Edinburgh to Dublin by train/bus/ferry?

Howdy all,

I've got a trip to Ireland and Scotland coming up later this month. I'll be connecting with my brother in Dublin and spending Sunday-Thursday there before flying to Edinburgh for a 5 day romp up to the Orkneys.

Where i'd love your help: Once we get back into Edinburgh, we're debating making our way cross country down to the coast and then catching a ferry across Stranraer -> Larne, before winding down towards Belfast and then back to Dublin. We'll have the 23-26th to get from Edinburgh to Dublin.

Any tips on must see places along the way? Any suggestions/words of warning about that Ferry crossing? Should we aim for trains or buses? Also, any hostels in the smaller towns along the way - or should we plan on keeping it to the big cities?

Thanks a ton!

I don't know if you have done this intentionally or not but there is a ferry from Stranraer directly to Belfast. It is run by Stena, a company which I have traveled with before and would recommend. As for the trip from Belfast to Dublin, I would suggest that if you plan on spending any time seeing Ireland on that leg then take a bus. Its slower and you get to see more. However if you just want to get back to Dublin take the train its faster.

Hi Landire, thanks for the post. Actually ended up just missing me - trip was fantastic though and did end up doing the Stranraer -> Belfast ferry. Largest fast ferry in the world or so they claim.

Then took a bus down to Dublin. Worked out great! Thanks for the post.