Reader
There are lots of things to love about train travel. But perhaps the most enjoyable one is the ability to sit back and relax without having to worry about navigating roads with a car.

That’s especially important for tourists who are hesitant about driving in Ireland or who simply don’t want to spend the extra money on renting a car.

And I totally get it. I love train travel myself and have fond memories of journeys taken in Ireland and on mainland Europe.

Clean and comfortable, Ireland’s train network is the ideal way to get between its cities while relaxing in comfy seating, enjoying free Wifi and having the ability to walk around the train, and availing of its snack bar services (not available on all trains though).

Below are some tips if you intend to use trains while in Ireland along with information on some of its more popular routes, the majority of which radiate out of Dublin.

Irish Rail Travel Tips

• Book in advance, especially if you are reserving tickets for popular routes and you want the cheapest price. Reservations can be made up to 90 days in advance. Sometimes the website will say that no online tickets are available. The reasons for this are outlined on this Irish Rail webpage. See also this guide for purchasing tickets on the Irish Rail website.
• If you’re traveling on a less popular route, you can buy a ticket at the train station.
• If you want more flexibility on Ireland’s rail network, consider purchasing the Irish Explorer Pass, which will give you unlimited travel for 5 days within a 15-day period at a cost of €128 per adult and €64 per child. The Eurail Ireland Pass for non-Europeans might be something to consider, but it is more expensive at $145 per adult (28-59) for only 3 days of travel. The Interrail Ireland Pass for Europeans is €137 per adult (28-59) and is valid for 3 days. Other plans for both the Eurail and Interrail passes are also available.

Popular Train Routes from Dublin

Dublin to Cork – Fast and comfortable; takes about 2.5 hours. Cork is home to The English Market, The Shandon Bells, The Cork City Gaol/Jail and more.

Dublin to Galway – A pleasant journey to the West of Ireland capital; about 2.5 hours. Galway is home to some great traditional Irish pubs, fantastic restaurants and is the gateway to The Aran Islands.

Dublin to Belfast – a popular cross-border journey on the Enterprise train; about 2 hours. Belfast is home to Titanic Belfast, the Black Taxi Tours and is the gateway to the Coastal Causeway region.

Dublin to Limerick – A great way to explore Ireland’s southwest; about 2 hours. Limerick is home to King John’s Castle, The Hunt Museum and the nearby Bunratty Castle.

Dublin to Killarney – a popular route to Kerry’s lively town, a favorite with tourists; about 3 hours and 20 minutes. Killarney is the gateway to the Ring of Kerry and is only an hour from the Dingle Peninsula.

Dublin to Waterford – A quieter route to Ireland’s Viking capital; about 2 hours and 30 minutes. Waterford is also home to the Waterford Greenway and the gateway to the Copper Coast.

Ireland Trip Planning Resources

Heading to Ireland this year? Here are a few of the resources available on the Ireland on a Budget website.

• How to plan a vacation to Ireland in 7 easy steps.
• Itinerary ideas – use these suggested itineraries as a base for your own planning.
• Getting around Ireland via public transportation – a complete guide to bus and train travel.
• Accommodation in Ireland’s major cities – favorite hotels in Dublin (newly updated with additional hotel choices added), Galway, Cork and Belfast. A complete guide on those and other cities is coming soon.
  

If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to reach out to me by replying to this email.

Happy traveling,

Colette ☘️