Belfast commute

Chuchu

Anyone commute to Belfast? I have to do a day return commute soon on Enterprise... only option according to irish rail is book weekly online for E40 a pop... but on the northern site there is an option of a book of 20 tickets vaild for 6 mths which works out much cheaper (which I can't buy as it is for the opposite journey i.e. Belfast-Dublin return journey not Dublin-Belfast)
I've rang Irish Rail a few times in order to get different people and make sure that this is the case... this seems silly that the same options for the very same train are not available here?? Any help appreciated. I have to buy myself in advance before being refunded (and indeed if I get it all back at that price I might not )

foggy_lad

There are different charges because it is two different companies. You would be losing out on a journey from Belfast to Dublin at the start of the week and another journey from Dublin to Belfast at the end of the week if you buy this ticket.

Have you considered the bus which can be just as fast as the train a\nd a lot cheaper?

http://www.buseireann.ie/pdf/1306337595-1.pdf
(The Airport Express timetable is at the bottom of the page)

Dublin-Belfast Fares

Service 801A
15.00 : Adult Single
22.00 : Adult Rtn
22.00 : Adult Day Rtn
9.00 : Child Single
13.20 : Child Return
13.20 : Child Day Rtn
12.50 : Student Single
20.50 : Student Rtn
22.00 : Adult MW Rtn
13.20 : Child MW Rtn
57.50 : Family Rtn

Dublin Airport-Belfast Express Fares

Service 801X
14.00 : Adult Single
20.00 : Adult Rtn
16.00 : Adult Day Rtn
8.40 : Child Single
12.00 : Child Return
9.60 : Child Day Rtn
12.50 : Student Single
20.00 : Student Rtn
20.00 : Adult MW Rtn
12.00 : Child MW Rtn
57.50 : Family Rtn

Chuchu

Thanks a mil for that, yep have considered bus and of course driving but I need to work on laptop enroute and so train is best option. At least now I know that yes there are two different fares, and I wasn't just being fobbed off, which is what I suspected! Such a cynic:D Thanks again.

n97 mini

How does it work out to buy a single from Dublin to Belfast and then in Belfast buy a block of return tickets, i.e. from Belfast to Dublin and back again? Obviously they won't be day returns but it doesn't mean they won't be cheaper.

Chuchu

That is what I'm gonna look into, might be the best and most convenient way to do it provided that a week gap returning on one ticket isn't a problem. Thanks

Losty Dublin

If you know your work days ahead of time or if your travel times are flexible, you may be able to book €10 fares on the Enterprise. Hover over the € sign at the side of the train time list on the booking and it will let you know of the fare for the departure in question.

Are the 20 ticket bookings you refer to a contract ticket? If so, Translink only post to a UK address (this could be your Belfast office if they stick to the word) and it breaks down to £16.50 a trip; not much cheaper than €20. Translink also offers £8.99 single fares on some trips; check their website for more details.

Chuchu

Thanks Losty yep I think those contract tix might not be an option after all...
I'm hovering over the € and not getting tenner option...when I got to 'get price' all I'm getting is the 40 price... even when I'm punching in dates well in advance... oh well. At least I'm making efforts to get the cheapest tickets, just not having much luck

Losty Dublin

Chuchu wrote: »

Thanks Losty yep I think those contract tix might not be an option after all...
I'm hovering over the € and not getting tenner option...when I got to 'get price' all I'm getting is the 40 price... even when I'm punching in dates well in advance... oh well. At least I'm making efforts to get the cheapest tickets, just not having much luck

Click on the €, sorry. There are €10 for the 13:20 and 20:50 trains today; it's a quieter train as a rule so it will have more cheap tickets going but they are there.