irish rail journeys

Railtours Ireland First Class!

We are delighted to announce the departure of our best selling tour. 6-day rail touring experience, a rail journey through Ireland, with its many options to join for different portions of the tour. We are back for 2024. With departures weekly - starting from Dublin! We will continue to make updates as the situation surrounding the ongoing global pandemic evolves.

Portions of this tour are available to book as 1-day tours or 2, 3, 4 and 5 day Tours .

With 6 overnight stays in some of Ireland's most beautiful sites, the All-Ireland tour provides all the elements of a comfortable and relaxing vacation. Enjoy a full Irish breakfast in your hotel each morning before being whisked across the country on a train. Our tour covers all top attractions of Ireland from The Giant's Cauesway to The Ring of Kerry.

We are now accepting online bookings for 2024 departures. For any queries, please contact us via email .

Whether you wish to visit the Cliffs of Moher on the Wild Atlantic Way or the Marble City in Ireland's Ancient East, we are here to help.

Find your perfect tour of Ireland with our team of Ireland experts.

In association with Iarnród Éireann, Irish Rail, Railtours Ireland First Class offers independent travellers the chance to see a great portion of Ireland that they would not ordinarily be able to experience comfortably in one or more days.

All tours with accommodation are guaranteed departures. With fast, comfortable intercity trains and luxury coaches, we offer wonderful vacations for those wishing to experience the best of Ireland. Discover our range of tours from Ireland's Ancient East to the Wild Atlantic Way!

Experience a Car Free, Carefree  vacation in Ireland!

Ireland Train Tours

Quality independent rail tours with excellent service & backup

With our rail tours, you don’t need a car to discover Ireland’s culture, heritage and history. You can simply book a place on an Irish Tourism rail tour and we will do the rest! Travel by rail on your own schedule! 

On our rail tours you will not be part of a group; instead you will use your Irish Tourism travel documents to navigate your way around Ireland.  

Our rail tours include your train tickets, sightseeing coach tickets, accommodations and a detailed sightseeing guide with possible places you may choose to visit while you are here. 

Our rail tours combine rail journeys in comfortable, modern trains with escorted bus tours around Ireland’s must see scenic attractions that are not accessible by train such as the Ring of Kerry, the Cliffs of Moher, Dingle Peninsula, Aran Islands and many more! 

How to select the right rail tour for your tour of Ireland

Begin your tour selection by choosing a duration and interests that suit your requirements.

When you find a tour that interests you, simply send us an enquiry and we will contact you to begin the process of tailoring your dream vacation.

If you do not have time to browse our driving tours you can contact us directly using the details provided at the bottom of this page, and we will help you to select a driving tour that meets your exact requirements.

If you do not have time to browse our private group tour suggestions you can contact us directly using the details provided at the bottom of this page, and we will help you to select a rail tour that meets your exact requirements.

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9 tours met your criteria

This 2 centre Rail tour of Ireland is the ideal introduction to both Dublin and the Southwest of Ireland.

6 Night Tour of Dublin and Kerry

This 2 centre rail tour is the ideal introduction to both the North and South of Ireland.

6 Night Rail Tour of Southern and Northern Ireland

Discover Kerry, Galway and Dublin on this 7 night rail tour of Ireland. Explore the scenic Ring of Kerry, the vibrant city of Galway and travel to the Aran Islands.

7 Night Best of Ireland by Rail

Discover Kerry, Galway and Dublin on this rail tour of Ireland. Explore the scenic Ring of Kerry, the city of Galway and travel to the Aran Islands & Cliffs of Moher.

8 Night Best of Ireland by Rail

This 3 centre combined rail and private chauffeured tour is the ideal introduction to Dublin, the Southwest and the West of Ireland.

8 Night 3 Centre Rail Tour of Ireland with Castle Stay

This combined rail and private chauffeured tour takes you to Belfast, Dublin, the Southwest and West of Ireland.

10 Night Rail Tour with Luxury Castle Stay

Discover Cork, Kerry, Galway and Dublin on this rail tour of Ireland. Experience such places as Blarney Castle, the Ring of Kerry, Cliffs of Moher & much more

10 Night Best of Ireland by Rail

Discover Cork, Kerry, Galway, Dublin and Belfast on this rail tour of Ireland. Visit Cork City, the Ring of Kerry, Aran Islands & more.

12 Night Best of Ireland by Rail

14 Night Best of Ireland by Rail

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Five magical railway journeys

Discover why the train is the best way to explore the island of Ireland.

5 magical Ireland railway journeys

Sit back and let the rail line take you to seaside towns, quaint villages, and breathtaking landscapes

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Mussenden Temple, County Londonderry

Vast sandy beaches, soaring cliffs, expansive ocean views – there’s a good reason that travel writer Michael Palin described the Derry~Londonderry to Coleraine train trip as “one of the most beautiful rail journeys in the world”. With a travel time of around 40 minutes, it gives you plenty of opportunities to hop off and discover some of the local highlights along the way, including the jaw-droppingly beautiful Benone Strand ; and Downhill , where the iconic Mussenden Temple teeters on the edge of a cliff. Picture-perfect beauty.

This journey follows the iconic Causeway Coastal Route , whose highlights include the Carrick-a-Rede rope bridge, the Giant’s Causeway and the village of Bushmills, home to the famous Old Bushmills Distillery .

Find out more:

translink.co.uk

The DART, Dublin

This transit rail line hugs the horse-shoe shape of Dublin Bay from north to south and offers vast panoramas of the coastline. It’s particularly beautiful at full tide, when the water slaps against the chunky granite walls that protect the railway tracks from the sea. Jump on in the city centre and head south for Bray in County Wicklow – along the way you’ll be treated to all kinds of coastal views as it speeds past sailboat-dotted harbours and tiny islands. In the other direction, aim for Howth and its wild and windswept cliff path overlooking the picturesque harbour. Jump back on the Dart from here and you’ll be back in the city centre in around 50 minutes.

There are so many places to get out and explore on the way, but a walk on Dún Laoghaire pier followed by fish and chips at the sea-facing Fish Shack is a particular pleasure.

irishrail.com

Waterford Suir Valley Railway

Historically, this was an important railway for the community until it was dismantled. Thanks to local efforts, a small part of the track has been restored for visitors and locals to enjoy.

One of the many beautiful restorations on these tracks is Kilmeadan station. This is where you’ll start your journey and where you can pick up some home-baked treats and refreshments at the Whistlestop Café. You can choose to travel the full 10km to Bilberry station, located just outside Waterford city , or you can stop at the world-renowned Mount Congreve Gardens, where you can happily while away an afternoon exploring.

The carriages were specially built for the Suir Valley Railway and have been partially opened so that you can take in all the sights on the journey. Enjoy the simple beauty of your surroundings: the River Suir, rolling farmlands, the Waterford Greenway, and even glimpses of County Kilkenny  across the river.

Starting in Waterford city and stretching all the way to Dungarvan, the 46km Waterford Greenway is an off-road cycling and walking trail that hugs Waterford’s gorgeous coastline.

wsvrailway.ie

Inch Abbey, County Down

Experience the nostalgia of rail travel in all its glory by jumping on board a fabulous vintage trail hauled by a steam engine. The journey starts in Downpatrick, County Down, and chugs gently along to Inch Abbey , a majestic ruined monastic site on the banks of the River Quoile that once starred in Game of Thrones ® . As well as the atmospheric puffs of steam that accompany the trip, the landscape offers exceptional views of the Mourne Mountains , farmland and pastures and abundant wildlife. And although the journey is only 10 minutes – the experience is one to treasure.

Downpatrick is said to be the burial place of St Patrick, and the Saint Patrick Visitor Centre tells the fascinating story of the saint’s life in a compelling multimedia exhibition.

downrail.co.uk

Cobh, County Cork

Lonely Planet describes Cork city as “a thriving metropolis made glorious by location”, and what a location it is. Perched on an island in the middle of the River Lee, the beauty of its surrounds can be best enjoyed on a short rail journey out to the seaside village of Cobh . Make sure you get a window seat to enjoy the phenomenal sweeping views over the Belvelly channel and across the churning Atlantic Ocean. The journey only takes around 23 minutes, but you can make a day of it with stops at Little Island and Fota Island Wildlife Park .

Cobh was the final departure point for the Titanic, and the town’s connection with the “Ship of Dreams” is brilliantly detailed in Titanic Experience Cobh .

Where do you want to go?

Do you feel like tasting wild Atlantic sea spray on your lips? Strolling through vibrant city streets? Exploring ancient ruins? Right this way…

Railway Tours in Ireland

Rail tours of ireland.

Here in Ireland we are very proud of our cultural heritage, spectacular scenery and easy-going, friendly people and we want to share that with you! With our new rail tours in Ireland, you don’t need a car to discover the best of Ireland including it's culture, heritage and history. You can simply book a place on one of our rail tours, pack your bags and we will do the rest to ensure you have a Ireland vacation to remember!

Our railway tours combine rail journeys in comfortable trains with escorted bus tours around Ireland’s must-see scenic attractions that are not accessible by train such as the Ring of Kerry, the Cliffs of Moher, the Dingle Peninsula and much much more! Our rail vacations include your train tickets, sightseeing coach tickets, accommodation options as well as a detailed sightseeing guide with suggestions of possible places you may choose to visit whilst on your Ireland vacation.

Whether you wish to visit the Cliffs of Moher on the Wild Atlantic Way, the Ring of Kerry, Dingle Peninsula, or Ireland's Ancient East, when it comes to rail tours of Ireland we are hear to help. Find your perfect tour of Ireland with our team of experts.

We want to ensure our that our customers have the best time in Ireland, therefore we book the very best accommodations and plan itineraries to ensure you get the most out of your time here. We additionally offer 24/7 helpline and support for any assistance you may need while you are on your trip to Ireland and we provide you with a tailored sightseeing guide to help you get the very most of your time.

6 Night Tour of Dublin and Kerry

This 2 centre Rail tour of Ireland is the ideal introduction to both Dublin and the Southwest of Ireland.

6 Night Rail Tour of Southern and Northe...

This 2 centre rail tour is the ideal introduction to both the North and South of Ireland.

7 Night Best of Ireland by Rail

Spend time in Dublin, Kerry and Galway on a 7 night rail tours of Ireland.

8 Night Best of Ireland by Rail

Discover Dublin, Kerry and Galway on this 8 night Ireland rail tour.

8 Night 3 Centre Rail Tour with Luxury C...

This 3 centre combined rail and private chauffeured tour is the ideal introduction to Dublin, the Southwest and the West of Ireland.

10 Night Southern and Northern Tour with...

This combined rail and private chauffeured tour takes you to Belfast, Dublin, the Southwest and West of Ireland

10 Night Best of Ireland by Rail

Discover Cork, Kerry, Galway and Dublin on this 10 night railway tour of Ireland.

12 Night Best of Ireland by Rail

Discover Cork, Kerry, Galway, Dublin, and Belfast on this 12-night rail tour of Ireland.

14 Night Best of Ireland by Rail

If you are looking for an Ireland itinerary for 14 days, discover Cork, Kerry, Galway, Dublin and Belfast on this 14 night Irish Rail Tour.

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Green line: take a window seat on Ireland’s most beautiful train trips

There’s no need for a car – cheaper rail fares in Ireland have made these six stunning rail trips even more appealing and sustainable

D riven by increasingly expensive car hire and an appetite for sustainable tourism , visitors to Ireland are discovering the lure of public transport. Fares on Irish public transport were cut by 20% in April until the end of this year and halved permanently for those aged 19 to 23, the first such reductions in Ireland since 1947. Add to that deeply discounted online fares – or the Leap Card , which offers even heftier price cuts – and now’s the time to discover Ireland’s most rail scenic journeys. We pick six epic trips that cover all corners of the country, from the Atlantic coast to the sunny south-east – as far as Northern Ireland’s dramatic shore.

Rosslare to Dublin

Look out of the window, and the County Wexford countryside is flat, an endless sky stretching far out over the water and marshy plains. This entire area of south-east Ireland lies below sea level, and the landscape itself is a feat of 18th-century engineering, when the local mud flats and a sprinkling of islands were drained and harnessed to become productive land, known as the Sloblands. They now offer a winter sanctuary for geese and swans from Iceland, Greenland and Siberia. It’s also the starting point of a two- to three-hour journey on one of Europe’s most scenic rail routes, rolling off from Rosslare Europort, Ireland’s south-easterly French and British ferry hub.

Within 15 minutes, the church spires of Wexford Town appear over its brown brick-and-plaster-rendered architecture – the urban layout feels it straddles water and land as the train cuts through the harbour like a tram, in front of a bow-shaped quay lined with handsome three-storey buildings. The sea is on both sides – a statue of Commodore John Barry, a local man who is often credited as the father of the US navy, presides over the peaceful scene. He appears to challenge the town’s past as Ireland’s first port of call for bloodthirsty Vikings and Cromwellian troops. As the train slinks out of town, it casts a shadow over the Irish National Heritage Park , where that turbulent history and invasions are explored in detail.

The train moves north and inland, but remains close to water as it curves and twists along the contours of the River Slaney. It reaches Enniscorthy – a striking, ancient Norman settlement – through a series of tunnels and a minimalist rail bridge. It’s the hometown of novelist Colm Tóibín – and regularly features as a setting in his books or movie adaptations (along with Curracloe Beach, near Wexford Town, which also landed a role in Saving Private Ryan – as the blood-stained Normandy landing site for troops on D-day). Just outside Enniscorthy, at Vinegar Hill, local rebel forces resisted British infantry during the notorious 1798 rebellion. The standoff lasted for a month, and that brief glimmer of triumph is narrated at the National 1798 Rebellion Centre on Parnell Road.

As the track runs farther north, past Arklow in County Wicklow, the scenery becomes positively Alpine. We pass over gushing streams and the track hugs high conifers as the train climbs higher and higher. It snakes around bends of pine and over old dry stone bridges before entering the Vale of Avoca – a lush valley where the Avonmore and Avonbeg unite at the Meeting of the Waters to become the Avoca river – and eventually stopping at Rathdrum. Just a short walk from the village is Avondale Estate and Forest , the birthplace of politician and Home Rule pioneer Charles Stewart Parnell. The house is currently under extensive renovations but the great expanse of gardens reopened to the public last month.

Farther north, the train leaves Wicklow Town and veers east, trundling parallel with the pebbled coastline. To the left, marshlands are alive with kingfishers and egrets as far as the fertile, rolling hills that shape the horizon. On the approach to Greystones, lone figures walk the beach and, in town, charming restaurants like the Happy Pear , a plant based cafe and bakery, line the streets.

From Greystones, Bray Head approaches, a high rocky peninsula that juts into the Irish Sea. The train offers soaring views over crashing white-crested waves and sandy coves. It darts between tunnels, emerging into blinding sunlight that heralds yet another dramatic coastal view, more spectacular than the last, then grinds to a halt at Bray. From here, passengers can continue on to Dublin city centre with a handful of stops, or board the DART commuter service that meanders and halts at idyllic seaside towns such as Dalkey or Killiney. Book at Irish Rail , from €7.49 single

Cork to Cobh

This 24-minute train journey departs from Kent station in the city, but in that brief time the tracks offer spectacular seaside settings as far as Cobh, a very picturesque town on one of the world’s largest natural harbours. The train navigates the contours of the Belvelly Channel then, veering east, it stops at Little Island before moving on to Ireland’s only wildlife park – Fota Island . Cobh’s red-brick station is the terminus – and it was also the terminus for many aboard the ill-fated RMS Titanic as the final departure point for the ship on 11 April 1912. Drop next door to the Cobh Heritage Centre to discover the story of Annie Moore, who departed from Cobh just before Christmas 1891 to become the first immigrant to be processed at Ellis Island, New York. Book at Irish Rail , €3 single (Leap Card)

Western Rail Corridor

Departing from Galway for Limerick, this old line follows the tourism trail less travelled through ancient townlands and off-radar villages for 80 minutes. Low stone walls cut through the countryside, creating a patchwork of green as far as Gort, a market town close to the historic gardens of Coole Park nature reserve or Thoor Ballylee , where poet WB Yeats lived (and director John Ford filmed the opening scene of the 1952 movie The Quiet Man ). From Ennis, the train curves round Mooghaun Hill Fort and woods, before stopping at Sixmilebridge. From this riverside village it’s an easy cycle to Craggaunowen – a park that explores Celtic life during the bronze age – or the pretty village of Quin, with its magnificent Franciscan abbey ruin. Spend the evening at Limerick City’s Locke Bar , in a river setting in the shadow of Saint Mary’s Cathedral. Book at Irish Rail , €7.49 single

Dublin to Belfast

Leaving Dublin’s Connolly station, the train skirts Malahide Marina and crosses the estuary before heading north through the countryside. Expect long swathes of coastline as far as Drogheda – a fortified town with narrow lanes that straddles the River Boyne. It’s just 8km from the Unesco-listed archaeological site of Brú na Bóinne , a landscape etched with impressive prehistoric tombs. As the train ducks and dives through fields and shore on the two-hour journey, it crosses the 18-arch Craigmore Viaduct, which stretches for a quarter of a mile over a valley. Reaching the destination at Lanyon station, follow the River Lagan north on foot for just over a mile to discover the birth of an ocean colossus at the Titanic Belfast . Book at Irish Rail or at Translink , €13.99 single

Derry to Coleraine

Described by Michael Palin as “one of the most beautiful railway journeys in the world”, this stunning 40-minute ride meanders along the banks of the River Foyle before reaching a wide stretch of low plains by the estuary. On reaching the coast, the train follows the sandy dunes of Benone Strand, flitting in and out of tunnels, like strobe lighting, with breathtaking views coming in and out of focus. Mussenden Temple, a folly – and once the minuscule library of an old estate – teeters high above on a cliff edge. The tranquil seaside village of Castlerock leads to Coleraine, where visitors can travel on to the windswept Antrim coast by bus. Book at Translink , £10 single

Longford to Sligo

From Longford, rail and river intertwined for an 80-minute journey. Within 40 minutes, the train crosses a bridge over the Shannon, the longest river in both Great Britain and Ireland. It links Counties Roscommon and Leitrim, before running alongside Albert Lock, where pleasure cruisers wait patiently on a canal. On the approach to Carrick-on-Shannon, Connaught’s boating capital, the river disappears from sight periodically, then might magically reappear beyond a thicket. Linger in this pretty, flower-drenched marina town to see Ireland’s smallest chapel, before moving to Boyle. It’s the home town of actor Chris O’Dowd and silver-screen legend Maureen O’Sullivan, mother of Mia Farrow – as well as a magnificent medieval abbey. The last leg of the journey ventures into hilly Yeats country – Sligo. Book at Irish Rail , €9.35 single

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5 Scenic Train Rides to Take in Ireland

• Post author: colette
• Post published: August 23, 2021
• Post category: Getting Around Ireland / Train Journeys Across Ireland / Transportation
• Post comments: 0 Comments

Have you thought about seeing parts of Ireland by train? One way to do that is to take one of these 5 scenic train rides that show off parts of the island’s beautiful coastline.

From the Coastal Causeway in Northern Ireland to the Waterford and Suir Valley Railway in the southeastern part of the country, there is a lot to see and experience on these 5 rail excursions.

Table of Contents

Downpatrick to Inch Abbey

You’ll need to make your way to Downpatrick in Co. Down to begin your journey.

Downpatrick is about 21 miles (34 km) from Belfast and is known as the burial place of Saints Patrick , Columba, and Brigid .

Downpatrick takes its name from a fort that once stood on a hill overlooking the town. Today it is the site of Down Cathedral.

Before taking the train at Downpatrick Station, be sure to visit the Saint Patrick Visitors Centre a fascinating tourist attraction that retells the story of Ireland’s patron saint.

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In the churchyard of Down Cathedral, you’ll find a boulder that marks the place where St. Patrick died during the 5 th century. A few miles away, Patrick is said to have converted the first person to Christianity at Saul.

The Catholic church in Downpatrick is St. Patrick’s Cathedral, which is close to the train station.

The steam engine journey will take you through the rolling County Down countryside, with magnificent views of the Mourne Mountains in the distance.

In no time at all (10 minutes to be exact), you’ll be at Inch Abbey, a ruined monastic site where Saint Patrick’s mission to spread Christianity in Ireland began.

The abbey was established as a Cistercian monastery in the 12th century by the Norman knight John de Courcy.

The abbey’s main feature is its chancel (the space around the altar), which has three high windows.

It is believed that de Courcy commissioned one of the monks to rewrite the legends of Saint Patrick, and some believe that this is where the legend of the saint banishing the snakes from Ireland originated.

The site of the abbey was one of several locations used to film scenes for the hit HBO series Game of Thrones.

Admission to Inch Abbey is free.

Read More: A Self-Guided Tour of Northern Ireland's Famous Game of Thrones Attractions

Derry to Coleraine

This train ride has been described by Michael Palin of Monty Python fame  as “one of the most beautiful rail journeys in the world.”

You’ll begin your 40-minute journey in Derry (also known as Londonderry), where there’s a lot to explore, including the city’s 400-year-old walls, Guildhall, the Tower Museum, the Bogside Murals, and more.

Take the train at the Waterside Railway Station, sit back and enjoy the incredible views.

Some of the highlights include glimpses of the 7-mile Benone Strand with mountain and clifftop scenery that stretches across to neighboring County Donegal .

The beach is a favorite destination for not only swimming but also watersports, walking, picnicking, and fishing.

The track runs right along the beach, so you’ll get spectacular views all-round.

Look on the other side of the train and you’ll spot the impressive Binevenagh Mountain, used as the backdrop for several scenes in the Game of Thrones series.

The surrounding sand dunes and cliffs that you’ll see in this part of the country are home to a variety of wildlife and serve as a habitat for many birds, including the peregrine falcon.

The journey continues on to the pretty seaside village of Castlerock and through the longest tunnel on the island of Ireland, which runs beneath the famous Mussenden Temple.

The striking building sits on a 120-foot (36-meter) clifftop, with spectacular views in all directions.

The temple was built in 1785 by Frederick Augustus Hervey, bishop of Derry, as a summer library for his cousin, Frideswide Mussenden. It was inspired by the Temple of Vesta in Tivoli near Rome.

Past Castlerock, the train ride will take you along the River Bann and to your destination, Coleraine.

Howth to Greystones

If you’re staying in the Dublin area, be sure to hop on the DART, Dublin’s rapid transit system that runs from North Dublin to Co. Wicklow.

The rail line is about 53 km long (32 miles), starting in Howth and ending in Greystones, County Wicklow, and is one of 5 scenic train rides you could take while visiting Ireland.

Before hopping on the train at Howth, you might want to take the Howth Cliff Walk , the start of which is conveniently located at the DART station.

Soak up the views of Lambay Island , Ireland’s Eye , and the entire Dublin Bay region.

If you’d like to get a sense of Howth’s history, including its importance as a trading port from the 14 th century on, take the Howth Peninsula Hiking Tour , a 4-hour trek of the area courtesy of experienced guides from Shane’s Howth Adventures.

The nearby Howth Castle is worth exploring, too.

While it isn’t open to the public, the grounds of this 16 th -century building are free to explore.

Before reaching Dublin’s city center DART stations, you’ll see North Bull Island in the distance.

The island is located in Dublin Bay and is home to Dollymount Strand, which runs the entire length of the 5-km-long (3-mile) island, which is designated a National Bird Sanctuary.

On your DART journey, you’ll discover the seaside suburb of Clontarf, which is where the famous Battle of Clontarf was fought in 1014.

On April 23 rd of that year, the Vikings launched an attack on Brian Boru, the High King of Ireland. Boru was victorious but was unfortunately killed himself in the battle.

About 5 minutes from Dublin’s Grand Canal Dock station, you’ll reach the affluent suburb of Sandymount.

From the train, you’ll be able to see the Sandymount Strand, a Blue Flag beach that is also home to the infamous Poolbeg Chimneys (seen from the plane as you make your descent into Dublin Airport).

During the summer months, kitesurfing is a popular activity on the beach.

The village itself has lots of cool cafes, restaurants, and artisan shops to explore.

Continuing south, you’ll pass the delightful towns of Sandycove, Dalkey, and Killiney.

Killiney Bay is particularly beautiful and has long been compared to the Bay of Naples, so don’t take a nap while you’re passing through this beautiful seaside village!

Bray, Co. Wicklow, is a mere 10 minutes from Greystones.

The Dublin and Kingstown Railway opened in 1834, turning Bray into a popular seaside resort.

The promenade designed during the Victorian era and the bandstand are both signature attractions in Bray.

Read More: Learn All About Dublin's Free Attractions

Cork City to Cobh

The 23-minute train journey from Cork City’s Kent Station to Cobh (pronounced “Cove”) is a very pleasant one, with scenic views of the nearby Belvelley Channel and the Atlantic Ocean.

Along the way, you can make stops at  Little Island  and the  Fota Island Wildlife Park .

St. Colman’s Cathedral is the first thing you’ll notice when arriving in Cobh, seconded by its colorful row houses that have been photographed time and time again.

The town was originally known as Queenstown (named after Queen Victoria). Its harbor, the largest natural one in the world, was where millions of emigrants left for North America between 1848 and 1950.

The Cobh Heritage Centre is the main draw for tourists. Its exhibition, the Emigration and Maritime Story, has become an integral part of Cobh’s history and legacy.

The exhibition, which is housed in a beautifully restored Victorian railway station, retraces the journey of the Irish people who left from Cobh on coffin ships, early steamers, and ocean liners.

You’ll learn about the conditions they faced on the coffin ships and on the convict ships that left from Cobh for Australia at the beginning of the 19 th century, as well as the untold stories of earlier emigrants who were sent to the West Indies during the Cromwellian period of the 17 th century.

Kilmeadan to Waterford City

The Kilmeadan to Waterford City train trip is part of the Waterford & Suir Railway , Ireland’s longest narrow-gauge railway line.

On the 50-minute journey, you’ll travel over 10 km (6 miles) of railway track. The banks of the River Suir and the Waterford Greenway are visible along the way.

The beautiful scenery includes 11 bridges, three viaducts, and a 400-meter tunnel in an area known as the Copper Coast.

The journey is particularly popular with families.

Perhaps you've already taken one of these 5 scenic train rides described above. Let me know in the comments below.

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The most epic overnight train journeys in the world

Sep 20, 2021 • 5 min read

Night trains not only save a night in a hotel, but they are better for the environment than flying © Flystock / Shutterstock

There’s something enduringly romantic about train travel. The slower pace, the gentle rhythm, the ability to surrender responsibility and just gaze out of the window. It’s true of all – well, most – rail journeys. But it’s especially true of the sleeper train, the hotel-on-wheels aboard which you can bed down in one country and wake up in another. 

Romance aside, train travel is also far less damaging to the planet: it releases the least amount of greenhouse gasses of all forms of transportation. You’re better able to understand the connections that exist between places on a rail trip, watching the scenery change as cities become suburbs, which become farmland, which become foothills or deserts or plains.

There’s a variety of experiences to choose from when booking overnight train travel, from the budget to the luxe. Here are some of the most epic overnight train journeys to take for those looking for a dream of a ride.

Hanoi to Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam

Nicknamed the Reunification Express when it resumed service after the Vietnam War, this 1072-mile (1726km) ride between Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City  runs the length of the country , providing a perfect Vietnamese diorama: historic towns, bustling suburbs, rice paddies, emerald hills and the glittering South China Sea.

How:  Choose from hard seat (cheapest) or soft, hard berth (six-bed compartment), soft berth (four-bed) or VIP cabin (two beds; book in advance). Tickets can be booked online . 

Duration: About 35 hours.

Chicago to San Francisco, USA

On its epic 2400-mile (3900km) journey, the California Zephyr tackles sheer gorges, hot desert, snowy mountains and a tonne of tunnels and switchbacks. In 1869, these tracks were the first to cross the Continental Divide, linking the Atlantic and the Pacific.

How:  The Zephyr leaves Chicago at 2pm daily. Book early for the lowest fares and best availability; tickets can be booked up almost a year ahead.

Duration: The entire journey to San Francisco takes 52 hours non-stop.

Kapiri Mposhi to Dar es Salaam, Zambia and Tanzania

A sleeper train? Or a rolling two-day safari? The Tazara Railway crosses rivers, gorges and some impressive feats of railway engineering while trundling through the enormous, wildlife-filled expanse of Selous Game Reserve , Tanzania . You might spot elephants, rhinos, lions and more from your window.

How:  Tickets can’t be bought online ; buy them at stations in Dar es Salaam or Kapiri Mposhi or via a local travel agency.

Duration: About 44 hours.

Brisbane to Longreach, Australia

Most of Australia 's overnight trains are multi-day journeys across the continent, such as the Ghan that runs through Australia's "Red Centre" between Darwin and Adelaide , and the Indian Pacific that links Perth and Sydney . The Spirit of the Outback , however, is just over a day-long jaunt from Brisbane to Longreach. After flirting with the coast the train turns inland to reveal a changing landscape as it heads into the outback.

How:  The tickets can be booked online . The train departs Tuesdays at 6:10pm and Saturday at 1:55pm.

Duration: The 1325km journey takes 26 hours.

Rome to Syracuse, Italy

To get from the Italian capital  to the historic Sicilian city of Syracuse , this overnight loco has to board a boat. Having traced the Calabrian coast, it’s lifted on to a ferry to cross the Straits of Messina, before being lifted back off to continue on its way.

How: Two sleeper trains leave Rome nightly at around 9.05pm and 11pm. Tickets can be ordered  online .

Duration:  About 12 hours, including 30 minutes at sea.

Caledonian Sleeper, London to Scotland

There are actually two overnight sleeper trains that run under the umbrella of Caledonian Sleeper. One that runs the “Highland route” making stops between London and Aberdeen , the other runs the “Lowland route” from London Euston to Glasgow or Edinburgh . Rooms include either double beds or bunk beds with all the amenities of a hotel, including wifi, room service and ensuite bathrooms. There’s also a Club Car for those interested in meals outside of their rooms. 

How : Trains run six times a week, with boarding times and schedules varying depending on the particular route, however both timetables and tickets are always available online . 

Duration : 8 hours

Red Arrow, St. Petersburg to Moscow

The Red Arrow or Krasnaya Strela, is possibly Russia’s most famous train. It first launched in 1931 when it was used to transport Russian elites. The glamorous retro interior of the train harkens back to this era with plush red seats and elaborate matching curtains on the windows. There’s a dining car on board and meals are included for passengers riding in either first class or the VIP car. 

How : The train runs every day, leaving from both Moscow or St. Petersburg at 11:55pm and arriving at the opposite end in the morning at 7:55am. Tickets can be purchased online .

Venice Simplon-Orient-Express, Paris to Venice

Perhaps the most luxurious, and most famous, of the overnight sleeper trains, the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express is nothing short of a legend. There are several different routes guests can take on this historic train, but the most iconic is the one from London to Venice . The train itself is a throwback to the 1920s, with a restored art deco interior and luxury dining options included. 

How: Venice Simplon-Orient-Express runs several times per month. Check the website for specific dates and times as well as to book. 

Duration: 31 hours

You might also like Climb aboard for the USA's 6 most amazing train journeys Europe's best night trains 10 of the world's most amazing train journeys

This article was first published Dec 3, 2019 and updated Sep 20, 2021.

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‘The envy of Europe’?: Step inside Irish Rail’s new battery-electric Dart trains

NEW ACCESSIBLE RAMPS, battery-powered, and charging outlets for passengers – can the baker’s dozen new battery-electric Dart trains bound for Dublin “revolutionise” rail travel in the capital?

It’s only a matter of months before the first trains leave the factory in Poland, where they’re being produced by a train manufacturing company called Alstom, and are shipped to Ireland.

There’s plenty of anticipation for the trains among those who have been working behind the scenes on them – it represents a modernisation of the decades-old Dart fleet, a further shift away from diesel as more of the line is electrified, and a badly needed improvement of the service’s accessibility – though it won’t be until late 2025 or early 2026 that testing on Irish tracks is completed and they become available to passengers to judge it for themselves.

In the meantime, The Journal visited the Alstom factory in Katowice, Poland today to see inside the first almost-finished carriage and speak to the teams in Ireland and Poland behind their development.

One member of Alstom staff claimed the Irish trains will be the “envy of Europe”.

The technology in use on the vehicles is already in use in some places, like Germany and Italy, but the scale at which they are coming to Ireland is notable, the staff member said, adding that they expect the UK in particular will be watching what Ireland can achieve.

Before the trains open their sliding doors to passengers, they will have to go through several rounds of final testing. Ordinarily, more of that could happen in Poland where the Alstom factory is based, but Irish tracks have a wider gauge than the tracks in Poland, which means they need to be transported back first before they can undergo the final tests.

“We can only do that testing when the train is in Ireland and we can only do it at night, so the time we have for doing that testing at night is somewhat limited. That’s why it takes a number of months to get the train to service,” said Piers Wood, Alstom’s Country Managing Director for Ireland, speaking to The Journal .

“But when the train does come to service – and I’m a regular user of the Dart at the moment – it will revolutionise the way that people travel.”

The first order for the new fleet was signed in 2021 and includes six five-car electric trains and 13 five-car battery-electric trains, the latter of which will operate from the city centre northwards.

The existing electrified Dart line runs between Howth and Greystones. Under the Dart+ programme, there’ll be three extensions to that: out to Maynooth and the M3 Parkway, to Hazelhatch, and to Drogheda.

It’ll be Drogheda where the new battery trains get charged, which is estimated to take less than an hour.

“What’s different about these to any other trains that we’ve had is that they are both electric and battery,” Irish Rail Deputy Director of Communications Jane Cregan outlined.

“They will operate as a Dart electric train as far as Malahide, and from Malahide to Drogheda they will operate under batteries, and then when they get to Drogheda there’ll be a quick charge, a turnaround and then they will operate on battery as far as Malahide and back onto the wires again,” she said.

“It’s revolutionary for us because it gives us great opportunities to run more and more frequent services. It’s also more sustainable than diesel transport.”

• Interested in learning more about the trains? Lauren will be looking at the climate side of the new Darts in this month’s edition of our Temperature Check newsletter, which will be sent to inboxes tomorrow. Sign up in the box below to receive it.

Peek inside

Inside, a key change from the current Dart stock is how space is allocated.

There’s a new seating configuration, which includes multiple folding-up seats, and dedicated spaces for wheelchairs, bicycles, and children’s buggies.

And unlike the decades-old Dart trains currently on the tracks, these ones will have charging ports.

“It’s a much more airy, spacious train,” said Piers Wood.

“You can walk the length of the train. It’s got USB sockets, wider gangways, and wider seats.” 

Accessibility

When the trains finally pull up to the platforms, they’ll be coming with new automatic ramps that extend out from the doors to the platforms and are able to adapt to the distance between the train and the platform at the given station.

It’s not envisioned though that there would be a mechanism at this stage to inform passengers whether the train running a particular service would be one of the newer models with the improved accessibility, or one of the older, existing stock.

Changes were made to the design along the development process in response to feedback during public consultations. One of three folding seats in the wheelchair area was removed, for instance, to provide more room for wheelchairs and to extend the length of a grab rail.

Irish Rail Chief Mechanical Engineer Peter Smyth said there have been “significant” improvements to accessibility on the new trains.

“Every single vehicle has a low floor area matching the platform height and every doorway has an extending, gap-filling ramp that opens at every door, at every station, to provide easy access for boarding for people of reduced mobility people with buggies, people in wheelchairs, etc,” he said to The Journal at the site.

“On board, you’ve got very good LED lighting, very good brightness inside, and you can see throughout the whole train – you can see all the way down, there’s no barrier between the carriages anymore.”

‘A very modern train’

Irish Rail has signed a ten-year agreement framework with Alstom, under which they can order up to 750 vehicles. There’s also a 15-year maintenance agreement that means Alstom will be providing maintenance in Dublin.

This fleet will be used on the Dart+ programme in Dublin, but there is “potential” for them to be expanded to other parts of the country in the future, such as Cork, one official said. 

Ireland has the option of ordering five-car or ten-car trains from the factory; so far, it’s just the five-car versions on the horizon.

These have 204 seats, capacity for 551 people, 20 priority seats, two wheelchair spaces, two bicycle areas, and two family areas.

Working on site on is Matthew Murnane, a graduate engineer who studied at University College Cork and joined the validation team three weeks ago. “I’m working with different disciplines on the train and just making sure everything goes swimmingly,” he explained.

Freshly over from Ireland, Matthew gave us his take on the new trains. “I think they’re fantastic – very, very modern. The battery technology is obviously one of the big changes. They’ve quite a different look as well. And then a lot of engineering to really give us a very modern train on the Dart.”

Sign up for Temperature Check, The Journal’s monthly climate newsletter, in the box below for more on the new Dart trains tomorrow.

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