Train

Travelling across Ireland by train is a comfortable and hassle free experience. Trains are usually on time, but the rail network is not too extensive and the tickets can be quite pricey. Moreover, the train routes usually connect the big urban centers. So, if you plan to travel to the scenic Irish countryside, you will have to use the bus services or to rent a car.

 

The main train company is Irish Rail. The main train stations in Dublin are Connolly Station (servicing Sligo, Wexford, Belfast) and Heuston Station, down the river beside Guinness Brewery, (servicing Cork, Kerry and Galway).

 

Some rail lines go through stunning sceneries, such as, for example, the route from Dublin to Wexford. This is why, despite the Irish railway network’s lack of development, many travel companies organize railway tours. Although not serviced by trains, Ireland’s top attraction, Ring of Kerry is the focus of rail tours departing from Dublin Heuston station. The InterCity train will take you to Mallow County Cork, from there you will be transferred to Killarney and then, tour the Ring of Kerry.

 

There is also a tram company in Dublin called the Luas and a commuter train that covers the bay of Dublin called the DART (Dublin Area Rapid Transit). This is a fast and easy way to get around the city, but it services only the north and south of Dublin. The DART routes run along the Irish Sea’s coast from Howth to Bray. There are plans to extend the rail network in the near future. A commuter rail line is already serving Fota and Cobh, and will, in the future, reach Middleton.

 

Dublin Explorer tickets are a good way to save money on transportation while in Dublin. Available for purchase at any DART station, they are valid for four consecutive days for DART trains and Dublin Bus rides.  Students benefit from discounted fares by as much as 50% with if they have a Travelsave stamp.