Ennis to Limerick Train: Timetable, Tickets & Prices

If you’re based in Ennis and need to reach Limerick without the hassle of parking, the train is worth knowing about. The route runs straight through County Clare into the heart of Limerick, with departures spaced throughout the day. Most people are surprised at just how quick it is — you cover the 39 km in under an hour, and tickets don’t cost much more than a bus fare.

Journey time: 40 minutes · Ticket price: €4 – €7 · Frequency: Every 3 hours · Operator: Iarnród Éireann (Irish Rail)

The table below summarises the key operating details for this rail corridor.

What time is the first train from Ennis to Limerick?

The first departure from Ennis to Limerick runs at 06:50, according to Rail Ninja’s timetable data. From there, trains leave every 3 hours throughout the day, with the final service departing at 21:10. Morning slots tend to be busiest — four trains run between 06:50 and 11:41, each taking 40 to 41 minutes.

“Iarnród Éireann (Irish Rail) operates a train from Ennis to Limerick every 3 hours. Tickets cost €4 – €7 and the journey takes 40 min.”

— Rome2Rio, Travel Aggregator

Daily schedule

Eight to nine trains run each way on the Ennis-Limerick corridor daily. Afternoon options include three departures between 13:25 and 17:25, plus one evening service at 19:10 (42 minutes) and the night run at 21:10 (40 minutes). The reverse journey from Limerick Colbert starts at 05:55 and ends at 20:50.

First and last trains

Irish Rail’s official timetable (valid from 14 December 2025) covers the Dublin Heuston-Limerick-Ennis route in full. You can download the station-specific PDFs from the Irish Rail website — the Ennis timetable PDF is 903KB and covers all daily departures.

“Download Dublin Heuston – Limerick and Ennis timetable (903KB) valid from 14th December 2025.”

— Irish Rail, Official Operator

Ennis train station timetable

Sixmilebridge serves as an intermediate stop on this route. The timetable PDF also includes the Galway-Limerick corridor that branches through Ennis. Services operate uniformly across the Republic of Ireland with no regional variations.

The pattern here is straightforward: the first train at 06:50 catches early commuters, while the 21:10 departure serves evening travellers who need to be in Limerick late. If you miss the last train, a bus or taxi becomes your fallback option.

Train Ennis to Limerick from €6 | Tickets & Timetables

A single adult ticket costs between €4 and €7 depending on where you board and how far you travel, according to Rome2Rio’s fare aggregates. Irish Rail’s zone-based pricing confirms this range — a short hop from zone A costs €4.80 as an adult single, while longer segments reach up to €13.55.

Ticket prices €4-€7

Day Return fares for adults run from €8.85 to €21.75 depending on zones A through F. Off-peak singles are slightly cheaper — zone B comes in at €6.55, for instance. Day Saver returns are available Monday through Thursday and Saturday mornings only, not on Fridays or Sundays.

How to buy tickets

Web fares through the Irish Rail website offer the lowest prices for online booking. Students travelling on weekly or monthly tickets need valid ID to purchase them. Free Travel Pass holders can book seat reservations online through Irish Rail’s reservation portal.

Ennis to limerick train price

The catch with pricing is that tickets tend to stay stable for advance bookings but can fluctuate as departure approaches, according to Virail’s pricing tracker. If flexibility matters less than cost, book a few days ahead rather than waiting until the morning of travel.

Web fares are the cheapest way to secure your ticket — Irish Rail offers online-only discounts that beat walk-up prices. Student weekly and monthly tickets require valid ID at purchase, so have your student card ready if you qualify for those rates.

Where does the Ennis train go to?

The Ennis train goes directly to Limerick Colbert Station — no connections required. The route covers 39 km by rail, stopping at Sixmilebridge along the way. Trains depart Ennis station and terminate at Colbert Station, which sits a short walk from Limerick city centre.

Ennis to limerick train route

This service forms part of Irish Rail’s Dublin Heuston-Limerick-Ennis corridor. The rail distance (39-40 km) is slightly longer than the road distance of 37.7 km, but the train eliminates parking and traffic stress. Moovit confirms four stations serve this line segment.

Stations served

Ennis Station is the starting point, followed by Sixmilebridge as the main intermediate stop. The line continues through to Limerick Junction before reaching Limerick Colbert Station itself. Dublin Heuston serves as the northern terminus of this corridor.

The implication: if you’re boarding at Sixmilebridge, your journey to Limerick will be shorter, and your ticket should reflect the zone-based fare accordingly.

Does the train go to Limerick?

Yes — direct trains from Ennis arrive at Limerick Colbert Station, which is a six-minute walk from the city centre according to Rome2Rio’s station data. This makes it practical for shopping, business meetings, or connecting to other destinations within Limerick.

Can I use my free travel pass on Irish Rail?

Yes, the Free Travel Pass is valid on Irish Rail services, and pass holders can book seat reservations online through Irish Rail’s dedicated reservation portal. This means you can guarantee a seat even during busy periods rather than taking your chances on a first-come basis.

Free Travel Pass rules

The Free Travel Pass covers the ticket cost itself, but you’ll still need to reserve your seat if you want one. Irish Rail makes this straightforward through its website — go to the booking section, select “seat-only reservation,” and complete the process without a payment step.

Can my wife travel with me?

Companion rules for the Free Travel Pass vary — typically the pass holder travels free and a companion travels free where a companion pass is issued. The key thing is to check your specific pass documentation or contact Irish Rail directly to confirm whether your situation qualifies before travelling.

Senior rail pass cost

Exact pricing for senior-specific rail passes isn’t publicly listed in Irish Rail’s standard fare charts. For current senior pricing, the best approach is to contact Irish Rail directly or check their official fares page for age-related discounts. Student weekly and monthly tickets require valid ID, which suggests similar verification may apply to senior discounts.

The catch: if you’re a senior planning regular rail travel, you won’t find the exact discount online — Irish Rail requires a direct enquiry to get accurate senior pass pricing.

Ennis to Limerick – 4 ways to travel via train, bus, car, and taxi

Four options connect Ennis to Limerick: train, bus, car, and taxi. The train covers 39 km in 40 minutes for €4-€7, making it the quickest and most affordable option for those without a vehicle. Buses via Dublin Coach provide an alternative along different routes, while driving covers 37.7 km but introduces parking costs and city-centre congestion.

Ennis to Limerick bus

Dublin Coach operates services that can serve the Ennis-Limerick corridor, though routes typically go via Dublin and take considerably longer than the train. Comparing bus and train schedules directly will tell you whether the timing works for your specific travel date.

How far is Ennis from Limerick by car?

The road distance is 37.7 km according to Rome2Rio — slightly shorter than the rail distance of 39 km. Driving takes roughly 40 minutes without traffic but can extend significantly during rush hours. Parking at Limerick Colbert Station or city centre adds a cost that the train fare doesn’t include.

The pattern: the 1.3 km difference between rail and road distances translates to roughly the same travel time by car, except you also absorb parking fees of €5-€15 at Limerick Colbert depending on duration.

Limerick station to city centre

Limerick Colbert Station sits about six minutes’ walk from the city centre, making the train a practical option for anyone heading into town. You don’t need a taxi from the station — a short walk covers most destinations in the city centre.

If you’re considering driving instead, factor in that city centre parking in Limerick can run €8-€15 per day at public car parks — costs the €4-€7 train ticket sidesteps entirely.

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Travelers from Ennis arriving at Limerick Colbert can seamlessly connect to the Limerick to Galway train for direct Intercity services further north.

Frequently asked questions

For more rail travel options, see our Train Dublin to Limerick – Timetable, Fares and Booking Guide.