I am planning a family vacation summer 2024. We are utilizing train travel. We are trying to plan a train from Liverpool to Holyhead and ferry to Dublin. Any helpful hints would be appreciated related to which line, how to manage luggage, is there food on the ferry? We are new to any travel in the UK. Thanks in advance for help.
Posted by
TX, USA
4894 posts
I am looking at this for my trip in June, going the opposite direction from you. It will give you a lot of answers.
https://www.irishferries.com/uk-en/routes-and-times/dublin-holyhead/
I also use National Rail to check train times in England and Wales. (I would add the website but I use the app.)
Posted by
Lake District, England
8136 posts
First things first-
Book this as a Sail Rail Ticket- it is far cheaper than booking the parts separately- https://www.irishferries.com/uk-en/Travel-to-Ireland-Specials/rail-sail/
Two companies sail the Dublin to Holyhead route- Irish Ferries (per TTM post above) and Stena Line - https://www.stenaline.co.uk/rail-and-sail
Such tickets can be booked until the moment of departure at all UK stations and should be on all train company websites/apps. If you can't find them then the tickets are controlled by Transport for Wales, so use their website- https://tfw.wales/ways-to-travel/rail/ticket-types/sailrail
I am not sure, but as these are what are called CIV tickets they may have to be physical tickets- as opposed to electronic tickets.
They are very, very nice ships, very comfortable- with multiple lounges (some at a premium cost) and multiple food outlets, also retail opportunities. Both companies also have lots of deck space. The ships, being so large and with advanced stabilisers, are also very comfortable.
From Liverpool it is Merseyrail to Chester, then Transport for Wales or Avanti Trains to Holyhead. At Holyhead walk straight off the end of the platform into the terminal, check in, then it is an "airside" shuttle bus to the ship which is moored at a distant berth.
I always use Stena, but that is totally personal preference. The one downside is that Stena wait until the shuttle bus is full and standing. Irish Ferries run it more frequently. I know a lot of people prefer the Irish Ferries food, as being well more Irish.
The IF ferries are proud of being Irish. Stena are Scandi-Chic- as Stena are a Scandinavian company. It really doesn't matter which company you use.
At Dublin you walk off the ship into the terminal via "airbridge". A shuttle bus at extra cost is waiting right outside into the City Centre, or the Dublin Bus #53 runs hourly.
Sure it takes all day, but this is the stylish way between the two cities- beats the faster but far more functional flight hands down.
There are luggage racks on board, or I just keep my luggage with me in the lounge but I travel light.
Posted by
Lake District, England
8136 posts
PS- Until Covid you could book a through ticket from any UK station to any Irish Station (Irish Republic or Northern Ireland Railways). Those tickets cannot be booked on line, but if you look at the fares manual (which is not bedtime reading) they are supposed to still exist, in both directions, by any sea route.
It may be worth checking at a staffed station in either country, but with Irish advance train fares being so cheap (and the advent of ultra cheap Irish long distance bus routes) it is probably not worth the effort. The Irish add on fares were based on a zonal system, so the zonal add ons were higher than the "new" Irish advance point to point fares.
The benefit was in giving continuity of connections if one leg of the journey was late
Posted by
TX, USA
4894 posts
Excellent information that has just saved me some research time, not to mention convenience when traveling. Thank you, isn31c!