Account deleted by request

Got a trip to Ireland in March and thinking about getting the Ferry instead of flying for a change as it will take similar amount of time overall.

What have peoples experiences been?

Cheers, Chop

ScoobyDoo555

Used to do it all the time when my parents lived in Ireland. Used to get the ferry over to the UK, drive over to Shrewsbury and down the A49 to my Grans
Some LOVELY scenery once you get into Wales

From what I remember of the Ferry, it was pretty good in all fairness, but it was about 30years ago!!

legb4rsk

Just make sure the captain isn't Italian.

David Lock

My Dublin based lad has done it a couple of times. Once with a car to take stuff and once by train from Sussex. Car is bloody expensive especially when compared to Channel trips. Train journey takes for ever and then ferry was late leaving because of heavy weather (wind). And the ferry terminal at 3 in the morning is not the sexiest place to hang around

Surprised you say it takes same time as air as Ryan Air flies from a few places and cheaper if you choose the right days.

david


Don't take the ferry that includes the Italian coast route.............

Coffin Dodger

Did it last August for my cousin's wedding on the west coast. Pain free as far as we were concerned. Went on Irish Ferries though if I remember correctly Stena also do the same crossing and cost pretty much the same.

Got a lunchtime ferry from Holyhead so plenty of time to get to the port, it was the slower ferry so got to Dublin early evening so we stayed in a hotel on the outskirts before continuing our journey. On the way back we were on the catamaran / fast ferry so much quicker. Only problem was as we had the baby in tow by the time we got up to the deck all the seats had been taken. We sat on some steps looking a bit forlorn, one of the stewards must have seen and moved a few people around to make some space for us, so good service.

Might be a bit rough in March though so hope you've got your sea legs

Account deleted by request

I thought the same David until I worked it out and there isnt much in it.

Fly:

Get to airport - 1hr 30mins
At Airport hour before departure
1 hour flight
30 mins to get out of airport
45 mins into Dublin via Bus or Taxi, if Bus will take longer.

Total Time door to door 4 hours 45 mins

Ferry:

2 Hour Drive
At Ferry half hour before departure
Ferry 2 hours
30 mins to get off Ferry and taxi to hotel (should be more like 15)

Total time door to door 5 hours

Im a little restricted on days so the Ferry works at £132 and flights £150 ish.

Thought the Ferry might be a change from flying but was concerned at how often it is cancelled due to rough seas etc and thought the SN massive would advise

Thanks for input

Chop

brendy76

iTrader: (6)

Ferry is fine, 3 and a bit hours and usually gets you in at a time when traffic is scarce (read:middle of the night! haha) I brought my X5 back this way from Surrey.

Leslie

Try to avoid a windy day. The Irish Sea is not a nice place to be in a storm!

Les

ScoobyDoo555

+10000000000

alcazar

iTrader: (2)

Asked this question of a couple of mates who worked for DFS as drivers.

One of them recounted his story of a nice following sea: "I knew we were in trouble when the peas rolled off my plate in the restaurant......"

brendy76

iTrader: (6)

Mushy peas...Job done!
Those rolly peas must have caused havoc!

David Lock

Fair enough Chop but I went in October - Ryan Air from Bristol - but with only hand luggage. Return about £60, arrive 30 mins before gates close. 1 hour flight and out of Dublin airport in say 15 mins. Good bus to City at Euro 7 (Euro 12 return), less than 30 mins. But it's much more of a hassle if no Ryan Air and you have luggage.

Oh and the Irish sea is ALWAYS rough

David

the hamster

iTrader: (7)

I used to live/work in Wicklow, ROI so did this trip many times.

Do yourself a favour, DONT GET THE FERRY! get the Jonathan Swift Catamaran. The ferry takes 3.5 hours and its pretty dull on there, whereas the Swift takes 1h 50 and theres plenty to do. It doesnt cost much more and is worth the extra.

http://www.anglesey-today.com/ferry-to-ireland.html

Dr Hu

^^^^ yeah done both many too - my brother lives in Dublin....

Agrtee the slow boat seems to take forever, not a great deal to do on there except drink Guiness.

The Swift HSS thingy is much faster, still not a great deal to do, but its satisfying to overtake the slow ferry & dock & be out before the ferry even hoves into view!

Be glad your not going from Scotland......

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-satJ7DU9OE

albob

have a look at the Stena line -- Holyhead to Dun laoghaire

http://www.stenaline.co.uk/ferry/our...tena-explorer/

Coffin Dodger

Unfortunately they only run the fast ferries from April to September. Suspect it's usually a bit too choppy for them in the winter

J4CKO

iTrader: (1)

Traveling to Ireland on the Ferry always involves dodgy old Irish blokes asking for you boarding card so they can get loads of Duty Free, on the plane it always involves a very drunk Irish bloke trying his best not to look too drunk and reeking of booze so the whole plane smells of it.

Fat Boy

It only takes two hours when the sea is mill pond smooth- which is roughly once every gazillion years

albob

yep - I knew dat, just didnt read the post properly !! -- there are times in the summer(!?) when they dont run if it is a bit 'blowly'

Big Pete

We used to go over quite a bit and never had an issue

David Lock

???

You can't get Duty Free travelling from UK to Eire

Unless the Irish know something I don't

dl