Ireland by Train
Trains - Tickets - ToursA Travel Guide For Train Travel In Ireland.
Here you will find information for Ireland about trains, routes, tours, connections, where to buy train tickets, and more.
Useful Information
Population: 4.83 million
Currency: Euro
Language: English, Irish
Capital: Dublin
Country Code: +353
Time Zone: Western European Time
Train Companies
Most of the country’s trains are operated by Iarnród Éireann (Irish Rail); however in Northern Ireland rail services are operated by Northern Ireland Railways (NI Railways).
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Train Tickets
Buy your train tickets for Ireland online on the Irish Rail official homepage.
Buy your train tickets online at OMIO and compare trains, buses & flights.
Rail Passes
Interrail / Eurail Pass
Do you want to travel throughout Europe flexibly and comfortably? Then the Interrail Pass is perfect for you. With the Interrail Pass, you can visit 40,000 destinations in 33 countries in Europe. You can travel for up to 3 months by train.
TrAIN tYPES
Regional Trains
The major rail network in Ireland is composed of the following trains:
DART trains serve central Dublin, Dublin suburbs, and Dublin. Tickets only bookable at the train station.
Commuter trains serve as Ireland’s short distance trains connecting large cities such as Dublin, Cork, Shannon and more, to its suburbs. Tickets only bookable at the train station.
InterCity trains are long-distance trains that connect Dublin to popular cities in the Republic of Ireland.
- 1st Class: Rows of three seats (2+1), hot Irish breakfast available on morning commutes **1st Class only available on Dublin – Cork line
- 2nd Class (Standard): Rows of four seats (2+2)
- No reservations required
- Trains are equipped with WiFi, electrical plug-ins, and air conditioning. Most trains are equipped with a buffet car offering a range of food and drinks or a food trolley.
Enterprise is co-run by Iarnród Éireann (Irish Rail) and Northern Ireland Railways.
- 1st Class: Rows of three seats (2+1)
- 2nd Class (Standard): Rows of four seats (2+2)
- No reservations required
- Trains are equipped with WiFi, electrical plug-ins, and air conditioning. Trains are equipped with a buffet car offering a range of food and drinks.
There are no regular night trains in Ireland.
Belmond Grand Hibernian
Routes
Frequently Travelled Routes In Ireland
National
| From > To |
Duration (h) | Changes | Transport |
| Dublin to Cork | 2:37 | Direct | Train |
| Dublin to Galway | 2:19 | Direct | Train |
| Dublin to Wexford | 2:23 | Direct | Train |
| Dublin to Waterford | 2:13 | Direct | Train |
| Cork to Limerick | 2:14 | 1 | Train |
| Cork to Shannon | 3:28 | 2 | Train & Bus via Limerick |
| Galway to Limerick | 1:58 | Direct | Train |
International
| From > To |
Duration (h) | Changes | Transport |
| Dublin to Belfast, Northern Ireland | 2:10 | Direct | Train |
| Dublin to Holyhead, Wales | 3:15 | Direct | Ferry |
| Dublin to Liverpool, England | 6:40-7:39 | 1-2 | Ferry via Isle of Man, Train & Ferry via Holyhead, Wales |
| Dublin to Isle of Man, England | 2:55 | Direct | Ferry |
| Rosslare to Fishguard, Wales | 3:15 | Direct | Ferry |
| Rosslare to Cherbourg, France | 17:45 | Direct | Ferry |
| Cork to Roscoff, France | 15:00 | Direct | Ferry |
| Cork to Bilbao, Spain | 35:45 | 1 | Ferry via Roscoff, France |
Ireland travel routes
Ireland: Dublin – Galway – Limerick
Main Train Stations
- Dublin Conolly
- Dublin Heuston
- Limerick Colbert Station
- Cork Kent Station
- Galway Ceannt Station
Train Tours in Ireland
Good to know
Best Time To Travel To Ireland
We recommend traveling to Ireland anytime from April to September; however, if you want to catch the world-famous St. Patrick’s Day, get to the land of Leprechauns before March 17th. There are plenty of festivals outside of St. Paddy’s Day and are scattered all throughout the country in all seasons. Ireland’s climate is rainy but less so in the spring, summer, and fall. Be prepared for cooler temperatures, at all times of the year.
- High Season: June – August
- Low Season: September – May
Accommodation In Ireland
Booking
The best place to find cheap hotels for is to book by www.booking.com. There you will find a large selection of cheap hotels, hostels, and apartments. > BOOK HERE
Hostelworld
If you are looking for a low budget accommodation, then go on www.hostelworld.com. They have the best choice of cheap hostels for backpackers and low budget travelers. > BOOK HERE
Guidebooks For Ireland
Travel with a guidebook ease your journey to find best sights and things to do. Buy it on Amazon.
