And as long as it's not a special offer ticket. Those can't be used on any train except the one you have a reservation on.

Actually the website says that a ticket is valid on any train where the same fare applies, and passengers may pay an excess fare equal to the difference between the online prices if they go on a more expensive train.

I tried to change a ticket last week and was told by someone in the IR ticket office (over the phone) that they weren't valid on any other train. I inquired about paying the difference but was told I'd have to buy a new ticket and pay the full price. She did helpfully suggest that I could "give it a go".

That's par for the course, sadly; my mother got a similar outcome when she attempted to change the return half a full-fare first-class ticket last year after the outbound portion had been used. She just went on the train she wanted to use anyway and had no issues.

You may wish to print off the website page at http://www.irishrail.ie/news_centre/...ew&news_id=402 which has the terms and conditions.

Of course if you do travel on a service other than the one you have booked, you won't have a reserved seat.

*bangs head*

Thanks for the info, I'll know for again.