Dublin, Belfast, and Derry 4-Night Unforgettable Itinerary ☘️
Must Have:
-🛂 Valid Passport
[Even if you will not have passport control or need a visa when entering Northern Ireland by train, it is mandatory to carry it with you, as Great Britain is no longer in Europe]
-💷Some Local Currency
[In Northern Ireland there is obviously the pound, I recommend bringing a minimum of local currency or withdraw it at the ATM. Although I would define GB as an almost "cash-free" country]
-☀️Layering
[Apply as much layered dressing as possible; you will alternate between sudden rains and the scorching Northern European sun!!!]
How the itinerary is made up:
Day 1º: Dublin
Day 2º: Belfast
Day 3º: Derry/Londonderry
Day 4º: Dublin
[The order can be modified and reversed based on the airport of arrival]
Day 1 • Arrival in Dublin
Let's start with Dublin; dive in following step by step or take inspiration from my itinerary. I and 3 other friends arrived at Dublin airport in April, with a low-cost Ryanair flight from Milan, but you can clearly leave from many other European cities for a reasonable price if you book in time or out of season. Don't worry, at the end of the itinerary you will find a report of expenses.
Airport ➙ Dublin City Center
🚖 We then moved to the city center by TAXI for around 35€.
[Unfortunately the driver did not activate the taximeter thus deciding the fare upon arrival]
However, consider a range of 25-35 € in a Taxi or Uber (in Ireland it is used to book TAXI, so there are no UberX rates or services)
Alternative means:
🚍 Bus (8 € ca.)
We took the flight from Milan at 10:35 (GMT+2) landing in Dublin at 12:00 (GMT+1) thus guaranteeing the entire afternoon free. After a short lunch at the Hard Rock Café, not too cheap, but in line with prices in Ireland, we moved to Temple Bar area to have a Guinnes pint and tour.
Our itinerary was then structured around the main sites of the city centre:
After spending some hours wondering, one of those things I love and that I recommend most to truly discover a city, we headed towards The Spire to buy some souvenirs and look for a taxi to our hotel.
I would define this section as: The painful part
Dublin is a city that I would define as "not exactly cheap". Finding accommodation/hotel for four people in mid-April and with less than a month's notice was neither easy nor cheap. In the end the solution was to look outside the centre, choosing one of the few economical, basic structures which tend to never disappoint expectations, albeit low. The Ibis Hotel chain!!.
Dinner tip: supermarket sandwich and drink; come on at 19 you can still bear it!!
Jokes aside, I will later publish a specific guide on food in Budget trips and much more!
Day 2 • Moving to Belfast
🚖 We checked out at the hotel in the morning and booked a taxi through FREENOW to Connolly Station; for a total of 30 €.
Already have the app? Add my referral code: d7st0yp5f
🎫 As for tickets, they can be purchased at the station, or online. You will have two possible options, with different costs:
-Buy a one-way ticket in Ireland with Irish Rail and then the return ticket in Northern Ireland with Translink
-Buy the return ticket directly in Ireland and in € (I recommend this option; you should get train tickets in advance, as the route is quite busy)
[The same system applies in Northern Ireland. However, the rule applies that tickets can only be purchased on the website/station of the country/city of departure.]
DON'T MAKE OUR MISTAKE, SINGLE TICKETS TAKEN ONLINE COST LESS THAN HALF!!
The duration of the journey is approximately 2h5mn/2h15mn and the price ranges from:
→One-way fare: 13.99 € to 30.40 € .
↔Return fare: from 27.98 € to 32 €.
Alternative means:
Belfast Lanyon Place ➙ Belfast City Hall
Take the bus to City Center; 2.10£ fare
To see and compare the routes and itineraries I recommend
Daily Itinerary + Extras:
Belfast, the capital of Northern Ireland, is a city rich in history and culture. However, much of its history has been marked by a period of conflict known as "The Troubles," which lasted from 1969 to 1998. During this time, the city was divided by political and religious tensions between Catholics and Protestants. Today, the murals found in the neighborhoods of Falls Road and Shankill Road still bear witness to the scars of that tumultuous period and represent an important element of cultural expression and historical memory in the city.
In this walking itinerary, we will explore both the history of Belfast and the role of murals in its contemporary context:
🍺🍔We then moved, after a few hours and a bit of rain, towards the city center to drink and eat something. Our choice fell on:
As for accommodation, our choice fell on an AirBnb, truly recommended:
If you want to wake up early in the morning, or if you have time left over the day before, I also recommend:
Day 3 • Derry/Londonderry
🎟️🚊The train to Derry always leaves from Lanyon Place station and you can find one every hour. As for the route lasts 2h02mn and the ticket cost is around £14. You will be enchanted by the landscapes and the Irish sea during the train journey!!
Once you arrive at the stations in Derry I recommend that, depending on the location of your accommodation, you walk 10 minutes to the center or take the bus; also in this case, rely on Moovit and Google Maps App for timetables and information.
Our accommodation was in the center and I highly recommend it:
Daily Itinerary:
Derry, officially known as Londonderry, is a city in Northern Ireland with a rich history. Situated along the banks of the River Foyle, Derry is renowned for its well-preserved 17th-century city walls, making it one of the finest examples of a walled city in Europe. Steeped in culture and heritage, Derry offers a unique blend of historic landmarks, vibrant arts, and a warm, welcoming atmosphere. Explore its historic streets, enjoy its lively festivals, and delve into its complex history, which played a significant role in the region's past conflicts and peace process.
Day 4 • Moving Back to Dublin
As for the return; there are again two options, both bookable from :
-Direct BUS 🚌
The price is around 11 £ if taken online or 22 £ if paid in cash, per adult.
-TRAIN with change in Belfast 🚆
The price is around 16.49£ to 42.50£ pounds; based on availability, how far in advance and where you purchase, and the type of fare (Student, Adult, A/R...)
Travel time ranges from 4h14mn to 4h37mn; I strongly recommend leaving early in the morning so you can enjoy the last afternoon in Dublin.
I highly recommend our accommodation:
Afternoon Itinerary in Dublin:
Having limited time, I recommend articulating the afternoon itinerary starting with the National Gallery of Ireland, where the beautiful and rich permanent collection is totally FREE!!!
Continuing the itinerary then with:
TRANSPARENT COSTS 💶
Before we say goodbye, hoping to have involved you even more in this fantastic adventure, I bring you some information about the Average Costs of the trip.
◆ Plane A/R Milan Dublin: 63 Euro each (obviously without hand luggage...as I always say never overload unnecessarily)
◆ Ibis Hotel Dublin: 70,25 Euro each
◆ Belfast Airbnb: 29,7 Euro each
◆ Diamond House Apartments Derry: 39 Euro each
◆ Harvey's Guesthouse Dublin: 36,8 Euro each
Airplane + Accomodation = 238.75 Euro
[The price is of course variable and somewhat "discounted" given the number of travelers of 4; of course it goes without saying but alone you will spend a little bit more than in pairs or groups]
[As for other transportation, costs are made explicit in the itineraries above]
BUON VIAGGIO!!
Dear traveler, as you embark on your new journey, may this guide be your trusted companion, igniting your curiosity and inspiring unforgettable experiences. Explore, discover, and enjoy every moment. Buon Viaggio!!
**Disclosure: This guide may include affiliate links, which means I may earn a commission if you choose to make a purchase through my links, at no additional cost to you.**
The home for unique & authentic travel
