Ireland Itinerary
Travel on comfortable trains with this Ireland itinerary and be free to explore at your own pace!
Ireland by Train
Ireland train travel explained
Ireland train travel gives you the best of two worlds. The Republic of Ireland offers an enchanting green landscape, the lively capital Dublin, famous castles, and charming pubs. In Northern Ireland you can visit the impressive coastline, explore the history, and visit the vibrant capital Belfast.
Train types in Ireland
Trains in the Republic of Ireland are operated by Iarnrod Éireann (Irish Rail). Rail services in Northern Ireland are run by Northern Ireland Railways (NI Railways).
- Route map
- Republic of Ireland
- Northern Ireland
- Scenic routes
Trains in the Republic of Ireland
Iarnród Éireann (Irish Rail) has modern and reliable trains across the country, with many connections to and from Dublin. You can start planing your trip with the Irish Rail timetables and journey planner.
Your Interrail Pass is valid on:
InterCity trains: Fast, high quality rail services that connect popular cities and towns in the Republic of Ireland. Wifi is available on most connections.
DART (Dublin Area Rapid Transport): Dublin's electic rail system. To get through the entrance gates, just show your Pass at the ticket window.
Trains in Northern Ireland
Train times for Northern Ireland are on the NI Railway (Translink) website.
Free wifi is available on all NI Railway trains.
Bicycles are allowed on trains after 9.30am, with no extra charges.
Scenic routes
Republic of Ireland
Rosslare – Waterford/Rosslare – Rosslare – Wexford – Enniscorthy
Wicklow – Greystones – Dun Laoghaire
Northern Ireland
Londonderry – Coleraine
Popular connections
- Domestic routes
- International routes
Republic of Ireland
Most long distance services start or end in Dublin. These services are run by Intercity trains. The Enterprise Service takes people from Dublin to Belfast in just over two hours.
| Route | Travel time (by InterCity) |
|---|---|
| Dublin Connolly to Belfast Enterprise Service |
2h 15m |
| Dublin Heuston to Cork | 2h 35m |
| Dublin Heuston to Waterford | 2h 10m |
| Dublin Heuston to Limerick (Via Limerick Junction) | 2h 05m |
| Waterford to Limerick (Via Limerick Junction) | 2h 30m |
| Limerick to Galway | 1h 55m |
| Dublin Heuston to Galway | 2h 25m |
| Dublin Heuston to Tralee | 3h 55m |
| Dublin Heuston to Westport | 3h 10m |
| Dublin Heuston to Ballina | 3h 15m |
| Dublin Connolly to Sligo | 3h 15m |
| Dublin Connolly to Rosslare | 3h |
Northern Ireland
NI Railways' popular routes are:
| Route | Travel time |
|---|---|
| Belfast Central to Dublin Connolly | 2h 10m |
| Belfast to Bangor | 31m |
| Belfast to Derry Londonderry | 2h 05m |
| Belfast to Larne | 50m |
| Belfast to Newry | 57m |
| Portrush to Coleraine | 12m |
Ferries
There are several ferries to France and the UK. Irish ports with ferry connections are mainly Belfast, Dublin, and Rosslare, see here for more information.
Reservations
Republic of Ireland
Reservations for InterCity (IC) trains are optional. They can be made locally or online at www.irishrail.ie.
Northern Ireland
Train reservations are not required.
Extra info for Ireland train travel
Airport - station links
From Dublin airport Airlink buses go to Heuston and Connolly railway station (bus 748). Eurail Passes are not valid on the bus.
Sydenham railway station is next to Belfast airport.
Eurail aid offices in Ireland
Rail Travel Centre
Connoly Station, Amiens Street, Dublin 1
Mon-Sat: 7.00 - 22.20
Sun: 8.30 - 21.30NIR Travel
Great Victoria Street Station, Belfast, BT2 7UB
Mon-Fri: 9.00 - 17.00
Sat: 9.00 - 12.30
Ferry connections
Your Eurail Pass entitles you to discounted ferry crossings from Irish Ferries, Norfolkline, and Stena Line to France and the UK. See the pass benefits Ireland.
Get your Pass for Ireland
Ireland Pass
Use your whole vacation to discover Ireland by rail.
Standard prices from $ 120
Global Pass
Be free to visit Ireland and up to 32 other Eurail countries.
Standard prices from $ 211
Tips and tricks for Ireland
Quick facts
Capital: Dublin (Republic of Ireland), Belfast (Northern Ireland)
Population: 4.6 million, 1.9 million
Language: English, Irish
Currency: Euro (EUR), British Pound (GBP)
Dialing code: +353, +44
Spelling of names in Ireland
It's good to know the local spelling of Irish cities when you try to find the right train station! Here are some places you may visit in Ireland:
Corcaigh = Cork
Gaillimh = Galway
Cill = Kilkenny
Cill Airne = Chainnigh Killarney
Luimneach = Limerick
Mala = Mallow
The main Irish train stations
Republic of Ireland
Dublin has two main train stations. There is no train connection between these stations, so you have to take a tram or bus to travel from one to the other.
Dublin Connolly
Dublin Heuston
Northern Ireland
Belfast Central
Ferry travel and other discounts
Use an Interrail Pass in Ireland and get 30% discount on ferry routes to England, France, Scotland and Wales.
Guided train tours
Get a discount of up to €30 on train tours from Dublin.
Get inspired
Change of currency
You cannot change the currency once you have a Pass in your cart. Remove the Pass, and then change the currency on the website header.