BootsnAll Travel Community

What's the easiest and cheapest way to get to Ireland from England?

I prefer not to fly, and I don't have a problem with spending a night on a Ferry because it would mean NOT paying for a hostel.

When I was looking last summer, the cheapest way I could find was to take a Eurolines bus, which connects with a ferry in Wales. If memory serves, it was something stupid like 16 hours from London to Dublin, and was only about C$10 cheaper than flying Ryanair (after factoring in transport to/from the airports...the flight itself was cheaper than the bus). Eurolines tickets from the UK can be purchased through National Express.

If I was doing it again, I'd probably go the bus route, but taking my time and stopping in a few places in England and Wales, which would probably up the cost, but make it interesting. If you're travelling in England, just plan your route out so you end up in Wales (I can't remember the name of the port, but it's probably pretty close to the nearest point to Ireland). Enjoy Ireland. It's amazing.

There are trains from all over England that go to Holyhead in Wales where you can catch a ferry to Dublin. Im not too sure on the prices. If you want a short ferry ride take the Stena HSS from Holyhead to Dun Laoghaire. Its faster than the one that goes to Dublin and Dun Laoghaire is just down the DART (train) line from Dublin.

If it's the Republic of Ireland you target, go for Eurolines. Direct busses from London, Birmingham, Chester, Manchester or Liverpool. Ferry included (Holyhead-Dublin) it takes not much longer than 7 or 8 hours, and is much cheaper than a plane. I live in Ireland myself but used Eurolines to go to a concert in Liverpool, and it cost me only 40 euros (approx 27/28 pounds sterling)! Plus, the ferry between Holyhead-Wales and Dublin is quite pleasant.

Look into this-- SailRail it was cheaper than Ryan and Lingus when we were going. Its fun and really fast for ground transport (much better than Eurolines).
25 GBP from London to Dublin--on VirginTrains and StenaLine High Speed Ferry (including local connection to Dublin from the ferry terminal point.

Look at BMI for air specials, too...