What's First Class like on Irish Rail ?

Pal

I want to go from Dublin to Killarney.
haven't used the train for a long time.
Can anybody tell me what you get for the extra cost of a first class ticket ?
irishrail.ie doesn't offer much info.

Thanks

Captain Chaos

Extra leg room and a slightly wider seat is about it really.

JustinDee

More space, reservation of seat nr actually applies and if you find someone in your seat when you get on board you can tell them to heave-ho.
Its also generally quieter.

Arnold Layne

You will, more than likely, still end up on the bus which is a common occurrence on the Galway to Dublin route

Victor

There is only one direct train each way between Dublin and Killarney per day. However, there are a further 7 services where you make a connection at Mallow - on these the first class would be restricted to Dublin-Mallow.

The seats are 3 across the carriage instead of 4, meaning there are fewer inside seats and the seats are much nicer, wider and with more leg room. the interior is a little bit nicer than standard.

There is a train host to look after your needs and the dining car is immediately adjacent.

Free newspapers, power points at your seat, wi-fi on Dublin-Mallow-Cork.

The carriage tends to be quieter and as it is at the end of the train, you don't have people walking up and down.

The carriage is usually at the Dublin end of the train. On Dublin Cork, this is the "pointy" end of the train and there is a large luggage compartment adjacent.

AngryLips

On the Dublin-Cork route at least the seats also recline a bit. Definitely not worth it IMO.

mrsoundie

Not much difference between cattle and first class, better class of sneer though.

Much the same across Europe, nice if you can afford it, but dont bother. Save the money for Killarney.

Pal

thanks for the info everybody.
I think I will drive

Losty Dublin

Pal wrote: »

thanks for the info everybody.
I think I will drive

If you were going to drive, then why did you bother asking about 1st Class in the first place?

dermo88

I have no idea what first Class is like on Irish Rail, but on Thai and Malaysian railways, they have a nice stewardess who might be a steward. Depending ion the scenario for all the locosexuals out there, there is a choice of being shunted, or being a shunter.

dowlingm

Pal wrote: »

thanks for the info everybody.
I think I will drive

What would have tipped the balance in favour of 1st?

corktina

dowlingm wrote: »

What would have tipped the balance in favour of 1st?

see previous post maybe:D

dowlingm

I don't think there's much chance of that in Canadian 1st class... A 1st class journey on VIA Rail on a 2hr journey ex Toronto costs somewhere in the 150-200 Euro range.

Terrontress

The big advantage of first class is being able to separate onesself from the great unwashed.

The social welfare pass holders are nowhere to be seen, unless they have threatened the ticket collector and he decides to let them remain where they are instead of forcing them to move.

For the extra €€€, the train does not get there any quicker.

twowheelsonly

I use the Dublin-Cork service fairly frequently and regularly upgrade to 1st class.
I likes me comfort, peace & quiet and power points for the laptop


What I usually do is book a regular ticket online in advance - usually €20 but sometimes €10, and then upgrade on the day. This is normally about €20 but can vary (very occassionaly) up to €34 depending on the services available - e.g. Table Service
Those prices are for a single journey so return only works out at slightly dearer than walking into the station and buying a return ticket on the day.

Funfair

Losty Dublin wrote: »

If you were going to drive, then why did you bother asking about 1st Class in the first place?

It was a joke I'm guessing after all the negative comments about first class

Judgement Day

I haven't availed of IE's 1st class for some years now but from memory it was nothing like this but probably just as expensive.

Funfair

Judgement Day wrote: »

I haven't availed of IE's 1st class for some years now but from memory it was nothing like this but probably just as expensive.

Imagine the abuse that guy would get with that blouse on him

SeanW

First Class on the Intercity railcars (silver 22000 class units) is a joke. The green and yellow Cork trains are another story though, wider seats, electrical outlets at each seat (unlike the 22ks, the Dub-Cork coaches don't have outlets at each standard seat), and other minor things mean that if I needed to take the train between Dublin Cork, and had money to waste on such frivolities, I would use the First Class section.

But on the railcars, first class is literally no different from standard except the tables are smaller (giving the impression of 'more space') and there's a fancy "Premier" decoration on the headrests.

On the few occasions where I used the Sligo Dublin train and a 1st class car was on (1st class not timetabled), I would only ever bother going back down there because noone else did and there would be more seats.

So, my advice to the OP - if you're changing at Mallow, go ahead and get the first class for the Mallow-Dublin leg. If it's the direct train, don't even look for it.

Davy

Is the citygold service still around?

Pal

Losty Dublin wrote: »

If you were going to drive, then why did you bother asking about 1st Class in the first place?

I was going to take the train. That's why I asked. Jesus.

Losty Dublin

Pal wrote: »

I was going to take the train. That's why I asked. Jesus.

Standard seats not fast or cushy enough for you then?

Man, if the trips and fares suit you then you can get there and back for €22 minimum, including booking charge. With fuel as pricy as it is, you'd barely get to Naas and back for €22 so if you don't need the car down there it's a mugs game in that regards. Many other train seats are €20 one way which probably still balances the pocket out versus fuel and any tolls if applicable (There is a €1.80 toll on the M7 and €1.80 on the Limerick tunnel). Yeah, you need to allow time to and from the train but it may be favourable to get the train/drive for other reasons.

Victor

Losty Dublin wrote: »

There is a €1.80 toll on the M7 and €1.80 on the Limerick tunnel

Don't use the tunnel if going to Kerry!

Losty Dublin

Victor wrote: »

Don't use the tunnel if going to Kerry!

Bear in mind I don't go to Kerry but is there not much of the north county that's better served via Limerick? Thinking of places around Adare and Listowel?

Victor

Ahem

Pal wrote: »

I want to go from Dublin to Killarney.

Pal

This is descending into farce.

Lets start again.

I want to go by train from Dublin to Killarney (but I might not).
My question was; If I buy a First Class class ticket, what do I get for the extra cost ?

Thanks for your responses.
The helpful ones have given me enough information to decide that I will now choose to drive instead.

End.

BYE

dowlingm

If one wanted a bit of comfort seems to me buying two reserved seats in Standard (one for you, one for bag/laptop/stretching out) might be worth it at seat sale prices

Vic_08

dowlingm wrote: »

If one wanted a bit of comfort seems to me buying two reserved seats in Standard (one for you, one for bag/laptop/stretching out) might be worth it at seat sale prices

Pointless exercise. If the train is quiet you can do that anyway, if it is packed there is no way you are going to hold a second seat for your bags reservation or not.