We are taking the Stena ferry in early May from Belfast to Cairnryan and then on to Edinburgh. I've heard there is a sail and rail package, tried to find it on their website and after emailing, Stena said to contact them via phone in February to book. I'd rather do it online. Has anyone booked sail and rail via Stena? Cost? Schedule?
Many thanks!
Posted by
Lake District, England
5742 posts
You book it on Scotrail- there is one train each way per day.
It is booked on the Scotrail website and costs £35 each way. Departure from Edinburgh is at 0945 changing at Glasgow Central and Ayr (dedicated coach from Ayr), arriving at Belfast Port at 1745.
A city bus meets the ferry at the port (not included in the ticket price) and goes to Belfast City Hall.
From Belfast Port the return service is at 1130 arriving at Edinburgh at about 1810.
But note that as long as you are at Ayr in time for the Coach you can use any earlier train (to Belfast) or later train (from Belfast) if you want time in Ayr and/or Glasgow.
Connecting buses leave from Belfast Upper Queen Street at 0905 and 0940 Monday to Friday, 0945 only Saturday and Sunday.
The ferry fare alone is £35 so the train is basically free.
There is also an Ulsterbus/Scottish Citylink coach from Europa Bus Station to Edinburgh at 0630, 1020 and 1420 daily arriving at Edinburgh (after a change at Glasgow Buchanan Bus Station) at 1424, 1839 and 2222. That is £31 through fare if booked more than 24 hours ahead or £36 if booked later. That operates as a double decker bus to the Port then the coach meets the ferry at Cairnryan. That coach will wait for up to 90 minutes for a late running ferry.
Stena are stonewalling you. They do not sell the package,ever. For the train it can only be bought online from Scotrail (only). For the coach from Scottish Citylink.
There is also a company called Hannons who operate through to Glasgow- the Coach drives onto the ferry, you don't have to do check in at the port as Hannons do that for you.
This is the timetable (varies day by day), but it is to Glasgow only. That trip costs £39.
https://hannoncoach.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/20210715-BFS-GLA-EXP-Timetable-v005.pdf
Posted by
Lynnwood, Washington
8375 posts
Consider Hannon Coach. This bus drives on the ferry with its passengers and off on the other side making transitions, especially if you have luggage, far easier.
https://hannoncoach.com/belfast-to-glasgow-with-hannon-coach/
You tube video of the journey
https://youtu.be/qxvUN9DLNzQ
Posted by
PA
2739 posts
Did this in reverse, albeit from Glasgow, not Edinburgh, last year.
You book this through Citylink. It buses from the Europa Hotel to the terminal, you ride the ferry, and then connect via bus in Cairnryan two Glasgow, this bus then continues on to Edinburgh.
Again, this combined booking is done via Citylink. For whatever reasons, Stena only sells the ferry ride.
.
Posted by
OP
6 posts
Thanks to all who replied and so quickly. Regarding Hannon: is there a route to Edinburgh? We want to go from Belfast to Edinburgh. Thanks and cheers!
Posted by
Lynnwood, Washington
8375 posts
Hannon gets you as far as Glasgow bus station. You can take another bus to Edinburgh from there. It takes about 1.5 hours and runs every 15-30 minutes.
You could also make a quick transfer to the train station and take the train.