Using Eurail Passes in Ireland

Eurail passes are available only to people who are NOT resident in Europe, the Russian Federation, Turkey, Morocco, Algeria, or Tunisia. In other words more or less anyone who lives outside Europe.

Eurail Ireland Pass

The Ireland pass is valid for 2nd class train travel within the Republic of Ireland on any 5 days in a 1 month (30 day) period.

Prices

Adult: $185
Senior (60 ): $155
Youth (under 26): $139

It is more expensive to buy Eurail passes in Europe - so buy before you travel. Discounts are almost never available. You can buy the Irish Pass online and this is the easiest and cheapest way to do it.

Is it good value?

If you are planning 3 or more train journeys of reasonable distance, then yes, it is. However it is worth comparing the cost with other available discounts (see links at top of page) to determine which is most suitable for you.

If you don't fancy driving in Ireland, staying in Dublin and taking day trips by train to other locations is a feasible option. You won't get out into the countryside much (you will see a lot of it from the train!) but many historic and interesting towns and cities in Ireland are on the rail network and are doable as a day trip from Dublin.

Take a look at the approximate fares below for an example of the cost of buying rail tickets when you are already in Ireland as a quick way of estimating the value of an Ireland Pass to you.

Prices valid from Jan 4th 2007 and are in Euro

Journey		Single	1-day Return	5-day Return
Dublin - Belfast		€34.50	€36.50	€50
Dublin - Cork		€56.50	€61	€61
Dublin - Galway	Fri & Sun	€42	€42	€45
Dublin - Galway	Mon-Thurs & Sat	€30	€30	€42
Dublin - Kilkenny	Fri & Sun	€27.50	€27.50	€27.50
Dublin - Kilkenny	Mon-Thurs & Sat	€22	€22	€27.50
Dublin - Killarney		€59	€62	€62
Dublin - Limerick		€43	€50	€50
Dublin - Sligo	Fri & Sun	€36	€36	€36
Dublin - Sligo	Mon-Thurs & Sat	€25	€25	€36
Dublin - Waterford	Fri & Sun	€30	€30	€30
Dublin - Waterford	Mon-Thurs & Sat	€23.50	€23.50	€30
Dublin - Westport	Fri & Sun	€30	€30	€42
Dublin - Westport	Mon-Thurs & Sat	€42	€42	€45
Dublin - Wexford	Fri & Sun	€25	€25	€25
Dublin - Wexford	Fri & Sun	€19.50	€19.50	€25

Eurail passes are NOT valid in the UK, so you cannot use them to travel to or within Northern Ireland. This applies not only to the Ireland Pass, but to all Eurail passes.

Multiple Country Eurail Passes

There are a very wide variety of Eurail passes available for those who are touring more than one country in Europe. The Select Pass is the one most likely to be of interest to those including Ireland in their trip.

Eurail Select Pass

Allows travel in any 3-5 participating countries in Europe, and are available for 5,6,8,10 or 15 days of travel with a 2 month period.

An example would be travel within and between any 3-5 of France, Ireland *Benelux, Germany, Italy, Spain, Switzerland.

Approx Cost: From $316 (5 days within 2 months in 3 countries) to $702 (15 days within 2 months, 5 countries)

More Details: Eurail Select Pass

*Benelux refers to Belgium, the Netherlands and Luxembourg. They are considered one country for the Eurail Selectpass

More train passes for Ireland

Your Comments

Please note: To prevent spam all comments are moderated. Promotional or advertising comments will not be published. If you want to ask a question or start a discussion rather than post a comment, please so so in the forum. Thank you!