Internet users have noticed a ticket hack that can get passengers from Cork to Dublin for half the price - but what they may not know is that doing it is against the rules.
Most people who regularly commute between the capital and the 'real capital' know that it costs quite a pretty penny, with a return ticket generally costing between €32.99 and €45.49 each way.
In real terms, that means you're paying around about €66 for every journey - though semi-flexible tickets reduces that somewhat.
READ MORE: Donald Trump to visit Ireland in August with huge security operation planned
However, a viral Twitter thread spotted a way to bring that price down by nearly 50% - CorkBeo reports.
Those who do it and are caught could end up being hit with fines, told to forfeit their tickets, or pay the price difference.
Although getting to Dublin is going over the €60 mark return, it appears some are buying tickets from Kent Station in Cork to Galway for €17.59 each way (flexible) instead - but then they're hopping off at changeovers in Heuston in Dublin.
A semi-flexible ticket on this route is €16.29.
People have been left perplexed by the difference, given about half of the Cork-Galway services go through Dublin while the rest go via Limerick.
One said: "It's cheaper to buy a train ticket from Galway to Cork that switches in Dublin, than it is to buy a train ticket from Dublin to Cork. I don't understand this country.
"I guess the price is just calculated based on the start and end destinations as there are services that take you to Limerick junction w/o needing to go to Dublin."
The Irish Mirror have asked Irish Rail for a response.
According to their rules the practice is against CIE byelaws, and if someone's caught doing it they could face a fine.
The law states: "When the fare to an intermediate station exceeds the fare to a more distant station, no person shall, for the purpose of travelling to such intermediate station, take or use or attempt to use a ticket for the more distant station with intent to avoid payment of the additional fare to such intermediate station.
"The liability to or infliction of any penalty incurred by the contravention of this Bye-Law shall not prejudice any right of the Board to treat such ticket as forfeited and to recover the full fare for the distance actually travelled by the offender."
READ NEXT:
