Limerick - Galway train

zulutango

Anybody here ever travel by train from Limerick to Galway?

I've a meeting on Saturday in Galway city centre just after noon, and the train schedule says I would arrive at about 11.15am.

I'm wondering if there are regular delays on this service, or if it's reliable and usually on time.

If I can help it I don't want to drive as traffic in Galway is a mess, and in any case I can get a bit of work done on the train journey, so it's a better way to travel in this instance.

Thanks

panda100

Limerick to Galway train is a disaster. It goes half way around the country and takes about 2 hours. Your much better off getting the bus or driving imo.

highlydebased

It might be slower than driving but to answer your question it is reliable

zulutango

panda100 wrote: »

Limerick to Galway train is a disaster. It goes half way around the country and takes about 2 hours. Your much better off getting the bus or driving imo.

I don't mind the fact that it takes 2 hours, so long as it's on time.

It's only half an hour longer than driving and none of the bull**** and hardship and extra costs that go with bringing a car into Galway City! It's also cheaper than driving at 10 euro each way

Harambe

I drove to Galway last Saturday at noon from Limerick, took just over an hour and there was little or no traffic, drove straight into the city centre.
We were expecting it to be mental because the B&B told us it would be due to the oyster festival.

zulutango

I'll give the train a go.

Don't want the hassle/cost of driving and parking. The time factor is actually in favour of the train too, because even though the journey is longer, it's not wasted time (as it would be when driving).

johnnyryan89

If you can get a direct train to Galway then you're grand otherwise you'll be going for a detour to Portlaoise and takes about 4hrs with three changes.

Cookiemunster

johnnyryan89 wrote: »

If you can get a direct train to Galway then you're grand otherwise you'll be going for a detour to Portlaoise and takes about 4hrs with three changes.

There's between a direct train via Ennis and Athenry since 2010.

OfTheMarsWongs

I've taken the train to Ennis and Galway before with no issues. Station is right on Eyre Square.

Would recommend the trip to Ennis just to see Limerick from the track. Norwood Park, Corbally, over the Shannon then through Moyross. Had driven/walked under the track for years but had no idea where I was when seeing it from the train angle 😀

Risteard

Used to get the direct train regularly enough about two years ago. If you're not bothered about duration of the journey then you'd be grand. Never had any issues.

5rtytry56

I've travelled the Limerick - Galway myself. It is not direct, as it has to go to Athenry, and then reverses the way it came into Athenry station.
But as Irish Rail journeys go, the Galway - Limerick ride is not the worst. Try to board one of the first, and get a clean window seat.:)

testicles

This post has been deleted.

bennyl10

testicles wrote: »

Da fuk?

Yup.. there's one or 2 a day that go towards Heuston and then back across..

zulutango

The one I'm getting is only 1 hour 50 minutes, which isn't bad at all, and only 10 euro each way. The key thing is that it leaves and arrives on time.

zulutango

Live update: It was departure time at 09.20. No train to be seen. Surprisingly big queue. Well, maybe 60 or 70 people, many tourists among them. The train arrived a few minutes later and was heading for Galway by 09.25. The seat booking system doesn't seem to mean anything.

5rtytry56

Tourists among the passengers? Sure irish Rail has the same attitude to them as the Third Level students. You know the likes that feature in Irish Rail advertisements at the moment.

zulutango

We're beyond Ennis now. A load of people got on there, headed for Galway. No more seats. Lots of Spanish kids, sitting on the floor.

zulutango

Running a good bit late now. Stopped in Athenry at the moment. It's due in at 11.13. Obviously no chance of that happening.

Not good enough.

Insect Overlord

You'll take Panda's advice and get the bus next time, won't you? :P

5rtytry56

zulutango wrote: »

Running a good bit late now. Stopped in Athenry at the moment. It's due in at 11.13. Obviously no chance of that happening.

Not good enough.

This thread will end well.
😃

panda100

An File wrote:

You'll take Panda's advice and get the bus next time, won't you?

The moral for this thread is to always take Panda's advice

5rtytry56

Did you make your noon meeting on time OP?

zulutango

5rtytry56 wrote:

Did you make your noon meeting on time OP?

I made it fairly comfortably! But I think if the service is to attract more customers and be economically viable it just has to be punctual and reliable. Otherwise people are just going to drive.

I'd take it again because I really hate Galway traffic, and looking for and paying for parking, and it's nice to be able to have an afternoon drink too before heading home.

Avatar MIA

zulutango wrote: »

But I think if the service is to attract more customers and be economically viable it just has to be punctual and reliable. Otherwise people are just going to drive.

The below contradicts the above.

zulutango wrote: »

I'd take it again because I really hate Galway traffic, and looking for and paying for parking, and it's nice to be able to have an afternoon drink too before heading home.

You'll really love it if there's flooding where the train journey from Limerick to Ennis is by a minibus and there's no fear the service is going to viable. It will always be run at a loss.

5rtytry56

Thanks for reply zulu.
....Twunt me for saying that you'd have a pleasant journey on the limerick galway track - It's not suitable so for taking photos from a carriage window with your smartphone. Pity.