I have been researching how to get from Dublin to Southampton and there doesn't see to be an easy way. Fly with Aer Lingus is so restricted with luggage as it's such a small plane. With British Airways you must go to London and somehow get to accessrail (how?) and then to another airport and then...to something else. Would it be better to just fly to London then get trains on my own to Southampton? Still seems like so much transferring. Hope someone has something I haven't found. I will have a Eurail pass so trains are my usual mode, but this doesn't seem to be working out. I am going from London to Holyhead and taking a ferry to Dublin and that part works well. It's just getting from Dublin to Southampton for my cruise that is exhausting me! Thanks for any help.
Posted by
Lake District, England
7990 posts
From Dublin to Southampton on Aer Lingus you can still check a 20kg hold bag so I'm not sure what the problem is with that route. Yes like many (most/all) carriers it is extra for a hold bag- £40 in this case- but it is what it is.
To me that has to be the preferred route.
It's an ATR 72-600 used on that route, about 76 passengers so not that small.
I know you have a Eurail pass but the easiest route from Heathrow to Southampton is the regular National Express Bus- every hour or so- £19 to £25.
If you want to use the train then use the Rail Air Bus to Woking Station then the train from Woking to Southampton.
I know that the Rail Air Bus isn't included in Eurail and it is expensive at £11 (although these things are strictly relative). But there is an alternative (slower by about 15 minutes) citybus from Heathrow T4 (and Hatton Cross for other terminals) to Woking Railway Station- the hourly #446 run by White Bus. They are not part of the £2 fare cap but the fare is still only £4.40.
EDIT- There is another option- Bus Eireann run a Friday and Sunday only bus from Dublin to London Victoria using Irish Ferries to Holyhead (you will probably use Stena on your way to Dublin)- 8pm from Dublin, arrive London Victoria at 0730 Saturday or 8.00 am Monday, connect at Victoria for National Express to Southampton- arriving at 1040 Saturday or 1235 Monday.
Posted by
OP
7 posts
Thank you for responding. I appreciate your input. Decided to go with the non-stop flight. Too much of a hassle to transfer in London.
Paid extra for checked luggage in case my carry on was too overweighted. That way I can check it. Thanks again