How to Travel Ireland by Train

If you want to explore Ireland without the stresses of driving, then travel Ireland by train. Trains in Ireland are usually comfortable, inexpensive and reliable, and you can watch the country appear before your eyes from the window. Here are a few things to bear in mind when travelling through Ireland by train.

Instructions

1




Buy a rail pass. There are different types of passes available depending on how long you are going to spend touring the country. If you only plan to travel Ireland by train for short amount of time, say one or two trips, then individual tickets will probably work out cheaper.

2




Get a Eurail pass. This is a great way to see Ireland and the UK if you are planning more than a few trips within a month. The pass allows you to travel within 17 other participating countries. It does not, however, permit travel in Northern Ireland. The pass allows you to travel first class travel and is a good deal if you plan to do a fair bit of travelling. You can book your pass online before travelling at the website www.eurail.com.

3

If you plan to travel Ireland by train then be aware that the train may take a long time to get to your particular destination. The trains usually stop at the major towns and cities but there are some places of interest in Ireland where train travel will not be a good option. For instance, if you want to visit the Giant's Causeway or the Ring of Dingle, trains do not stop near these major attractions. If you are planning on visiting these places then it may be worth investing in a combined rail and bus pass.

4

Get a rail and ferry ticket. The combined rail and ferry ticket is a good option if you are travelling from the UK to Ireland. The Britrail and Ireland pass allows travel across England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland. It also includes a round trip sea crossing between Ireland and the UK. Certain conditions apply with this pass and you should work out whether it will be cheaper buying individual tickets, the pass starts off at around 380. If you plan to travel for 5 days then this ticket may be best for you. Check out their website at www.railchoice.co.uk.

5

Start off from Dublin. Dublin is a fantastic city and if you plan to travel Ireland by rail this may be the perfect starting point. Dublin has so many attractions and is such a party town, you may find yourself spending more time here than you had planned. Many of the principal towns in Ireland can be reached from Ireland, such as Cork, Limerick and Belfast. Southern Ireland and Northern Ireland have different passes and conditions to in their rail travel. Check out the websites www.irishrail.ie/home and www.nirailways.co.uk for full details.