Ireland Rail Passes and Train Tips
By Rick Steves
Are rail passes a good value for Ireland?
A rail pass is not very useful in Ireland: Trains fan out from Dublin to major cities, but neglect much of the countryside (Ireland's buses reach many more rural spots, but aren't covered by rail passes). Paying as you go works fine for both train and bus tickets.
How do I see whether a rail pass makes sense for my trip in particular?
Train & Bus Fares: Ireland
Use this map to add up approximate pay-as-you-go fares for your itinerary, and compare that cost to the price of a rail pass for the number of days you expect to spend on the train. (The Ireland-specific rail pass is currently unavailable for sale here, but those considering it can assume that the per-day cost for a second-class "adult" (over 27) pass will fall between $30 and $45, depending on the length of the pass.)
The train fares shown here for the Republic of Ireland roughly match what you'd pay if buying a ticket online shortly before departure. Dashed lines show bus connections, which aren't covered by rail passes. Dotted lines show ferry routes (rail passes get you a discount on some international ferries, but not on Aran Islands routes).
Also, follow the links below for:
• More tips for figuring out whether a pass makes sense for your trip
• The basics on choosing among rail passes
• More tips on how to save money by fine-tuning your rail pass
• Advice on deciding between first and second class
• Fare-estimate maps outside Ireland
• Answers to frequently asked rail-pass questions
What are my options for rail passes that cover Ireland?
Eurail Global Pass (33 countries) → read more about this pass
Buy Ireland Eurail Pass (currently unavailable)
►Rail Europe shopping cart: Have an order underway? Review and complete it here.
Extra tip: If you're traveling only within the Republic of Ireland, two more rail passes are worth considering: the Trekker Four Day (four days in a row) and Explorer (five days within a 15-day window) passes. Both are sold only at Irish train station ticket offices, not online.
Do I need to make seat reservations on Irish trains?
Nope — you can hop on most Irish trains with just your rail pass in hand.
What do rail passes cover in Ireland?
Eurail-brand passes cover all trains (but not buses) in both the Republic and Northern Ireland, and give a 30 percent discount on standard foot-passenger fares for the following ferry services:
- Britain: Dun Laoghaire–Holyhead and Rosslare–Fishguard Stena Line ferries and on Irish Ferries' Dublin–Holyhead and Rosslare–Pembroke service
- France: Dublin–Cherbourg and Rosslare–Roscoff service on Irish Ferries, and Rosslare–Cherbourg service on Stena Line
What's the best way to reach Ireland from elsewhere in Europe?
Flying is probably your best means of reaching either Britain or the Continent, as it's often easy to find cheap fares on Ryanair and other carriers.
Ferries are still preferable if you're not traveling light (as budget airlines have low, and strictly enforced, weight limits) or don't want to lock in your itinerary too far in advance. Some ferries are discounted with a Eurail-brand pass (see above; no discount with BritRail passes); if you're not using a rail pass but will be taking the train in Britain, look into combined "Sail/Rail" ferry/train tickets.
Any tips for buying point-to-point train tickets in Ireland?
If a rail pass doesn't pencil out for your trip, you may be able to shave off the cost of your train tickets with some of these tips:
- Buying tickets online (for the Republic of Ireland) can score you up to 50 percent off the full fare charged at station windows. The price map on this page shows online-purchase fares that can be bought up to 90 minutes before departure (but deeper discounts are offered farther in advance).
- Traveling mid-day is cheaper than traveling at rush-hour peak times (in both the Republic and in Northern Ireland).
- Round-trip fares in the Republic of Ireland can cost as little as 10 percent more than one-way fares.
Also see our general tips for buying point-to-point tickets.
Any tips for getting around Ireland, given the limitations of its train service?
- Renting a car is many travelers' best option, as driving your own vehicle makes it far easier to experience Ireland's far-flung rural charm.
- Buses are not only more extensive than Ireland's trains, but often much cheaper (e.g., $30 Dublin–Galway, $20 Dublin–Cork…though when you've got a choice between them, consider that trains are generally faster, make fewer stops, and are not subject to traffic delays). Check Bus Éireann's site for schedules and tickets.