Check for available train travel routes for specific destinations in Northern Ireland with The Irish Rail, the nationwide network of rail services (see Resources).
Make note of any changes on the route which will affect the fare and estimated time of arrival to your destination. For instance, there are several trains that run regularly from Cork to Kildare, but some require a changeover at the Portlaoise or Dublin Heuston stations before continuing on to Kildare.
Book your train travel reservations online at the Irish Rail Web site or by calling the Iarnród Éireann Travel Centre (see Resources). Acceptable forms of payment include cash, Visa, Mastercard and American Express.
Avoid rush hour when you book your train reservations to ensure a higher level of comfort and to minimize the risk of delays. Peak times are generally between 7:00 and 9:00 a.m. and 5:00 and 7:00 p.m. weekdays.
Plan to arrive a minimum of 30 minutes before your train is scheduled to depart, earlier during peak travel times and holidays.
Keep the reference number issued when you book your reservation in case you need to change or cancel your travel arrangements. If you must change or cancel reservations, call the Iarnród Éireann Travel Centre.
Bring photo ID. You may be asked to present it prior to boarding the train.
Notice the dialect when you board the train. The vernacular of English spoken in Northern Ireland (sometimes called Norn Iron) reveals a Scottish influence, including the usage of words such as "aye" to mean yes and "wee" for little.
