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Trains from Dublin Airport to Glasgow

Hello, I have a special complication in my travel destination of Glasgow. I need to bring my cat, as I will be there for two months. The British authorities and policies are making this so challenging. No commercial flights into UK permit a pet on board at all, except for of course, service dogs. But pets can arrive on private jets no problem! Not being in the 1% I have been struggling to find a way to bring my cat along safely & affordably. Pet Cargo flights and service from US to UK is way too expensive. This is where I am at this point in this challenge: I booked a flight from JFK to Dublin on Delta, which allows pets in the cabin. So far so good. Then I thought I could book pet cargo for flight for Pixel, my cat, from Dublin Airport to Glasgow Airport.
But that has proven to be complicated as well, because of UK rules. Pixel will have to be flown to London Heathrow before getting to Glasgow. Theres the added complication that authorities do not permit more than one flight a day for a pet. I understand this, but the flight to Glasgow is so short!!! Anywho, the pet cargo company I am trying to work with have been very nice, but have not come through for me yet, and i am concerned about time line. My flight to Dublin is May 11th.

So now as back up I am trying to figure out taking a train from Dublin to Belfast, then ferry, then train to Glasgow. It is a lengthy trip but at least I will have Pixel with me. I will note that I no longer drive so cannot rent a car. If anyone knows the details of a trip like this, such as best way to get from Dublin Airport to train in Dublin, and then once in Scotland, the port is Cairnryan, the way to get to train to Glasgow. Thanks in advance!

Posted by
192 posts

Theres the added complication that authorities do not permit more than one flight a day for a pet.

Go to Heathrow and fly to Glasgow the next day?

Go the Heathrow and take the train to Glasgow?

Go to Belfast and fly to Glasgow the next day?

Put the cat in a cattery?

Get a friend to look after the cat?

Posted by
4 posts

Thank you Trelawny for the list of suggestions. I cannot fly to Heathrow from US because I cannot have my cat on a flight into UK at all. Same for Belfast. The reason that I am going through this rather tortuous process. Cannot afford cost of pet cargo from US to UK.

I do have a very kind friend to care for Pixel as back up. I prefer if I can, to bring him as he is very attached to me. I hand raised him from time I found him on side of highway. He was 3-5 days old. He has travelled by plane in cabin and by rail. Very experienced with travel and tolerates it well. Thanks again!

Posted by
4 posts

Thank you G3rryCee for the links and recommendations!
Very helpful!
Cheers!
Robin

Posted by
11568 posts

Ferry Dublin to Holyhead, then train to Crewe, change, train to Glasgow is another route, more frequent than the once a day rail connected route via Cairnryan- the ferry to Cairnryan runs every 4 hours but only one sailing is rail connected.

On 13 May (you arrive early on 12 May) the ferry leaves Belfast Port at 1130, arrives at Cairnryan at 1352, a connecting bus leaves Cairnryan at 1415 for Ayr Station, arrive, transfer to train leaving at 1535, Glasgow Central arrive 1626.

On that route the ships have a dedicated pet lounge- https://www.stenaline.co.uk/guides/superfast-pet-lounge

To make the 1130 ferry you need to leave Dublin Connolly on the 0650 train, arrive Belfast Grand Central at 0858, then taxi to the port, or a bus #96 from Upper Queen Street at 0940.

From Dublin Port (taxi from the airport) you leave at 1015 to Holyhead (which is excessively tight) and arrive at Glasgow Central at 2113.

Or, on 13 May leave at 0430, arrive Glasgow at 1517, or at 0730, arrive Glasgow at 1801, or the 1015 as above.

However, and it is a big however, a pet has to comply with UK rules whether arriving by air or sea - please review the stena line rules for transport of pets on their ships- https://www.stenaline.co.uk/customer-service/pre-travel/can-i-bring-my-pet#iba

and these are the official UK rules- https://www.gov.uk/bring-pet-to-great-britain

Posted by
4 posts

Thank you isn31C for the great information!
My cat, Pixel is prepared for entry into UK and Ireland. He has his rabies vaccination & has been microchipped for years. The EU and the UK health certificates will be completed, signed and submitted by a USDA licensed vet who will examine him.