I am trying to book a ticket from Galway to Belfast via train. (Driving is not an option, so that is not part of the question...) The fare is 88 Euros! Why so expensive?!?!? The part that really doesn't make sense is this: When I break the trip down into two segments, it's a lot less. Galway to Dublin = 25 Euros, and then Dublin to Belfast is only 18 Euros. Now there is a 45 minute busride from Dublin Heuston to Dublin Connolly, but is the 45 minute busride 45 Euros?!!? Also, why is it 45 minutes by bus in between two train stations within the same city? What am I missing here? Also, if anyone knows Dublin well, how many train stations are there that you have to go to a totally different station to take another train out of town. I think back to Germany where Munich has tons of tracks, and all trains go out of there... Another question: Is there a way to get a discount ticket? I'm sorry, never been to Ireland and I'm used to Germany where they have all kinds of special deals, off-peak discount tickets, etc. Any help would be appreciated!
Posted by
Napa, CA
3580 posts
It's been a long time since I did this, but I took a bus from Galway to Portrush or Derry in Northern Ireland and took a train from there to Belfast. That bus ride between stations in Dublin may be 45 min to allow time to catch the next train. If you are willing to take buses, it is easier to get around Ireland. The train system is fairly limited and mostly centers on Dublin. Not too convenient for many trips around the country. Larger cities throughout Europe have more than one train station. It's a challenge to get from one to the other when making connections.
Posted by
Minneapolis, MN, USA
8700 posts
According to the Irish Rail site, if you buy tickets at the station, the standard fare for Galway-Dublin is 34.50 E and for Dublin-Belfast it is 38 E. However, online fares are often cheaper. Right now, subject to availability, you can get fares as low as 10 E for each leg.
It's a 14-minute ride on the Luas tram red line between Heuston and Connolly stations. Trams run about every ten minutes and the fare should be under 2 E.
Standard fares on Bus Eireann will be cheaper than standard fares on Irish Rail. For Galway-Dublin the fare is 13.50 E. I couldn't find the fare for Dublin-Belfast.