This guide contains itineraries for those of you looking to take day trips from Dublin by train.
I’ve included day trips outside of the county (e.g. Kilkenny) along with day trips outside of the city (e.g. Howth).
Each itinerary is mapped out to ensure that you:
- One: Know where to get the train from
- Two: Have a doable/logical itinerary for the day
- Three: Don’t have to worry about any planning
The best day trips from Dublin by train
While there are plenty of things to do in Dublin, there’s a lot to be said for escaping the city for a while.
And, while many Dublin day trips need a car, countless others can be done via a comfortable train ride, as you’ll discover below.
1. Kilkenny
The first of our day trips from Dublin by train is the ancient city of Kilkenny.
The train takes 1.5 hours and it leaves from Heuston Station (you can take the Luas Red line, which stops right outside Heuston).
Where you’ll arrive
You’re getting the Waterford Train and hopping off at Kilkenny (MacDonagh) Station.
This is a nice, central station located right in the city which means you don’t have to worry about getting buses/taxis.
Your itinerary for the day
- Stop 1: Kilkenny Castle
- Stop 2: Medieval Mile Museum (or the Historical and Hysterical Walking Tour)
- Stop 3: Lunch (Petronella is a great lunch spot)
- Stop 4: Butterslip Lane
- Stop 5: Smithwick’s Experience (or the city boat tour)
- Stop 6: The Black Abbey
- Stop 7: The train back to Dublin
2. Belfast
The next of our day trips from Dublin by public transport is Belfast City in County Antrim.
The train from Dublin to Belfast leaves from Connolly Station, a short walk from O’Connell Street (take the Luas Red line).
Where you’ll arrive
The train to Belfast arrives into Belfast Lanyon Train Station, which is right in the heart of the city centre. This is a good starting point as many of the best things to do in Belfast are nearby.
Belfast is a walkable city if you have a clear itinerary, like the one below. However, if it’s raining, it’s worth taking the hop-on-hop-off bus.
Your itinerary for the day
- Stop 1: St George’s Market (short stroll from the train)
- Stop 2: Belfast Black Cab tour (book in advance – get them to drop you to stop 3 after)
- Stop 3: The Cathedral Quarter for lunch
- Stop 4: St Anne’s Cathedral
- Stop 5: Titanic Belfast (25-minutes from stop 4)
- Stop 6: The train back to Dublin
3. Howth
Next up is the first of our day trips from Dublin by train that doesn’t take you out of the county.
The busy fishing town of Howth is home to plenty to see and do along with a bustling restaurant and pub scene.
To get to Howth, take the train from Connolly Station. It’s a handy 30-45-minute journey.
Where you’ll arrive
Howth train station is finely plonked right in the town centre, so you’ll arrive right into the thick of things.
When you arrive, leave the station and head across to Howth Market to start your day trip.
Your itinerary for the day
- Stop 1: Howth Market
- Stop 2: The Howth Cliff Walk (or the Howth Coastal Boat Tour)
- Stop 3: Lunch in one of the many restaurants in Howth
- Stop 4: Ye Olde Hurdy Gurdy Museum Of Vintage Radio
- Stop 5: Howth Pier
- Stop 6: The train back to the city
4. Galway City
The forth of our train trips from Dublin takes us to Galway. The train from Dublin to Galway leaves from Heuston.
The trip to Galway takes about 2.5 hours. There are plenty of shops inside the station where you can grab snacks for the train and get some breakfast.
Where you’ll arrive
The train to Galway arrives into Ceannt Station – right in the heart of Galway City.
This is a great arrival point as you’re within easy walking distance of all the main attractions.
Galway is a very walkable city, but if it’s raining or if you fancy getting dropped to the ‘main’ attractions the hop-on/hop-off bus tour is well worth buying.
Your itinerary for the day
- Stop 1: Lunch (there’s some great restaurants in Galway)
- Stop 2: Galway Cathedral (the jewel in the Galway City skyline)
- Stop 3: Quay Street and the Latin Quarter
- Stop 4: The Hall of the Red Earl (one of the more unique places to visit in Galway)
- Stop 5: Galway City Museum (tells the story of prehistoric Galway)
- Stops 6 + 7: The Spanish Arch and the Long Walk
- Stop 8: Back to the train station
5. Waterford City
The next of our places to visit near Dublin by train takes us to the ancient city of Waterford, down the coast from Dublin.
The train from Dublin to Waterford leaves from Heuston and it takes 2.5 hours.
Where you’ll arrive
The train will take you to Waterford (Plunkett), which is just over the bridge from the city centre.
It’ll only take you around 10 minutes to stroll into our first stop, however, you need to make a choice.
If you’re after an active day, it’s worth considering the Waterford Greenway walk/cycle, which starts from the city and will take you a good 4-6 hours.
Your itinerary for the day
- Stop 1: The Clock Tower
- Stop 2: Reginald’s Tower
- Stop 3: Lunch
- Stop 4: Medieval Museum
- Stop 5: The Bishop’s Palace
- Stop 6: King of the Vikings
- Stop 7: The train back to Dublin
6. Dalkey + Killiney
The second of our day trips from Dublin by train that doesn’t leave the county takes us out to the affluent areas of Dalkey and Killiney.
You can get the train from Connolly Station (the one heading to Greystones) and you’ll arrive in around 40 minutes.
Where you’ll arrive
The train to Dalkey stops at Dalkey DART Station which is a short ramble from the centre of the town.
The town itself is lovely to stroll around and it’ll feel a world apart from the hustle and bustle of Dublin City.
Your itinerary for the day
- Stop 1: Dalkey Castle
- Stop 2: Lunch in the town
- Stop 3: Sorrento Park
- Stop 4: The Vico Baths
- Stop 5: The Killiney Hill Walk
- Stop 6: Killiney Beach
- Stop 7: The train back to the city
7. Cork City
The next of our day trips from Dublin by public transport requires the most travelling and it’ll arguably only work if you take an early train.
The train from Dublin to Cork City leaves from Heuston and it takes 2 hours and 40 minutes.
Where you’ll arrive
The train from Dublin to Cork takes you into Cork (Kent) Station.
Now, unlike some of the day trips from Dublin above, getting from the station to the various attractions isn’t as easy.
Your itinerary for the day
As Cork City’s attractions are fairly spread out, it’s worth taking one of the tours below as they’ll make getting around much handier:
8. Malahide
One of the handier day trips from Dublin by public transport is to head out along the coast to the lively little town of Malahide.
It’s a short, 30-minute or so train journey from Connolly and it takes you to an area packed with history, coastal walks, great food and more.
Where you’ll arrive
The train to Malahide drops you right in the town, next to the church and a short walk from the castle grounds.
If you’re visiting during the busy summer months, it’s worth getting to the town early as it receives its fair share of tourist footfall.
Your itinerary for the day
- Stop 1: Malahide Castle Park
- Stop 2: Malahide Castle
- Stop 3: Lunch in the town
- Stop 4: Malahide harbour
- Stop 5: Malahide Beach
- Stop 6: The coastal walk to Portmarnock Beach
- Stop 7: The train station in Portmarnock is a good 40-minute walk so it’s easier to get the bus
9. Bray
The last of our Dublin day trips by train takes us into County Wicklow to the buzzy coastal town of Bray.
You can get the train from Connolly Station (the one heading to Greystones) and you’ll arrive in around 45 minutes.
Where you’ll arrive
The train station in Bray is nice and central. It’s located right across from the Promenade in the town centre.
Hop out and head across to the pathway that follows the coast and gulp down some fresh ocean air.
Your itinerary for the day
- Stop 1: Bray Prom
- Stop 2: The Bray Head Walk
- Stop 3: Lunch in the town
- Stop 4: The train back to the city
Explore beyond the day trips from Dublin by public transport
Now that you’ve a fair sense of the different train trips from Dublin, it’s time to see what the capital itself has to offer.
Here are some of our most popular guides:
Keith O’Hara has lived in Ireland for 35 years and has spent much of the last 13 creating what is now The Irish Road Trip guide. Over the years, the website has published thousands of meticulously researched Ireland travel guides, welcoming 40 million+ visitors along the way. In 2022, the Irish Road Trip team published the world’s largest collection of Irish Road Trip itineraries. Keith lives in Dublin with his dog Toby and finds writing in the 3rd person minus craic altogether.