suzsailor

Trying to find info about standard/first class train service Dublin-Galway-Dublin.
Irish rail does not offer first class tickets on its website for that route, standard is E40 roundtrip.
BUT RailEurope offers 2 classes for fares but standard from US$64 each way, and from US$100 first class....
So do the trains have 2 different classes (different cars) or not. I email Irish Rail and they are
NO HELP
"Regrettably Iarnrod Eireann are no longer in a position to run a first class service on our Dublin to Heuston line as the demand is no longer there."
so how does RailEurope offer first class.???
HELP, so confused.

PalenQ

RailEurope don't run any trains of course and I would take the Irish Railways word that they do not do first class anymore on that line. Anyways a good site to check for up-to-date info is www.seat61.com.

I suspect RE may be outdated and the withdrawal of first class on that line may have been recently. Why not call someone at www.raileurope.com and ask them that question?

RE can't of course offer first class if there is no first class.

Rather than buying a first-class ticket from RE at an inflated price - as shown by comparing the standard class (2nd) rate if wanting first-class accommodation if there is any just wait until Ireland to buy at a cheaper price - and then not risk the chance that there may indeed by no more first class on that line - most main lines in Ireland do offer first-class.

Tony2phones

There is little difference at all, the only reason for paying 1st class on the Dublin to Galway rail run is Snob value, seating is the same 99.9% of passengers are the same..
Seat61 is not a good recommendation for Irish rail, stick to the provider. Ireland has been a "classless society" for the most part of the past 100 years.

1st class is operated on only 2 routes, to Belfast fro the Brits and Cork for some unknown reason.

PalenQ

http://www.irishrail.ie/fares-and-ti...class-travel-1

the official site seems to say that all IngterCity trains have some kind of first class.

Tony2phones

If you consider dust covers on the backs of seats some kind of 1st class that's true.
Some Galway services have "Buffet" facilities "some" being an operative word.

PalenQ

I have not ridden Irish trains in a long time so can't argue with your take - but in general all over Europe there is a significant difference between classes - I think in Ireland it may not be that much - but you generally have fewer folks riding in the same-size train car and usually 3 seats in a row rather than 2 by 2 - first usually has a row of one seat and across from it a row of two - I love the single aisle and window seats where I do not have to bother anyone to get out or be bothered by anyone for them to get out.

But not having been on Irish trains for long I'll take Tony's take on it.