Trains in Ireland operate differently to those in the UK, with a separate network and ticketing system.
The Republic of Ireland has its own national operator, Iarnród Éireann (Irish Rail), with a separate fare and ticketing system. That can make planning a journey a little confusing – especially if you’re traveling from abroad or combining trips across Great Britain and Ireland.
Ireland’s rail network may be smaller than the UK’s, but it connects many of the country’s most popular cities and regions – from the vibrant streets of Dublin to the cultural hubs of Cork and Galway and across the border to Belfast. At Trainline, we’re here to help you understand how trains in Ireland work, from different operators to cross-border routes. Simply tell us where you’re going and we’ll help you connect the dots.
Live: Rail and coach across Ireland!
Ireland has officially arrived on Trainline.
You can now book rail and coach travel across Ireland on Trainline, making it easy for international travellers to explore beyond Dublin.
Travel to Galway, Cork, Limerick and more, with all fares and refund rules clearly shown before you book.
No need to navigate unfamiliar local operators – everything is in one simple, trusted app. Plan your Ireland trip with confidence and see more of the country, effortlessly.
Who runs trains in Ireland?
The majority of train services are run by Irish Rail, the Republic of Ireland's national railway company. Irish Rail manages all train stations in Ireland and run the vast majority of regional train services.
However, several train companies operate services across Great Britain to key ferry ports in Wales and Scotland, where you can continue your journey to Ireland:
- Avanti West Coast (London Euston and the Midlands to Holyhead)
- Transport for Wales (services to Holyhead and Fishguard Harbour for Rosslare)
- Great Western Railway (services to Pembroke Dock and Fishguard Harbour for Rosslare)
This list only includes train companies operating under the National Rail umbrella; luxury charter services such as the Belmond Gran Hibernian and The Emerald Pullsman also run in Ireland.
Train companies in Ireland
Irish Rail
Operating the majority of rail services in the Republic of Ireland, Irish Rail (Iarnród Éireann) is Ireland’s national railway company. It runs intercity, regional and commuter services across the country, connecting Dublin with cities including Cork, Galway, Limerick, Waterford and Sligo, as well as operating cross-border services to Belfast in Northern Ireland.
Types of train in Ireland
Different types of train make up Ireland's domestic and cross-border rail network. These include Intercity, DART and Commuter services. Find out more about some of the train types in Ireland below.
| Train type | Train details | Passenger information |
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InterCity |
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| DART (Dublin Area Rapid Transit) |
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| Commuter |
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Irish rail passes
If you’d rather not think about individual tickets while traveling in Ireland, then you’ll be after some sort of Irish rail pass. Thankfully, such a thing does exist! There are two, in fact – one for European citizens/residents (Interrail Pass) and one for those living anywhere other than Europe (Eurail Pass).
Interrail Pass
Let’s say you want an Interrail Pass for Poland – you can simply select the ‘Interrail One Country Pass’ for unlimited use of the Polish rail network. And, as a bonus, certain attractions and shops will grant you a discount if you’re a Interrail Pass holder. What’s not to like about that?
Find out more about the Interrail Pass.
Eurail Pass
If, on the other hand, you’re not an European resident, you’ll need to grab the Eurail One Country Pass. The premise is similar to that of the Interrail Pass, as you can get unlimited travel throughout the Polish rail network. There’s nowhere in Poland you can’t go with this pass, and those under 28 can even travel with the further discounted Youth Pass.
Learn more about the Eurail Pass.
Explore more of Europe by train
Inspired by the thought of rail travel through Ireland? Itching to see even more of Europe by train? You're in luck. We've got a great range of guides to help you decide on your next European train trip!