Bringing bike on train from Dublin to Galway

spyderski

I need to get myself & bike from Dublin to Galway tomorrow for a charity cycle I'm doing. When I try to book a bike space on the train, It says no spaces are available (on any train all day!)
Just wondering how strict Irish Rail are about bringing bikes on - Is there any point in just turning up & hoping for the best? The bike will be in a bag, with the wheels in a separate bag.

trad

Sounds like you have 2 pieces of luggage.

Holyboy

Why dont you just drive your fancy 4x4 haha.

eoghan84

I brought my bike on the Citylink bus from Dublin to Galway and I recommend the people at Citylink. It was really reasonable; The bike costs 5e per way and the web fair ticket was only a tenner per way, so it was really good.
The express service was a really comfy ride too! That new road between Ballinasloe and Galway is savage

Cookie_Monster

It'll be a ****ty 22k class railcar and so will not have space if it says so. They can only take 3 bikes per train (per 3 carriage set, so maybe 6), and even at that I think you need to take the front wheel off. Unlike the older stuff where you had a guards van with space for luggage.

blorg

It sounds like they might be full if there are only three places, with other cyclists doing the charity cycle. When there is a place you shouldn't have to take the front wheel off, it is like hanging your bike in a closet IIRC. I brought a bike to Rosslare before and just stuck it in the corridor... the ticket inspector didn't complain, but I guess it depends on who you get. If it is all in bags then arguably just luggage, but you might be better off getting the bus if you really have to get there. Or ride down if you have the whole day, it is 200km and flat.

Esroh

eoghan84 wrote: »

I brought my bike on the Citylink bus from Dublin to Galway and I recommend the people at Citylink. It was really reasonable; The bike costs 5e per way and the web fair ticket was only a tenner per way, so it was really good.
The express service was a really comfy ride too! That new road between Ballinasloe and Galway is savage

Have used them for getting bike to both Dulin and Cork from Galway.

tomasrojo

I used Citylink over a decade ago when I lived in Galway and came to Dublin for weekends and used to bring my bike for convenience. They were slower back then, as there was much less motorway, but I found it a very practical option.

spyderski

Sitting on the train now! A big thanks to the Irish Rail employee who organised to get the bike on board - a lucky time to meet a fellow cycling enthusiast! Cheers if you're a Boardsie!! :-)