My wife and I are checking out of our Dublin Ireland hotel early October 1 and hope to be at our orientation for Rick Steves Scotland tour beginning in Glasgow by 4 PM . Were thinking of taking the ferry from Belfast be 11:30 AM . We are questioning how to get from Dublin to Belfast to make sure we get to the ferry in time .
Any suggestions ?
You can take the early morning train. It leaves Dublin 06:50 and arrives 08:07 at Newry where you have to change to a bus for the last bit to Belfast, arriving there 09:08.
If you take the train/bus combo you then have to take a taxi the 3 miles from Lanyon Place station to the port.
Instead you could take the bus X1 at 0645 from Dublin Busaras to Belfast Europa Bus Station arriving 0935 then the Scottish Citylink #923 from Europa to the port at 1020. That takes you to the ferry, then another 923 picks you up at Cairnryan for the ride to Glasgow, arriving at 1625. All for less than the price of a ferry ticket alone.
Or the 0245 bus from Dublin, and as above on the #923 at 0630 arriving at Glasgow at 1225.
Or, as it is a Tuesday, the Hannons bus from Europa at 1030 also runs. That bus drives on and off the ferry with you and your luggage on board and arrives at Glasgow at 1600.
I rarely say this but you may be better flying. This is the early fall when we are starting to get the potential for weather disruption on the ferry route and you have a key appointment to keep.
