Im spending a few weeks in Britain, Wales and Scotland and want to visit Ireland as well. What is the best mode of transport- air or boat? Where is the best place to cross by boat? (ferry, I guess would be more accurate). Im interested in a more efficient yet unique experience.
Posted by
Vancouver, Canada
101 posts
Sounds lovely! No advice since I've never been but would love to hear your itinerary sometime. Im dreaming of next year's vacation....
Posted by
2692 posts
You should state whether you intend to use public transport or rent a car. If renting a car, you may not be allowed to remove it from GB to Ireland or vice versa.
For air travel - use www.skyscanner.net to find out who flies where & when. Don't forget UK regional airports such as Bristol, Cardiff, Manchester, Liverpool, Edinburgh & Glasgow Prestwick.
http://www.seat61.com/Ireland.htm#.Vupcx-nTCiY
For British train travel use www.nationalrail.co.uk (Cheaper to advance book specific trains for longer trips).
As well as seeing Wales, it has convenient ferries linking it with Ireland.
Posted by
Maryland, USA
533 posts
I've taken the ferry between Wales and Ireland, and I think it qualifies as both efficient and unique. They make it easy and hassle-free to connect between the ferry and the trains on both ends, and the ferry ride itself is fun.
I took the Fishguard to Rosslare route because it was better for the particular trip I was making (I was going from Bristol to Kilkenny). But, as explained in the seat61 link above, the Holyhead to Dublin route is probably better for most situations, because the train connections are better on both ends. Holyhead is served by high-speed Virgin trains, whereas the only train to Fishguard is a little two-car shuttle train that's not very comfortable. From Dublin, trains fan out to virtually anywhere in Ireland, whereas Rosslare isn't so well connected at all. (You do have more options taking the bus from Rosslare, but that wouldn't be covered under a SailRail fare.) And the scenery is better in the north of Wales than in the south.
Posted by
Rick Steves' Europe
16895 posts
Any of these options for crossing between islands can cost about the same, say $65: a budget flight, a last-minute ferry ticket, or a combined Sail/Rail ticket booked well in advance through National Rail, available from a variety of British starting points. See also https://www.ricksteves.com/travel-tips/transportation/trains/britain-rail-passes for the UK portion of the plan.
Posted by
Beverly Hills, MI
815 posts
If you are traveling by car, Holyhead to Dublin is easy. SInce the Irish Sea was kicking up ugly we went over on the regular ferry and came back on calmer seas on the high speed catamaran. Both ways were nice ships and we enjoyed the crossings. If you have rental car by all means check if you can take it to Ireland, we had a lease car so it did not matter, one of the many reasons I quit renting long ago.