Travelling between Glasgow and Dublin
Dec 15th, 2012, 04:44 AM
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Jul 2005
Posts: 47
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Travelling between Glasgow and Dublin
How does one get from Glasgow, Scotland to Dublin, Ireland? Plane? Ferry? What are the time constraints and costs? Do we have to travel to Blackpool, England? Is there a train from Glasgow to Blackpool? As you can see I have lots of questions 
Dec 15th, 2012, 05:33 AM
#2
Join Date: Apr 2003
Posts: 17,268
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
There are dozens of flights between the two. Just go to the Dublin airport website for details .
You seem to be confusing Liverpool (one of the world's great ports and a gateway for ships to Ireland since 1207) and Blackpool (a seedy resort). Both have flights to Dublin: Liverpool has never really been a sensible place for foot passengers travelling between the Dublin area and Strathclyde: the sea journey is lengthy and often rough.
Like Irish aggressors attacking Britain in the Dark Ages, anyone wanting a surface route to Scotland will do better going to the Belfast area and then crossing to Scotland by sea. Modern travellers then need an onward train to Glasgow. But it'll take a great deal longer and cost more than just plain flying.
You seem to be confusing Liverpool (one of the world's great ports and a gateway for ships to Ireland since 1207) and Blackpool (a seedy resort). Both have flights to Dublin: Liverpool has never really been a sensible place for foot passengers travelling between the Dublin area and Strathclyde: the sea journey is lengthy and often rough.
Like Irish aggressors attacking Britain in the Dark Ages, anyone wanting a surface route to Scotland will do better going to the Belfast area and then crossing to Scotland by sea. Modern travellers then need an onward train to Glasgow. But it'll take a great deal longer and cost more than just plain flying.
Dec 15th, 2012, 06:24 AM
#3
Original Poster
Join Date: Jul 2005
Posts: 47
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
The bit about going by sea is exactly what I wanted to hear. Thank you. I didn't think one could just go to N. Ireland.
I just chose Blackpool by looking on the map for what was straight across from Dublin. Flying sounds like the way to go.
Just curious - how long of a ferry ride is it? Hours?
I just chose Blackpool by looking on the map for what was straight across from Dublin. Flying sounds like the way to go.
Just curious - how long of a ferry ride is it? Hours?
Dec 15th, 2012, 09:06 AM
#4
Dec 15th, 2012, 11:18 AM
#6
Original Poster
Join Date: Jul 2005
Posts: 47
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
No not going to N. Ireland. I just got home from picking up maps at my local AAA. Coincidentally spoke to an agent there who happened to be Scottish. I told her the same thing about N. Ireland. She told me that I was just thinking about the '80s and earlier when there were border crossings amidst all the violence with the IRA. She said that it's all changed and you can go to N. Ireland although there has been some violence cropping up the last couple of weeks.
Dec 15th, 2012, 12:00 PM
#7
Join Date: May 2005
Posts: 19,881
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
The border between Northern Ireland and the Republic were never closed even at the height of the Troubles. And even at the height of the Troubles there were less murders per capita than in the US
Dec 15th, 2012, 02:06 PM
#9
Join Date: Aug 2008
Posts: 2,784
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
A "seedy resort", especially beside the sea shore, is as genuine a component of the English national heritage as Big Ben. Think chilly beaches, late-night chips (ie. French fries), naughty weekends, cold toast at breakfast, and the working class having as much fun as they were allowed. See it while it lasts, since many inclusive holidays are now spent getting pretty much the same experience on the admittedly sandier beaches of southeast Spain. But I'm not coming with you, to either pleasure dome, not even in the spirit of anthropology.
Dec 15th, 2012, 03:34 PM
#11
Original Poster
Join Date: Jul 2005
Posts: 47
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Well thanks everyone. I got quite a chuckle out of the N.Korea crack. I actually said that to the AAA agent i.e., that for some reason I thought one could not just drive into N. Ireland.
And I totally agree with the comment about violence in N. Ireland compared to that in the USA. ESPECIALLY after the shooting in Connecticut yesterday. We SUCK at gun control. Thanks again.
And I totally agree with the comment about violence in N. Ireland compared to that in the USA. ESPECIALLY after the shooting in Connecticut yesterday. We SUCK at gun control. Thanks again.
Dec 16th, 2012, 06:45 AM
#13
Original Poster
Join Date: Jul 2005
Posts: 47
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
So now. What's the best place to get train tickets from Glasgow to London and back? NationalRail or one of the multitude of sites that come up when I google it. Sure isn't like the US where you just go to Amtrak a buy a ticket. While we're at it, can anyone just give me a ballpark figure of how much it costs, one way to take the train? Thanks.
Dec 16th, 2012, 06:58 AM
#14
Join Date: Aug 2012
Posts: 1,418
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Simplest thing is to use http://www.nationalrail.co.uk/ choose a train and price you want and then you'll be directed to the operator's site - most likely Virgin for the west coast mainline.
Even consider taking a overnight sleeper if you want to save on hotel accommodation. But all times and prices will be on nationalrail, though tickets may only be on sale for up to March at the moment.
A ball park figure is pointless (£40 to £200 probably), depending when you book, what train, what type of ticket and what class you want.
Even consider taking a overnight sleeper if you want to save on hotel accommodation. But all times and prices will be on nationalrail, though tickets may only be on sale for up to March at the moment.
A ball park figure is pointless (£40 to £200 probably), depending when you book, what train, what type of ticket and what class you want.
Dec 16th, 2012, 07:03 AM
#15
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 4,416
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Just use the operator's site, www.virgintrains.co.uk. There is no handling charge or credit card fee. If you book in advance (from around 3 months before), you can get cheap Advance ticket (for a particular train) that's a lot cheaper than walk-on fare (Anytime single or return).
Cheapest Advance fare is £21 one-way, which restricts you to afternoon departure, and £42 to £54 for morning trains. For Anytime ticket, it's between £63.35 to £169 single (double for r/t). You can book online and collect the tickets at a nominated train station (e.g. Glasgow Central). You need the card used for booking plus booking code.
Cheapest Advance fare is £21 one-way, which restricts you to afternoon departure, and £42 to £54 for morning trains. For Anytime ticket, it's between £63.35 to £169 single (double for r/t). You can book online and collect the tickets at a nominated train station (e.g. Glasgow Central). You need the card used for booking plus booking code.
Dec 18th, 2012, 05:27 PM
#16
Join Date: Dec 2012
Posts: 1
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Check out sailrail.co.uk For 38GBP you can travel from any rail station in the UK to Holyhead and then by ferry to Dublin. We did that 2 years ago and it was great. We will use it again this May. The ferry port is a very short walk from the rail station and the ferry was quite comfortable with plenty of seating and space to walk about.
