Get away from it all on a day trip from Dublin that flies you to the magical Aran island of Inis Mor. You'll discover the Ireland of old on an island that's rich in culture and history, with a long tradition of friendly hospitality.
Posted By : Bradley_S
Way too long. Most reviews I saw here loved it if they went, and hated it if the fog came in and they weren’t able to take the flight to the islands. I actually went on a mostly nice June day, yet still wouldn’t recommend the tour. Simply put, it’s too much time in transport.
It’s a combination of existing transportation options. The train to Galway, then a van to the airport, a plane to the island, a van to the village, then a van to the fort ruins, and then the same in reverse all the way back to Dublin. While it works, they are not coordinated for just the tour, so there’s down time between them. You’re not really guided at all. Only on the train out was there a person waiting and who waited with us for the van to the airport. Otherwise we always had to ask what to do next.
After the van on the island from the airport, we were just told to find “John McDonough” who will lead our bus tour; “he’s by the tourist office to the right.“ So we wandered around, all the while asked by other van tours if we wanted a tour. Finally found John.
The fort is mostly ruined although the views are nice. I had to actually pay 4 euros even though the entrance fee was included in tour (others on the tour didn’t pay but they just walked right in without stopping at the desk). Again, there’s no guide to explain it. The minibus driver did explain a lot about life on the island, which was interesting. There’s a couple of hours to check out Galway and eat before the train.
I left the hotel at 7am. I got back at 10:30pm. 15 1/2 hours was simply too long of time to merit seeing what we saw. I would only do it if staying in Galway and as a day trip from there. From Dublin it’s simply too long too enjoy.
Rating :
Posted On : 2024-06-08 14:40:52 
Posted By : Lauren_G
Great trip but there is a lot of travel then what is it described, you start at the train, then on a bus then a plane to the island, another bus so there is a lot of travel to get there….the island is very quant and enjoyable the sweater shop is a must….a lot of green with stone block walls worth the travel but there is a lot…start early back around 10:30….long day
Rating :
Posted On : 2024-05-19 15:47:52
Posted By : jennya002
Had booked this trip and the company said they could not find my reservation yet they had no problem charging my credit card for the trip.
Rating :
Posted On : 2023-06-27 07:15:40 
Posted By : Arsenmel
Ian, my guide on the train was fun and informative. He enjoys what he does and is good at it. He guided me every step of the way, but we departed as he continued on another tour, because I was alone in the air tour to the Aran Islands. Despite the company name including First Class, the train tickets weren't, but I wasn't upset. A bus drove me along the lovely Galway coast to the plane, where everything went professionally. I was picked up at the airport and driven to Kironan Village, where that driver instructed I'd be picked up around the corner by John in a black van. Unfortunately, there was no black van and there is no Railtours sign mentioned in the itinerary. I spent a half hour standing in the rain, afraid if I went inside that I would miss the tour. I have only a data connection, so I sent an email asking the office to call me on Viber or Whatsapp, as I was cold, wet, alone, and starting to panic. Rather than bothering to call, Natalia sent an email that went to spam and I didn't see it, saying he was looking for me. Finally, I went into another shop and asked if they could contact John, which took some work to do, only to be told that he'd been waiting for the ferry passengers on the same tour who were 1/2 hr late, so he picked up them and left without me. At that point I did get a message from Natalia saying that she hoped I'd found John and had a great tour, which felt quite dismissive under the circumstances, not having seen the other message. I feared there was only one tour, missed it, and was stranded, but learned he takes out a number a day. Ultimately, I discovered he was in a White, not black van with a completely different name on it and no mention of Railtours. All this could have been avoided by actually having the Railtours sign and putting a small, yellow magnetic sign saying Railtours on the van. Then, I waited another 30 minutes or so for his return due to "traffic" delays and ended up in a later group. I am not blaming anyone for the weather, but could see almost none of the sights he pointed out, I did see the credit union and bank through the front window. Then to make matters worse, my phone and that of 2 German tourists mistakenly sensed a time zone change that put us one hour ahead. We rushed back to find that bus full, so John directed us to the information center. It cost 5 euros and looked totally boring with just hanging posters to read, so I decided to skip it, not realizing that was the entrance to the fort highlight of the island. The very crowded cafe did serve a surprisingly good chicken sandwich and Chocolate Guinness cake. The driver returned late again and took us back to Kilronan, completely skipping the 15-minute stop at Seven Churches. I enjoyed the walk around Galway, but couldn't have been much more disappointed with my Aran Islands experience. Railtours: you could refund me some money, because 169 euros is a lot for the completely avoidable panic and discomfort you caused [being misdirected, missing signage, incorrect information in your itinerary, sending an email rather than calling as I asked (which would have been free for you), 1 lost hour waiting, and the missed stop], I am leaving and won't be taking another tour, so don't bother to offer me a discount on one. You should also update your written itinerary, because there is no snack service on the train and alcohol is banned; additionally, the airport bus picks up and drops off at the Airport Bus stop, not the Railtours sign, which does not even exist.
Rating :
Posted On : 2023-05-19 06:12:39
Posted By : Robert_W
Pleasant train trip across the isle. Greater guided tour of the isle. Plenty of free time. Good shopping. I’d have enjoyed a tour of Galway, too, but enjoyed decompressing in the pub just as much.
Rating :
Posted On : 2022-10-27 11:13:29
Posted By : Travel40906536871
The trip was disorganized and haphazard. We had no schedule nor any explanation of any of the sights which we were seeing. We were unsure of pick up times and locations, and that was a disappoint as this was a very expensive tour.
Rating :
Posted On : 2022-06-21 06:43:09
Posted By : Jessica_R
This was the worst trip I went on. It was not well organized and the directions were not clear. I got the airport and asked if the tour guide was there and they did not know what I was talking about. Once I was flown to Aran Island I was told the bust would take me the center. I got off where they told me to and I did not see the tour guide. I went in to a restaurant to get some food and called the number and they told me the tour left already and they could not come back for me because there was a funeral. So I did not have any way to get around the island and the bus would not pass again for another two hours it was cold and I could not believe they would not come back. To top if off I asked if I could get on the train back at 5:20 because my whole day had been wasted they said yes the bus would take me back in time and of course he was late and I missed the 5:20 train so I had to wait another 2 hours to go back to Dublin. I wanted a whole day on the island with no tour and then so much time waiting for the train back. This trip was so unorganized and I will never book with them again.
Rating :
Posted On : 2022-04-11 15:48:33
Posted By : jayjp89
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.
Rating :
Posted On : 2019-11-14 12:44:04
Posted By : kathleencM8987NC
I recommend you fly to the Island, it is only 9 minutes vs a 30 minutes boat ride. The additional cost is well worth it to be able to see the Islands from the air. I loved our tour around the Island with stops at a few shops and restaurant for lunch. The meal was OK, but the brown bread and pastries are the best in Ireland. This was a highlight of our 10 day trip, you must go.
Rating :
Posted On : 2019-09-04 13:56:55
Posted By : davide64global
We had a very good time and enjoyed very much any single minute flying. I have to highlight the good organization and the incredible kindness of our tour guiding people
Rating :
Posted On : 2019-08-09 07:41:00
