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Founded in 1970 by Bruce Hodge, Goway is a family-owned and operated travel company with 50 years of experience creating dream vacations for globetrotters. We began as a company of one but today employ 400 staff members across the world with our head office in Toronto and branches in Vancouver, Sydney, Los Angeles, and Manila.

When you explore our website, you’ll find travel ideas to over 100 destinations. Our website and brochures offer a collection of itineraries to guide and inspire you when planning a dream vacation and most ideas can be customized. Vacation with us is all about you . We want you to travel the world your way. We design trips around your individual requirements, interests, and preferred style of travel and accommodation. 

How do we create your trip? With the help of our passionate and knowledgeable destination specialists. They are experts on specific regions of the world and can customize almost any itinerary for you. Our specialists have first-hand knowledge of the destinations we offer, having travelled, lived, and/or been extensively trained in their specific regions; this means that you get expert advice from start to finish. Feel free to learn more and meet our experts here .

We specialize in tailor-made itineraries, but that’s not all we do. We also offer group tours, cruises, family travel, adventure tours, and much more. We carefully select and visit our travel partners in destination, ensuring you get the best service across the globe. On the road, you are protected with 24-hour emergency support. 

Our company Mission is to empower our community of Globetrotters to realize a lifetime of travel. Our Customer Promise is to ensure all of our travellers are so delighted with our services that they recommend us to their friends and travel with us the next time they go Globetrotting.

After 50 years, we continue to stand by our product when you return from a trip of a lifetime. Find out what our Globetrotters say here . 

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Maria is The Best

Maria helped us with hotels, tours and transportation for our first trip to Japan. We wanted a blend of booked tours and open time and she mapped out a wonderful itinerary for us, got us rail pass vouchers which were waiting for us at the hotel, and made our trip smooth and fantastic. She is knowledgeable, friendly, and generous with her suggestions. We loved working with her and would do it again in a heartbeat when we next need foreign travel advice and assistance.

Date of experience : March 15, 2024

Africa Adventure

I worked with Alexandra Hale for a group of clients travelling to South Africa for 3 weeks, they have just returned and had an amazing time. She was very good to work with throughout the planning stages of this itinerary. We had some changes that needed to be made while the group was travelling and she was very attentive to those needs as well. I have already requested another itinerary for 2025 with her as well, as I know it will be another fantastic itinerary and exactly what the clients are looking for. Thanks so much Alexandra.

Date of experience : April 11, 2024

5 Stars to Shoko and Goway!

Shoko was a phenomenal agent to work with! My client had a great time. Everything was seamless and I am so thankful that she helped me put together this amazing trip! As a travel agent, servicing destinations I have never visited, goway is a stellar vendor that I will continue using! they are knowledgeable, with quick responses, and very easy to work with!

Date of experience : February 21, 2024

Arica March 2024

My first group tour and everything was perfect! The tour content, the accommodations, the different foods were first rate. The tour guru Collen from Kiboko was an excellent guide, driver and friend to us all. He is very knowledgeable, pleasant and funny who entertained us all with his smile and helping hand! Our tour group was small with only 9 travellers and proved to be the best companions and new friends for laughing and joking and eating and drinking! Highly recommend GoWay Tours and Kiboko Tours for the very best tour experience! Will definitely use GoWay again. No surprises. Exactly as itinerary states. (Zimbabwe, Botswana, Namibia and South Africa).

Date of experience : March 07, 2024

OVERALL: The GoWay experience was really great. No hiccups with schedule or drivers and everything went so smoothly. All six of us said our vaca was at least a 9 out of 10. It was a great overall adventure. Some surprises included the monkeys playing and moving all around us on multiple occasions as well as getting to watch a Costa Rica Nicaragua qualifying futbol match in a bar in San Jose!

Date of experience : March 08, 2024

Exceptional Service and Seamless Travel Experience provided by Allyson

I recently booked a trip through Allyson, and I couldn’t be happier with the experience. From start to finish, she provided exceptional service, ensuring that every detail of my trip was taken care of. The booking process was smooth and efficient, and she was incredibly knowledgeable and helpful in helping our family plan our vacation. Throughout our travels, everything went seamlessly thanks to her meticulous planning and attention to detail. From flights to accommodations to local transportation, everything was arranged perfectly, allowing us to relax and enjoy our vacation without any worries. Additionally, her customer service was outstanding. She was always available to answer any questions or address any concerns I had before, during, and even after my trip. Her dedication to customer satisfaction truly sets her apart. Overall, I highly recommend Allyson to anyone looking for a stress-free and unforgettable travel experience. I will definitely be booking with her again for my future adventures!

Date of experience : March 29, 2024

Group travel guidance

The agent we worked with helped us find the best itinerary for our group of 20, which is no small feat. She was responsive to other needs that unfolded during our booking process, including special meals and seat assignments. We have returned to Goway Travel year after year because of the great service Cathy has provided.

Date of experience : January 05, 2024

Best Trip Ever!

Yolanda at the Africa desk helped me put together a birthday celebration to South Africa for a single lady. Her knowledge and guidance made me look like a rock star. My client returned home raving,"this was my best trip ever!"

Date of experience : March 28, 2024

Communication and Expert Knowledge

I had an excellent trip because Alice, my Goway Travel agent, was an excellent communicator. Listening to my concerns and then following up in a timely manner made this process enjoyable and productive. It was very helpful that Alice had intimate knowledge of every location and activity that we spoke about. I felt reassured that she would be a support throughout my travels and she was.

Date of experience : March 10, 2024

We have just planned an extensive trip…

We have just planned an extensive trip to France and Italy for May. Our agent Melissa worked with us and included everything from bike tours to wineries, she had even given us some restaurant recommendations. Can’t wait to go.

Date of experience : March 27, 2024

Amazing service and so reliable…

I am a travel agent and I worked with Luis to create an itinerary for a client to Iceland. Luis was knowledgeable, easy to reach and helped me create a trip to fit my clients bucket list dream! Thanks!

The representative I worked with was…helpful and knowledgable

The representative I worked with was very helpful and ensured our holiday was a success. The reason I didn't rate the overall experience a 5 - was she had email issues (several times) - where she was not receiving my emails and I had to follow up several times. Now, was that the truth - I don't know. I'd like to believe it was...and that she wasn't ignoring me.

Date of experience : March 05, 2024

Great Experience

The planning process with Yolanda was very quick and she was able to find exactly what I wanted for my clients. I have always found GoWay to be positive to work with and will work with them again.

Shout Out to Callie CHan

I would like to give a shout out to an agent I have been working with - Callie Chan. She is very attentive to my requests and is able to come up with itineraries that my clients really love. She is an extremely hard worker and I appreciate that. Of all of the Goway agents I have used- Callie is most attentive and responsive. She has been wonderful and I will love to keep working with her in the future.

Emma's and Goway's local knowledge was invaluable!

We just came home from an month in Thailand and thoroughly enjoyed the whole trip. Everything worked perfectly - from flights to hotel transfers to tours. Emma at Goway did an amazing job of tailoring our trip to our preferences (e.g. smaller boutique hotels, choice of tours) and all of the local guides were great. A couple of highlights were the 3 day/two night Elephant Hills Jungle Lake Safari and our stay at Zeavola Resort on Koh Phi Phi in our Beach Bungalow - right on the beach. We loved it all and Emma's and Goway's local knowledge was invaluable!

Date of experience : February 20, 2024

Pamela did an excellent job for us

Pamela did an excellent job for us, the hotels were all clean and modern with the one in Pattaya being exceptional. The private car transfers were really beneficial as cabs in Thailand can be hard to arrange and are often unreliable. The flights she arranged with Thailand all went smooth with no delays. We would definitely use her again - very pleased!

Date of experience : February 05, 2024

An Awesome Travel Experience

The destination specialist was friendly and the trip was awesome. No complaints at all, I had a blast and everything went smoothly. Booking # 694986

Date of experience : September 01, 2023

Goway delivered a fabulous Australia itinerary

Goway delivered a fabulous Australia itinerary for us. They were able to source great tours that we had no prior visibility to. A month in a new country felt daunting. They pulled it all together. While the trip was underway they were able to seamlessly make adjustments for unforeseen circumstances.

Date of experience : January 30, 2024

Europe Trip

I did a 5 country trip to Europe with Goway, all my flights and arrangements were seamless. Michael was awesome and a great help.

Date of experience : July 06, 2023

Out trip in Thailand

Tina was our tour guide in Bangkok and she made the entire experience!!! she was amazing and i would ask for her by name. She was knowledgeable, flexible with time schedule, and funny!! She met us at the airport and we hardly took a step with out her, she was fantastic and made Bangkok fun! The rest of the trip was great and all of the other guides and people in Thailand were wonderful. The itinerary we put together with Goway was perfect for us. The only critique is not all of the descriptions are 100% accurate but close enough because it was too amazing of an experience.

Date of experience : February 02, 2024

Taking the train in Ireland – what you need to know

Apr 19, 2024 • 11 min read

A train travels along the Rosslare, Wexford to Dublin line in Ireland © Irish Rail

Traveling by train is one of Ireland ’s great, if under-appreciated, pleasures.

It’s a small island and the rail network is limited, so no journey is especially long – but riding the rails across the country is one of the loveliest ways to enjoy the rolling countryside.

Compared to its European counterparts, Irish trains aren’t especially spectacular, but this is a country that doesn’t need high-speed or sleeper trains: you roll along at a maximum of 160km/h (99mph) and before you know it you’re on the other side of the island.

The particular nature of Irish demographics has shaped train travel in Ireland: with around a quarter of the population clustered in the greater Dublin region, it makes sense that most train journeys begin or end in the capital. In Northern Ireland the same is true of Belfast .

Irish trains might not be especially quick or super luxurious, but they’re an efficient and eco-friendly way of exploring the island – so long as your explorations are focused on the major cities and towns. Here is our essential guide to train travel in Ireland.

The lowdown on rail travel in Ireland

Irish trains are efficient, relatively frequent and usually on time.  Irish Rail/Iarnród Éireann operates the entire network of trains in the Republic, from intercity trains linking the major urban centers to the busy commuter network that services the greater Dublin region.

There are two main lines into the west and three into the south and southwest; spurs off the main lines connect to a host of smaller towns throughout the country. There’s also a line to Belfast, from where  Translink services connect the city with the Antrim Coast and Derry (Londonderry) .

Within the greater Dublin region, a network of commuter services connects the capital with a host of suburbs and dormitory towns in the surrounding counties. Dublin’s coastline between the northside suburbs of Howth and Malahide, and Greystones in County Wicklow is served by DART (Dublin Area Rapid Transport) trains.

There are some notable gaps in the country’s rail network, with no services in counties Donegal , Monaghan and Cavan , and no trains into West Cork . Some towns – like Buttevant in Cork or Annacotty in Limerick – are on the rail line but they’re bypassed as they have no functioning station.

Ireland’s bigger train stations – including Cork , Limerick , Galway , Sligo, Belfast and the two in Dublin – are all pretty well stocked when it comes to picking up supplies and other assorted sundries for your journey. Most other stations will have a small shop.

Train tickets are relatively good value

The good news about traveling by train in Ireland is that it is relatively inexpensive compared to train travel in some places, such as the UK, for example. If you buy it online, a standard one-way fare between Dublin Heuston and Kent Station in Cork costs €30–35, and around €55 in first class.

Online is the best place to buy your tickets for train travel in the Irish Republic. Not only do you get the best fares (with savings of up to 50% compared to buying the ticket at the station), but you can purchase your ticket up to 90 days in advance and reserve a seat when you do.

You have the option of collecting your bought ticket from a machine at the station as you’re boarding, or downloading a QR code at the point of purchase. If you wait to buy your ticket at the station, you’ll pay significantly more and have to get there early to queue up at the ticket kiosk.

For travel in Northern Ireland, you’re better off buying the ticket at the station as only a limited number of tickets are available online. Show up a short time before your intended departure time and just buy your ticket there.

Only a handful of services offer first class, but upgrading is relatively inexpensive. On average, expect to pay around €20–25 more to sit in first. There are three kinds of first class service on Irish trains. CityGold is on direct Dublin to Cork services, and includes an onboard host and a complimentary newspaper on selected early morning services. The Enterprise service between Dublin and Belfast offers the same, plus a fine breakfast. Premier Class is similar, but is only available on direct services between Dublin and Tralee and some Dublin to Cork trains.

Some discounts and offers apply

There are discounted fares for children and young adults aged between 19 and 25, as long as they have a valid discount card. Under fives and those aged 66 and over travel for free.

The commuter network in the Greater Dublin area has a fare cap of €6 for travel between the capital and a host of towns in the surrounding counties.

There are two rail passes aimed at visitors. The Trekker Four Day (€88) offers unlimited travel for adults on all Irish Rail services on four consecutive days from the date of issue. The Explorer (adult/child €128/64) provides five days of travel on all services in a 15-day window.

However, before investing in either, be sure that you plan on making the most out of it. The limited rail network means that connections are limited and traveling between some destinations involves backtracking: Cork and Waterford are both on the south coast, but to get from one to the other means travelling to Limerick, while Sligo and Westport are only 140km (87 miles) apart along the west coast, but to go between them by train you’ll have to travel through Dublin – which is on the other side of the country.

In Northern Ireland, the Sunday Fun Day Tracker ticket gives passengers unlimited train travel on a Sunday for £9 (£4.50 for children). Tickets are available from all ticket offices, the mLink ticketing app and from the conductor on the train.

These are the busiest times to travel by train

Unsurprisingly, peak times for train travel coincide with busy rush hour periods. Early morning services to Dublin from cities including Cork, Galway and Limerick can be busy, especially if the train is due to arrive in Dublin around the start of the working day. Friday evening trains departing Dublin can also be quite busy. However, as online bookings also include the option of booking a seat, you’ll never have to stand.

The commuter network is busiest on weekdays from 7am to 9am and from 4:30pm to 6:30pm as thousands of people travel in and out of work. You can’t prebook seats on these services, so plenty of people do end up standing. Keep an eye out on changing schedules, especially for weekend and holiday travel, as frequencies diminish.

The train network is limited, but it has some benefits over road travel

There are no rail links to any Irish airport, which means you’re relying on taxis, private cars or buses once you arrive in the country. Irish ferry ports are better connected to rail lines, however, and you can catch trains in Rosslare, Dublin and Larne; there is no rail link to Belfast Port.

If you want to reach the more remote corners of the island, then the Irish rail network is quite limited, and a car will give you the flexibility you need. However, rental fees can be very expensive and fuel is another considerable cost, with the price of unleaded and diesel hovering between €1.75 and €2 a liter. Parking is also pricey in all urban centers, especially Dublin.

Traveling by bus is the cheapest way to get around, but it can be a slow business, as most make lots of stops along the way. There are some direct express services, but they are at the mercy of traffic, which can also add considerable time to a journey compared to traveling by train. Plus, buses don’t have bathrooms, with those traveling longer distances relying entirely on rest stops.

On board facilities vary depending on the type of train

There are two kinds of Irish trains: InterCity and commuter. InterCity trains are all the same – relatively modern with comfortable seats in standard class and fancier recliners in first – and they travel at speeds of up to 160km/h (99mph). There’s no journey in Ireland that is longer than 2½ to 3 hours. Commuter trains are slightly older, with less comfortable seats; older trains are used on some small-distance spur lines in rural areas and are very basic (facilities include seats and a toilet).

While Ireland’s flagship service is the one between Dublin and Cork, the fanciest train is the Enterprise service between Dublin Connolly and Belfast Lanyon Place, which is a joint venture between Irish Rail and Translink. This train is on a par with most services you’ll find in mainland Europe and first class is the most luxurious of any in the country.

All InterCity trains have three-pin sockets at every row where you can plug in a charger or a laptop. Most commuter trains in the greater Dublin area also have sockets. All trains have toilets and there is a cross-network wi-fi service operated by Irish Rail, but it is patchy and inconsistent. Translink has its own wi-fi network, which is accessible on all bus and rail services in the north, but, like in the Republic, you’re at the mercy of signal strength and contention levels.

Food options are pretty limited. There is a trolley service on the Dublin to Cork service, while the Enterprise between Dublin and Belfast operates a full service menu in a dedicated dining car; first class passengers also get a pretty good breakfast as part of their ticket.

Some trains on the Dublin to Cork route have a “quiet carriage” (usually Carriage G, marked in purple when booking) where the use of phones is prohibited and passengers are encouraged to keep noise levels down.

You can bring a bike on any Irish Rail train for free, although there are some restrictions during busy periods (such as sporting fixtures and concerts). The Dublin to Cork line is the only one to have a dedicated bike storage area; all other InterCity trains have (very) limited bicycle spaces within the passenger compartment – it’s not unusual for only two bikes to be allowed into the compartment, so be sure to book in advance. Bikes are not allowed on commuter and DART services during peak hours – before 10am and from 3:30pm to 7pm Monday to Friday.

There are many scenic train routes: here are the best

No matter where you are in Ireland you’re going to find a beautiful landscape or two, but some journeys are worth keeping your eyes wide open for.

Dublin to Sligo

Once you’ve gone past the huge suburban sprawl of the greater Dublin area, the landscapes get quite gentle; beyond Mullingar the train skirts alongside the edge of beautiful Lough Owel. For the best views, sit on the left-hand side of the train.

Dublin to Belfast

The Enterprise service is the best in the country, with the most comfortable seats and the best food options – especially in first class. The train skirts alongside the Irish Sea between Malahide and Balbriggan, so be sure to sit on that side as you travel (on the right-hand side if you’re traveling to Belfast).

Derry (Londonderry) to Coleraine

The Translink service between Northern Ireland’s second city and Coleraine is a stunner, a 40-minute journey along the Causeway Coast that comes with beautiful beaches, huge cliffs and unimpeded views out over the North Sea.

Downpatrick to Inch Abbey

It’s only a 10-minute journey, but the trip from Downpatrick in County Down to the monastic ruins of Inch Abbey takes place in a vintage steam train (or a 1960s diesel train) that chugs its way along the line, over the River Quoile and past the drumlin-specked landscape.

Cork to Cobh

One of Ireland’s most scenic trips is the 25-minute trip from Cork City to the seaside town of Cobh , which takes you along the river (sit on the right for the best views), past marshy Harper’s Island and over the bridges on Lough Mahon and the Slatty Water. You can always stop off at Fota and visit the  wildlife park  there.

Book in advance for wheelchair access to trains

All InterCity services are nominally accessible, but if you do need assistance you will need to book it in advance so that suitable arrangements can be made. This usually means that a conductor will have a ramp ready for wheelchair access, but we have also heard plenty of anecdotal evidence of staff simply lifting a wheelchair onto a train, which depending on the individual can either be a help or an annoying hindrance. Whatever you do, make sure to communicate your requirements before you travel as assistance is not guaranteed otherwise.

For passengers with learning difficulties or any issue where there may be a challenge with communication (such as autism) Irish Rail staff are trained to recognize visual cue cards such as the  JAM card , which inform the interlocutor of the holder’s condition. JAM cards are available online or at mainline train stations in Dublin, Cork, Galway, Limerick, Waterford and Sligo.

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Destinations

• Cook Islands
• New Zealand
• Papua New Guinea
• USA (Hawaii)

Go Your Way...Tailor-made

• Beach/Islands Escapes
• Classics (Bestsellers)
• Go As You Please
• Private Experiences
• Self-Drives
• Snowbird/Long Stays
• Stays of Distinction
• Stopovers/City Breaks
• Tailor-made Travel Ideas
• Vacation Packages with Air

Other Ways to Go

• Active & Adventurous
• Cruises & Sailing
• Escorted Coach Touring
• Holidays of a Lifetime
• 18 to 30 Somethings
• Rail Travel Ideas
• Small Group Touring
• Speciality Groups & Events
• Family Vacations
• Luxury & Beyond
• Romance & Honeymoons
• Singles Friendly
• South Africa
• More Countries

• China & Tibet
• Indonesia (Bali)
• Chile & Easter Island
• Ecuador & Galapagos
• United States
• Bucket List Travel Ideas
• Multi Country Vacation Ideas
• United Arab Emirates (Dubai)
• Australia & South Pacific
• Africa & Middle East
• Central & South America
• US & Canada
• Idyllic Islands
• UK & Europe
• Arctic & Antarctica
• Presidents Message
• About Goway Travel
• Special Services & Expertise
• Company History
• Goway's Early Days
• The World of Travel in 1970
• Goway Timeline
• Our Website
• Awards & Recognition

Our Services

• Why Travel with Goway
• Destination Knowledge
• Group Service
• Repeat Passenger Privileges
• Make it Extra Special
• Your Holiday Your Way
• Value Added Extras
• 50+ Reasons Why to Go Downunder with Goway

Our Policies

• Booking Conditions
• Commitment to Accessibility
• Consumer Protection Plans
• Our Guarantee
• Privacy Policy
• Travel Insurance

News & Media

• Globetrotting Blog

Globetrotting Magazine

• Press Release Centre

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• Travel Expos
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• Train to be an Expert
• Current Openings
• Why Work at Goway
• Employment FAQ's
• Testimonials
• World's Idyllic Islands
• You are here
• › UK & Europe
• › Ireland
• › Small Group Touring

Ireland Small Group Tours

Most of Goway’s small group ideas have a maximum of 20 guests . They are escorted and usually travel in luxury mini-coaches that go on scenic back roads where cars can go. As we offer the largest range of small group tours in Europe, we invite you to seek our help in choosing the best idea for you. Please note that because they are small groups, many fill up fast.

6 Trips Available

• Most Popular

Ireland Explorer Small Group Tour: Dublin, Galway, Killarney & More

Complete Ireland Small Group Adventure: Dublin, Belfast, Galway & More

Northern Ireland & the Atlantic Coast: Dublin, Donegal, Westport & More

The Emerald Isle Small Group Tour

Corners of Southern Ireland: Dublin to Dublin

West Coast Explorer: Small Group: Dublin to Dublin

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Get a Trip Quote

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• Go as you Please
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• Dingle Peninsula
• Ring of Kerry

Featured Tours

• Highlights of Downunder
• African Safaris
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• A World in One Country
• Classic Australia
• Classic Thailand
• Essential New Zealand
• Rio, Iguassu Falls, & Buenos Aires
• Essential Peru

BC Reg. #833-0; TICO Reg. #1543989; CST #2016613-20

• Accessibility

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GOWAY DESTINATIONS

ireland vacations

• Europe & UK , Landmarks & Icons

Top Natural Beauty Spots to See on European Tours

• By Robert Glazier
• March 22, 2019

Our world is an attractive place to experience. Here are my choices for 5 special scenic locations to explore on European tours, offered in Goway’s world. Each one consists of natural beauty and is exceptional. I am well aware that…

• Landmarks & Icons

Enjoy the Ultimate Comprehensive Tour on an Ireland Vacation

• July 12, 2018

With so much to offer on an Ireland vacation, don’t skimp on spending time in this country’s green and pleasant land. I am about to take you on a more or less circular itinerary around Ireland, with stops en route…

• People & Culture

Unearthing the Legendary Tales of Ireland’s Ancient East

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Hi, fellow travelers! :)

Thank you! Bon voyage!

4 replies to this topic

When exactly will your visit take place, please?

Train tickets are generally substantially cheaper if purchased online, in advance as opposed to same-day, “walk up”.

I can’t speak as to what’s best for bus options.

https://www.irishrail.ie/en-ie/Offer/webfares

Having said that, I think I'll be taking the train next time. There were very few empty seats on the bus, so no place to put a backpack or anything other than in your lap. We were able to put our luggage in the storage area under the bus, but what went onboard with us ended up in our laps.

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