Does someone have experience with ferry service between Scotland and Ireland (or north Ireland), either way? Schedules? Travel times? Reliability? Cost? Comparison with flying? A good way to experience local culture? 2 couples may try out both countries this summer. Your thoughts and opinions could be valuable. Thanks.
Posted by
Rick Steves' Europe
16895 posts
See my answer to another thread today: https://community.ricksteves.com/travel-forum/england/ferry-train-belfast-to-london.
Posted by
3123 posts
It depends how much time you have and whether you enjoy the ferry boat experience, as opposed to flying. Being with locals, yes, you'd be rubbing elbows a bit more with the everyday Irish & British folks who use the ferry.
Posted by
189 posts
About 10 years ago we spent three weeks on the Dingle peninsula and wanted to go to Scotland. At the time we chose to drive to Belfast and take the ferry. We turned in the rental car in Belfast and got another rental car in Scotland. I looked at the airlines but we travel heavy and the luggage limitations made air travel questionable so we ferried. It was a pleasant and interesting trip.
On a more recent trip we took the ferry from Holyhead to Dublin. Smooth on time travel.
If the ferry satisfies your travel needs, time wise etc I'd say take it. We found it an interesting way to travel. In both cases I bought the tickets before we left home.
Posted by
Waterville, Ireland
409 posts
I've done the Holyhead to Dublin both way dozens of times. My husband, hundreds (he cycles back and forth so needs the ferry. It's easy, it's a bit weird on hours, though. I sometimes get the 16 euro upgrade to get the fancy place with free snacks... it's much more private. But that being said, i've made freinds on the ferry!
It's Irish Ferries (for me). I take Ulysses. Rarely the fast boat (it cancels in bad weather). I get on at 9 in dublin and sleep on the couch until Holyhead!
A great site on ferrys that includes videos of taking it is Seat61.com. I book all my train travel through him.....
Susan
expat living in waterville