Ireland by Train: How to Ditch the Car and Still See Everything Worth Seeing

You don’t need a rental car to get lost in the green folds of Ireland. You don’t need to white-knuckle the wheel down a country road barely wide enough for one car, let alone two. You don’t need to circle a tiny town looking for parking while your travel buddy starts googling “how to reverse in a manual.” Ireland by train is slower, easier, and just as full of jaw-dropping moments.

Why Trains Beat Driving Every Time

The first time I tried driving in Ireland, I scraped the rental car before leaving the airport parking lot. The second time, I gave up halfway to Limerick and let my friend take over. If you’re visiting for the first time, skip the stress. The trains are frequent, cheap if you book ahead, and they go to most places you’ll want to see.

Driving takes effort. Trains let you nap, snack, and stare at sheep out the window. They stop in the middle of towns—no need to guess whether you’re parked legally. No arguing over directions or getting honked at by a local because you’re in the wrong lane on a roundabout. You just ride.

Where the Rails Take You

Ireland’s rail system is better than most give it credit for. The main lines shoot out from Dublin like spokes on a wheel. You’ve got Galway to the west, Cork to the south, and Belfast to the north via the Enterprise line. If you want to catch the ferry or head to the coast, there are smaller branches, like Rosslare.

The scenery you’ll see on train rides in Ireland is worth the trip. You’ll cut across wide-open farmland, pass beside quiet riverbanks, and see rolling hills that spawned many folk songs. It feels like watching a travel documentary outside your window on a sunny day. The only difference is you’re in it.

Highlights You Can’t Miss

Start in Dublin. It’s not just a launchpad. Walk Temple Bar in the morning before the crowds. Stop by the Chester Beatty Library. Grab a coffee in a back alley near Grafton Street and people-watch. Then catch a train west.

Galway’s a good bet. It’s got that artsy, live music-in-the-streets energy. Spend a day there, then use it as a base for a Cliffs of Moher tour. No car is needed. Cork’s great too. More laid-back, fewer tourists, and some of the best food you’ll eat on the trip.

Killarney’s another must. You’ll need to hop a bus or tour to get deep into the national park, but the town is reachable by train. If you’ve got time, take the trip up to Belfast: political murals, the Titanic Museum, and a different kind of Irish story to dig into.

The Places Trains Can’t Reach

You won’t make it to every postcard-perfect village without a car. Dingle, for example, is just out of reach unless you rent wheels or hop on a tour. The same goes for some areas in Donegal or Connemara. But here’s the thing: those places aren’t always easy for a reason. Their charm partly comes from that.

If you’re set on seeing them, use Bus Éireann or a regional shuttle. Or give yourself a few days with a car at the end of your trip and drop it off in a bigger city. Ireland’s small enough that you can do a loop in a few days without driving for hours.

Could You Live Here Without Driving?

Plenty of folks do. If you’re based in Dublin, Galway, or even Cork, you’ve got solid public transit and walkable neighborhoods. Trains and buses connect the dots pretty well. But if you’re considering staying long-term, you’ll want to weigh the pros and cons.

Before making any big moves, consider the pros and cons of living in Ireland and both sides of living here long and hard. Some love the pace. Others miss the ease of driving. It depends on where you land.

Planning a Train-Only Trip

Ireland’s Rail website is easy enough to use. Get the app and book ahead to score the best fares. The Irish Explorer Pass might save you some cash if you’re doing many trips. Trains usually run on time, but always double-check on holidays or Sundays.

Plan for a slow but fun road trip. Hit a few towns, spend a few nights in each, and don’t cram your schedule. Ireland by train isn’t about efficiency. It’s about watching the fields go by with a sandwich in one hand and no responsibilities in the other.

The Last Stop

You won’t see everything. That’s the truth. But you’ll see enough to get a real feel for the place. You’ll meet locals. You’ll eat in pubs that feel more like someone’s living room. And you’ll come home with stories about the ride, not just the destination. Ireland by train is simple. It’s affordable. It’s the kind of slow travel that lets you be where you are.