The first week of November two friends and I are traveling from Manchester to Dublin and then back to England. I really can not decide about the best way to cross to Ireland and back. Part of me wants to do the ferry/train one way and fly the other way. Any thoughts? We are short on time, but also the types who like the adventure.

I forgot to mention....when we go back to England...we go to London.

Depends on the amount of Baggage Rail and Sail Manchester to Dublin and Dublin to London might be cheaper but will take a lot longer.

Flying from Manchester (or Liverpool) would give options for other arrival and departure points on the Island of Ireland. How long will you be over here for??

Are you trying to get to Dublin -- or somewhere else in Ireland?

Ferry or flying over would partly depend on your final destination.

For back to London - fly.

The only ferries taking foot passengers to the Dublin area require either a messy mixture of train and taxi to a horrid dock in a Birkenhead suburb or a lengthy train journey to Holyhead. They both take forever, have zero visual attraction on even the finest spring day and in early November will probably involve a murky six hours on a ship surrounded by passengers throwing up (the sea bit's shorter via Holyhead, but the train takes forever)

The Ireland-Britain sea crossing was a huge adventure for millions of Irishpeople in search of a new life (though, sadly, it's no longer possible to follow most of their footsteps since there's no longer a foot passenger service between Dublin and Liverpool). These days, even the most penniless in Ireland start their quest for fortune with a low-cost flight to London.

I can't begin to imagine what "adventure" you fantasise there might be on a ferry crossing. Whatever it is: you're deluding yourself. The ferry journey's nasty, brutish - and long.

The flight is so short and the ferry takes a long time....I would simply fly.

Word of warning...If you decide to go Irish ferries (I always use Stena Line these days) Do not book a seat in the lounge. These seats are designated and a 3 hour crossing can be nightmare if you end up sat next to a regular moaning joe.

You will find even penniless Irish more welcoming than some biggoted UK folk if the answers above are anything to go off.

The direct coach services (eurolines.com) do take a bit of hassle out of getting to the ports. If you book in advance it can be a really cheap trip.
But I doubt that it will make the journey any nicer -- cf. flanner's post on the pleasures of crossing the Irish Sea and the overall length of the trip.

If you want accurate, up to date information from someone who actually has experience of Rail and Sail from Manchester to Dublin and Dublin to Peterborough via London.. send me an email.

Thank you for all of your responses. I am thinking flying is the best option...your responses solidified it for me.

Flanneruk: looking for an adventure, not a glutton for punishment! Thanks!