I looked at fares a couple of days ago from Dublin Heuston to Killarney for June 23rd. The Flexible fare was 34 euro. Today it is 68 euros. Do fares fluctuate like airfares or once it goes up it stays up? I'm wondering if I should keep checking the irishrail.ie site or just bite the bullet now.
Posted by
Citizen of the World
1432 posts
Yes- point-to-point train tickets throughout Europe vary and become increasingly expensive the closer it gets to the train’s departure time. Once Irish Rail’s “ Low fare” tickets that go on sale 90 days in advance are bought up, you’ll see higher ticket prices online. And once they rise, they just keep rising. The exceptions to that rule are far and few between.
Irish Rail does offer several multi-day tourist passes for adults.
The “Trekker Four Day”. pass is a four-consecutive day pass for €110 The other is the “Explorer” which is valid for any 5 out of 15 days for €160.
You can only buy these train passes in Ireland at train stations throughout the country. In Dublin they are sold at the Dublin Connolly, Dublin Pearse and Dublin Heuston rail stations. There are dozens of ticket categories which are explained at www.IrishRail.ie
Posted by
Lake District, England
5792 posts
The 68 Euro fare is the return fare not the single fare, per person.
Per person sjng!e it remains this morning at 34 Euro. On line singles are always less than the buy at station fares
The maximum pay at the station price is 49.45 single, 68 day return and 73.60 open return.
Unless you are taking the train the day you arrive by air into DUB there is no practical reason not to buy the slightly cheaper semi flex fare.
34 single is as high as it goes on line. That is the fare on line for travel today for instance.
No fares do not go up and down, like on an airline.
If you know you are traveling buy the ticket. Even on semi flex you have nothing to lose.
Posted by
OP
Wisconsin
2 posts
User Error! Thanks for pointing that out. We are arriving by air which is why I'm buying the flex fare.
Posted by
Lake District, England
5792 posts
So in that case 34 Euro each is your option by train.
The other possibility, at 35 Euro each, is the Flightlink bus direct from Dublin Airport to Killarney- https://bookings.flightlink.ie/TimeTable/TimeTableHome/
It at least saves the initial transfer into Heuston- so is a bit cheaper- https://bookings.flightlink.ie/TimeTable/TimeTableHome/
With a service every 4 hours it might involve hanging around. It's a matter of personal choice. The journey time and fare are not a lot different. Frequency is higher on the train and you can move around more on the train.
On ticketing they say-
Fares and Ticketing- You can buy tickets online up until 30 minutes before departure. When boarding, you must show your ticket to the > driver. You are welcome to show your ticket on your phone or printed. Alternatively, you can buy a ticket as you board, so long as we have space.