3 Week England, Ireland and Scotland Tour Packages

England, Ireland And Scotland itineraries for 3 weeks

Compiled by

NadineEngland, Ireland and Scotland travel expert at TourRadar

• 21 Days in UK & Ireland, incl. London and Edinburgh

  An immersive 21-day tour weaves through England, Scotland, and Ireland. Edinburgh Castle, York Minster, and Dublin's Temple Bar await. Accommodations span 8 cities with rail and ferry transport, plus detailed travel packs for approx. $110 per day.

  

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  • Days 1-3

    London

    Begin in London and visit Buckingham Palace early - before 9:30 AM to avoid crowds. You'll get better palace views from Green Park than the main gates. Visit the Tower of London around 2 PM when it's less busy. Get an Oyster card for public transport - it's cheaper than buying individual tickets and works on all buses and trains.

    
  • Days 4-5

    York

    Take a 4-hour train to York. Walk the city walls in early morning or late afternoon to avoid crowds. Visit The Shambles right after breakfast, before the 11 AM rush. Pick evening ghost tours over night ones - they're less crowded and you can hear everything clearly.

    
  • Days 6-8

    Edinburgh

    The 2.5-hour train ride offers beautiful coastal views from the right side. Start your Royal Mile walk from the castle and work downhill. Arthur's Seat takes about 2 hours to complete. Wear sturdy shoes since the paths get slippery when wet. A recent visitor shared: "The 'easier' path from Dunsapie Loch is actually less steep but takes longer than the direct route from Holyrood."

    
  • Days 9-10

    Glasgow

    Just an hour from Edinburgh by train. The subway is simple - locals nickname it "the clockwork orange" for its circular route. Visit Kelvingrove Museum early as it closes at 5 PM. The Necropolis has great city views but steep paths - wear comfortable shoes.

    
  • Days 11-12

    Belfast

    Take the 6-hour ferry crossing. Buy Titanic Belfast tickets online to save money and skip lines. Book Black Cab political tours ahead - they offer unique insights into local history. Plan around St. George's Market's Friday-Sunday schedule.

    
  • Days 13-14

    Galway

    Travel 6.5 hours from Belfast via Dublin. The Latin Quarter gets lively with music after 8 PM. Walk Salthill Promenade (one hour each way) and kick the wall at the end like locals do. Pack a rain jacket for unexpected showers.

    
  • Days 15-17

    Dublin

    Take the 2.5-hour morning train from Galway. Visit the Book of Kells early to avoid long lines. Skip expensive Temple Bar and try Camden Street's traditional pubs instead. The free Botanic Gardens stay peaceful even in peak season.

    
  • Days 18-19

    Liverpool

    It's 6.5 hours by ferry and train. Visit The Beatles Story at 9 AM opening to avoid crowds. Explore Albert Dock in the evening when it's quieter. Choose Liverpool Cathedral's tower over Radio City Tower for better views at lower cost.

    
  • Days 20-21

    London

    Return to London on a 2.5-hour train. Consider the Heathrow Express from Paddington for airport transfers - it costs more than the tube but saves time during rush hour or with heavy luggage.

    

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• 19 Day Great Britain & Ireland Itinerary, incl. London and Edinburgh

  

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  • Days 1-2

    London

    Start in London with two full days of exploring. Get to the Tower of London right when it opens at 9AM to see the Crown Jewels without crowds. "We walked straight in while later groups waited hours," one traveler noted. Spend mornings at major sites and afternoons exploring neighborhoods like Covent Garden. The Underground works well for getting around, just avoid rush hour from 8-9:30AM and 4:30-6:30PM.

    
  • Days 3-4

    Stratford & York to Edinburgh

    Travel north through Shakespeare country to York. The medieval Shambles is quietest after 4PM once tour groups leave. Take the 4-hour train to Edinburgh to arrive by early evening. "Book Edinburgh Castle tickets online—the queue for walk-ups can be 45+ minutes. Go first thing or after 3PM when cruise crowds thin out," a recent visitor suggests.

    
  • Days 5-7

    Scottish Highlands

    Make the Highlands your base for stunning landscapes. "The Culloden Battlefield visit was incredibly moving—bring waterproof boots as the moor gets boggy even in summer," one traveler shares. Boats leave from Inverness harbor to Loch Ness every 2 hours. Get your best photos of Glencoe valley at the Three Sisters viewpoint in the morning light.

    
  • Days 8-9

    Glasgow to Lake District

    After seeing Glasgow's highlights, continue to England's Lake District. One visitor recommends: "Take the Windermere ferry rather than driving around—it saves an hour and offers stunning views." Drive carefully on the narrow roads, especially in wet weather. Stay in Bowness-on-Windermere for good restaurant choices.

    
  • Days 10-12

    Dublin & Northern Ireland

    Visit Dublin's Trinity College and Temple Bar, along with the historic Kilmainham Gaol. "The Book of Kells queue can be 2+ hours—book the first slot at 9:30AM online," notes a recent traveler. In Belfast, take a black taxi political tour to understand the city's history.

    
  • Days 13-15

    Western Ireland

    Visit Galway and drive the Wild Atlantic Way. One visitor suggests: "Go to the Cliffs of Moher before 10AM or after 4PM to avoid tour buses. The cliff walk to Hag's Head is spectacular but very exposed—bring a windproof jacket." The Dingle Peninsula offers beautiful coastal views, but take it slow on the narrow roads.

    
  • Days 16-19

    Waterford to Cardiff & London

    Start at Waterford Crystal (9:30AM tours are quietest) before heading to Wales. Explore Cardiff Castle for Welsh history. Visit Bath and Windsor on your way back to London. "Windsor Castle's changing of the guard is at 11AM—arrive by 10:30AM for good viewing spots," a traveler advises.

    

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• 20 Day UK and Ireland Itinerary, incl. London and Edinburgh

  

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  • Days 1-3

    London

    Start with three full days in London. On day one, settle in and take an evening walking tour through Leicester Square and Soho. This helps with jet lag and gives you a great first look at London's vibrant atmosphere. Day two features a guided city tour of Westminster, Parliament, and the City of London. For day three, head to the Tower of London right at 9 AM opening to avoid the crowds.

    
  • Days 4-5

    Northern England & Edinburgh

    Take an early coach to Cambridge (2.5 hours) and spend the morning at the historic colleges. Continue to York (4 hours) and walk the medieval city walls before crowds pick up. Stay overnight in Durham. Next morning, visit Alnwick Castle. Get there by 9:45 AM for the 10 AM opening. A 2-hour drive takes you to Edinburgh for an afternoon guided tour.

    
  • Days 6-7

    Scottish Highlands & Northern Ireland

    Start early through the Highlands, stopping at Pitlochry and Inverness on your way to Loch Ness. One traveler suggests: "For the best photos of Urquhart Castle, head to the viewing point just north of the visitor center. The morning light is perfect around 9-10 AM." Spend the night in Glasgow. Next day, take the morning ferry (2.5 hours) from Cairnryan to Belfast.

    
  • Days 8-10

    Northern Ireland & Dublin

    See Belfast before exploring the Causeway Coast. A visitor notes: "Go early or late to Giant's Causeway. Midday gets incredibly crowded. Bring sturdy shoes as the rocks are slippery even when dry." Visit Derry and the Marble Arch Caves, then return to Belfast. Take a 3-hour coach to Dublin for two days of exploring. A morning walking tour covers the main sites in 3 hours.

    
  • Days 11-15

    Ireland's South and West

    Travel south through Powerscourt Gardens to Cork, then follow the coast to Killarney. A recent traveler shares: "The jaunting car tour through Killarney National Park is worth every penny. But bring a raincoat - weather changes quickly." Visit the Cliffs of Moher (aim for 9 AM before tour buses arrive) and Galway before returning to Dublin.

    
  • Days 16-20

    Wales & Southern England

    Catch the early ferry to Wales (3.5 hours) and visit Caernarfon Castle on your way to Liverpool. Travel through Chester to Birmingham, then south via Stratford-upon-Avon to Bath. On your return to London, stop at Stonehenge. A visitor recommends: "Book the first entry time at 9 AM. You'll have the stones almost to yourself before the big coaches arrive."

    

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