2-Day ‘Game of Thrones’ Rail Tour from Dublin Incl. Belfast and Giant’s Causeway

Northern Ireland packs a lot into two days. This trip combines a guided rail journey from Dublin with Belfast’s Titanic Belfast and hop-on hop-off bus, then follows the Causeway coast through Game of Thrones filming sites to Giant’s Causeway. I like the easy transport plan and the chance to spend a full evening in Belfast instead of rushing through it on a day trip. The main drawback is the price, especially since some stops feel brief and the hotel can vary.

The second day is the real prize. Guides such as Derek, Derrick, and Philip have earned strong praise for their humor, local knowledge, and Game of Thrones enthusiasm. Still, you should expect wind, rain, hills, and a long return to Dublin, with arrival as late as 10:15 p.m. on many dates.

Key points at a glance

• Belfast gets a full first day: Use the included bus tour to see the Peace Wall, Titanic Quarter, and other major sights at your own pace.
• Titanic Belfast is a serious museum: Allow plenty of time for its seven floors and interactive displays.
• The Causeway coast is the star: Giant’s Causeway gives the day its most memorable natural setting.
• Derek and other local guides add the fun: Their stories connect filming locations with Irish history, legends, and show details.
• The day involves walking and weather exposure: Expect hills, wet paths, strong wind, and limited time at some stops.
• The package saves planning time, not always money: Rail, hotel, breakfast, city sightseeing, and the coastal tour are bundled together, but independent booking may cost less.

Why this two-day rail trip works

I like the basic design. You leave Dublin in the morning, reach Belfast by train, and have the rest of the day to explore without packing and unpacking again. The next morning, you join a dedicated northern coast tour, then return to Belfast and continue by train to Dublin.

That arrangement is useful if you do not want to rent a car in Northern Ireland. You avoid driving on unfamiliar roads, choosing a hotel, arranging several separate tickets, and working out how to connect Belfast with the Causeway coast. Someone meets you at Dublin Connolly Station, provides the rail arrangements, and helps direct you onward in Belfast.

The package is listed at $625.58 per person. That is a substantial price, so value depends on how much organization you want handled for you. The cost covers the overnight hotel, breakfast, train commentary, the Belfast hop-on hop-off ticket, admission to Titanic Belfast, and the fully guided Game of Thrones day. Food and drinks are extra.

I would not choose this trip simply because the word Game of Thrones appears in the title. I would choose it for the combination of Belfast, the Causeway coast, and simple rail transport. The show adds a playful theme to places that are already worth seeing.

An early start from Dublin Connolly

The meeting time is 6:50 a.m. at Connolly Station on Amiens Street. That is early, so plan your morning carefully. The tour ends back at the same Dublin meeting point, usually at about 10:15 p.m. on the second day. The return is earlier in November through February, with arrival listed at about 8:15 p.m., and Sunday schedules also differ.

The train ride gives you a relaxed start compared with a long coach journey from Dublin. Commentary is provided on the train, and the route offers views as you head north. Do not expect a full guided lecture from the moment you board, however. The amount of information can vary depending on the escort and the day.

You are responsible for your own luggage, but there are no stated luggage restrictions. A current passport is required because you are crossing into Northern Ireland, and you should check your own visa requirements before booking.

Belfast: a city day with room to choose

After arriving in Belfast, the arrangements generally move you toward your hotel and provide the city sightseeing tickets. Your afternoon is largely your own, which is a good thing. Belfast is not a city you should see only through a coach window.

The hop-on hop-off bus gives you a useful first look at the city. Its commentary covers Belfast’s past and the difficult period known as the Troubles, along with major sights such as the Peace Wall and the Titanic Quarter. I suggest riding a complete circuit first if the schedule allows, then deciding where to get off.

The Peace Wall is an important stop, but it is not a polished tourist attraction. It is a direct reminder of the divisions that shaped Belfast. You may find the stop more meaningful with the bus commentary than by simply arriving, taking a photograph, and leaving.

Keep an eye on the bus timetable. In winter, service can end around 4 p.m., and buses may arrive only every 30 minutes. Some stops offer little shelter, so cold or wet weather can turn a short wait into an uncomfortable one. The ride toward Stormont also takes time, and the open upper deck can be very cold and windy.

Titanic Belfast deserves more than a quick visit

Titanic Belfast is included, and it is one of the strongest parts of the package. The museum sits in the area where the Titanic was built, giving the subject a strong sense of place.

This is not simply a room with ship models and a few old photographs. The museum uses interactive displays to explain Belfast’s shipbuilding industry, the design and construction of the vessel, its launch, and its disastrous voyage. The building has seven floors, so allow plenty of time.

Some visitors expect a large collection of original ship interiors and find fewer physical artifacts than anticipated. The museum focuses heavily on the building of the Titanic, not just the sinking. If you are interested in engineering, Belfast industry, or the city’s connection to the ship, that approach works well.

I would visit Titanic Belfast before wandering too far around town. You can then use the remaining time for the city center, a pub, or another guided activity if you choose. The hotel location can make an evening out easy, though accommodation is not guaranteed to be the same for every booking.

Your overnight stay and breakfast

The package includes one night in a four-star hotel with breakfast. The Europa Hotel is named in several accounts and receives warm praise for its location and service. It is close to central Belfast sights, pubs, and restaurants, making it a practical base for a free evening.

That said, do not assume the Europa is guaranteed. One particularly unhappy booking involved a different hotel, the Duke of Queens, where the air conditioning failed and the room could not be changed. A four-star label does not remove the need to confirm the actual property and room arrangement.

If you are booking a double-occupancy room, state whether you want one double bed or twin beds in the special requirements field. The request is subject to availability. Breakfast is included, which matters because the next morning begins with an early departure for the coast.

Your free Belfast evening is one of the package’s quiet strengths. You can ride the bus, visit Titanic Belfast, and still have time for a meal or a drink without being rushed back to Dublin that night.

Day two follows the Causeway coast

The northern tour departs Belfast at 9 a.m. and follows the scenic Causeway Route. The program visits seven named Game of Thrones locations from the first four series, although the full day may include additional scenic or show-related stops depending on the guide.

The tour is more than a string of photo stops when the guide is good. Derek and Derrick are praised for keeping the coach lively, explaining filming details, and showing clips from scenes connected with the places you visit. Philip is also praised for linking local legends and history to the television locations.

This is where the guide matters most. A field, cave, or harbor can seem ordinary if you do not know what happened there on screen. With a guide who enjoys the subject, the same place becomes a story prompt. If you are not a dedicated fan, you can still enjoy the coast, local tales, and scenery.

Cushendun Caves and the shadow baby scene

At Cushendun, you walk to the caves used for the scene in which Melisandre gives birth to the shadow baby that kills Renly Baratheon. The caves are a striking early stop because they have a natural, slightly eerie quality without needing much decoration.

The walk is short enough for most people, but this is not a stay-on-the-bus tour. The guide may move at a brisk pace, and wet ground or uneven surfaces can make the approach slower. Wear shoes with a good grip.

This stop also shows the tour’s basic rhythm: arrive, hear the scene explained, walk to the filming spot, take photographs, and move on. If you want long quiet periods at each location, this schedule may feel tight.

Ballycastle and the Dark Hedges

Ballycastle is linked with the fictional backstory of Varys, who was born as a slave in the Free Cities. The connection is mainly for fans, while the coastal setting offers its own appeal.

The Dark Hedges is the most instantly recognizable photo stop. Its twisting beech trees form a natural arch over the road used as the Kingsroad, where Arya Stark escapes King’s Landing disguised as a boy. It is one of the most photographed places in Ireland, and you will see why as soon as you walk beneath the branches.

The site can be crowded, and the time available may be limited. I would have your camera ready before you leave the vehicle. This is also a place where the real setting matters as much as the television connection. Even without knowing the show, the trees create an unusual, memorable view.

Lunch at Ballintoy Harbour

Lunch is not included. The usual stop is the Fullerton Arms near Ballintoy Harbour, a comfortable place associated with several scenes and familiar with the film-location trade.

You have the chance to eat, take a break, and hear a story or two from staff who have hosted cast members and production visitors. Keep your meal time in mind when budgeting. A long lunch can reduce your time at nearby sights, while a quick meal gives you more room for photographs and walking.

Ballintoy is also where the day can feel especially exposed. The coast is known for strong wind and sudden rain, so bring a waterproof jacket even if Belfast begins with sunshine.

Giant’s Causeway is the main event

The final major stop is Giant’s Causeway, a UNESCO World Heritage site and the natural highlight of the trip. The shore is covered with thousands of interlocking basalt columns, formed into unusual geometric shapes by ancient volcanic activity.

The Game of Thrones theme fades into the background here, and that is perfectly fine. This is the place where you should put the camera away for a moment and look at the rock formations, sea, and cliffs.

The walk down to the main formations takes about 15 minutes, with a return walk of around 20 minutes according to one detailed account. The route back is uphill. A low-cost shuttle bus is available if you do not want to walk both ways.

You will likely have a generous stop here, possibly including lunch time, but the exact balance depends on the group and schedule. The causeway can be wet and slippery, and the wind can be fierce. Bring warm layers and shoes suited to uneven ground.

The return journey is long but useful

After Giant’s Causeway, the coach returns to Belfast for a short final tour before you connect with the train to Dublin. On many dates, you arrive at Dublin Connolly around 10:15 p.m. This is a full day, not a gentle afternoon outing.

The winter schedule is different because the last train to Dublin leaves Belfast at 6:05 p.m. That earlier departure can shorten the Belfast finish or alter the timing, so check the date-specific schedule before you commit.

The reward for the long return is that you see the northern coast without sacrificing a separate day in Dublin. The cost is fatigue. If you have an early flight or important plans the next morning, think carefully before adding this to the end of a busy Ireland itinerary.

How much walking should you expect?

This is not a strenuous hike, but it is not a sit-down sightseeing ride either. You walk to the Cushendun Caves, explore the Dark Hedges, move around coastal locations, and walk down to Giant’s Causeway. There are hills and some uneven surfaces.

One account describes the tour as manageable but notes that the guide walked quickly. If you have mobility concerns, tell the guide at the start. The tour staff may be able to explain the easier options at each stop, but the schedule cannot turn every location into a fully accessible visit.

Service animals are allowed, and most people can participate. Children under 16 cannot book independently and must remain with a parent or guardian.

Group size, guides, and the human factor

The booking information lists a maximum of 10 participants, though the northern coach portion may involve a larger combined group. Vehicle size can vary, and one account found a smaller bus cramped for taller people.

A lively guide can make the difference between a good day and a great one. Derek and Derrick receive especially warm praise for humor, energy, and show knowledge. They also appear to handle different interests well, including people who know every episode and people who have never watched the series.

Do not count on every guide delivering the same performance. The route and inclusions are the dependable part; the personality and depth of the commentary can change with the assigned guide.

Is $625.58 a fair price?

The price is fair if you value convenience and want several pieces handled together. You receive rail transport from Dublin, one Belfast hotel night, breakfast, city bus sightseeing, Titanic Belfast admission, and the guided Causeway tour.

It is less attractive if you are comfortable booking trains, hotels, and day tours on your own. One unhappy booking calculated that an independent combination of rail tickets and separate Belfast tours could cost less. That option also gives you more control over the hotel and how long you spend at each sight.

The package earns its price through simplicity. You do not need to coordinate a morning train, hotel luggage drop, city tickets, an early coastal pickup, and a late train home. For a short Ireland visit, that saved effort can be worth real money.

Book at least six full days before departure for a full refund if plans change. A cancellation two to six days before the start receives 50 percent back, while cancellations less than two days before departure are not refunded.

Who should book this tour?

I would recommend it to a first-time visitor who wants Belfast and the northern coast without driving. It also suits couples, families with older children, solo visitors who prefer organized transport, and Game of Thrones fans who want the filming locations explained rather than simply photographed.

I would hesitate if you want a slow trip, dislike early mornings, or need guaranteed hotel details. I would also compare the cost with booking the train, Belfast hotel, Titanic Belfast, and a separate Game of Thrones tour yourself.

FAQ

Where does the tour start?

It starts at Connolly Station, 1 Amiens Street, North Wall, Dublin. The meeting time is 6:50 a.m.

Where does the tour finish?

It finishes back at the Dublin meeting point at Connolly Station. Arrival is usually around 10:15 p.m., with different times in winter and on Sundays.

Is accommodation included?

Yes. The tour includes one night in four-star hotel accommodation in Belfast, with breakfast.

Is the hotel always the Europa Hotel?

No. The Europa Hotel is used for some bookings, but the hotel can vary. Confirm the assigned property before departure if the hotel is important to you.

Is Titanic Belfast included?

Yes. Admission to Titanic Belfast is included, along with the Belfast hop-on hop-off bus ticket.

Is food included?

Breakfast is included at the hotel. Other food and drinks are not included, including lunch at the Fullerton Arms.

Do I need a passport?

Yes. A current valid passport is required on the day of travel. You are responsible for checking your visa requirements.

How much walking is involved?

You should expect walking at Cushendun Caves, the Dark Hedges, coastal stops, and Giant’s Causeway. The walk to the causeway takes about 15 minutes downhill and about 20 minutes back uphill, with a shuttle bus available.

Can children join the tour?

Children under 16 cannot book independently. They must be accompanied by a parent or guardian at all times.

Should you book it?

Book this trip if you want Belfast, Titanic Belfast, Giant’s Causeway, and Game of Thrones sites in one organized package, and you value not having to manage the connections yourself. The coast and the Giant’s Causeway are the strongest reasons to go, while the guides can add a great deal of fun.

Skip it if you want the lowest possible price, a guaranteed specific hotel, or long unhurried visits at every stop. For most first-time visitors with only two days, the convenience is the selling point. Just bring waterproof clothing, sturdy shoes, a passport, and enough energy for the late ride home.