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Irish Rail pre-book or open-return

  • 09-06-2015 12:22pm
    #1
    camz09
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 400 ✭✭


    Travelling to Portmagee Thursday next week using the train and bus (to visit Skellig Michael). Staying there for two nights.

    Just want to know any advice if it's better to book my return trip or not on Irishrail? In case my planned date of going to the Skellig is postponed for another day seeing as it's very weather-dependent. If I turn up on the day at Killarney station and buy the ticket going home (Heuston station) at the machine or window, will I be guaranteed it's not full? It's not a busy route, is it? Is it way expensive to buy an open return ticket? (which I understand cannot be booked on-line) Or should I pre-book all the way? Thanks!


Comments

  • #2
    foggy_lad
    Closed Accounts Posts: 20,373 ✭✭✭✭foggy_lad


    camz09 wrote: »
    Travelling to Portmagee Thursday next week using the train and bus (to visit Skellig Michael). Staying there for two nights.

    Just want to know any advice if it's better to book my return trip or not on Irishrail? In case my planned date of going to the Skellig is postponed for another day seeing as it's very weather-dependent. If I turn up on the day at Killarney station and buy the ticket going home (Heuston station) at the machine or window, will I be guaranteed it's not full? It's not a busy route, is it? Is it way expensive to buy an open return ticket? (which I understand cannot be booked on-line) Or should I pre-book all the way? Thanks!
    If you book and then travel on a later train you will have to pay a €10 fee to alter the booking, if you want to travel on the next day you have to book a new ticket and pay the full amount. An open ticket is easier if you are unsure about your return times/dates.


  • #3
    camz09
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 400 ✭✭camz09


    Oh, okay. Thanks. The open return ticket can only be bought at the machine or at the window, right? Is it a significant price difference than pre booked return fare? Say more than 5-10 euros?


  • #4
    Jamie2k9
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 10,796 ✭✭✭✭Jamie2k9


    An open return is 88.25

    Booking online (do it today if possible) can get you a fare for 49.98-56.98 (depends on which service selected)
    will I be guaranteed it's not full? It's not a busy route, is it?

    Yes but doesn't mean you will get a seat and yes it's a busy route


  • #5
    camz09
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 400 ✭✭camz09


    Jamie2k9 wrote:
    An open return is 88.25
    Jamie2k9 wrote:
    Booking online (do it today if possible) can get you a fare for 49.98-56.98 (depends on which service selected)

    Wow. That's quite a big price gap for an open return, isn't it? Rather risk pre-booking for specific dates now..oh, well.


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