[Austria - Ireland] Fáilte! Pots of gold, Leprechauns & Guinness are not the only things an Interrail trip to the beautiful emerald green island offers. Tag along this trip through Europe, above and under water, on grass-green land and in vibrant cities.
Stop-over in Cologne
A relaxed interrail trip is what we wanted, so we split the first leg of our trip to Ireland in many city stops along the way. Starting from Salzburg (Austria), we went to Cologne (Germany) within half a day.
Wouldn't it have been for bush fires on the train tracks, we would have been even faster. Cologne offers a variety of art museums, the mighty "Kölner Dom" and great restaurants for every taste. Take the cable car across the river for a stunning view of the city!
Crossing the Channel with the Eurostar
It is every train lover's dream to take the Eurostar across the Channel to Great Britain. To enjoy this fast ride, book your tickets way in advance - it is always sold out very quickly.
Within two hours, we arrived at London St. Pancras station, right in the heart of the city. We stayed in London for 2 days and visited friends there, but of course London offers endless opportunities for art enthusiasts, fashionistas, Harry Potter fans and royal observers.
Dolphin spotting & breakfast with a view
In the evening of our second day in London we took a train to Holyhead in Wales and were awaited by the most beautiful sunset along the train tracks.
This lovely coastal town hosts one of the ferry harbours that let you cross over to Ireland within 2 hours.
Scenic views await you before you board your ferry to Dublin in the morning. Watch out for dolphins, while you enjoy your coffee in the front row of the ferry!
Dublin - the city of pub crawls
Let's be honest, sometimes being a cliché tourist is the best thing you can do. This is why we checked in the next hostel, booked a pub crawl and had the most amazing night running from one beer to the next.
Meeting travel buddies from all over the world and making memories while dancing to Irish folk songs is all you need to make your stay in Dublin unforgettable!
She played the fiddle in an Irish band...
Enjoying Ed Sheeran's hit is the next cliché we fully enjoyed on our way to Galway. The city lures you with its cozy charms and its excellent position to one of the main sights of Ireland - the stunning Cliffs of Moher!
We booked a classic bus tour to the cliffs, if you have more time, you can also stay closer to the coast and enjoy hikes along the cliffs.
Bus tours might revoke some holiday stories your grandparents tell you, but honestly, they are an efficient way to get to sights on a budget. With the right bus driver, you get personal stories along the way and don't need to worry about reversing on a one-way road while driving on the left. You can also take a nap on the way back to be ready for another night out and about!
Irish beaches, coastal towns and national parks
After meeting the Galway Girl (no joke, she sits on a bench waiting just for you) our journey continued to Killarney and we once again enjoyed an amazing trip around the South-West through national parks, coastal towns and slim roads.
Again, booking these things is up to your taste and time-constraints, but we highly recommend visiting Killarney National Park for hikers, and the Ring of Kerry for coastal view lovers!
Last stop: Bruxelles, la capitale de l'Europe!
Brussels was the last stop of our trip. The capital of Belgium awaits you with chocolates, cartoons & terraces to enjoy a strong Belgian beer in the evenings. It is the best place to reminisce weeks of lush green landscapes and the crystal clear Irish sea, before you return back home.
Katharina (AUT)
Hey! :) Thanks for reading my blogpost, I hope you got inspired to visit Ireland by public transports.