Quick question on Ferry/Train to London

SimonMaher

Hello all,

Quick one: Heading to London on February 20th (Sunday), back February 24th (Thursday). Heading out and back on Stena Adventurer and then by train to Euston.

How busy first of all are the ferries and trains at this time of year? I'll probably treat us to Stena Plus on Adventurer (its a rare break!). What is 1st class like on the services from Holyhead (both are no-change trains). Worth the extra few quid?

Also, if we go Sailrail, can you upgrade your train tickets on board or at the station?

Cheers,
Simon

LXFlyer

Virgin Trains direct services to/from Holyhead are operated by Voyagers. 1st Class has more leg room, and wider seats. You can upgrade on board at weekends for GBP 15 for which you get free snacks, drinks and wi-fi.

During the week you'll have to buy a separate 1st Class Advance ticket which for the 0910 service to Holyhead on Feb 24 will set you back GBP 54.00. You can buy online from www.virgintrains.co.uk For that you will get a free breakfast and food/drink. No weekday upgrades are available. The Sail/Rail ticket is only valid for standard class travel and cannot be upgraded on weekdays.

Vic_08

SimonfromPhantom wrote: »

Hello all,

Quick one: Heading to London on February 20th (Sunday), back February 24th (Thursday). Heading out and back on Stena Adventurer and then by train to Euston.

How busy first of all are the ferries and trains at this time of year? I'll probably treat us to Stena Plus on Adventurer (its a rare break!). What is 1st class like on the services from Holyhead (both are no-change trains). Worth the extra few quid?

Also, if we go Sailrail, can you upgrade your train tickets on board or at the station?

Cheers,
Simon

There will be no capacity problem on the ferries, the trains can fill up as they travel between Holyhead and Chester.

A good tip on the through Holyhead-London services if they get crowded is to change units at Chester, most services attach to a second unit there and it is normally far less crowded. AFAIK they also put all the seat reservations in the Holyhead part so alot of passengers joining at Chester also crowd onto that portion of the train leaving the front portion much quieter. There is no corridor connection between the units so getting off and changing at the station is the only way, as they connect up at Chester there is plenty of time to do this here, usually 5-10mns.


For your outbound trip there is a weekend first upgrade available (at £15) but I am not 100% if it is allowed with sailrail tickets, this is normally bought off the train manager so best advice would be to find him before the train departs Holyhead to make sure.

For your return on Thursday buying an advance first rail and seperate ferry port-port tickets is the only option you would have for cheap-ish 1st class. I am assuming you are looking at the 09.10 on the 24th, the cheapest advance 1st for this is £54 plus €30 for the ferry. If you want to do this you would be advised to book early as the advance fares are limited and tend to sell out

In this case an upgrade on your sailrail (if possible at all) would involve an excess of the difference in fares to an anytime 1st single which is £199.50 one way so it would be at least £150 on top of the sailrail single.

Mushy

http://www.virgintrains.co.uk/tickets-offers/dublin-trains-ferries/

Virgin Trains wrote:

Rail & Sail stuff you should know before you book:

First Class fares are not available. Any customers wishing to travel First Class should purchase separate rail and ferry tickets.

Reservations are compulsory on the sea crossing. Failure to obtain a reservation on the ferry may result in customers not being allowed to board the ferry.

For travel on all days it is recommended that seat reservations are made for the train.

In the event of the ferry arriving late in Holyhead, tickets will be valid on the first available rail service at no extra charge.

Railcard discounts are not available.

The Super Ferry to Dublin Port (for vehicles only) departs daily at 02:30 and 13:35.

No First Class apparently.

LXFlyer

I am pretty sure that any ticket is valid for a weekend upgrade to 1st Class on board the train and that the above restrictions apply on Monday/Friday only.

As Vic 08 says - check with the train manager on board.

SimonMaher

Thanks very much all. Going to book it all now.

Cheers,
Simon