaches. The route is narrow in places, which is one reason a coach and experienced local driver can be less stressful than driving yourself. The area is part of the Gaeltacht, where Irish remains a living language, and you may hear it spoken locally.

Dingle itself is a colorful fishing town with craft shops, pubs, and traditional music. You get about an hour and a half, enough for a walk, a snack, and some shopping. I would spend the time in town rather than rushing through every shop. This is one of the few stops where an extra hour would be welcome.

Pay close attention to your accommodation description. The Dingle Peninsula lodging may be in a small village such as Annascaul rather than in Dingle town itself. One overnight location used by the tour is about 18 kilometers from Dingle and has only a handful of bars, so you should not assume you can wander into town after dinner.

Some tours arrange music or entertainment at a local pub. That can be fun with the right group, but the atmosphere is not guaranteed to suit everyone. If you want a quieter or more traditional evening, ask your guide about other nearby options.

Day six: Killarney National Park and Blarney Castle

The final morning begins around Killarney National Park. You can pay extra for a horse-and-carriage ride or choose horseback riding if offered and suitable for you. These activities are arranged and paid for separately, and they provide a pleasant way to see part of the park without spending the whole morning on foot.

The route then crosses the Cork and Kerry mountains toward Blarney Castle. You have about two hours at the castle and gardens, with admission included. The Blarney Stone is the famous feature, though kissing it is entirely optional. The gardens are worth time on their own, especially if you prefer plants, paths, and views to a crowded photo queue.

Blarney Woollen Mills is nearby for Irish clothing, gifts, and souvenirs. It is a large commercial stop, so shoppers will enjoy it more than people seeking a quiet historic setting. After lunch, the coach passes through the Golden Vale before returning to Dublin in the late afternoon.

The tour finishes back at the original meeting point, leaving your evening open. Do not schedule a tight flight or an important appointment for the same afternoon. Traffic and weather can affect the return time.

Choosing between backpacker and economy accommodation

The room choice may matter more than any other booking decision. The backpacker option places you in a small to medium mixed dorm, with men and women sharing as is standard in Europe. It costs less and suits solo visitors who are comfortable with hostel conditions.

The economy option provides a single, double, twin, or triple room in a bed-and-breakfast or hotel. Rates are per person sharing, and you should state whether you want one large bed or two separate beds. The single option gives you a private room at a higher rate.

Accommodation quality is not perfectly uniform. Many rooms are described as clean, comfortable, and central, but some properties are basic, lack air conditioning, or have no elevator. One Killarney stay was especially poorly received for its smell, outdated condition, and uncomfortable beds, with some economy passengers placed alongside backpacker groups because of an overflow problem.

For most people, I would pay for the economy option, especially on a five-night route with long days. A private room gives you a better chance of sleeping well and having somewhere quiet to sort your luggage. The hostel option makes sense only if saving money and meeting other solo visitors matter more than privacy.

Food, buses, weather, and daily comfort

Six breakfasts are included, but lunch, dinner, snacks, and drinks are not. Pub meals are a natural fit for this route, though your guide’s restaurant suggestions may vary in quality. Keep a small supply of snacks and water with you for the longer coach stretches.

The air-conditioned coach has Wi-Fi and a USB charging point at every seat. Those are useful comforts, but the bus is still your main base for much of the trip. Bring headphones, a refillable bottle, a light rain jacket, and clothing that works in wind and sun.

Irish weather can shift quickly. Wet steps on the coach have caused trouble, so use the handrail and take your time getting on and off. Most stops involve walking over uneven ground, and the Cliffs of Moher, Giant’s Causeway, and castle grounds are best handled in sturdy shoes.

The route is fixed. You cannot ask the driver to skip a listed stop and replace it with a personal choice. The benefit is that the planning is done for you. The cost is less flexibility and some days that feel tightly timed.

Who should book this tour?

I would choose this tour if you have six days, want to see much of Ireland, and do not want to drive. It works particularly well for solo visitors, couples, and families who value a ready-made route and the social ease of a group.

It is also a good first visit. You get a broad sample of Northern Ireland, the west coast, Kerry, Cork, and the main attractions between them. Guides such as Danny, Brian, Vincent, and Gordon have been praised for combining safe driving with stories, music, humor, and practical directions. Your assigned guide will vary, so do not book on the assumption that one particular person will lead your departure.

I would hesitate if you dislike early starts, long coach rides, fixed schedules, basic lodging, or short visits. A self-drive trip or a slower regional tour would suit you better.

FAQ

Where does the tour start?

The listed meeting point is Paddy’s Palace, 5 Beresford Place, Gardiner Street Lower, Mountjoy, Dublin 1. The scheduled start time is 7:50 am.

Where does the tour finish?

The tour returns to the original Dublin meeting point in the late afternoon on day six.

Is hotel pickup included?

No. Pickup and drop-off at your hotel are not included. You must reach the central meeting point.

What accommodation is included?

The tour includes five nights in Belfast, Derry or the surrounding area, Galway, the Dingle Peninsula, and Killarney. You choose between backpacker dorm accommodation and an economy room option.

What is the difference between backpacker and economy accommodation?

Backpacker accommodation uses a small to medium mixed youth hostel dorm. Economy accommodation provides a single, double, twin, or triple room in a bed-and-breakfast or hotel.

Are meals included?

Six breakfasts are included. Lunches, dinners, snacks, and drinks are not included unless specifically stated.

Is the Belfast black taxi tour included?

No. The black taxi tour is optional and is arranged and paid for directly to the driver or guide.

Are the Killarney horse-and-carriage ride and horseback ride included?

No. These are optional activities arranged and paid for separately through the guide.

How large is the group?

The maximum group size is 56 people. Actual departures can be smaller, and some have operated with groups of around 10 to 20 people.

Should you book the six-day Ireland tour?

Book it if your priority is seeing Ireland’s major sights without driving, hotel planning, or daily navigation. Choose the economy room option, arrive early at the Dublin meeting point, pack for rain, and accept that the schedule moves quickly.

Skip it if you want long stays in each town, complete control over your route, or guaranteed upscale accommodation. For the right kind of visitor, the $1,087.65 price buys a great deal: five nights, six breakfasts, transport, admission to several major sights, and a broad first look at Ireland in less than a week.