Anyone used "SailRail" (train/ferry) package to go from London to Ireland?
We'll be flying onto London this fall and would like a more scenic way to get to Ireland. The packages at www.sailrail.co.uk look good, but just wondering if anyone has ever made this trip?
Thanks!
Answers:
I've made this trip dozens of times over the years.
Whichever way you choose to go - Holyhead to Dublin/ Dun Laoghaire or Fishgaurd to Rosslare - it's going to take a minimum of ten hours to get there from London, plus the time it takes to get to your final destination (don't even think about the Swansea to Cork route - that's ten hours on the ferry alone!).
The train journey from London to Holyhead or Fishguard takes about 5 hours and the only really scenic parts of the trip begin as you cross the border into Wales (especially on the Holyhead route).
The ferry takes about 3½ hours for both crossings (the other 2½ plus hours you will probably spend hanging around at train stations and at the port). There's a fast ferry service on both routes (2 hours) but I'm pretty sure this is not included in the sail/rail deal.
So, to the 'pros' and 'cons'
Pros - It's a chance to see a little bit of the English and Welsh countryside and the boat trip is kind of fun (they have a bar!)
Cons - It may 'only' take 10 hours but for some reason it seems like 20 and the journey time is going to seriously eat into your holiday time also the fare may seem cheap but it's a long day and you're going to pay through the nose for meals, Guinness, snacks, Guinness and more Guinness.
Don't get me wrong, I'm really not trying to put you off the idea here, if you've never done this trip before I guess it can be kind of fun - maybe take the train/boat over there and fly back to London?
Anyway, enough of my ramblings, have a great trip and if you want to know any more details feel free to contact me.
Other answers:
Hi i dont know if this still exists but you can go on slatterys coaches from london, if you are on a tight budget this is the way to go- also i think they let you stop in wales say and get another coach at no extra cost . In answer to your question i done it about 10 years ago but it is a long journey i went to limerick and it was nearly a full day
Hi i dont know if this still exists but you can go on slatterys coaches from london, if you are on a tight budget this is the way to go- also i think they let you stop in wales say and get another coach at no extra cost . In answer to your question i done it about 10 years ago but it is a long journey i went to limerick and it was nearly a full day
I've never used the package, but certainly the train journey to Holyhead is a scenic one. You can also get a Eurolines coach from London Victoria that follows a similar route to Holyhead. From there try to get on the fast ferry (I think it's called the Jonathan Swift) as the slow one takes 4 hours and is not pleasant. An alternative would be to rent a car then you are free to get around in Ireland- some of the nicer parts are quite remote.
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