First Class on the Dublin to Belfast Train - Is it worth it? I make the journey to find out.
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- Опубликовано: 30 сен 2024
- We arrive at Connolly railway station in the centre of Dublin for our trip to Belfast. You may have already seen the film of our journey in the other direction by bus, check that out if you feel it interesting to compare the train journey with the bus journey.
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Originally called Dublin Station when it opened in 1844 and later renamed Amiens Street station a decade later. It wasn’t until 1966 and the 50th Anniversary of the Easter Rising that the station was yet again renamed to commemorate the socialist revolutionary James Connolly.
Trains leave here for Belfast approx. every 2 hours. What’s exciting about today’s trip is that I’ve bought a First-Class ticket. It’s the first time I’ll have travelled first class on this Dublin to Belfast route, so I’m keen to see if it’s worth it.
The Belfast trains always leave from platform 2 and customers are corralled into a special waiting area for Belfast passengers. The train stops at Drogheda, Dundalk, Newry and Portadown as well so not everyone boarding at Dublin is going as far as Belfast.
My first class ticket doesn’t afford me any special treatment in terms of the queue. I guess the interior of the first-class carriage is a little more plush, but not massively so. I suppose the only advantage is that there are less passengers in first class so it’s a bit quieter. But at twice the price, perhaps that’s not surprising.
I spent £28.20 on my first class ticket, a regular single fare could probably be bought for about half that.
We pull out of Connollly station at 3.20 and head out through the Dublin suburbs. It’s not much different to any other capital city’s suburbs as seen from a train - lots of graffiti. It’ll soon be dark and so we’ll take advantage of the passing scenery while it’s still daylight.
One tip I would give when travelling to Belfast is that you book a seat on the platform side of the train, that way you can see lovely views of the sea as you head north.
Is the first-class ticket worth it. I would say not. The carriage is not that different to those in 2nd class and regardless, you’ll still end up queuing like everyone else to board the train and exit the station in Belfast. It was a nice quiet trip, so perhaps if you need to work on the train, it might be worthwhile.
From what I've seen in other videos for this trip, advantages of First Class, despite the comfy seats, are the fact that it has higher chances to be less crowded (quieter) and depending on time scheduled you may receive a meal service on your table while regular passengers have to queue and wait at the bar coach
the thing that worries me is the coach looks small so if you sit at a single seat , you are still close to the next seat. I d be afraid that the people dont sit properly in front of their table and seat sideways or facing you like in the second class. so you cant read a book because others are facing you and with their mobile phones too. On Irish rail it says if you want to read a book, but if you have someone sitting opposite you facing you instead of their table , you d be disturbed. I guess if that happens maybe its possible to tell someone. That's the only thing that throws me off paying 60 euros the return instead of 30 euros and having people not sitting properly like in second class.
@@irlandaise5631 I've finally travelled in Enterprise Plus class and as I expected, it was less crowded (a lot of seats were available). There are some single seats where you can read your book without facing anyone, and you can even move to a better located seat that is empty. Another thing I noticed is that the seats have a leather where the head rests that can be cleaned before each trip, which is not the case for the regular seats.
@@SebaZero thanks for the info and understanding - unlike the Irish guy who posted the video who either doesnt understand or wants to annoy people in the first class. it's probably better then if worst case I could move to another seat. You are not Irish I guess, it is unbelievable how the Irish are .They have no arguments and won't engage. I am not surprised and it confirms that the first class will contain uncivilised people but less of them compared to second class.
@@irlandaise5631 Yes I'm not irish, I'm argentinian. But uncivilised people are everywhere. As an example, I made an earlier travel in another train with a coach for eating, and people travelling alone or in couples were sitting on tables for four. And I was in a family group of four having to spread in different places because big tables were occupied.
@@SebaZero yes they are unfortunately, was this in first class ?
First class actually looks quite good because I wanted to travel in first class when I was going to Dublin but it was too expensive I heard you can get food delivered to you and all to your seat on the train it looks good first class thanks for the video mate
My pleasure Conor, thanks for watching.
I thought the price was great, the train was clean, and very easy. Only thing I would have changed was taking Uber instead of the airport bus from the airport which drops off at the river thence you have to walk about 2 km to station. Uber was only about 2 euros more per person and you didn't have walk in rain.
We traveled in second class with all the commoners, it was nice experience people very friendly and helpful to us foreigners. I love all of Ireland
You’re always so positive about Ireland, it’s great to hear. Yes 2nd class is the way to go I think - half the price and just as good.
This was so useful, I am planning a trip to Ireland and was curious what the first class train ride was like. Thank you!
Glad it was of use. Many thanks for watching and I hope you’ll check out some of the other Naked Ireland videos.
@@nakedireland I absolutely will, thank you for making great content!
And thanks for your support. I hope you get to Ireland and that my videos might help inform your trip.
Thank you for this great video. I have used the Enterprise service several times, and travelled 1st Class. I liked the single seats, and I was fortunate there was a meal service from the trolley. I understand the service is to be speeded up later this year, and the frequency will be increased to hourly. I can recommend the. 1st Class carriage, because it is more spacious, and much quieter, with no screaming children on any of my runs !
Many thanks for commenting Anthony. I think your experience is invaluable to others intending travelling on the train.
I have been upgraded to first class on this train twice and it is a 💯
You lucky thing!! 🤯
Have done the Enterprise a few times, always seems to be jammers in cattle class!
Yeah, depends what time you travel I guess, but the cost has gone up a lot in recent years.
The wife and I took the Enterprise first class both ways on our last visit home. (We live in Virginia) It was lovely and quiet. We got in early enough so the whole trip was in daylight. I enjoyed the scenery while she took a nap. I'd recommend it to any visitor. Although I agree, the queues at both ends didn't change whatever class ticket you get!
Glad you had a pleasant trip Johnny. Next time you’ll have to travel 2nd class to make the comparison.
Are there direction trains to Belfast from Dublin? We plan to be in Dublin early Sept. Was the ticket priced at $20 for 1st class?
Hi James, yes there are direct trains from Dublin to Belfast. The Enterprise stops several times, but there’s no need to change. If you book online it’s cheapest. Regular webfares are £15 -20 usually, depending on how early you book. A first class ticket will obviously be more (again price depends on when you book). Have a great time in Dublin and Belfast and thanks for watching.
@@nakedireland There is some type of construction and need to take bus base on the website at least for a little bit more. Thx for info.
ah right James, I wasn’t aware of that. It’s good that you’ve let everyone know.
It was called Amiens Street Station-pronounced ‘Ay-mee-ans Street’ (which is where it’s located). Probably a mispronunciation of the French city of Amiens.
Good to know and thanks for that clarification.
@@nakedireland Just in case you ever have to ask directions!
It’s important!
As always interesting and useful
Ahh thanks so much Oleksii
Music is too loud and overlaps your speech.
Sorry about that - hope you enjoyed anyway?
Very helpful as we booked this train from Dublin to Belfast (and back again) for our trip this summer. Thank you!
Thank you so much Debra, glad it was of use. As I said in the video, I think the 2nd class service is as good as any.
Have you filmed all of your videos yourself or do you have help?
This is where I should spoof and say I have a whole team, but alas, it’s just me.
We’ve taken the first class Enterprise both ways numerous times. Always comfortable, clean, quiet. However, on our latest journey south we found out at the station that the Enterprise was broken down so we were put on a regular NI Rail train. And then it broke down! We were Lucky with train #3 but it wasn’t comfortable for a long journey.
Well I hope they at least compensated you? The Enterprise rolling stock is old. You have to ask your self why Ireland couldn’t have one ‘state of the art’ high speed train between Belfast and Dublin?
They did compensate us and very quickly. By the time we returned to Canada the refund had already been processed. Everyone was helpful, friendly and professional throughout.
Well I’m very glad to hear that. I hope it didn’t ruin your visit too much. I’m sure you’ll come back and see us again.
Is there a better option in onboard food and drink ?
I think you’re always gonna be somewhat limited there!
They are less passengers but it looks super narrow! the look at that Chinese woman with the phone makes me think , less people but they will be annoying! the only way would be to book several seats in fact ! I was thinking of booking a first class ticket to read a book and avoid people who are not sitting properly but they look like they will sit like in the second class facing you with their phones ,laptops , books and therefore you cant read a book because they d be in your line of sight and you d see them fidgeting non stop for the 2 hours journey. It sucks !! I think there should be a ban on phones during the journey and even a fine for people not sitting properly. but I guess you could report if someone is annoying you ?
Phew, I don’t think you can fine people for not sitting properly?!!
@@nakedireland I think in the first class , yes. There should be a strong rule. Its 60 euros a return vs 30 euros. It sucks!! are you one of these annoying people on board in fact . Jeez..I think ill stick to second class and suffer for 2 hours or do the same . You d be surprised when you do the same , people start to get annoyed . So they are indeed rude.
er....ok
maybe you could have mentioned food choices
Yeah, good point Larry, though I don’t think I ate anything on the journey. Thanks for watching.
@@nakedireland your welcome
The carriage was the same as the one I used the only time I travelled first class by train, I didn't find the seats that comfortable. Though where I travelled from and too it did mean I didn't queue and as you said it was a quieter carriage. How long did the journey take? Though the bus was cheaper and equally plush, if the train was faster I think I would take that as I can't sit too long these days.
Hi Rob, the train takes just over a couple of hours, so there’s not much difference from the bus there. But it is more expensive, but also a more beautiful journey rather than driving along a motorway. I think there’s a bit more leg room too, but as I say, I’m not sure the first class is worth it!
@@nakedireland The only advantage I see with a train over the bus (apart from leg room) is being able to get up and walk about if need to, something I find useful. However trains are so very expensive here that they are not viable to use, they want silly money for tickets. I thought what you paid pretty good, I paid nearly double that 5 yrs ago for the first class I used for a shorter journey.
Yeah Rob, trains can be expensive, but the online ‘web saver’ fare Dublin to Belfast can be got for under £20 I think. That wouldn’t be first class of course, but that’s fine.
if the coach is packed and people sit sideways as to face you and not their table so disturbing if you want to read a book. Can you ask that people sit properly ? I would like to pay for first class to be able to read a book and not having people facing you with their laptops, phones and even books while at their seats on the other side of the coach like in second class.
How long of a ride was it?
It lasts just over 2 hours. Not long.
Thanks and does the train go into downtown Belfast near the Titanic exhibit by any chance? @@nakedireland
It doesn’t go to the Titanic area I’m afraid, it leaves you at Central Station, close to the Markets Area of the city. It’s just 10 mins walk to the city hall from the station, which is bang in the centre of town.