Dublin Rail

Dublin sits on the east coast of Ireland with rail corridors fanning north, south and west from the city center; the River Liffey bisects the primary station zones. Rail shapes how locals commute from suburbs like Howth and Bray and connects to regional cities such as Galway and Cork.

The network mixes the DART coastal electrified line, suburban commuter lines, and Irish Rail intercity routes. DART runs north–south along the coast; commuter lines serve orbital and radial corridors; intercity trains serve long-distance routes west and south.

Major hubs are Dublin Connolly (east), Dublin Heuston (southwest), and Dublin Pearse (city center). Secondary interchanges include Howth Junction, Grand Canal Dock and Donnybrook. Know which station matches your route—many intercity services use Heuston, coastal services use Connolly or Pearse.

Peak commuter services run every 10–20 minutes on core DART and busy suburban corridors; off-peak and evenings drop to 30–60 minute intervals on many lines. Intercity trains to Galway or Cork have fixed timetables—book ahead for weekends and holidays.

Use the Leap Card for convenience across many commuter trains and Dublin transit; single and return tickets are available at stations or via Irish Rail apps. Intercity fares vary by advance purchase, class and time—advance bookings save substantially.

Trains put you within walking distance of main draws: alight at Dublin Pearse for the River Liffey and Trinity College area, Dublin Connolly for Temple Bar and the north inner city, and Heuston for the Guinness Storehouse via a short tram or bus link.

Major stations offer step-free access, lifts and tactile paving, but some suburban platforms and older stations may have limited accessibility—check station pages or contact Irish Rail in advance for assistance.

Standard urban precautions apply: watch luggage on crowded services, be cautious on gaps between platform and train, and note late-night service frequency can be lower—plan alternatives for late arrivals. Emergency contact details posted in stations and on trains.

Avoid peak 08:00–09:30 and 17:00–18:30 if you prefer space; validate Leap Cards before boarding; keep an eye on engineering works on weekends. For day trips, book intercity advance fares early and bring a small lockable bag for bikes if carriage rules apply.

There’s no direct heavy-rail link from Dublin Airport to the main stations yet; options include airport bus to Dublin Connolly/city center, taxi, or planned future rail projects—check current services before travel.

Dublin rail is efficient for city commuting and regional travel when you match the correct station, understand ticket options like the Leap Card, and plan around peak windows or engineering timetables. Quick research and advance bookings smooth most trips.