megdean

We will be traveling in Scotland and Ireland next year on a golf vacation. We are not clear on the best way to get from Glasgow to Galway. We will have golf clubs and suitcases. Flights are quite pricey when baggage charges are included. The ferry is intriguing, but it seems that car rentals have significant drop charges if we pick up in Northern Ireland and drop in Shannon (our departure city.) Any ideas are appreciated.

Rastaguytoday

Have you thought about car rentals in another city in Ireland proper, so you don't have the different country charges?

sofarsogood

once you've factored in ferry charges, car hire, one way drop off fees, petrol, plus the fact that it will take all day - you'll be better booking a cheap ticket and paying the baggage fees with www.flybe once tickets go on sale.

TheBigMan

Did you check out Aer Lingus Regional (Aer Arann) from Glasgow to Dublin then driving from there to Galway.

Man_in_seat_61

Go to www.arrivatrainswales.co.uk and you can book a ticket from Glasgow Central all the way to Galway, for £55.50 if you book ahead, £60.50 even if you booked the day before.

This is a SailRail tickets covering train from Glasgow to Holyhead, the Stena Line (or Irish Ferries) ferry over the sea to Dublin and an Irish train to Galway, with no airports, no flights.

You'd leave Glasgow in the morning, with nice scenery heading south on a 125 mph 'pendolino' train, change at somewhere like Crewe to reach Holyhead (the system will tell you), then a scenic run along the North Wales coast, often just yards from the beach (make sure you sit on the right hand side of the train for this bit!) right under the battlements of Conway Castle, over the famous Britannia Bridge onto Anglesey.

At Holyhead, the ferry terminal is at the rail station. The 14:05 sailing is the Stena Adventurer, restaurants, bars, cinema - upgrade to the VIP lounge with complimentary red and white wine, snacks and tea/coffee for around €18.

You arrive Dublin port 17:05, taxi or bus to Dublin's historic Heuston station for the evening air-conditioned Irish Rail express train to Galway.

Four countries in one day, a day with your feet up catching up on your reading!

megdean

Thank you for this information! Great options to look into. We did look at Aer Aran but i believe they did not fly on Sunday which is our travel day. Does that sound right? The train idea from man in seat 61 is intriguing. I appreciate the help.

TheIinTeam

It´s a real shame Loganair don´t operate out of Prestwick anymore, their flying portacabins were always good for a white knuckle ride

Personally I´m all with Man in seat 61.
The trip from Glasgow to Holyhead is definitely worth the effort and much more of an experience.

Practically I´d go with sofarsogood.
There are Flybe flights from Glasgow International to both Shannon and Dongegal which will get you to Galway a lot quicker but I have no idea about prices.

Depending on the time of year you intent to travel, how about taking a Seacat from my old hometown of Troon to Larne ?
You can play a round of golf in the morning, take the ferry to Larne and make your way to Galway from there.

Yes, this is a shameless plug for Ayrshire !
Time someone put it on the tourist map ....

megdean

Flybe had some good flights, so that is proabably what we will do. And I like the Troon idea! Though my friends are more interested in playing Turnberry or Prestwick. Sorry about that, ThelinTeam. By the way, we are traveling at the end of May 2014.

TheIinTeam

Hello megdean,

Troon and Prestwick need not to be mutually exclusive.
The towns are about 3 Miles apart, in fact Royal Troon and Old Prestwick golf courses are back to back.
The Seacat to Larne goes from March to October but it has to be said that it is susceptible to delay and cancellation due to adverse weather.

janisj

I'd skip Turnberry. As ThelinTeam says -- Troon and Old Prestwick are a natural duo.

I've taken several groups of golfing friends to Scotland over the years and most played Prestwick - really enjoyed the quirkiness (trains and all) - and a few played both Troon and Prestwick.

Easier to get on both of them than on Turnberry

TheIinTeam

LOL, nice one janisj !

Don´t forget Barassie, not many courses have a railway crossing, at least Prestick and Troon have an overpass.

Prestwick is also excellent for plain spotting, those things pass right overhead if the wind is blowing from the east.

megdean

Well, personally I am happy playing any Scottish course! The menfolk are responsible for picking the courses, and I know they were interested in Prestwick. I will pass on your comments

jaja

Flying into Ireland, check to see if you can fly to Knock. Much the closest to Galway.

megdean

jaja, looks like there is a direct flight from EDI to Knock. No direct flights from Glasgow, but it may be worth it to drive back to EDI. Thanks for the tip.