Northern Ireland's railways in a day?

[Calthrop]

Am looking at taking a holiday in Northern Ireland in spring / early summer this year. This part of the world is to all intents and purposes, hitherto unknown to me first-hand. I'd like to travel over all of the Province's (IMO now tragically meagre, but "it is what it is") rail passenger system. Will have other non-rail opportunities during the visit, to take in the NI scene at leisure: would just like to do a comprehensive "bash" of the whole rail network, which would seem to me possible to accomplish in one -- April or May -- day's daylight.

Can anyone kindly advise me: is there any kind of a "day tourer" or other railrover-type arrangement, which would facilitiate my doing the above: or would the only, or financially-best, option be just to pay normal fares journey-by-journey?

 

[Segedunum]

If you fancy doing it on a Sunday it's £9

http://www.translink.co.uk/Services/NI-Railways/Special-Offers/Sunday-Day-Tracker/

 

[Elwyn]

Here’s a link to the Translink site which will give you the timetables:

http://www.translink.co.uk/Services/NI-Railways/

I agree that the Sunday all day rover is probably the best value. On weekdays you can get an I-Link card which costs £1 (free if bought on-line) and which you can top up by the day. One days adult travel for Zone 4 is £17.50. As far as I am aware, Zone 4 covers the entire network. The card can also be used on buses.

http://www.translink.co.uk/Fares/Translink-Products/iLink/iLink-Fares/

 

[Calthrop]

Thanks, people, for info -- enables me to put a plan together.

 

[neonison]

As an aside - are there any scheduled services between Lisburn and Antrim direct? I did did NIR in a day some years ago and included that line too.

 

[Kristofferson]

Cheapest ALR ever

 

[Elwyn]

As an aside - are there any scheduled services between Lisburn and Antrim direct? I did did NIR in a day some years ago and included that line too.

The answer is no. The Lisburn – Antrim via Crumlin line has no regular passenger services at the moment. Trains are diverted over it from time to time when engineering work closes the Belfast to Londonderry line (often on a Sunday) and the odd steam charter also uses it.

Northern Ireland Railways have put re-opening as a longer term aim in their business plan, but it is subject to NI Government funding to renovate the mothballed stations and to buy extra rolling stock.

 

[Calthrop]

Thanks for Lisburn -- Antrim info. Pity no chance of covering it; but on the other hand, makes my day's task easier !

 

[DarloRich]

I visited Belfast for a short break 18/24 months ago and had a little free time to potter about the railway system around Belfast.

I cant recall the ticket but it covered me for trips inside the city, to Balmoral for Windsor Park ( went to see Linfield FC) and Sydenham for the Airport. I think it even covered my bus travel from Aldergrove to the city centre.

I even saw a steam train while there!

I would also recommend doing all the touristy stuff while you are there

 

[bangor-toad]

I'd repeat everything that Elwyn has said.

If you travel on a Sunday then the £9 day ticket is great value.
If you want to travel any other day then get the 1 day Zone 4 i-link card for £17.50. Link

The i-link card is really handy and flexible letting you use the trains, buses and coaches. Zone 4 covers all forms on public transport everywhere in NI. I highly recommend it to any visitors.


It sounds as if DarloRich got one of the £6.50 Belfast Visitor Passes (link ) which cover all bus and train travel - including to the City airport.

Enjoy your trip over here,
Mr Toad.

 

[Calthrop]

I would also recommend doing all the touristy stuff while you are there

I'd repeat everything that Elwyn has said.

If you travel on a Sunday then the £9 day ticket is great value.
If you want to travel any other day then get the 1 day Zone 4 i-link card for £17.50. Link

The i-link card is really handy and flexible letting you use the trains, buses and coaches. Zone 4 covers all forms on public transport everywhere in NI. I highly recommend it to any visitors.


It sounds as if DarloRich got one of the £6.50 Belfast Visitor Passes (link ) which cover all bus and train travel - including to the City airport.

Enjoy your trip over here,
Mr Toad.

Thanks, guys. Plan is for a week / ten days in NI: myself and a friend, basically travelling by car, doing a kind of circuit of the Province. Friend is a railway enthusiast, but strictly a steam man -- has no interest in line-bashing by modern-traction scheduled services. While I do my day of that, he'll do something else of whatever kind.

Our tour by road will cover "normal" stuff, plus nostalgic interest in abandoned railways when encountered. Also, for me anyway, the Transport Museum at Cultra will be a must.