My husband and I will use the train twice in Ireland. While I think we have planned our schedule well, I am concerned about the potential of missing a train for which we've purchased tickets. Are flex passes worth the extra cost?
Posted by
Ireland
217 posts
Well an Irish Rail 4 day "Trekker" ticket costs €110 while intercity advance fares can be as low as €14.99. That looks like a no-brainer to me. There are also semi-flexible advance tickets available now which allow you to take a later train without paying a penalty.
Posted by
Rick Steves' Europe
16893 posts
I don't think of Ireland as a country where you need to purchase train tickets far advance, but it is cheaper to buy them online (up to 90 minutes before departure), rather than at the station. For instance, you can buy a "Flexible" ticket today for travel tomorrow for €19 between Dublin and Galway. There are mentions of limited availability, but I wouldn't worry about that, since the trains don't require seat assignments.
These are the fare rules:
Cancellations or amendments allowed up 90 minutes before departure but cannot be made on tickets already printed. On the day of travel, without changing your booking, you can travel any time that day, on this route, subject to availability.
Posted by
Waterville, Ireland
409 posts
Everyone should note that not all train tickets can be purchased on line. I was traveling to/from Rathdrum (Wicklow) to visit friends. That station had no ticket machine so I had to get on the train and buy a full fare ticket on the spot.
The bigger stations of course all have machines.
Another issue about buying a train ticket in advance. I've just had my credit card hacked, so it's being replaced. Sooooo when I go to the kiosk and put in the card I used to purchase the ticket - it's no longer valid! I'm hoping I can get my ticket!