Whats the best way to book my bike on the train...

bricks

I run into this issue every time I try to go to Tralee with the bike.
I check the box for bike then go onto the next screens and there's usually at least one leg where it won't let me select a bike space. But it won't let me finish without selecting one.
Mallow -> Tralee isn't allowing it this time.
Is there some special trick for getting this to work or do I just need to keep selecting different times until I find a combination that has a bike spot?

flyingsnail

Is the bike space grayed out? Possible that somebody else has already booked it

bricks

flyingsnail wrote: »

Is the bike space grayed out? Possible that somebody else has already booked it

Just seems to be no spaces there, but the legend for earlier in the booking process seems to indicate that the train does have spaces on it.
Its a very peculiar system for booking that CIE have.
Looks like the only way to get it working is to book trains that have no connections and go direct which means leaving work early.

flyingsnail

What train are you trying to book

LXFlyer

It could be that the second train is railcar operated (2600 class) and doesn't have bike racks. Most trains between Mallow and Tralee have racks, but around the weekends some trains don't.

Which particular train are you looking at from Mallow and what day of the week?

Of course it could be that they are already pre-booked.

There won't be an issue between Dublin and Mallow as every train connecting with the train to Kerry is Mark 4 operated with a dedicated van for luggage / bikes.

bricks

lxflyer wrote: »

It could be that the second train is railcar operated (2600 class) and doesn't have bike racks. Most trains between Mallow and Tralee have racks, but around the weekends some trains don't.

Which particular train are you looking at from Mallow and what day of the week?

Of course it could be that they are already pre-booked.

There won't be an issue between Dublin and Mallow as every train connecting with the train to Kerry is Mark 4 operated with a dedicated van for luggage / bikes.

It looks like your right the Mallow train either doesn't have the bike spaces or the option isn't working. It complains in both directions on the Mallow bit.
Its the 19:00 train on Friday 4th Sept Dublin -> Mallow -> Tralee
For returning its Sunday 6th 17:10 Tralee -> Mallow -> Dublin
The little bike symbol is listed against them which would seem to indicate they have bike spaces but maybe CIE's system is not showing this right.
I guess I'll just have to book the 2 direct trains.

LXFlyer

bricks wrote: »

It looks like your right the Mallow train either doesn't have the bike spaces or the option isn't working. It complains in both directions on the Mallow bit.
Its the 19:00 train on Friday 4th Sept Dublin -> Mallow -> Tralee
For returning its Sunday 6th 17:10 Tralee -> Mallow -> Dublin
The little bike symbol is listed against them which would seem to indicate they have bike spaces but maybe CIE's system is not showing this right.
I guess I'll just have to book the 2 direct trains.

The 20:55 Mallow-Tralee on Fridays is a 2600 set with no bike racks.


The 17:10 Tralee-Mallow on Sunday does have bike racks but they may be booked out.

bricks

Got it working now with different direct trains. Thanks.