Great Britain and Ireland (Winter 2024 - 2025, Until March 2025)

16 days
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4.7/5 Excellent
100+ reviews  
98%
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USTOA

Group Tour
Cross the Irish sea, explore historic cities shrouded in folklore and mystery, gawp at Ireland's breathtaking landscapes and appreciate a culture of cool from as far back as the Beatles. Through London, York, Glasgow, Liverpool, Dublin and more, this 16-day tour of Britain and Ireland includes entrance into awe-inspiring attractions aplenty, including puckeri...
26% OFF
$3,910
From$2,896
See departure dates

Overview

Trip type
Group Tour
Lodging level
Standard - 3 star
Physical level
Wheelchair Accessible
Trip pace
Balanced schedule

What's this trip about?

    Cross the Irish sea, explore historic cities shrouded in folklore and mystery, gawp at Ireland's breathtaking landscapes and appreciate a culture of cool from as far back as the Beatles. Through London, York, Glasgow, Liverpool, Dublin and more, this 16-day tour of Britain and Ireland includes entrance into awe-inspiring attractions aplenty, including puckering up for the Blarney stone, cruising across Loch Ness and enjoying your very own Liverpool City Tour. It'll be love at first London site.

Details

Itinerary focusOff the Beaten Path
Group sizeGroup - max of 40 people
Age range18 to 35 years
Flights and transportAll internal transport included (including local flights)
Start CityLondon
End CityLondon

Travel Themes

  • Cultural

Destinations

Activities

  • Culture

Max Group Size

  • Max Group Size: 40

Itinerary

Travel Map

Day 1: London to Manchester via Liverpool

Good morning dear Londonites! And welcome to your 16-day deep dive into all things Great Britain & Ireland. Big things are just around the corner. So big we've nicknamed one of them Big Ben. Chat all things Beatlemania & football in your best Scouse accent – t...

Day 2: Manchester to York

Lap up your last dose of Manchester before we go back to the time of the Vikings... in the traditional walled city of York. 2,000 years of history will unfold upon us as we amble down narrow lanes of York, exploring the Minster, the Shambles and Clifford’s Tower. For ...

Day 3: York to Carlisle via Lake District

Even if the ghosts of York kept you awake all night, you're going to need to rise and shine and wave goodbye to the Harry Potter like setting of this ancient city. Whatever you do, don't Google this place before we arrive. It will spoil the surprise of its unfathomabl...

Day 4: Carlisle to Edinburgh via Hadrian's Wall

Today we are in for some border hopping along the English/Scottish border to see the sights on our way to Edinburgh! But first we'll take a spectacular drive this morning to the Roman Empire’s impressive Hadrian’s Wall as well as English country charm in abundance. Ba...

Day 5: Edinburgh

Today is yours to roam free - but if you want to get the low down on the history of this city why not join our local guide for an optional tour of Edinburgh Castle (which is resting on an extinct volcano!!) to kickstart your love affair with this city. Or maybe you'll...

Day 6: Edinburgh to Inverness via St Andrews and Stirling

It's time to blaze a trail out of Edinburgh & head for Inverness. On the way to the main affair of the day we'll stop by St. Andrews, the birthplace of golf, would you believe? As well as Scotland’s oldest university town. We make a stop in Stirling, known for its...

Day 7: Inverness via Loch Ness and Aviemore

We might be coming down from a high (geographically speaking) this morning, but as we seek out the stunning Loch Ness and Glenfinnan Viaduct, the mood will only be rising. We'll stop to see lovely Loch Ness, the most voluminous lake in the UK - containing more water t...

Day 8: Inverness to Glasgow

After a few days of remote and rugged goodness, a change of pace in Scotland's biggest city is sure to fire things up a notch. Feast your eyes on the railway viaduct – once a calling stop for the magical Hogwarts Express in the Harry Potter films and the breathtaking ...

Day 9: Glasgow to Dublin

Scotland, you've been unreal. If Ireland puts on half the show you did, we have many happy days ahead of us. We arrive in the port town of Larne, your first steps on Northern Irish soil, but not for long... So much more than the capital city, Dublin is a place of heri...

Day 10: Dublin to Clonmel

That's us done with Dublin…for now. But fear not Dub-lovers, we'll get another taste of this fine place before our trip comes to an end. Break up your coach hangs with some bicycle time in a city sure to leave you wanting Irish in your blood. Explore the castle, a cat...

Day 11: Clonmel to Galway

Clonmel, it's been fun, but we have to leave you now. Next up, we're off to an Irish city that was propelled into the pop culture stratosphere by none other than Ed Sheeran. Anyone wanna guess where? Irish folklore tells us there's a chunk of limestone built into a ca...

Day 12: Galway

Try your tongue at some Gaelic and carry on exploring gorgeous Galway. Head up to Dún Aonghasa (the ruins of a prehistoric fortress) - make sure you take photos, this area is not for the faint-hearted! Irish life, you so sweet.

Travelodge Galway City Hotel (or similar)

Breakfast, Dinner

Day 13: Galway to Derry/Londonderry

Goodbye Galway, hello more Irish eye-candy. Here the 17th century walls stand at 8 metres high speaking of times gone by when this area was in battle. Times may have changed, but we're still keen to soak up the history and learn a thing or two from our wise Local Guide.

Holiday Inn Express Derry (or similar)

Breakfast, Dinner

Day 14: Derry/Londonderry to Belfast

Today we've got a one way ticket to Belfast and a whole lot more exploration to do. UNESCO World Heritage site of the Giant’s Causeway - also known as those giant rock columns you've probably drooled over on Pinterest, needs to be seen to be believed. Get those hashta...

Day 15: Belfast to Dublin

With one night left in Ireland and on tour, we're on the fast track to Dublin where our Irish fairytale first began. A promise is a promise. Here we are back in the city that started our Ireland infatuations. Use this second stint to do your missed critical activities...

Day 16: Dublin to London

We leave Ireland today with leprechauns in our hearts and memories in our souls. Enjoy the roll back to London town as it will be the last bout our crew has together. We've crossed the Irish Sea, motored through Wales, passed the town of try-to-say-it-out-loud Llanfai...

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Dates & Availability

Price From $2,896
Price per day$181
Last Updated: 1/23/2025
Departure Date
Finish Date
Double Room (Shared)
Single Room
Availability
11 Feb 2025
26 Feb 2025
$3,472
$4,421
available
27 Feb 2025
14 Mar 2025
$3,290
$4,189
available
11 Mar 2025
26 Mar 2025
$3,472
$4,421
available
19 Mar 2025
05 Apr 2025
$2,896
$3,676
available
02 Apr 2025
19 Apr 2025
$3,309
$4,201
available
16 Apr 2025
03 May 2025
$3,516
$4,464
available
23 Apr 2025
10 May 2025
$4,395
$5,580
available
27 Apr 2025
14 May 2025
$3,516
$4,464
closed
30 Apr 2025
17 May 2025
$3,516
$4,464
available
07 May 2025
24 May 2025
$3,591
$4,539
closed

Check current availability, prices, specials & more.

The total tour cost includes the tour price (regular or promotional) and the compulsory local payment. The promotional price is subject to change. Check directly with the operator for the latest price offer. The tour operator requires you to pay only the tour price to purchase your travel. The compulsory local payment will be paid when you join the trip. All prices are based on double, twin or triple share occupancy. Solo passengers will be accommodated in a double, twin or triple room according to availability with a passenger(s) of the same gender. Single supplement only needs to be paid if the passenger does not want to share and requests their own room. Discounts can only be applied at the time of booking and cannot be added at a later date, regardless of any changes made to the original booking.

Prices may vary due to local taxes and trip seasonality. Click "Request Info" to inquire directly with the tour operator for the final trip price.

Contiki Reviews & Ratings

4.7/5  Excellent
Excellent
5,262
Great
794
Average
196
Disappointing
63
Terrible
71
T

Trusted Customer

Jan 2025

Written on

Great Britain and Ireland

This trip was a great way to see and experience the UK. Our trip manager Sam and driver Paddy were the absolute best, and most definitely made our trip. Majority of ...

T

Trusted Customer

Jan 2025

Written on

Great Britain and Ireland

This trip was great! We got to see lots of places and do lots of cool experiences you wouldn't necessarily think to do on a holiday on your own. Our trip manager, *P...

T

Trusted Customer

Jan 2025

Written on

Great Britain and Ireland

I had the best time on the Great Britain and Ireland trip! I've down 5 contikis and this is my favourite I've been on. I enjoyed all of the free time add-ons (especi...

A

Alexandra Marsh

Dec 2024

Written on

Great Britain and Ireland

Beautiful places to see! Wish we had more time!

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Trusted Customer

Jan 2025

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This trip became everything and more! Had the best time, with the best people. Made some life long friends. Our tour leader, *Personal information removed by Feefo* ...

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Kristen O'Sullivan

Jan 2025

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Jan 2025

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European Wanderer

was a seamless booking process and had to transfer a deposit refund for a previou...

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Tour Operator

Contiki

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We’re firm believers that life’s greatest experiences are made better by the people you share them with. That’s why Contiki invented group travel for young people in 1962 and we’ve spent the past 53 years perfecting it. You’ll explore amazing destinations with a group of 18-35 year olds from around the world who share your passion for adventure, good times and creating memories that define what it is to be young, wild and free.

No two travellers are the same and we know that, which is why we offer eight unique ways to explore the world. We have a number of options to choose from to create a vacation that’s perfect for you, from budget to accommodation style.

We're all about exploring the world with like-minded people, which is why we only run trips for 18-35 year olds, to celebrate being young, spirited and curious. You can expect to join a group of 18-53 awesome people from around the world on our Europe, Australia, North America and New Zealand trips, and in Asia and Latin America it's all about small group adventures with up to 25 travellers. Don't worry if you're not traveling as a couple or with a friend from home – though there are plenty of pairs, 50% of our travellers set off solo, meaning you'll have a ton of opportunities to make new friends.

With over 270 trips around the world and plenty of departure dates to work into your schedule, you'll never be short of options on where to go for your next great adventure.

About the company:
Contiki are the world leaders in social youth travel. We’ve been providing amazing travel experiences for young travellers, from 18-35 years old, since 1962. Imagine how good you would be at something if you had been doing it for more than 60 years?

Everything about Contiki is deeply rooted in our core values ‘Make Every Moment Count’ and ‘We’re about people’. We don’t just talk the talk, we walk the walk and live by our brand philosophy of ‘Travel.Together.’ which means to travel with one another, the destinations we visit, the cultures we enjoy and the environment, too.

Why we love this operator
Their trips create life-long memories for young people setting off to discover the world.
What they’re known for
Social travel for 18-35 year olds around the world.

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Logistics

Accommodation

  • ibis Manchester Centre Princess Street (or similar)
  • Holiday Inn Express Wakefield (or similar)
  • Ibis Carlisle City Centre Hotel (or similar)
  • Ibis Edinburgh Centre South Bridge (or similar)
  • Columba Hotel Inverness (or similar)
  • Ibis Glasgow City Centre Sauchiehall Street Hotel (or similar)
  • Travelodge Plus Dublin City Centre (or similar)
  • Talbot Hotel Clonmel (or similar)
  • Travelodge Galway City Hotel (or similar)
  • Holiday Inn Express Derry (or similar)
  • Ramada by Wyndham Belfast City Centre (or similar)
Travel Insurance
We strongly recommend purchasing travel insurance alongside your travel package to safeguard against unforeseen circumstances such as medical expenses, trip cancellations, and other contingencies. It offers you peace of mind and ensures you are prepared for unexpected events that may occur before or during your journey
Visa requirements
Visa requirements vary depending on your country of origin and your country of destination. It is your responsibility to familiarize yourself with the relevant requirements. For a handy tool that can help you quickly find the requirements, please visit this link .
Meals Included
  • 5 Dinner (D)
  • 15 Breakfast (B)
Age Requirements
18 to 35 years
Additional Information
Trip ID
contiki-WWUKMA19

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