Transition from Ireland to Scotland
 

I am just starting to plan a trip to Ireland and Scotland in December 2014. I think I was very naive thinking it was simple and easy to take a car into a ferry for the transition from Ireland to Scotland, but going through several fodorit’s reports I found that nobody does that. There must be a reason.
I hate to flight in the middle of a vacation, it is practically a whole day lost, with added stress, while driving one enjoys the scenery, make stops, talk to locals.
I would appreciate comments and suggestions on that.
Thank you!

It is very easy to take a car from Belfast to Cairnryan in Dumfries and Galloway, here is a frequent car ferry service.

Cheap, it is not. The faces when we have checked have been around £300 return. I am unsure about the time you have available or your intended route but we have in the past used a circuit of Cairnryan to Belfast ferry, drive to Dublin then ferry to Liverpool and drive back up to Dimfries and Galloway.

There is also a car ferry route from Troon to Larne.

I go to Southport regularly and wouldn't use the Dublin Liverpool (20 miles from Southport) route.. Always go Dublin/Dun Laogahire-Holyhead far quicker and cheaper all in.

Basically you can take a car over the Irish Sea.. BUT you have also to bring it back.. as above the cost of extra insurance, recovery and breakdown cover etc then the ferry cost for the car can be extortionate..
Rail and Sail, Coach and Sail from Dublin or Belfast are options where you can look out the window and get the scenery. flights can be quicker but tend to cost a lot more once baggage has been accounted into the price..

Time is a factor, Itineraries are a factor.. but at least you have a couple of straight edges on the jigsaw only you have the picture of..

And before you even consider taking a car across (I personally wouldn't) . . . What sort of itinerary are you thinking about?

A driving trip through Scotland . . . in December . . . might not be your best option.

Being fair Olga comes from Norse so Scandinavian or Colder parts of Eastern Europe, driving in snow, no problems..

>>Being fair Olga comes from Norse so Scandinavian or Colder parts of Eastern Europe, <<

Uh - not according to her profil . . . Miami FL. Not a lot of wintry driving in south Florida ;)

oops - profil<B>e

Being realistic Scandanvia is able to to maintain its road system adequately during winter. Something the UK always fails to do. We were severely reprimanded by the EU 18 months ago for allowing Euroroutes to be closed in Scotland. All this will of course change when Alex Salmond is in charge of an independent Scotland. The roads will have central heating systems and we have all been promised a Porsche SUV for anyone over 18, can't wait!

In answer to the OP, I think most people look at the time and cost involved with a car ferry then dump the hire car in Ireland, take a low cost flight for £50 and land in Scotland 30 minutes later.

Wow! I am very happily surprised of all the helpful and quick replies. Thanks a lot. I was already checking ferry prices and yes, looks like around 400-500 euros for 4 adults and a small car. I think Rail and Sail is more of a tempting option....I'll start researching in that direction. Any input will be greatly appreciated as well.
No snow in Miami so far :)

>>Any input will be greatly appreciated as well.<<

Hard to give any sort of useful suggestions/advice w/o knowing a lot more. Like how many days? What sorts of things do you want to see/do?

You do realize how short the days will be - right?

Was referring to the Name's origin and tongue in cheek..

I use Rail and sail a few times a year (including Christmas's in the past) and always use Stena Line.. it depends though where you are starting that part.. you can get the train or coach links from Dublin or Belfast but the boat goes from the north.. could be a problem if you start hiring your car in the south..

I think that we are going to spend 3 nights in Dublin without car. Then rent a car for 3 days road trip including Moher Cliffs and some sites around. Return the car in Dublin and go by coach or train (if available) to Belfast, expend one night and then Rail and Sail to Edinburgh for 3 days and back to Dublin for one night before flying back home.
This plan is not written on stone, it is still preliminary.
I have to know yet how long the rail and sail trip takes.

>>go by coach or train (if available) to Belfast, expend one night and then Rail and Sail to Edinburgh for 3 days and back to Dublin for one night before flying back home.<<

I personally think this is a TERRIBLE plan.

Look at a map. You will be in Dublin which is a very short flight from Edinburgh . . . yet you want to take a train to Belfast, take a ferry to SW Scotland (and do you REALLY want to be taking a ferry through possible stormy/wintry seas?? ), then a train to Glasgow, then changing stations in Glasgow, then another train to Edinburgh . . .

Just get on a plane at DUB and get off at EDI . . . easy peasy. and at a fraction the cost and a TINY fraction of the time.

janisj, that means there is not direct rail from SW Scotland to Edinburgh??? Will I have to change station in Glasgow? uhmmmm, I'll have to re-think my TERRIBLE plan. Or may be not! If I can layover in Glasgow long enough for sightseeing.
I'll check prices....
How long do you estimate the whole rail and sail from Belfast to Glasgow? (I definitely want to visit Belfast too).
I hate flying in the middle of my vacation, dealing with airports, security and all that. Is the possibility of stormy/wintry seas as unpredictable as all weather related issues in Ireland or is it highly probably?
You sound very knowledgeable, I do appreciate your comments, and will be looking forward to more.

We did the Rail and Sail from Edinburgh to Dublin, back in the summer of 2007.
It went something like this:
Departed Edinburgh from Waverly Station at 10:15 AM.

Arrived at Glasgow Queen Street Station about 10:50 and departed from Glasgow Central at 11:42. A BRISK walk left BARELY enough time for a FAST toilet break. No refreshments on train.

Arrived at Stranraer Ferry Port Office (about 100 feet from the train)about 2:30 PM. The ferry office had 1 or 2 mostly empty vending machines for refreshment.

Departed Stranraer about 3:15 PM and arrived at Belfast around 4:30 PM. Stena's HSS is a marvel. Below deck it probably looks like any vehicle ferry -- I can't say, never having seen it --BUT, above deck it looked every bit as luxurious as any cruise ship. The main walkways were hardwood floored, while the seating areas along either side were softly carpeted. There were two 'quiet areas' with wide screen TVs showing movies -- one for kids and the other for older folk. There were numerous snack bars and restaurants (I counted at least four) and a pretty good sized gift shop. We sat forward, on the starboard side and ate toasted panninis

In Belfast, we shared a taxi with a couple from California that took us to the Belfast Central Train Station and grabbed a bite to eat.

The Enterprise train departed promptly at 6:10 PM and we arrived at Dublin Connolly right at 8:15.

Co-incidentally, my wife's Cousins (from Cork) Departed Waverly Station about 10:00 AM -- on the Airport Shuttle Bus, flew back to Cork Airport and drove about 40 minutes home -- where they enjoyed a DELIGHTFUL. Late Lunch -- about 1 PM!

. . . and ItalianChauffer's trip was in summer when the entire journey was in daylight. You will be doing it in December when the sun sets around 3:30 PM.

>>If I can layover in Glasgow long enough for sightseeing. <<

To have any time for sightseeing, you'd have to stay over at least one night in Glasgow which means you'll have almost no time for Edinburgh.

>>I hate flying in the middle of my vacation, dealing with airports, security and all that. Is the possibility of stormy/wintry seas as unpredictable as all weather related issues in Ireland or is it highly probably?<<

Almost no one relishes flying -- it just isn't fun anymore. But my goodness - an hour's flight or traveling for HOURS - in the winter. No one can predict the weather - but the chances for winter storms is higher than the chance of nice weather. And the short daylight is a given - nothing will change that. You would lose an entire day out of an already very short trip.

I personally would not waste time in either Belfast nor Glasgow (even though I really enjoy Glasgow)

Bus Timetable Dublin to Edinburgh http://www.buseireann.ie/inner.php?id=250#Dublin - Glasgow - Edinburgh costs €45 single http://www.stenaline.ie/ferries-to-britain/coach-sail Get off in Belfast on the way back for a day/night?

2 Nights Dublin,, mad 3 day road trip http://goo.gl/maps/70wJX

I have done early am flight to edi out of dub. Edi is an easy airport and the new tram takes you into the city. One hour flight and you would be there for lunch. My friends from IOM get delayed or cancelled often in the winter on the ferry but it is an adventure.

Olga, I don't like flying either and try to avoid it if at all possible, but there are times it is the easiest and most sensible option.

In November (when I sometimes travel the Irish Sea) there is a lot of upheaval on the ferry routes due to stormy seas. Some boats are cancelled, some delayed and many unpleasant...

If you are going somewhere with a flight link like Edinburgh, I would see no need to take the boat, the flight won't waste a day at all, as mentioned above you would lose only a part of your morning with the flight whereas you would lose the whole day and more with the boat, and take a big risk on whether indeed it would sail.