Can I use the remaining two days on my interrail pass in Ireland?

[WolvertonWorks]

Interrail global pass flexi valid from 26 May to 25th July 10 days in two months.

We used 8 days for our recent trip to Spain via France and Eurostar (report to follow) and have filled in the Outbound Journey (26th May) and Inbound Journey (10th June) details on the pass.

Am I understanding this pass correctly that we are still able to use the remaining two days before 25th July?

I was just going to throw them away but as we currently have the days from 18th to 23rd July free was wondering if we were to get cheap flights to/from Dublin or Cork we could use the pass for two days of travel on Irish railways.

Looking at a map it looks like we could get to Tralee or possibly Ballina from Dublin, (other suggestions welcome) stay one or two nights and then return to Dublin for a night before flying home.

Am I being daft even thinking of doing this - I like being on trains and looking out at the scenery, even industrial is interesting.

Doesn't have to be Ireland so other suggestions welcome and all advice appreciated, thanks.

 

[ainsworth74]

Yep the a Global Pass can be used in Ireland and indeed Northern Ireland (for Interrail purposes the island of Ireland is treated as one entity even though Northern Ireland is the UK).

Arguably it's not a great use of an Interrail pass as tickets are not usually that expensive on Irish Rail. For instance on 18 July the direct train from Dublin to Tralee at 1705 (there's only one direct train per day otherwise a change is involved) is still available for €25. Even a flexible ticket (amendable up to 60 minutes prior to departure or until the ticket is printed if done more than 60 minutes before departure) is only €34. The journey time is four hours so that's not terrible value really! Though personally I'd avoid the direct train in favour of a service to Cork as some of those are loco-hauled on Irish Rail Mk4s (not related to British Rail Mk4s). But, on the other hand, if you've got no other use for it then there's worse places in the world to visit than Ireland.

 

[30907]

From MK you could opt for Rail&Sail (or whatever the current name is) to Dublin or even Rosslaŕe.

 

[WolvertonWorks]

Thanks

 

[The exile]

We used 8 days for our recent trip to Spain via France and Eurostar (report to follow) and have filled in the Outbound Journey (26th May) and Inbound Journey (10th June) details on the pass.

Am I understanding this pass correctly that we are still able to use the remaining two days before 25th July?

Maybe it’s just the way I’m reading it, but if your outbound and inbound journeys were in addition to the 8 days you mention, then you’ve got no days left.

 

[GW43125]

Maybe it’s just the way I’m reading it, but if your outbound and inbound journeys were in addition to the 8 days you mention, then you’ve got no days left.

They're included in days already used. Outbound/inbound days are not additional pass days.

 

[Sir Felix Pole]

I like Tralee - it is a proper working town, unlike Killarney which is a right old tourist trap. The railway is quite scenic from Mallow onwards - the Ballina / Westport line is pretty ordinary until you get past Claremorris. If you are feeling energetic you can hire a bike and take the old railway track from Tralee to Fenit (8.5 miles) which is a lovely ride. You can also catch the bus to Dingle, a highly scenic route, although Dingle itself is a bit of a tourist trap.

Returning to Dublin, you could ring in the changes with an early start (0720) and go back via Limerick Junction and Waterford. Limerick Junction to Waterford is the last semaphore signalling route in Ireland. Going back via Limerick Junction and Galway is also possible - although with a late-ish arrival in Dublin.

 

[DeverseSam]

The best use of the remaining days is probably fly to Geneva, travel by rail to Vienna, and fly back from there

 

[berneyarms]

I like Tralee - it is a proper working town, unlike Killarney which is a right old tourist trap. The railway is quite scenic from Mallow onwards - the Ballina / Westport line is pretty ordinary until you get past Claremorris. If you are feeling energetic you can hire a bike and take the old railway track from Tralee to Fenit (8.5 miles) which is a lovely ride. You can also catch the bus to Dingle, a highly scenic route, although Dingle itself is a bit of a tourist trap.

Returning to Dublin, you could ring in the changes with an early start (0720) and go back via Limerick Junction and Waterford. Limerick Junction to Waterford is the last semaphore signalling route in Ireland. Going back via Limerick Junction and Galway is also possible - although with a late-ish arrival in Dublin.

Killonan Junction to Ballybrophy via Nenagh is also semaphore signalled.