CubFanAlways

I have a question regarding the train between London and Holyhead. From Holyhead, we’ll be taking a ferry to Dublin, and then returning to London via Holyhead.

I know we don’t need to buy our train tickets in advance (as in “several weeks in advance”), but should we? As I do some research, I’m forming the assumption, correctly or not, that tickets purchased in advance are cheaper.

All being equal, I’d rather buy the tickets on the day of travel, or possibly a day or two before while in London. Just a personal preference. But if I'm going to pay a lot more to satisfy that personal preference, then I'd have to reconsider.

Our days of travel are fixed, with no flexibility. The day of travel from London to Holyhead would be a Thursday morning (8:00 or 9:00), returning from Holyhead to London on a Monday (around noon departure). We have very limited flexibility on travel times. This may or not matter, but I thought it should be something to point out.

By the way, I’ve looked into the rail passes versus point-to-point fares, and the pass will not be for us.

Many thanks for your assistance

Palenque

By all means go to www.nationalrail.co.uk and snag the cheapest ticket when fares come online - not sure how long in advance they do but you can literally save tons of money by snagging the limited in number advance online fares. Just show up and you will pay much much more - as you can see at www.nationalrail.co.uk - but those fares are generally non-changeable and non-refundable so be sure that is the train you want.

TimS

You can travel by train from London to Holyhead and by ferry from there to Dublin for a total of £30.50. No advance purchase necessary. See http://www.seat61.com/Ireland.htm for details, including how to book online if you wish to do so.

Palenque

great info - wonder if anyone actually can report doing this? And it would seem that anyone could get off the train well before Holyhead - so if heading elsewhere like Wales you can buy on the day of travel a 31 quid ticket and just get off anywhere en route?

alanRow

BUT why take the train, it'll take most of the day. most people would fly with Aer Lingus from LHR

Fashionista

I just checked those prices on the national rail enquiry site and the £30 price was for off peak times. If the times you have to travel are fixed it may not work for you.

Also, if you book ahead you can secure a reserved seat. Buying on the day will not necessarily give you this - as someone who has stood more times than I care to remember between London, Birmingham, and Bristol it is no fun, especially with luggage.

If you have a reserved seat and someone is in it, politely ask the person to move and 99% of the time people will happily budge.

janisj

I am 100% w/ alanRow on this -- if you have fixed/limited time -- why are you traveling across two countries by train and taking a ferry and another train on the other side when you can fly for close to the same price in a tiny fraction of the time.

janisj

Meant to add -- a train and ferry might be a fun excursion just for a different experience. But for practical travel from London to Dublin on a fixed timeframe - it really doesn't make that much sense.

TimS

Why not take the train and ferry one direction for the view of the countryside and a reduced carbon footprint--and fly in the other direction to save time?

Palenque

Be aware the Standard Class - 2nd class on British trains often means a cramped seat in a litter-strewn carriage - a very full carriage whilst First Class is the best i've been on in Europe - a world of difference and IMO well worth the extra money - you can nab online discounts in first class i believe as well. But 40 years of incessant train riding in Britain makes me proclaim that first class is definitely worth the price - if this is the only train trip of your trip then make it leisurely IMO - and if you were to go both ways then a BritRail Pass may be cheaper than the round trip first class rail fare if you really want to just show up at the station and board the next train. Fully flexible tickets can be extremely costly in first class IME

janisj

But your first class seat will cost more than the coach seat on a flight that will have them landing in Dublin before they are 1/3 the way to Holyhead.

Palenque

At least on the train they will see some of the English and Welsh - i.e. British countryside and see something besides airports. There are other factors IMO than just price - seeing the countryside in between Dublin and London could be priceless.

GeoffHamer

The inclusive train and ship fares are very good value, and will be much cheaper than buying separate train tickets. They are available for both ferry companies:
www.irishferries.co.uk
www.stenaline.co.uk

CubFanAlways

Thanks the for many and quick replies!

The seat61 website is about ½ as much as the a la carte method. I also found the place on the Irish Ferries website about their “SailRail” program. Oddly, it cannot be booked on-line. I have to either email or call.

I wished I had stated in my first post that we don’t wish to fly; we intentionally are seeking the train and ferry. Sorry I didn’t state that up front because it was such an obvious possibility that several of you mentioned.

Man_in_seat_61

The £30.50 price includes both train from London to Holyhead and the ferry to Dublin. The price doesn't change, it's always £30.50, peak or off-peak.

The 09:10 London Euston to Holyhead is an ar-conditioned Voyager train with T-Mobile WiFi and comfortable seating with tables. I got lots of work done on the leisurely 3h40 min trip from central London to Holyhead, and still managed to see the great scenery along the N Wales coast.

Then I paid an extra £14.50 for the Club Lounge on the Irish Feries ship Ulysses, and caught up on my reading over complimentary smoked salmon caapes and red wine, whilst I watched the coast of Ireland approach from the lounge's excellent forward view.

Fly? Why put yourself through 4 hours of stress of airports and flights, see nothing, and miss a chance to relax?

The train fare from central London 30 miles out to the airport is £13 alone, without the flight!

Fashionista

Man_in_seat_61 why is that fair not showing up on the National Rail Enquiry site? Do you have to purchase through a special route?

Palenque

Man in seat 61 - what is to prevent folks from buying such a ticket and then say getting off in Chester or Crewe? A good fare for no advance purchase needed it seems and would be subject to abuse?