Dublin DART and commuter train times change from 21 September 2026
by Admin
by AdminBabylon Radio
Listen nowDART and Dublin Commuter passengers should recheck their train times from Monday 21 September 2026. Iarnród Éireann has introduced a revised autumn timetable in the greater Dublin area until 12 December 2026. Some morning services leave slightly earlier, while peak journey times are generally extended by 1 to 3 minutes.
The change affects DART and Dublin Commuter routes during morning and evening peak periods. InterCity and other rail routes are not changed by this autumn timetable.
What changes from 21 September?
- Morning peak services: DART and Dublin Commuter trains are slightly advanced, so some trains leave earlier than passengers may be used to.
- Evening peak services: trains leave their origin at the scheduled time, with extra running time added later in the journey.
- Journey times: most peak journeys gain around 1–3 minutes.
- Duration: the autumn timetable runs from 21 September through 12 December 2026. The new national timetable begins on 13 December.
Which Dublin rail routes are affected?
Iarnród Éireann says the changes apply to DART and Dublin Commuter routes. That means passengers using the coastal DART and commuter services into and out of Dublin should check the current journey planner rather than relying on an old screenshot, saved departure time or habitual morning train.
The operator has not published one simple list of every changed departure on its announcement page because the revised times are built into the live timetable. The safest option is to enter your exact origin and destination before travelling.
Check your current Irish Rail train time
Why are trains running differently?
The change is designed around seasonal low rail adhesion. Damp leaves can be crushed onto the railhead and create a slippery layer that Iarnród Éireann compares with black ice on a road. Drivers may need to accelerate and brake more cautiously, which adds time to journeys.
Iarnród Éireann says it also tackles the problem through vegetation management, high-pressure water-jet cleaning, traction gel applicators, railhead treatments and sanding systems fitted to trains.
What should commuters do?
If you normally catch a morning DART or commuter train at the last possible minute, check the timetable before leaving home. A service that previously left at your usual time may now depart slightly earlier. Evening passengers should also allow for a modestly longer arrival time.
For newcomers to Dublin, the DART covers the coastal corridor through the city, while commuter services connect Dublin with towns on several surrounding routes. Live departure information is available through Iarnród Éireann and Transport for Ireland.
For more local practical updates, see Babylon’s Ireland section.
Sources and verification
Details verified 21 September 2026. Check live journey information before travelling because operational changes and disruption can occur separately from the seasonal timetable.