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Aran Islands Scenic Flight and Galway Rail Tour from Dublin

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County Dublin, Ireland
Aran Islands Scenic Flight and Galway Rail Tour from Dublin
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Aran Islands Scenic Flight and Galway Rail Tour from Dublin
Inis Mór, Aran Islands
Inis Mor, Aran Islands, Co. Galway
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LIKELY TO SELL OUT

From $204.58 / person

Price details
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No times available
Free cancellation
Up to 24 hours in advance. Learn more
Safety measures
icon14 hours  (Approx.)
Mobile ticket
iconOffered in: English
Good for avoiding crowds

Overview

Discover the Ireland of old with this unforgettable day trip to Galway from Dublin, including a flight to the Aran island of Inis Mor. Travel to Galway city by train and enjoy a scenic flight to the largest Aran island, set in Galway Bay. On an island tour, admire Inis Mor’s stark- but-beautiful landscapes, dry stone walls and thatched villages; visit prehistoric, clifftop Dun Aengus fort, and learn about Inis Mor’s rich heritage. Then, fly back to the mainland and enjoy free time in lively Galway before returning to Dublin.
  • Full-day trip from Dublin to the Aran Islands and Galway
  • Scenic flight from Connemara to Inis Mor
  • Island tour of Inis Mor, including the magnificent Dun Aengus fort
  • Island seascapes and cliffs
  • Free time in Galway City to shop, explore or visit a typical Irish pub
  • Hosted train travel
  • Information pack
  • Friendly, professional tour guide
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From $204.58

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Scenic flight
Host on trains
Information pack
Reserved seats on trains
Qualified driver-guide on coaches
All travel by rail and coach from Dublin Heuston Station
Gratuities
Hotel pickup and drop-off
Food and drinks, unless specified

Departure Point

Heuston Station, St John's Rd W, Saint James' (part of Phoenix Park), Dublin, Ireland

Railtours Ireland Representatives will be waiting in the main concourse area of the station with your travel pack in bright yellow jackets so that they are easily located. Check in is 20 minutes prior to the departure time listed.

Departure Time

7:35 AM

Return Details

Returns to original departure point
Board your early morning train in central Dublin, settle into your reserved seat, and relax on your roughly 3-hour journey to Galway city. As you travel, admire Ireland’s peat boglands and rolling hills, and catch views of the Shannon River at Athlone. A light breakfast service is available on the train.

On arrival in Galway, travel by air-conditioned vehicle to nearby Connemara Airport for your flight to Inis Mor, the largest of Ireland’s Aran Islands, set at the mouth of Galway Bay. Hop into your small plane and marvel at the bird’s-eye views on your 10-minute flight. Gaze down over Galway’s rugged coast and the Atlantic, and catch tantalizing glimpses of Inis Mor’s villages and fields, a patchwork of greenery criss-crossed by dry stone walls.

After landing, set off for a scenic island tour, following the winding lanes through barren-but-beautiful limestone landscapes. Pass thatched cottages, sandy beaches, medieval churches and Celtic stone crosses; and hear about the island’s age-old Celtic mythology and Gaelic linguistic heritage from your guide.

Stop for a pub lunch (own expense) in Kilronan, the main village; and visit Inis Mor's star attraction: Dun Aengus fort. Wander around this semi-circular prehistoric fort, whose crumbled stones edge a 300-foot (90-meter) sea cliff, and enjoy the thrilling views down over the island, sea and Ireland’s mainland.

After your island tour, fly back to Connemara and transfer to Galway city. Enjoy some free time to stroll around the charming streets, shop for souvenirs or perhaps enjoy a glass of Guinness (own expense) in one of the friendly pubs.

Then, relax on your train ride back to Dublin, where your trip concludes.
Itinerary
Stop At:  
Dun Aonghasa
Irish is the spoken language on the Aran Islands (we rarely ever say Gaelic), although the locals will be more than happy to speak to you in English. For many, the highlight of the tour is the formidable pre-Christian fort of Dún Aonghusa, (Phon: Doon Aengussa) with spectacular sea-cliffs on the western side and unspoilt views of the Atlantic Ocean. Your tour of Inis Mór begins and ends at the island's airport and includes stops at 'Seven Churches' (15 minutes), Dún Aonghusa (75 minutes) and Kilronan for lunch (45 minutes). Please always be back at the bus at the time and place specified by the driver.
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Duration: 1 hour 15 minutes
Admission Ticket Included
Stop At:  
Aran Sweater Market
We have a lunchstop in Kilronan for 45 minutes. Please always be back at the bus at the time and place specified by the driver.
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Duration: 45 minutes
Admission Ticket Free
Stop At:  
Na Seacht Teampaill (The Seven Churches)
Your tour of Inis Mór begins and ends at the island's airport and includes stops at the 'Seven Churches'. The stop is approximately 15 minutes Please always be back at the bus at the time and place specified by the driver.
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Duration: 15 minutes
Admission Ticket Free
  • Confirmation will be received within 48 hours of booking, subject to availability
  • This tour offers stops en route for photographs, shopping, etc.
  • Please note that for operational reasons and in bad weather conditions it may, on occasion, be necessary to alter certain itineraries. If flights are cancelled due to bad weather conditions, you will be taken on an alternative tour to Connemara and refunded the difference.
  • Not wheelchair accessible
  • Service animals allowed
  • Near public transportation
  • Children U16 cannot book independently. They must be accompanied by a parent/guardian at all times.
  • Most travelers can participate
  • This tour/activity will have a maximum of 10 travelers
  • OPERATED BY Railtours Ireland First Class
You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the experience for a full refund.
  • For a full refund, you must cancel at least 24 hours before the experience’s start time.
  • If you cancel less than 24 hours before the experience’s start time, the amount you paid will not be refunded.
  • Any changes made less than 24 hours before the experience’s start time will not be accepted.
  • Cut-off times are based on the experience’s local time.

Learn more about cancellations.

The answers provided below are based on answers previously given by the tour provider to customers’ questions.
Q:
What is the policy on face masks and attendee health during Aran Islands Scenic Flight and Galway Rail Tour from Dublin?
A:The policies on face masks and attendee health are:

  • Face masks required for guides in public areas
  • Face masks provided for travelers
See all safety measures taken by Aran Islands Scenic Flight and Galway Rail Tour from Dublin.
Q:
What is the policy on sanitization during Aran Islands Scenic Flight and Galway Rail Tour from Dublin?
A:The policies on sanitization are:

  • Hand sanitizer available to travelers and staff
  • Regularly sanitized high-traffic areas
  • Transportation vehicles regularly sanitized
See all safety measures taken by Aran Islands Scenic Flight and Galway Rail Tour from Dublin.
Q:
What is the social distancing policy during Aran Islands Scenic Flight and Galway Rail Tour from Dublin?
A:The policy on social distancing is:

  • Social distancing enforced throughout experience
See all safety measures taken by Aran Islands Scenic Flight and Galway Rail Tour from Dublin.
Q:
What measures are being taken to ensure staff health & safety during Aran Islands Scenic Flight and Galway Rail Tour from Dublin?
A:The policy on staff health & safety is:

  • Guides required to regularly wash hands
See all safety measures taken by Aran Islands Scenic Flight and Galway Rail Tour from Dublin.

Traveler Tips

  • "It is a lot of travel time on the train and buses but once you get there the trip was worth it !" See review

Reviews

4.5
star-4.5
88 Reviews
5 stars
56
4 stars
17
3 stars
8
2 stars
5
1 star
2

Reviews by Viator travelers

Showing 1-10 of 88 reviews
star-5
Solo trip to Ireland
jayjp89
, Nov 2019
Out of the 5 days that I stayed in Ireland this by far was the best day of my entire trip. Got to experience a scenic route via train and a private plane, not to mention the hike as well as ample amount of time in Galway. I would highly recommend this to anyone that travels.
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star-5
Visit the Aran Islands
Travel64896334171
, Jun 2019
We left the Dublin station for Galway and I was very impressed by the cleanliness of the coach and the efficiency of the service. (Our guide was a little too touchy/feely for the comfort of myself and gf) Other than that, we were met at Galway and then a short bus trip to the small airport for our 8 minute flight over to the Island. Again I was impressed by the efficiency of the entire operation. We arrived on the Island and again were met with bus service and transported to the point where we could continue our journey by bus, bicycle, walking or horse-drawn wagon. So many options. glad we chose a bus. The roads are beyond narrow with rock fences in all directions, but as we drove the route the driver explained so many conditions on the island. The bus certainly wasn't new or sort of new, but the enthusiasm of the driver and the friendliness of the passengers made up for any shortfalls in the actual vehicle. We were able to stop, look and take pictures. I would say it was a terrific trip. Left with sweaters and a full tummy of delicious food. Very delightful trip.
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star-4
Amazing views !
curlycourt10
, Jun 2019
We were very lucky and had great clear weather . It is a lot of travel time on the train and buses but once you get there the trip was worth it ! Gorgeous views after a little rocky hike up . Cute little town great restaurants and stores with a huge selection of Aran knit sweaters . Our tour guide in the island was funny and charming !
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star-2
Sadly this was a bust for us. We...
Rhonda L R
, Jan 2018
Sadly this was a bust for us. We woke early and got on the train for the 3 hour ride to Galway. While on train, guide got the thumbs up that we would fly. Sometime after being picked up at train station and 45 minute ride to airport, weather changed. We waited at airport for well over an hour with hopes of flying over. Never happened. Then we got back on bus and was dropped back off in Galway. We really didn't know what to do at that point, because there was no direction. Bus driver pointed in direction of the train station so that's were we went. Found the next train and went back to Dublin.
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star-5
This was a great tour! All of the...
Lauren M
, Sep 2017
This was a great tour! All of the guides were very friendly and knowledgeable and made sure we knew where to go for each portion of the journey. Most of the time we were personally handed off from guide to guide. The train is a great way to get around and when we got to the train station, we were met by another guide who took us to the waiting van to get us to the Connemara airport. I highly recommend the scenic flight, it really is an unbelievable experience. Once on the islands, we toured around in a bus to various sights and hiked to the top of a fort. Everything was included in the price of the tour transportation, fort, etc except meals which made it easy. We had a couple hours in Galway before meeting our train back to Dublin, that is a really nice town with lots of shops and restaurants.
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star-4
Sadly, bad weather prevented us from...
Maureen T
, Sep 2017
Sadly, bad weather prevented us from being able to take the scenic flight to the Aran Islands. We met the friendly representative at the railway station in Dublin - boarded the train, and headed off for Galway. It was lovely to traverse Ireland - and get an idea of the island from east to west. I was very excited about the flight - so naturally, was very disappointed to learn, just before our arrival in Galway, that the Island was too foggy for a safe landing - and so our flight was cancelled. The tour leader was so lovely - concerned that we'd been disappointed, and worried that we'd be upset about not getting a refund - but seriously - I didn't mind that - it was just a shame not to see Aran - especially when we'd come from Australia and may not be able to get back. We weren't interested in an alternative tour offered and decided to just explore Galway instead. The tour leader very kindly pointed us in the right direction and we walked into town. We had a marvellous time - lunch in a very pretty and friendly town. There was a buzz in town for the races, and It was a delight - street entertainment and Irish dancing. We took an early train back, as crowds were gathering for the Galway Races and we thought we'd make a move while it was still not crowded and we had daylight to enjoy the scenery. Not what we had in mind - but very enjoyable anyway!
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star-3
If we had made it to Aran Islands...
Alan D
, Aug 2017
If we had made it to Aran Islands this review would be different. Due to weather the flight to the Aran Islands was cancelled. However they didn't tell us until the train was almost at Galway. At that time we were given a choice of going on a bus tour of Carammara or a 30 refund and catch the next train back to Dublin. I understand they can't control weather but I wish they would have said something before we got on the train. The bus tour was good but again due to weather the views weren't as good. I also expected some talking about what we were seeing on the train but the guides didn't say anything at all about what we were passing. I felt I could have gotten train tickets and scheduled a bus trip for much cheaper than this tour cost. And it felt like that was all they did. I still hope to see the Aran Islands some day but next time will not reserve a specific date ahead of time.
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star-5
Great day-long trip. Paddy, our...
Kitty
, Jul 2017
Great day-long trip. Paddy, our guide from Dublin to Galway, was informative and friendly. The 8-minute flight to the Aran Islands was great fun - I even got to sit in the co-pilots seat on the way out! I would have appreciated knowing that it was a 45-minute walk to Dun Aengus fort. Beautiful day on the Island and terrific weather.
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star-5
This was a long and beautiful...
Roland M
, Jun 2017
This was a long and beautiful journey. The Railtours company really knows how to run things. We had a scenic ride of more than two and a half hours across the country with a host from the company who was friendly and informative. From the railway station to the air field was in a van. Very easy. Then we had our rather thrilling 8 minute flight to Innishmore. This Island, with its stark beauty, was a place I've wanted to visit for a long time. So glad I did. In late afternoon we flew back to Galway. A few hours there, then the train to Dublin. All like clockwork.
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star-4
train was enjoyable but the weather...
leslie a
, Jun 2017
train was enjoyable but the weather didn't allow for a flight and one of our group came especially for that. the connemara trip in its stead was good. the irish coffee at The Field pub was the best ever. very scenic and very irish with the narrow curvy roads and flock of sheep along the road and on the mountain slopes.
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