Ireland Rail Information
Rail services in Ireland are operated by
Irish Rail. Rail services in Northern Ireland are operated by
NIR.
Seats can be
reserved
online on some Irish Rail services using a credit card, and the reservation
/ ticket can be collected from a station reservation / ticket machine using
that same credit card prior to departure.
Suburban rail services in Dublin and Cork are known by a somewhat
confusing array of brand names including "DART"
(Dublin Area Rapid Transit), "ARROW",
"Dublin Suburban" and "Cork
Suburban". Schedules for all rail systems can be consulted via
the main
Irish Rail website, including journeys involving multiple suburban rail
+ intercity + suburban rail connections. However, for some
reason tram and
bus schedules are not included (aside
from the odd connecting shuttle bus)!
The most efficient way of connecting between the two main Dublin train
stations is tram.
Even though all rail services and most bus services are
operated by the same company there is no single timetable database to enable
one to plan a journey involving more than one mode of public transport from
start to finish. There is no integrated ticketing system either!
Irish Rail inter-city
and regional train services:
New rail services
A new rail service will operate between Cork and Killarney [see Lakes***,
National Park****, Muckross House** and Gardens*, and Torc Waterfall*], from
March 28 - journey time 90 minutes. (schedules)
Printable schedules
Shuttle bus between
Dublin railway
stations
(The rail journey planner incorporates
inter-station shuttle bus services)
Recommended scenic rail journey
Dublin (Connolly Station) to Wexford (see
www.irishrail.ie for schedules and
routemap)
This route takes one through the south Dublin
suburbs along the coast with views of the Irish sea, Dublin and Wicklow
mountains, turning inland at Wicklow town into the Vale of Avoca to Arklow
and continuing down to Enniscorthy, Wexford and finally to Rosslare and
Rosslare Harbour Europort. The journey time is about 3 hours.
Visitors to Dublin should experience the scenic DART suburban rail
service between Pearse Station and Bray or Greystones. The train runs along
the coastline providing maritime and mountain views. Journey time approx 40
minutes each way. Avoid using this service for sightseeing on weekdays
during peak periods - ie 07h00 to 09h30 and 16h30 to 19h00.
Ireland Bus Services
City Bus Services
Dublin
Route
map
Schedules
Bus Éireann
Inter-city bus network serving all cities and towns and many villages en
route. This company also provides urban bus services outside the Dublin
area.
Journey Planner
Network map
Queries
Purchasing your bus ticket online
Most Bus Éireann tickets can be purchased online at
www.buseireann.ie. Once you
have specified the ticket, provided your credit card details and e-mail
address, the system sends you an e-mail which incorporates a ticketing code.
Print this e-mail out and present it at the bus station ticket office or to
the bus driver. Tickets can also be mailed out.
New tram system under construction in Dublin. Check website for details
on commencement of services.
Touring Coach Services
CIE Tours
Airport Shuttle Services
Dublin Airport
Dublin Bus
(Airport to downtown + railway stations)
Air Coach (Airport to downtown, with
stops at major hotels)
Aer Dart (Airport to DART suburban rail
connection - not recommended)
Airport long distance bus services
Bus Éireann
Nestor
Citylink
Cork Airport
Bus Éireann - Direct services Airport
to downtown and airport to Kinsale. Consult the online bus schedule at the
Bus Éireann website to construct a
connecting bus schedule to other points in the country.
Shannon Airport
Bus Éireann (Regional bus
services serving airport)
Northern Ireland
Ulster Bus
Northern Ireland Railways
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