SailRail London to Belfast

Have done sailrail 2x from London to Belfast the 1st time, and then from Belfast to London the 2nd (different trips to the UK). I went via Stanraer (now the Cairnryan route), using the Stena HSS ferry (less time, about 2 1/2 hours on the water). We enjoyed it, and it does let you see an awful lot of pretty countryside.

Make sure to leave yourself some time to accomplish it however, it is the better part of a day in just travel time, not counting connections. Our first trip we missed the connection (Virgin rail out of london was delayed) and we spent a night at the Carlisle rail station hotel. That was charming, and if we had had more time, we probably would have spent the day wandering round the town. Still on our list of things to do someday.

I would check met reports for April weather, however as a ferry trip across the Irish sea can be a bit rough at times, and it may well be worth the extra cost to find some local Puddle Jumper Air to fly from Gatwick to Belfast. Or you could find something that takes you into Dublin, and take the Dublin to Belfast bus (picks right up at the airport) which would take you down to Victoria terminal, or there are rail services that do the same from Dublin to Belfast.

If you haven't already found this - here is a darn useful site about rail in the UK.

http://www.seat61.com/NorthernIreland.htm

No, I'm not him, just remember poring over that site about a decade ago when I was making my backup plans on the first UK trip. Turned out good, as I did end up using sailrail. Turns out after 30th of Sept in the UK, you can't put critters in baggage, and that first trip was bringing my folks cat to Ireland, after it had been in quarantine in the US. (They returned earlier to take care of my late grandparents, and we watched the cat for 6 weeks).

Have a grand adventure!

Glenn in Tucson

The ferries from Holyhead go to Dublin - not Belfast - as far as I am aware. The quickest & cheapest way to get from London to Belfast is to fly and Easyjet is probably your best bet from London (Luton) or London (Stansted).
http://www.skyscanner.net/transport/flights/lond/belf/cheap-flights-from-london-to-belfast.html?oym=1504&iym=1504&rtn=1

Aer Lingus, RyanAir and EasyJet will all get you there more quickly and if you follow all their rules to the "T" and get tickets well ahead you can save big money.

Cityjet now also flies from London City Airport to Belfast. It may be slightly more expensive than other airlines, but the total cost may end up cheaper as London City is within the TFL urban fare zones.

London to Belfast by rail/sea will be a very long all-day journey, whichever way you go (train all the way to Stranraer in Scotland, then sea, or rail/sea to Dublin and then rail again). I would fly, definitely.

Thank you all for your replies!
Glenn it is so nice to hear that SailRail actually works. I am planning on using public transportation as much as possible, so that site should be a great resource.
James, you are correct. The ferry from Holyhead goes to Dublin. The SailRail tickets then have a train ticket up to Belfast.
I have heard that things can go so wrong on the budget airlines. How hard is it to follow the rules to a "t"? I was thinking of the SailRail option so we would be able to see and experience the countryside on the way. Is it too much countryside? Years ago my husband and I traveled in Thailand with our son who had been there for two years. One of my most memorable experience was riding the non air conditioned train from an area just north of Bangkok all the way up north to Chang Mai. It wasn't what we had planned, but it was such a Thai experience. We saw the countryside, smelled the rice paddies being burned off and experienced the vendors coming on the trains to sell their food. I was thinking this would be a chance to see so much of the country. Good idea? Bad idea? I would love your opinions.
I have been studying for the past few weeks and I am in the beginning stages of planning our UK adventure. I will definitely look into all your suggestions! Thanks!

While I often enjoy a day's train ride as a chance to relax, read a book, see the countryside, etc., I doubt that you'll find the British route as exotic as the Thai route. The SailRail tickets are a great price in order to try to compete with the airlines, but the airlines are winning with shorter travel time. If your travel in Ireland will take you beyond Dublin by car, bus, or train, then that could be the time when you enjoy more country, coast, and small-town ambiance.

Well the train from Euston to Holyhead has windows that don't open, it travels most of the way at between 110 and 125 mph so while you can see the countryside flying by you won't have any time to dwell on it, you certainly won't smell it, you don't even slow down for curves because the train tilts. No food coming down the train unless you are in First Class at mealtime when in addition to the mini cup of tea or coffee the minions will give you (well, you paid for it with the inflated price of First) breakfast or a sandwich. If you are in Standard there is a shop in coach "C".

The scenery is urban for the first 15 miles or so then suburban for another 20, then rural along the Grand Union Canal, and through rural counties to and through the beautiful Cheshire countryside to the rail junction of Crewe and onwards to the galleried town of Chester. Both rail stations are on the outskirts and you won't see any of the towns. Then along the northern edge of Wales all the way to Holyhead. The ferry could be comfortable or a little lumpy in April.

If you really want to see places along the way, then by all means use the trains but get off and stay a night or two en-route. On your route, my choice (in the UK), would be to stop for 1 night in Chester and then a night or 2 in Conwy (Conway). (The Virgin trains from London to Holyhead pass through Conwy right beneath the Castle walls - but you would hardly know it). Only the Arriva Trains Wales trains stop at Conwy - by request - i.e.. telling the conductor. The nearest stop to Conwy that the Virgin trains make is usually Llandudno Junction - about 2Km to the east.
Here is the 125mph Virgin London to Holyhead express passing Conway Castle:> http://www.panoramio.com/photo/41218237
http://www.visitchester.com

The sail rail ticket will not allow you to make stops. You could buy a Sailrail ticket from north Wales rather than London. http://www.arrivatrainswales.co.uk/SailRail/

Please read both of my responses to an earlier post on Conwy in the Wales forum:>https://community.ricksteves.com/travel-forum/wales/what-is-the-best-way-to-get-to-conwy-wales-flying-from-usa

If interested in travelling around Great Britain by train, you might wish to read my response here:> https://community.ricksteves.com/travel-forum/england/itinerary-for-21-day-rail-trip-thru-england-ireland-scotland

Thank you for your suggestions! I'm so glad I have a few months to work it all out.

I was checking out one way flights from Dublin to London next May (WestJet has an awesome price on roundtrip Halifax to Dublin tickets - if only I could get my husband to commit...sigh) and was coming up with $97 all in tix to LHR with British Airways - to me that's a good deal without having to jump thru the budget airline hoops and not have to fly into one of the less popular airports....it's worth the extra what - $30-40 to not deal with RyanAir or EasyJet

You may well be fine, but do be aware that some BA flights have 'hand baggage only' fares these days; avoid these if you have checked bags.