# Ireland Trains > Ireland Trains is a travel guide covering rail travel across Ireland and Northern Ireland, including InterCity trains, DART, the Enterprise service, routes, classes, and stations. ## About our website This website serves as a comprehensive guide to assist you in planning your rail travel across Ireland, while also providing insightful details about the different train options available. We do not own or operate any of the trains in Ireland; neither we nor our suggested partners for ticket booking services function as rail carriers. Ireland Trains is brought to you by Rail Ninja. ## About the railway system The history of Irish trains started almost two centuries ago with the opening of the first railway route. Today, Ireland's railway system includes InterCity trains, commuter trains, and DART (Dublin Area Rapid Transit) services, operated by Iarnród Éireann (Irish Rail) in the Republic of Ireland and by Translink NI Railways in Northern Ireland. Trains are among the most environmentally responsible travel options, consuming less energy and generating lower carbon emissions per passenger mile than cars or short-haul flights. See: [All Trains](https://www.irelandtrains.com/ireland-railway-system) ## InterCity train services InterCity trains connect major cities and are equipped with modern amenities like Wi-Fi and power sockets. Most Irish trains do not require seat reservations, though free reservations can be made on InterCity trains. **Dublin to Cork** is one of the most popular InterCity routes, with hourly service throughout the day. The journey from Dublin Heuston to Cork Kent Station takes approximately 2 hours 25 minutes; one-way tickets start from $49 USD. The route passes through Limerick Junction and the landscapes of Munster. **Dublin to Belfast** — the Enterprise service connects Dublin Connolly and Belfast Lanyon Place directly, crossing both the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland. The journey takes just over two hours, passing Malahide and the countryside of Armagh County, including several viaducts. Tickets start from $39–$66 USD depending on date and class. Up to 15 trains a day serve the Belfast route. See: [Learn more](https://www.irelandtrains.com/ireland-railway-system) ## Dublin stations and services **Dublin Heuston Station**, opened in 1846, is the terminus for trains heading west and southwest to Cork, Limerick, and Galway, and the departure point for InterCity services to Cork, Limerick, Galway, Waterford, and Tralee. It is well served by bus and Luas tram connections. **Connolly Station**, opened in 1844, is the busiest railway station in Ireland, a major hub for trains to Belfast, Sligo, Wicklow, Wexford, and Dún Laoghaire. It has seven platforms, is located one floor above street level, and hosts both DART and InterCity services, as well as both Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland services on the Enterprise route. Major stations in Dublin, Cork, Galway, and Limerick offer Wi-Fi, ATMs, phone charging points, ticket vending machines, and dining and entertainment options. See: [All Stations](https://www.irelandtrains.com/railway-stations) ## Dublin Area Rapid Transit (DART) and commuter trains DART is Dublin's electrified commuter rail service running along the coastline, connecting central Dublin and suburbs from Malahide and Howth in the north to Greystones in the south, with services as frequent as every 10 minutes during weekday peak times. Commuter services in Dublin serve suburbs and satellite towns across four main lines: Northern, Southeastern, Southwestern, and Western Commuter. The Northern Commuter line runs from Dublin Connolly northward, while the Western Commuter line connects towns west of Dublin. ## Tickets and rail passes **Buy tickets online** — Point-to-point tickets for the Republic of Ireland can often be purchased at a discount of up to 50% compared to full station-window fares, especially when booked in advance. Rail Ninja allows tickets to be purchased up to 2 years in advance. **First Class and travel classes** — InterCity trains offer Standard and First Class, with First Class offering wider seats, more legroom, and at-seat service on selected routes. Seniors and qualifying pass holders can travel for free but should reserve seats online in advance, as allocations are limited. **Rail passes** — Passes such as Trekker and Explorer suit travelers using the train multiple times. The Eurail pass covers all trains in both the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland and offers a discount on certain ferry services, but does not cover buses. ## Frequently Asked Questions - How do I buy a train ticket in Ireland? - Can you buy a train ticket on the train in Ireland? - How much is a train ticket in Ireland? - How much in advance should I book Ireland train tickets? - Do Irish trains have Wi-Fi? (Answers to these are covered across the sections above.) ## Popular routes with prices (indicative, subject to change) - Belfast to Dublin — from $66 - Dublin to Belfast — from $66 - Dublin to Galway — from $66 - Galway to Dublin — from $57 - Cork to Dublin — from $57 - Dublin to Limerick — from $57 See: [All Routes](https://www.irelandtrains.com/popular-routes) ## Booking Rail Ninja is presented as the booking partner for Ireland train tickets. A Rail Ninja mobile app is also available for booking and managing trips. See: [Book Tickets](https://rail.ninja/ireland-trains) ## Key pages - [All Trains](https://www.irelandtrains.com/ireland-railway-system) - [Irish High-Speed Train (Enterprise)](https://www.irelandtrains.com/irish-high-speed-train) - [InterCity Train](https://www.irelandtrains.com/intercity-train) - [Enterprise Plus First Class](https://www.irelandtrains.com/enterprise-first-class) - [Enterprise Plus Second Class](https://www.irelandtrains.com/enterprise-second-class) - [InterCity Economy Class](https://www.irelandtrains.com/intercity-economy-class) - [InterCity First Class](https://www.irelandtrains.com/intercity-first-class) - [InterCity Business Class](https://www.irelandtrains.com/intercity-business-class) - [All Routes](https://www.irelandtrains.com/popular-routes) - [Dublin to Belfast](https://www.irelandtrains.com/dublin-belfast-train) - [Belfast to Dublin](https://www.irelandtrains.com/belfast-dublin-train) - [Dublin to Galway](https://www.irelandtrains.com/dublin-galway-train) - [Galway to Dublin](https://www.irelandtrains.com/galway-dublin-train) - [Dublin to Cork](https://www.irelandtrains.com/dublin-cork-train) - [Cork to Dublin](https://www.irelandtrains.com/cork-dublin-train) - [Dublin to Limerick](https://www.irelandtrains.com/dublin-limerick-train) - [Limerick to Dublin](https://www.irelandtrains.com/limerick-dublin-train) - [Dublin to Sligo](https://www.irelandtrains.com/dublin-sligo-train) - [Sligo to Dublin](https://www.irelandtrains.com/sligo-dublin-train) - [Dublin to Waterford](https://www.irelandtrains.com/dublin-waterford-train) - [Waterford to Dublin](https://www.irelandtrains.com/waterford-dublin-train) - [All Stations](https://www.irelandtrains.com/railway-stations) - [Connolly Station, Dublin](https://www.irelandtrains.com/connolly-station-dublin) - [Heuston Station, Dublin](https://www.irelandtrains.com/heuston-station-dublin) - [Colbert Station, Limerick](https://www.irelandtrains.com/colbert-station-limerick) - [Kent Station, Cork](https://www.irelandtrains.com/kent-station-cork) - [Ceannt Station, Galway](https://www.irelandtrains.com/ceannt-station-galway) - [Mac Diarmada Station, Sligo](https://www.irelandtrains.com/macdiarmada-station-sligo) - [Lanyon Place Station, Belfast](https://www.irelandtrains.com/lanyon-place-station-belfast)