Driving to Dorset, England

cormie

Hi,
I need to drive to Dorset in my van (less than 3m high and less than 6m long). Will need to pick something up on Tuesday before 6 and have it back in Dublin by Wednesday some time. Has anyone experience with such a journey? What's the best route to take?

Any feedback appreciated:)

mike65

Ferry to Fishguard, M4 across Severn bridge, turn south onto M5 as far as Taunton, take A358 till it connects with A303 near Illminster then A3088 at Stoke Sub-Handon to North Coker onto A37 and go south, you end up in Dorchester Dorset.

Mike.

cormie

Thanks a lot:) Any tolls on the way do you know?

killbillvol2

Severn Bridge is tolled. Don't think there are any others on that route. You only pay one way (coming back) and it's £5.10.

cormie

Ah that's not much then, thanks:)

mike65

I like the way you have to pay to get into Wales!

Mike.

cormie

Would it be just as easy to go to Pembroke instead of Fishguard? I think it's more southern than Fishguard? Do I need an IRL sticker for going to the UK?

Does anyone know the story with going by Ferry anyway? Can you turn up and pay as you go or do you have to book in advance? Not sure exactly when I want to go yet you see:)

Davidth88

No you don't need an IRL sticker , your number plates should have IRL on them already , assuming you don't have the really old number plates of course.

The white plates with the EU flag and IRL in blue flash down one side is fine.

No idea what availability is like on the ferries , but I would say you would be safe enough if it's not a Friday/Sat

Pembroke/Fishguard are very similar in distance / time, it depends which company you want to use I suppose.

Don't to forget to fill up before you leave gas is much cheaper this side of the St Georges's Channel

cormie

Davidth88 wrote:

No you don't need an IRL sticker , your number plates should have IRL on them already , assuming you don't have the really old number plates of course.

The white plates with the EU flag and IRL in blue flash down one side is fine.

No idea what availability is like on the ferries , but I would say you would be safe enough if it's not a Friday/Sat

Pembroke/Fishguard are very similar in distance / time, it depends which company you want to use I suppose.

Don't to forget to fill up before you leave gas is much cheaper this side of the St Georges's Channel

Cool thanks for the info:) Yup, even up the North fuel is pretty much the same digits as here (but in sterling:eek: )

John R

You should definitely book ahead, there is no way of telling which sailings may be booked out and it is now high season so there is a good chance of it happening. It also means you can just drive straight to check-in rather than having to park at the port to go inside and buy a ticket.

Unless there is a big price difference I would go Stena Line, they are altogether a better company.

You do realise that it is going to be the guts of €450 return.

cormie

John R wrote:

You should definitely book ahead, there is no way of telling which sailings may be booked out and it is now high season so there is a good chance of it happening. It also means you can just drive straight to check-in rather than having to park at the port to go inside and buy a ticket.

Unless there is a big price difference I would go Stena Line, they are altogether a better company.

You do realise that it is going to be the guts of €450 return.

Yep, damn expensive for a van but it has to be done!

jjbrien

You have more options with Stena Line going to Fishguard. 2 sailings a day with the Stena Europe or 3 a day with the Stena Express. The corssings are all faster than the Irish Ferries ones. I myself perfer stena line at least you get satff who speak english.

cormie

Ok cool, I think I'll go with www.directferries.ie Rosslare to Fishguard @ 8.00 and then returning at 11.30 the next morning:)

Does anyone know the story with booking/tickets? If I book with somebody elses credit card, will I need to bring that credit card for me to board or do I just need the credit card to book and they send tickets via email or how would it work?

John R

that website doesn't seem to quote for commercial vehicles. If you incorrectly book a van as a car/mpv/motorhome you may well have trouble boarding, they could charge you a supplement or cancel the booking completely.

Look on the stenaline website, the rates for commercial vehicles, even small vans are higher than for cars or motorhomes. If you are getting a significant reduction through one of the reseller websites (like the one you linked to) make sure that it is valid for your van. It is very unusual for the fares on any of those sites to be significantly cheaper than booking direct with the ferry companies.


When you book you will get a reference number or a printout that you hand in when you board, you will need photo ID as well, no need to present the credit card as payment is taken on booking.

cormie

Thanks for pointing that out but damn, it's shot from €430ish to €620 for the times I was planning on going, suppose I'll just have to stay a bit longer!

Is that it so? Irish Ferries and Stena Line?

cormie

jjbrien wrote:

You have more options with Stena Line going to Fishguard. 2 sailings a day with the Stena Europe or 3 a day with the Stena Express. The corssings are all faster than the Irish Ferries ones. I myself perfer stena line at least you get satff who speak english.

I've now been to England twice, the first with Stena and the second with Irish Ferries. I found Irish Ferries to be a lot more comfortable, it was cheaper too, and I think I'll choose them in future, there's plenty of places you can just sit down and sleep without having to pay extra for a cabin and stuff. There was also more to do on the Ferry aswell, cinema, games room etc. I just sat down and rested but it just seemed better over all. They also seemed to board and off load everyone much quicker too.