Limerick to Dublin Train: Timetable, Prices & Tips

A train journey from Limerick to Dublin is often the fastest and most stress-free way to cross the country, but the handful of fare options and station names can trip up even regular travellers. Whether you are heading to Heuston for business or connecting through to Connolly, this guide lays out the timetable, ticket costs from €23 advance singles, and the smartest booking strategies based on official Irish Rail information.

Fastest journey time: 2 hours 5 minutes ·
Average journey time: 2 hours 30 minutes ·
Cheapest advance single fare: €23 ·
Number of daily departures: over 10 ·
Main Dublin arrival station: Heuston Station

Five key facts about the Limerick–Dublin route, one pattern: the operator’s own data shows a wide spread between the cheapest advance fares and walk-up prices.

The implication: these four data points cover 90% of what a traveller actually needs to know before buying a ticket.

How long is the train from Limerick to Dublin?

Average journey time from Limerick Colbert to Dublin Heuston

• Direct trains from Limerick Colbert to Dublin Heuston take approximately 2 hours 30 minutes on average, according to Irish Rail.
• Services that include stops at intermediate stations add roughly 10–15 minutes to the total trip time.

Fastest journey time available

• The shortest recorded journey on the route is 2 hours 5 minutes, per Irish Rail.
• Express services that skip smaller stops achieve this faster time.

The pattern: if you catch the express, you save nearly half an hour compared with the standard run — worth building into your schedule.

Which Dublin train station goes to Limerick?

Dublin Heuston as the primary station

• Most services from Limerick arrive at Dublin Heuston, the main station for trains from the south and west, confirm Irish Rail.
• Heuston is directly linked to Dublin city centre by Luas Red Line, bus, and taxi.

How to reach Connolly station from Limerick

• To get from Limerick to Dublin Connolly, you typically need to change trains at Heuston and take a Luas or taxi across the city — there is no direct service, per Irish Rail.
• Alternatively, some routes involve changing at Limerick Junction, adding 30–45 minutes to the total journey.

The catch: travellers booked to Connolly should plan for a connecting trip across Dublin; it is not a single-station route.

How much is a train ticket from Limerick to Dublin?

Adult single fares

The official fare table for the Dublin-Limerick-Ennis route shows adult single fares ranging from €4.80 to €13.55, depending on the zone and type of ticket, according to Irish Rail’s official fare table.

Day return and monthly tickets

• An adult day return costs €8.85 on the same route, per Irish Rail.
• Monthly season tickets vary; for a child the cost ranges from €38 to €57, per the same source.
• Advance single fares start at €23, as listed on Irish Rail’s web fares page.

Child fares

• Children under 5 travel free in standard class with a passenger holding a valid ticket, subject to seat availability, states Irish Rail’s tickets-explained page.
• A child low fare on the route is €10.39, according to Irish Rail Web Fares.

Why this matters: the difference between an advance web fare and a walk-up single can be €5–€10 — enough to change the decision for a family.

Is it cheaper to buy train tickets on the day or before?

Advance purchase discounts

• Irish Rail explicitly states that booking online in advance is the way to access its lowest fares, per its official timetable page.
• Web fares for the Limerick–Dublin route start at €14.99 for adults and €10.39 for children, according to Irish Rail’s web fares page.

On-the-day fares compared to advance

• On-the-day singles cost between €4.80 and €13.55, but these are generally priced higher than the advance web fare, per Irish Rail.
• Booking at the station counter or ticket machine does not offer the same discounts.

The trade-off: flexibility costs money. If your plans are firm, book ahead; if they are fluid, accept a higher walk-up price.

Are trains running from Limerick to Dublin?

Current service status

• Trains operate daily on the Limerick–Dublin route, according to Irish Rail.
• Bank holidays and weekends may see a reduced frequency, so checking the timetable in advance is recommended.

How to check live departures

• Irish Rail’s Journey Planner or app provides real-time departure and arrival information, per the company’s official guidance.
• Transport for Ireland also hosts train timetable information for Dublin-region rail travel.

The pattern: service status is reliable enough to plan a week ahead, but checking on the morning of travel is always wise because of occasional engineering works.

“Booking online in advance is the way to access its lowest fares.”

— Irish Rail (official operator)

“Irish Rail’s web fares page lists Limerick as a Dublin origin with an adult low fare of €14.99.”

— Irish Rail Web Fares (official operator)

For a traveller booking from Limerick to Dublin, the choice is clear: book online at least a few days in advance to secure the lowest fare, or pay a premium for on-the-day flexibility — a trade-off that can cost €30–€40 for a family.

Frequently asked questions