Train from Paris to Dublin

Tricia It would be quite a trek, but if you want to try you'd need the eurostar from Paris to London and then a combined train ferry ticket onwards. Details of the latter are here http://www.seat61.com/Ireland.htm#complete%20timetable Cheers Alan

Probably the simplest routing would be from Paris to London via Eurostar to St. Pancras then about a 10 to 15 minute walk over to Euston by going west on Euston Road (take a right out of St. Pancras) and then get a train to Holyhead Wales (make sure you have your "national rail" reference number from the ferry company as this can cause problems if you don't have it!) Also make sure how far ahead your ferry requires check in in Holyhead. The two major companies that do the direct to Dublin Ferryport are Irish Ferries and Stena Line. As noted, the site seat61.com is excellent as far as describing options from London on to Dublin and back.

Wow...taking the train sounds like a much bigger hassle that flying!!

Thanks! Trust the airport security can be just as much of a hassel. Plus you have to take a bus for an hour out of Paris just to catch the plane. If you have a Euro rail ticket can't you just use that for a direct train? Thanks!

The problem is in getting from the UK to Ireland. You either fly or take the ferry.

I hate being obvious, but Ireland is an island- either need a ferry or an airplane. Ditto Great Britain. No bridges to either one

Tricia, Since you talk about a long bus ride from Paris to the airport, I assume you are referring to flying Beauvais-Dublin on Ryanair. You can get just as cheap flights from CDG to Dublin on Aer Lingus.

Brian, I agree that Ireland might be hard to get to by train alone, but as for Great Britain, surely you've heard of the Chunnel? :)

Gwen, you got me there.

You would still have to get a train from Paris to London, switch trains to go from London to Holyhead, catch a ferry from Holyhead to Dun Lghaire or Dublin proper, then either take the rail again, or a bus. How is that easier? Plus, the ferry can be nasty, and they can make you check larger bags as well. Unless you're stopping along the way, the plane is MUCH, much easier. And takes many, MANY hours off the trip.

Tim is right. Aer Lingus is the way to go. I got a fare between Dublin & Paris that was booked in advance during one of their web sales and it was comparable in price to Ryanair and Aer Lingus has way more generous baggage allowances than Ryanair. Went straight into CDG/Paris from Dublin. No hassle with having to go to an airport that is over an hour from your departure or arrival city. The whole train/bus/ferry combo would take you many more hours to complete, too. I'd only go that route if I was a major train or ferry fanatic and wanted to have the "experience" more than saving my time or money.

Tricia - a Eurorail pass will not work for any leg of your journey. The Eurostar requires its own ticket, British Rail is not on the Eurorail system and the ferry to Ireland will not be covered. Flying is indeed a hassle but in this case taking ferries and trains will be far more time and hassle than flying.