Instead of a supply and demand pricing structure that we are used to with airlines and some train companies, Irish Rail offer three standard prices for each route.
I can never remember the cutoffs for each fare, so decided to write this post to refer to!
Low Fare - Four days
Low is the name of the cheapest fare on Irish Rail and you need to book this four days - specifically 96 hours - in advance. There is a rolling cutoff on day four.
This fare does sell out on the most popular trains, so sometimes you need to book further in advance. As you'd expect this fare has very limited flexibility.
Medium Fare - One day
The middle option is available up to 24 hours in advance of departure - with a rolling cutoff throughout the day.
Medium fares can also sell out, so sometimes you need to book further in advance. This fare has limited flexibility.
Full Fare - One hour
The most expensive online fare is available until one hour before departure, and rarely sells out. This ticket can be amended up to 60 minutes before departure.
Brutal station prices
If you miss the one hour online cutoff - the station prices are shocking. Instead of paying €17.39 online for this route, you will pay €31.65 at the station.
Even the helpful Irish Rail staff can't do anything to assist - both the ticket machines and the ticket counter only have these nasty prices available for sale.
When this happened to me recently, a staff member suggested I buy an online ticket for the next day and let me through the barrier without inserting in my ticket!
Departing from Northern Ireland
If you try and book a ticket departing from a station in Northern Ireland, the Irish Rail website shows you times and prices, but won't let you complete a purchase. Iarnród Éireann will of course sell you a return ticket from the Republic to the North.
And good luck using the ugly Translink website!
Bottom Line
Don't miss the one hour deadline for online ticket sales.
Book 24 hours in advance for Medium fares.
Purchase 96 hours in advance for the cheapest tickets.
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