3-Day Northern Ireland Tour from Dublin: Giant’s Causeway & Titanic Experience
Overview
Available languages
3 days
Mobile ticket
This tour enables you to focus on the north of Ireland (both Northern Ireland and the Republic). This little corner of our emerald isle emerged from decades of tragic conflict with the Good Friday Peace Agreement of 1998. Nowadays visitors from all over the world come to marvel at spectacular landscapes (think Game of Thrones and Star Wars), explore historic cities and to sample local beers, whiskies and foods in great pubs and restaurants.
Paddywagon Tours has great friends and connections in both the Ulster-Irish and Ulster-British communities and we cannot wait to introduce you to both.
Some of the highlights to look forward to include Belfast city, Political Black Taxi tour (optional), Dark Hedges (Game of Thrones), (UNESCO) Giant’s Causeway, Derry / Londonderry (walking tour included), Strandhill (beaches & coastal village) and atmospheric Galway city.
Additional Info
Specialized infant seats are available
Public transportation options are available nearby
Suitable for all physical fitness levels
If you wish to book our Economy option, please confirm with us the room type you would like to book during or after you booking:
A minimum of 2 people per booking is required for the Economy option
Twin Room, one room with two single beds.
Double Room, one room with one double bed.
Triple Room, one room for a booking of 3 passengers with three single beds.
Additional Information:
Operates in all weather conditions, please dress appropriately
All timings listed are approximate and are to the guides discretion on the day.
Bookings made through Viator will automatically be signed up for the pickup point and collection time specified in the booking.
If you wish to change your reservation to one of the other pick-up locations offered by Paddywagon Tours, you will need to contact us by telephone or email not later than 17:00 the evening prior so that we can guarantee the change. Please note that changes are only guaranteed once confirmed in writing by us.
What To Expect
Day 1: Dublin - Belfast city (overnight Belfast)
Accommodations
Overnight in Belfast City
Dublin
Choose from one of two central Dublin collection locations and we'll be on our way.
Monasterboice Monastic Site
Our first stop this morning is at Monasterboice, a monastic settlement dating back to 501 AD. This ancient monastery is home to the best preserved and most intricately carved Celtic crosses in Ireland. A fully intact stone round tower also keeps watch over the horizon for marauding Vikings.
Belfast
By late morning we'll arrive in Belfast. Discover why Lonely Planet regards Northern Ireland's capital as one of the top 10 'must- visit' cities on Earth. Your driver will show you highlights including City Hall, Queen's University, Albert's Clock, Botanic Gardens and much more. To begin, we visit Belfast's number 1 attraction - the Titanic Experience (entry included)! We take you on a fascinating journey back in time during which we get to experience Titanic's story. From her conception in Belfast in the early 1900s, through her construction and launch, to her infamous maiden voyage and catastrophic demise.With plenty of time at leisure to explore the city, we strongly recommend the political “Black Taxi” tour (optional) to view the Peace Wall and infamous political murals. The drivers are locals and can explain what life was like in Belfast during the conflict of 1969 - 1998.Tonight we'll stay downtown, a most lively area with great pubs and restaurants catering to all tastes and budgets. Live music venues are plentiful and Belfast is well known for its great nightlife.
Day 2: Belfast - Giants Causeway - Derry
Accommodations
Overnight in Derry
Food and Drinks
BREAKFAST
Breakfast
The Dark Hedges
A glorious touring day cruising the Beautiful North Coast. We initially visit the Dark Hedges, famed by the Game of Thrones.
Giant's Causeway
Then it's the jackpot visit of the day - we will trace the footprints of Celtic Giants, walk the Giant's Causeway! Ulster's #1 attraction since 2 million BC! A UNESCO world heritage site and the proud location of an estimated 60,000 hexagonal columns of basalt rock formed by cataclysmic violent volcanic eruptions a long long time ago! Your guide will wax lyrical about how our giant warrior hero - Fionn McCool - built it to fight off our cousins the pesky Scots.
Derry
We'll continue to the nearby city of Derry where we'll spend the afternoon. There will be plenty of time at leisure after an excellent in-depth walking tour of Derry's walls with a local guide. Learn why the city is officially known as Londonderry and the story of the long bloody siege here in 1689. Your guide will take you down to the well known Bogside district, scene of the Bloody Sunday massacre in 1972 and inspiration for U2's classic anthem 'Sunday, Bloody Sunday'.
Dunluce Castle
Visit the finest castle ruins in Northern Ireland at Dunluce. Amazing views and photography await.
Derry - Wild Atlantic Way - Strandhill - Galway - Dublin
Food and Drinks
BREAKFAST
Breakfast
Wild Atlantic Way
After breakfast this morning, we'll head down a portion of the west coast's Wild Atlantic Way.
Strandhill
Further along the road lies Ireland's premier surf venue and beach at Strandhill, Co. Sligo with some time at leisure for refreshments
Galway
Our final stop before returning to Dublin is Galway where we have free time to explore. Maybe visit some wonderful local seafood eateries or try a pint in one of the fantastic pubs.
Options
Economy - Single
Staying in B&B’s, Apartments & Budget Hotels. Guests enjoy breakfast each morning, with a variety of Continental and full Irish Breakfasts. Stay in a private en-suite single room!
Economy
Staying in B&B’s, Apartments & Budget Hotels. Guests enjoy breakfast each morning. All rooms are en-suite! Twin, Double, or Triple rooms shared with members of your party.
Backpacker
Backpacker: Stay in hostels in shared dormitory style rooms, sharing with other tour members. Basic Breakfast is included.
What‘s Included
2 nights accommodation (Belfast & Derry)
Entrance to Titanic Visitor Centre
WiFi on board
Fun Professional Guide
Entrance to Giant’s Causeway Visitor Center
Air-conditioned vehicle
Derry Walking Tour
Gratuities
Lunch/Drinks
Black Taxi Tour in Belfast (*optional, organised and paid to driver/guide)
Cancellation Policy
All sales are final. No refund is available for cancellations.
Reviews
20 reviews
Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor
3 day Northern Ireland
869roslynh,May 4, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Enjoyed this tour with the wonderful Stevie. He is amazing guide and goes out of his way to make sure you see everything. He has to be best tour guide and driver we have come across. Thank you for a great trip Stevie (not frank).
Another Amazing Multi-Day Tour
EmilyO1501,Apr 23, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00I took a tour with Paddywagon 10+ years ago around the south of Ireland and it was so amazing that I worried that I’d be let down this time around. Definitely not the case! Our tour group was only 6 people so we got a super comfortable large van instead of a massive bus, which was a fabulous surprise. Everybody on the tour was really nice and the bus driver/tour guide Danny was amazing. He was so sweet, accommodating, and so great about telling us stories and tidbits of information about every place we went to. We saw so many amazing things in such a short time thanks to Danny’s attention to detail and time management skills. He really made the trip a 5 star experience. The accommodations were perfectly fine. Most of the people on the tour chose the upgraded option and they were put up in pretty nice looking but not overly luxurious hotels. I chose the backpacker option since I was traveling alone, so it ended up being me and the only other solo female traveler on the trip staying together. In Belfast we were in a traditional hostel with lockers for our valuables, 3 sets of bunk beds in the room, and communal bathrooms. We never felt unsafe and the location was great, but it was pretty basic. The second night in Derry was a whole other story, though. We shared a room at a b&b that came with comfortable beds, a private bath, and a fantastic full Irish breakfast. That was one of the highlights of the whole trip! The worst part of the whole trip was having to say goodbye to Danny and change to another bus to return to Dublin. Moving to a big bus with a more reserved bus driver was a necessary but sad change. I can’t recommend Paddwagon tours enough. Whether it’s a short day tour or a multi day tour, I think they find some amazing guides and really try to make it so everyone has the best time possible.
Best tour guide-Stevie
erinbS156VS,Oct 10, 2024
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00How do I even begin… The Paddy Wagon tour of Ireland came recommended for an informative and engaging way to explore the country and it delivered in every way. The part I wasn’t expecting was for our guide to feel like family by the end of our 3 day experience. Stevie gave us a trip to remember forever. His engagement with his guest exceeded any expectation. He made an effort to connect with each and every one of us. His banter and loving personality resulted in smiles and laughter for the whole day from all of us. He guided us on all the scenery and activities we encountered so we all were able to have a full impactful experience of Northern Ireland and show us a few extra local attractions that enhanced our trip! At the end of our visit we found ourselves at a tattoo parlour in Galway with matching shamrocks for 5 of us to remember this incredible trip( including my mum for her 70th birthday)! I have fallen in love with Ireland and if I am ever lucky enough to return I would book Paddy Wagon in a heartbeat and make sure to secure Stevie for the most amazing experience ! Erin
Really enjoyable tour!
EricaG689,Jul 5, 2024
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00I really enjoyed my 3-day tour of Belfast, Derry and Galway before returning to Dublin. Our driver/guide Danny was super knowledgeable, funny, and engaging, and had a lot of great recommendations for the places we visited - I'd take a tour with him again any day. The included visits (Titanic Experience, etc.) were really interesting. We got to see a few off-the-beaten path locations as well, and learned about Irish and Northern Irish history along the way. Day 3 (Derry > short stop in Galway > Dublin) was a lot of driving and not much sightseeing, but overall it was a worthwhile experience. The hotels we stayed at in Belfast and Derry were very nice as well.
Don't Forget the Emerald Island's second country, Northern Ireland!
betheny r,Oct 1, 2023
- Review from Viator
4.00We had been in the Republic of Ireland before, but wanted to experience northern Ireland. Many in our group did not realize they are two different countries so it was good for them to learn. Also, many did not really understand Ireland's history known as the "Troubles" and so that was good for people to understand and see the key locations. We could have stayed at the Giant's Causeway all day. It's massive, epic and has hiking trails we didn't have time to climb. The stops in Belfast, Derry and Galway were short, but provided a broader perspective.
Do not use this Tour Company
431kristyl,Jul 24, 2023
- Review from Tripadvisor
1.004 Day Northern Ireland Tour Definitely would not recommend- so unorganised changed the itinerary without any mention to us. We paid for a service and places we wanted to visit totally unacceptable. Economy accommodation was terrible. Go with another company!
Paddy Wagon is a Wagon
rickfR6373AJ,Aug 1, 2022
- Review from Tripadvisor
2.00It is a poorly organized and implemented way of moving people from one point to another. My 82 year husband had to lug our luggage on and off the bus. We were never sure if we had a place to sleep until the last minute. Information was limited about each day's itinerary. At one hotel the elevator was not working properly and we carried luggage upstairs on our own. No tour help around. Even our original pick up point was iffy and unsure. There own survey site will not respond to negative comments. Say no more.
Great experience
tamariac2022,Jul 17, 2022
- Review from Tripadvisor
4.00Belfast did not disapoint Little did we know we were there during the 11th and the 12th of july which are considered major protestant holiday events. I think this caused Dan who was great to be a bit more of a stickler with the time. I would haved love to spend more than two hours in the Titanic museum but because of the holiday i believe they were closing early Giants causeway was fantastic. The only thing we missed was the Dark Hedges because of holiday parades and rerouting. The town of Derry was beautiful and a very interesting and complex history. Overall loved the trip
Danny is a great Guide
Gunnsi,Jul 7, 2022
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00We went on the 3 Day Tour Of Northern Ireland and it was a great experience. The first day we joined the group that went on a one day tour to Belfast but after that we got on a smaller bus but still with the same guide, Danny. In Belfast we went on an optional Black Cab tour around the city visiting the different quarters where the pro Irish and the pro British people lived. This was a great experience and we learned a lot since the cab drivers were people that knew everything about the history. The hotel we stayed at was nice and comfortable. We walked down town and stumbled on a great place with live music. The next two days we visited many beautiful places and the Giant Causeway being the biggest Highlight. Of course I find the basalt columns very extraordinary but there are also other rock formations that are very special but not even mentioned. When visiting you should look for the pillow lava next to the hiking path to the columns. The next night we stayed in Derry a town full of history. One of the highlights of the tour was to listen to our guide Danny telling the history of Ireland by connecting various music to what happened in the past and then play it for us in the bus.
So good
327gamzes,Apr 18, 2022
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00it was a very good tour. I will take a ticket for Cork tour. Also, I recommend to join trips with Jake and enjoy. Thank you Jake 😊
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