Cork to Dublin (Heuston)

[Grumpy Git]

I'm planning to take the 07:00 Cork to Dublin express train in July.

I'm using it to catch a flight from Dublin later that day and I wondered if there is there anywhere I can see the historical timing of this service (like an Irish version of RTT), so I can check how reliable it is? I'm also hoping the on board breakfast service will be fully up and running by then, as it comes highly recommended by the 'Man in Seat 61'?

Thanks in advance.

 

[danm14]

I don't believe there is any way to see historical timings in Ireland. You can however see the current timings if you check the website during the journey. I have no information on how punctual that particular service is (overall punctuality on the route, defined as reaching Dublin/Cork no more than 10 minutes late, seems to average around 95% of services) but you should be pleased to know that outright cancellations on the Dublin-Cork route are exceptionally rare (according to the Irish Rail website, there were none at all in the first three months of 2023)

The Irish Rail website suggests that the dining car service will not be returning again - only a trolley service.

What type of catering will be provided for the staff training / when Cork to Dublin catering returns? Will it be dining car, trolley service or both? A trolley service will be provided for both staff training and when services resume on the Cork to Dublin route.

 

[Grumpy Git]

Thanks.

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 12 May 2023 ==

Just tried to book this, but I'm starting off at Midleton, so will be using the 06:15 Midledton to Cork service first, before changing to the 07:00 Cork-Dublin express.

I want to book first class on the Cork - Dublin leg, but the Irish Rail website doesn't seem clever enough for this and only offers me the standard option on a through ticket!

Any ideas of how to do this without making two separate bookings please, (two separate bookings would also be a potental problem if there are any delays)?

 

[ricohallo]

I would book a standard class ticket from Midleton to Dublin, then buy a first class upgrade ticket from Cork to Dublin using the Free Travel Pass or valid ticket holders option. Probably cheaper too!

 

[Brooke]

Yes, or book two separate tickets, there is no way to split classes like that en route on the website.

There was a previous thread that discussed time to allow from Heuston to airport - I will try to find and link here.

Re the point about the trolley: it’s back! It returned a couple of weeks ago after its couple of years absence. But no buffet car.

Edit to add the link to the thread mentioned above:

Ireland trip advice

You're most welcome. Glad to help. That is a bit tricky this time of year. Even when I rode (later in the year) I had some bits at night. At Sligo the railway station is at the top of a small hill and the bus station is at the bottom of the station driveway, which provides good connectivity...

www.railforums.co.uk

 

[Watershed]

Yes, or book two separate tickets, there is no way to split classes like that en route on the website.

There was a previous thread that discussed time to allow from Heuston to airport - I will try to find and link here.

Re the point about the trolley: it’s back! It returned a couple of weeks ago after its couple of years absence. But no buffet car.

Edit to add the link to the thread mentioned above:

Ireland trip advice

You're most welcome. Glad to help. That is a bit tricky this time of year. Even when I rode (later in the year) I had some bits at night. At Sligo the railway station is at the top of a small hill and the bus station is at the bottom of the station driveway, which provides good connectivity...

www.railforums.co.uk

Ah, that was a thread I created! Yes, Heuston to the Airport is a bit of a slow journey by public transport. If I recall, I ended up using the Luas (tram) to the city centre, and then the 41 bus to the airport. I'm well acquainted with the latter, having now taken it numerous times on trips to Ireland!

Heuston to the Airport only costs €2 that way with a Leap card, as it qualifies for the 90 minute fare, which is similar to the TfL Hopper fare but with trains also qualifying.

 

[duesselmartin]

I do find IÉ very reliable but then I am from Germany
As far as I am aware the route currently has a trolley service as buffet cars are not fully staffed yet.

 

[Watershed]

Yes, IÉ reliability is excellent; their statistics suggest most routes have seen at most 0.5% of services being cancelled this year, with the worst route and period (Maynooth/M3 Parkway) seeing only 2% of services cancelled. Of course, I don't know how accurate these statistics are - perhaps they play similar P-coding games to the likes of TPE - but it certainly mirrors my experience and makes for some sobering reading coming from Britain!

The punctuality record isn't quite as perfect. There are often minor delays, usually stemming from the many single line sections on the secondary lines. But it's still around 90% based on a similar metric to the old PPM we used to use here.

 

[Brooke]

Yes, IÉ reliability is excellent; their statistics suggest most routes have seen at most 0.5% of services being cancelled this year, with the worst route and period (Maynooth/M3 Parkway) seeing only 2% of services cancelled. Of course, I don't know how accurate these statistics are - perhaps they play similar P-coding games to the likes of TPE - but it certainly mirrors my experience and makes for some sobering reading coming from Britain!

The punctuality record isn't quite as perfect. There are often minor delays, usually stemming from the many single line sections on the secondary lines. But it's still around 90% based on a similar metric to the old PPM we used to use here.

Yes, I would agree.

My family are constantly up & down between Killarney and Dublin, and I’ve never heard of a train being cancelled.

Delayed yes, sometimes by up to 20 mins or so, but not much more.

(What tends to happen on the Tralee branch is that a mainline train from Dublin is late arriving Mallow, which delays the branch train. That train in turn delays the crossing train at Rathmore, so then it is late to Mallow. So then the mainline train up to Dublin has to be held at Mallow for it, and on it goes …. )

 

[danm14]

Delayed yes, sometimes by up to 20 mins or so, but not much more.

(What tends to happen on the Tralee branch is that a mainline train from Dublin is late arriving Mallow, which delays the branch train. That train in turn delays the crossing train at Rathmore, so then it is late to Mallow. So then the mainline train up to Dublin has to be held at Mallow for it, and on it goes …. )

That would bode well for the 7am from Cork, as it does not take a connection at Mallow, just Limerick Junction - and there are no trains from Limerick Junction to Limerick (the opposite direction) till later in the day, so nowhere for knock-on delays to build up from

 

[Grumpy Git]

I would book a standard class ticket from Midleton to Dublin, then buy a first class upgrade ticket from Cork to Dublin using the Free Travel Pass or valid ticket holders option. Probably cheaper too!

Is this definitely a standard option on the Irish Rail website? I really don't want to book a through 'standard' ticket, then not be able to upgrade the Cork-Dublin to first!

 

[danm14]

Is this definitely a standard option on the Irish Rail website? I really don't want to book a through 'standard' ticket, then not be able to upgrade the Cork-Dublin to first!

Yes, just search for your journey, then select the "Free Travel Pass or valid ticket holders" option.

The option is specifically intended for those who hold a Free Travel Pass (for the elderly, disabled and carers) or another valid standard class ticket to be able to reserve a seat in standard class for free or to upgrade to first class without buying a full price first class ticket.

 

[hexagon789]

Is this definitely a standard option on the Irish Rail website? I really don't want to book a through 'standard' ticket, then not be able to upgrade the Cork-Dublin to first!

Just remember and avoid any of: 13:25hrs (Monday - Saturday), 14:25hrs (Sunday only), 15:25hrs (Monday - Friday), and 17:25hrs (Monday - Thursday and Saturday). These have Premier Class rather than CityGold.

 

[ricohallo]

Is this definitely a standard option on the Irish Rail website? I really don't want to book a through 'standard' ticket, then not be able to upgrade the Cork-Dublin to first!

Yes, it's really as simple as selecting the option, choosing the first class fare (which seems to be €12.50 for most departures, very good value imo!) and confirming you have a standard class ticket or have the intention to buy a standard class ticket on the day of travel. They don't ask for a ticket number or anything like that. You'll be able to collect it at a ticket machine.

 

[FormerBritInMe]

Re the point about the trolley: it’s back! It returned a couple of weeks ago after its couple of years absence. But no buffet car.

I suppose that means the Full Irish Breakfast as recommended by seat61 will no longer be available

 

[duesselmartin]

Not likely to come back either. Catering on such short journeys is not really profitable.

 

[Grumpy Git]

Trip booked with first upgrade also sorted, thanks for the advice. It's a pity the Irish breakfast looks like a non-starter.

One final piece of advice please; with a scheduled arrival at Dublin Heuston of 09:30, would you opt for the 09:52 (arrive 10:41) or the 10:05 (arrive 10:49) Dublin Express coach to the Airport? My flight is at 12:15, (hand baggage only).

 

[dubscottie]

I would book a standard class ticket from Midleton to Dublin, then buy a first class upgrade ticket from Cork to Dublin using the Free Travel Pass or valid ticket holders option. Probably cheaper too!

Thats only a seat reservation. It is not an upgrade or a ticket for travel.

grade to first class without buying a full price first class ticket.

That is 100% incorrect. You MUST be in possession of a first class ticket in order to to travel in first class. What you propose people do here will earn them a €100 fine.
If you wish to upgrade to first class, ask the CSO onboard if it is an option. You will have to pay. Likewise a FTP is only valid for standard class.

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 18 May 2023 ==

Thanks.

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 12 May 2023 ==

Just tried to book this, but I'm starting off at Midleton, so will be using the 06:15 Midledton to Cork service first, before changing to the 07:00 Cork-Dublin express.

I want to book first class on the Cork - Dublin leg, but the Irish Rail website doesn't seem clever enough for this and only offers me the standard option on a through ticket!

Any ideas of how to do this without making two separate bookings please, (two separate bookings would also be a potental problem if there are any delays)?

Midleton-Cork is a suburban service. You cant book seats online. Buy your ticket for that journey on the day from a vending machine.
Book a First Class ticket online for the Cork-Dublin leg and you can get your ticket at any TVM.

 

[hexagon789]

Thats only a seat reservation. It is not an upgrade or a ticket for travel.


That is 100% incorrect. You MUST be in possession of a first class ticket in order to to travel in first class. What you propose people do here will earn them a €100 fine.
If you wish to upgrade to first class, ask the CSO onboard if it is an option. You will have to pay. Likewise a FTP is only valid for standard class.

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 18 May 2023 ==


Midleton-Cork is a suburban service. You cant book seats online. Buy your ticket for that journey on the day from a vending machine.
Book a First Class ticket online for the Cork-Dublin leg and you can get your ticket at any TVM.

Looks like it's a First Class ticket to me:

 

[ricohallo]

Thats only a seat reservation. It is not an upgrade or a ticket for travel.

The screenshot you posted yourself contradicts this. It states quite clearly the option is for travellers in possession of a valid standard class ticket, which is the case here. If you select the free 0 euro options it's indeed just a reservation in standard class, but the first class option includes both the upgrade and the seat reservation.
If you think this is not the case then I would appreciate it if you state your source that proves otherwise.

 

[danm14]

Thats only a seat reservation. It is not an upgrade or a ticket for travel.

"Free Travel Pass or Valid Ticket is an option for customers who are in possession of Free Travel Pass, a valid standard class ticket(s), seasonal ticket(s), Taxsaver ticket(s) or InterRail to book onto a train in standard class and, where available a reserved seat is assigned. Customers who have a valid standard class ticket but wish to upgrade to First Class should also use this option"

Using this option is literally Irish Rail stated guidance for persons wishing to travel in first class when connecting into a Cork train from a connecting service without first class

How do I book First Class / CityGold on Limerick or Tralee services?

First Class is only available on Cork services and not on Limerick or Tralee direct services. If you are travelling to/from Limerick you can avail of First Class between Limerick Junction and Dublin Heuston on services that require a change-over. If you are travelling to/from Tralee you can...

www.irishrail.ie

Midleton-Cork is a suburban service. You cant book seats online. Buy your ticket for that journey on the day from a vending machine.

Tickets for travel in the Cork suburban area can be purchased online.

 

[dubscottie]

I stand corrected. Its been a while since I have worked in that part of the country. Previously upgrades were only available on full price tickets bought in the booking office/vending machine as the cheapest online fare + upgrade would be cheaper than the lowest 1st class fare which was considered fare evasion.
The Cork line fares seem to be standardised now to avoid that.
The online seat reservation system was (and still is to a point) open to massive abuse.

 

[185143]

"Free Travel Pass or Valid Ticket is an option for customers who are in possession of Free Travel Pass, a valid standard class ticket(s), seasonal ticket(s), Taxsaver ticket(s) or InterRail to book onto a train in standard class and, where available a reserved seat is assigned. Customers who have a valid standard class ticket but wish to upgrade to First Class should also use this option"

Using this option is literally Irish Rail stated guidance for persons wishing to travel in first class when connecting into a Cork train from a connecting service without first class

How do I book First Class / CityGold on Limerick or Tralee services?

First Class is only available on Cork services and not on Limerick or Tralee direct services. If you are travelling to/from Limerick you can avail of First Class between Limerick Junction and Dublin Heuston on services that require a change-over. If you are travelling to/from Tralee you can...

www.irishrail.ie

Tickets for travel in the Cork suburban area can be purchased online.

They can, but it will be cheaper to use a Leap card. Admittedly that then means touching out again at Cork.

 

[danm14]

They can, but it will be cheaper to use a Leap card. Admittedly that then means touching out again at Cork.

Yes, for general travel within the Cork suburban rail network a Leap card is cheaper - however depending on the fare levels available it can be as little as €1 extra to add Midleton-Cork to a Cork-Dublin journey if you buy a through ticket online, which is significantly cheaper than the Leap fare.

 

[island]

Ah, that was a thread I created! Yes, Heuston to the Airport is a bit of a slow journey by public transport. If I recall, I ended up using the Luas (tram) to the city centre, and then the 41 bus to the airport. I'm well acquainted with the latter, having now taken it numerous times on trips to Ireland!

Heuston to the Airport only costs €2 that way with a Leap card, as it qualifies for the 90 minute fare, which is similar to the TfL Hopper fare but with trains also qualifying.

A faster, albeit considerably more expensive, option is the Dublin Express coach service which runs (I think) half hourly from Heuston to the airport.

They can, but it will be cheaper to use a Leap card. Admittedly that then means touching out again at Cork.

Which is trivial; you will pass by (though not of course through) the ticket gates when going from the Cóbh/Midleton platforms 1-3 to the intercity platforms 4-5.