Just curious

[Mistress Silke]

I´m in Cork at the moment and work on my plan to go back to Dublin.
I used the Aircoach Bus few times so far so good nothing to complain about it!
Now i want try the train from Cork to Dublin.
Its worth to book first class ticket??? I mean i used the train from Dublin to Castlebar very often in second class which was always good!
Is there any big difference between First and Second Class?
In Germany if you use the train maybe for 1hour it´s not worth to pay extra for First Class.. (have a seat in the Bordrestaurant and drink a coffee and all is good)
But if you travel longer i would recommend the First Class (more space and much comfortable, not fully booked and you have a waiter who brings you drinks and food to your place.... ohhh yes i like to use them all time!!!!)
How is the situation in Ireland? Any recommendations????? Experience???

Thanks for help Silke

[robbie9]

haven't got the train for a long time but would probably pay an extra 30e to get 1st class especially during covid times , more leg room etc

also depends what time of the day you are going

[Jack_h]

There's works starting on the train station so check before you book, you may have to get a bus replacement to Mallow.

[Clubcard]

Kent station is undergoing some renovations at the min. I think there is coach transfers for the foreseeable. Not sure if it has started yet

[Airbusdriver]

I don't think its really worth it, it's expensive. I think there is plenty of space in standard class - its not like first class versus economy on an aircraft! But if you have the cash then why not?!

[bigmango]

Its not worth it unless travelling peak times - Friday evening or early Monday morning.

Its a while since I travelled to Cork but waiter service only in the dining car - not all trains have dining car -
usually a trolley service for teas/coffees) - get the tea its better than the coffee.

[AyannaMelek]

First class and all makes no diff. Trust me. The first class thing is just to make your ticket more flexible hour wise that’s it

And now with the covid restrictions they don’t serve food on the train anymore not even the trolleys that go through the entire train. So make sure you get a water or something to eat before you go on the train.

If you want to buy a ticket but unsure of the time you want to travel at just go for semi flexible or flexible. For semi flexible you can either get the one hour before or one hour after your time of travel and with the flexible you can travel with any train during that day. But first class train tickets are imo pointless.

[bigmango]

First class and all makes no diff. Trust me. The first class thing is just to make your ticket more flexible hour wise that’s it

And now with the covid restrictions they don’t serve food on the train anymore not even the trolleys that go through the entire train. So make sure you get a water or something to eat before you go on the train.

If you want to buy a ticket but unsure of the time you want to travel at just go for semi flexible or flexible. For semi flexible you can either get the one hour before or one hour after your time of travel and with the flexible you can travel with any train during that day. But first class train tickets are imo pointless.

Nina is correct - there is no catering now or later when most restrictions are lifted later this month.

This is because it is mandatory/compulsory for customers to wear face coverings on public transport -
The Government regulation covering this does not provide for face coverings to be removed for eating and drinking on public transport (it only provides for the taking of medication)

As per Irish Mirror article - see link here
https://www.irishmirror.ie/news/iris...rvice-25140915

[Davina]

I´m in Cork at the moment and work on my plan to go back to Dublin.
I used the Aircoach Bus few times so far so good nothing to complain about it!
Now i want try the train from Cork to Dublin.
Its worth to book first class ticket??? I mean i used the train from Dublin to Castlebar very often in second class which was always good!
Is there any big difference between First and Second Class?
In Germany if you use the train maybe for 1hour it´s not worth to pay extra for First Class.. (have a seat in the Bordrestaurant and drink a coffee and all is good)
But if you travel longer i would recommend the First Class (more space and much comfortable, not fully booked and you have a waiter who brings you drinks and food to your place.... ohhh yes i like to use them all time!!!!)
How is the situation in Ireland? Any recommendations????? Experience???

Thanks for help Silke

No Silke, I go first class because you can change the tickets as much as you want. There’s more room and a table if you want to go on your laptop. Plus sockets for charging. You don’t have to sit next to anyone. Unfortunately due to COVID they are not running the buffet service but they did used to offer food ans drinks in first class before anyone else. I always travel by train and always first class. I don’t cope well being round a lot of people and ive had terrible experiences on coaches xxx

[BarryD]

I´m in Cork at the moment and work on my plan to go back to Dublin.
I used the Aircoach Bus few times so far so good nothing to complain about it!
Now i want try the train from Cork to Dublin.
Its worth to book first class ticket??? I mean i used the train from Dublin to Castlebar very often in second class which was always good!
Is there any big difference between First and Second Class?
In Germany if you use the train maybe for 1hour it´s not worth to pay extra for First Class.. (have a seat in the Bordrestaurant and drink a coffee and all is good)
But if you travel longer i would recommend the First Class (more space and much comfortable, not fully booked and you have a waiter who brings you drinks and food to your place.... ohhh yes i like to use them all time!!!!)
How is the situation in Ireland? Any recommendations????? Experience???

Thanks for help Silke

There's works starting on the train station so check before you book, you may have to get a bus replacement to Mallow.

Kent station is undergoing some renovations at the min. I think there is coach transfers for the foreseeable. Not sure if it has started yet

this was on my social media feed this morning .._..

Work on installing an €8 million signalling system to control operations in Kent Station, Cork and on approaching lines, is due to get underway later this month.

To facilitate this work, rail services will be suspended between Cork and Mallow and bus transfers will be put in place on both directions of the Cork/Dublin Heuston and Cork/Tralee services, from 16 October until 26 October.

The weekday 6.15am Cork to Heuston train will be cancelled

.._.. seems a pain in the arse 1st or 2nd class!