Need to train from Edinburgh to a ferry which goes to Belfast. I am not doing well with the web sites, the multiple train stations, ferry's and what docks they leave from Scotland and what dock I should arrive at in Belfast and which train arrives at a ferry. Any suggestions on how to not make this so complicated? I need to depart from Edinburgh Waverly Station.
Posted by
Chicago
2876 posts
Not what you asked, but the LEAST complicated way to make the trip is to hop on an Easyjet flight. You'll be in Belfast in under an hour for around $70.
Posted by
Camano Island, WA, usa
1518 posts
Stena Lines offers a coach (bus) and ferry deal for 25 pounds from Edinburgh to Belfast. It takes the Stranrear Route. I was looking up Prestwick route but didn't find any package deals. You might be able to take train there and then make ferry connection to Belfast. Good luck.
Posted by
Minneapolis, MN, USA
8700 posts
You will need to take the train from Edinburgh to Ayr (one connection in Glasgow) and a bus from Ayr to the port of Cairnryan. Here is a quote from www.seat.61.com: "The traditional, historic route to Belfast has always been via the Scottish port of Stranraer. Until 20 November 2011, you took a train from Glasgow to Stranraer in southwest Scotland and walked straight onto the Stena Line ferry to Belfast in Northern Ireland. Sadly, from 22 November 2011 Stena Line have moved their port from historic, rail-connected, integrated Stranraer to disintegrated Cairnryan in the middle of nowhere, miles from any rail station. They have laid on a one-hour bus journey to Ayr to connect with the trains to and from Glasgow and the rest of the country." For timetables and more details on how to book the Rail & Sail package with Stena Line, go to the Ireland page on the Seat 61 site and click on the Northern Ireland link in the upper left-hand corner. The current Rail & Sail fare is £27.00.
Posted by
Decatur, GA, USA
24 posts
We are going in the opposite direction but same route. We are taking a 7:15 am ferry from Larne on P&O Irish Seas (we are staying in a B&B in Larne to make the early morning a little easier). Then we're taking ScotRail from Troon to Glasgow Central to Edinburgh Waverley. The ferry is 2 hours and the entire train trip is just over 2 hours.
Posted by
OP
Corvallis, Oregon, United States
15 posts
Thanks for all the ideas, got me headed in the right direction. I think I have a plan!
Posted by
Vernon, Canada
32350 posts
Carol, I was also going to suggest the EasyJet flight. That's by far the quickest and easiest option (IMO). Have you researched travel options from the Edinburgh and Belfast airports into each city? Happy travels!