Fly from St. Louis Lambert International Airport to Dublin Airport, usually with at least one connection; plan on roughly 12–16 hours in transit, depending on the connection. For first class or the highest cabin available, book well ahead and check carefully whether your itinerary departs on October 31 and arrives on November 1—the overnight crossing and time difference can make dates confusing. From the airport, a taxi to the city centre takes about 25–40 minutes depending on traffic and usually costs around €30–€40; the Aircoach is a cheaper alternative, but a taxi is easier with luggage after a long flight.
Head to The Alex, a comfortable upscale base near the city centre. If your room isn’t ready, ask the front desk to store your bags; early check-in depends on availability. Once you’ve freshened up, take an easy 45-minute orientation wander around Trinity College Dublin at College Green. The historic campus is a pleasant first taste of the city, though interior access and opening arrangements can vary—save the Book of Kells visit for another day if you want a proper visit.
Finish at Keogh’s Cafe for coffee and a light meal, budgeting about €10–€20 per person. It’s an easy city-centre stop after the campus stroll; check the day’s hours before setting out, as Sunday schedules can differ. Keep the rest of the afternoon flexible: jet lag can hit suddenly, and an early dinner or a quiet evening near the hotel is a better plan than trying to pack in another attraction.
Start at Trinity College Dublin for the Book of Kells Experience. Allow about two hours to see the manuscript and wander the campus; book a timed ticket ahead, as entry times and prices can vary. From College Green, walk about 10 minutes to Dublin Castle on Dame Street. Give yourself 1–1½ hours for the State Apartments and grounds; check the day’s opening hours and tour availability before setting out, since some rooms can close for official events.
Continue on foot for roughly 10 minutes to Christ Church Cathedral on Christchurch Place. Plan on about an hour for the medieval interior and crypt, and check visitor hours before you go. Then walk back toward Queen of Tarts on Dame Street for lunch or a well-earned cake break; budget around €15–25 per person for a casual meal. It’s a good spot to slow down before the last stop.
Walk about 15 minutes south to St Stephen’s Green for an easy 45-minute loop among the ponds, lawns, and tree-lined paths. November afternoons get dark early, so aim to arrive with daylight to spare; afterward, you can walk back to your accommodation or catch a city bus from the streets around the park. Dress for changeable weather, and keep a light rain jacket handy.
Book the first convenient guided tour at Kilmainham Gaol; it’s one of Dublin’s most affecting history visits, and tickets often sell out well ahead, so reserve as soon as your dates open. Allow about 90 minutes, then take a taxi to the Guinness Storehouse (roughly 10–15 minutes, traffic permitting) or use a local bus. The Storehouse visit takes 2–3 hours, including the top-floor view; reserve a timed entry and check the November opening hours before you go.
Walk a few minutes to The Brazen Head for lunch in a wonderfully old-fashioned pub setting; budget about €20–35 per person, and expect it to be lively at lunchtime. Afterward, head to Teeling Whiskey Distillery in the Liberties—about a 10-minute walk—and allow 1–1.5 hours for the guided tour and tasting. Book ahead, and keep your tour time in mind if you’re sampling whiskey.
Finish with a 45-minute wander through Temple Bar, reached by taxi or a walk of about 20–25 minutes. The area is fun for its narrow lanes and shopfronts, but its pubs are among the priciest in town; for a drink, check the menu before settling in. November evenings get dark early, so bring a rain layer and comfortable shoes for the cobbled streets.
Take a morning Irish Rail train from Dublin Heuston to Galway; the trip usually takes about 2½ hours, and advance booking can help you get a better fare and a reserved seat. After arriving at Galway Ceannt Station, take a taxi or local bus to drop your bags at your accommodation, then head to Galway City Museum beside the Spanish Arch. It’s free to visit and usually open Wednesday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.; allow about an hour, but check the museum’s seasonal schedule before you go.
From the museum, stroll through the Spanish Arch area toward the Claddagh, then follow the waterfront along the Long Walk. Give yourself about 45 minutes for harbor views and a few photos; November weather can turn quickly, so bring a waterproof layer and keep an eye on the wind.
Head back into the city centre for wood-fired pizza at The Dough Bros—budget around €20–€30 per person, and expect a lively, casual atmosphere at dinner. Finish with an easy 20-minute wander around Eyre Square, a handy way to get your bearings before tomorrow; if it’s wet, keep the stroll brief and settle in somewhere nearby for a warm drink.
Take a full-day guided coach tour from Galway to the Cliffs of Moher; allow roughly 8–9 hours round trip, with the exact stops and time at the cliffs varying by operator. Tours commonly cost about €45–€70 per person, but check what’s included and confirm the November schedule when booking. Wear waterproof layers and shoes with good grip: the cliff paths can be exposed and slippery, and low cloud can obscure the views. The visitor experience and paths have shorter winter hours, so follow your guide’s timing and don’t get close to the unguarded edges.
If your tour includes Doolin, use the 30–45-minute stop for a short wander through the village and a peek at its traditional-music pubs; daytime November sessions aren’t guaranteed. If the route and schedule allow, stop at the Burren Smokehouse in Lisdoonvarna for a smoked-salmon tasting or light bite (budget about €10–€20). Its visitor hours can vary by season, so check before counting on a visit; some tours pass through without stopping.
After the return to Galway, note an important location mismatch before you plan dinner: the Aran Islands Hotel is in Kilronan on Inis Mór, not in Galway city, so it isn’t a practical same-evening dinner stop after this mainland tour. Contact the tour operator and hotel to confirm whether the itinerary means a different Galway venue; if the hotel name is intentional, you’ll need a separate island visit and ferry plan rather than an ordinary dinner reservation.
Start at Galway Market, beside St Nicholas’ Collegiate Church. A note for this Friday: the market is at its liveliest on weekends, so expect limited stalls—or possibly none—rather than the full food-and-crafts spread. Have a look around the market lanes, then visit the church; allow 30–45 minutes and check the day’s visiting hours, as services can affect access.
Wander through the compact Latin Quarter toward Spanish Arch, browsing the independent shops along the way. If you’d like more context on the city’s history, Galway City Museum is nearby; it’s free to enter and generally open Tuesday to Saturday, though check its current hours before setting out. Head west to Kai Restaurant for a seasonal lunch—budget about €30–€50 per person and reserve ahead, especially for a Friday.
From Kai, continue to Salthill Promenade for a brisk coastal walk; allow around an hour, but shorten it if November wind or rain rolls in. It’s roughly a 20–25-minute walk from the city centre, or a quick taxi ride. Check the light before you go: sunset is around 4:45 p.m. in early November, and the promenade is best enjoyed while it’s still bright.
Take a morning coach from Galway and allow 4–5 hours for the trip, including the connection in Limerick. Check the November timetable and luggage allowance before booking, and leave a little slack for delays. Once in Killarney, drop your bags at your accommodation and head out while there’s still daylight; November afternoons get dark early.
Ease into town with an hour’s gentle walk in Killarney National Park, close to the centre. Choose a lakeside or woodland path rather than trying to cover too much, and bring a waterproof layer—the weather can change quickly. Then walk into town to St Mary’s Cathedral for a quieter 30-minute visit. Check its visiting hours on the day, as access can vary around services.
Finish at The Laurels Pub and Restaurant in the town centre for dinner; budget about €25–€40 per person. It’s a relaxed first evening after a travel day, so there’s no need to plan more—settle in, have a hearty meal, and save the longer southwest explorations for tomorrow.
Start early at Ross Castle, on Lough Leane—November daylight is short, sunset around 4: p.m. A taxi from central Killarney takes about 5–10 minutes; walking is roughly 30 minutes. Allow 1–1½ hours for the lakeside setting and castle tour. Interior access is seasonal, so check tour availability before setting out. From here, take a taxi or drive about 10 minutes to Muckross House and Gardens; allow around two hours. House and garden hours can change in November, so confirm opening and last-entry times, and aim to arrive well before mid-afternoon.
Continue through Killarney National Park to Torc Waterfall, about 10 minutes by car from Muckross House. The woodland path is short, but can be slick after rain—wear sturdy shoes and allow about 45 minutes. Then head to Muckross Abbey, a short drive away, for roughly 45 minutes among the atmospheric ruins and grounds. A taxi or rental car makes this sequence much easier than relying on November seasonal services; arrange your return pickup in advance if taking a taxi, as you may not find one waiting at the park stops.
Head back into town for dinner at Murphy’s Bar on College Street. It’s a welcoming spot to thaw out over pub food; budget about €25–€40 per person, and check the kitchen’s hours when you arrive. If you have energy afterward, take a gentle stroll through the town centre, but keep the evening relaxed after a full day outdoors.
Take a morning train from Killarney to Cork Kent Station, usually changing at Mallow; allow roughly 1½–2 hours and check the November timetable when booking. From Kent, a taxi or local bus gets you into the centre. Head to the English Market for a browse and an easy lunch: it’s typically open Monday–Saturday, roughly 8 a.m.–6 p.m., though individual stalls keep their own hours. Pick up something casual for about €10–20, and leave time to explore the market’s handsome covered aisles.
Walk about 15 minutes uphill to St Fin Barre’s Cathedral in the Cathedral Quarter. Give yourself around an hour for the richly decorated interior; check the day’s visiting hours and expect an admission charge, often around €8. Continue toward Elizabeth Fort, about a 10-minute walk away. The compact fort is free to explore and offers fine views over the city; allow about 45 minutes, but confirm access and closing time before setting out, as November hours can be shorter.
Return to the centre for dinner at Café Paradiso, a Cork favourite for imaginative vegetarian cooking. Book ahead, especially for an evening table, and budget around €35–55 per person. After a full day on foot, the city centre is easy to navigate from here—take a taxi back to your accommodation if you’d rather save your legs.
Take an early Aircoach 704X from Cork straight to Dublin Airport; allow about 3½–4 hours, and check the 2026 timetable before booking. The city visits below make sense only if you have a late flight and a substantial gap before check-in—otherwise, stay at the airport rather than risk missing your connection. If timing permits, leave your bags at a luggage-storage service in the city, then take a taxi or bus to Kildare Street for the National Museum of Ireland – Archaeology. It’s generally open Tuesday–Saturday, 10 a.m.–5 p.m., and admission is free; allow 1–1½ hours, but verify hours before you go.
From Kildare Street, walk about 10–15 minutes to St Stephen’s Green for your reserved guided visit at The Little Museum of Dublin. Tours last about an hour and run to a schedule, so book ahead and make sure the time fits your airport buffer. Then walk roughly 10 minutes to Avoca Suffolk Street for a final lunch or takeaway; budget around €15–€30 per person. Keep the meal simple and leave plenty of time to retrieve your bags and get back to Dublin Airport.
Fly from Dublin Airport to St. Louis Lambert International Airport, usually with at least one connection; total travel time is often around 12–16 hours, depending on the routing. Confirm the connection and check that your first-class booking applies to every flight segment. For an international flight, follow your airline’s recommended airport arrival time—and don’t attempt the Dublin stops if your departure schedule leaves too little margin.
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