Sail and Rail --- Dublin to Cardiff or Brighton

smeedyova

Hi all, I've never done this and am looking for a few tips.

1. Seems you can't buy tickets online...how does this work?

2. Am trying to decide between holidays in Cardiff or Brighton. Would prefer Brighton, but seems a lot of hassle with sail and rail (at least 3 changes). Is there an easier way to sail and rail to Brighton?

3. Has anybody taken the train from Holyhead to Cardiff? Is it a nice journey?

4. Do the ferries/trains all link up?

Thanks!

Daegerty

smeedyova wrote: »

Hi all, I've never done this and am looking for a few tips.

1. Seems you can't buy tickets online...how does this work?

2. Am trying to decide between holidays in Cardiff or Brighton. Would prefer Brighton, but seems a lot of hassle with sail and rail (at least 3 changes). Is there an easier way to sail and rail to Brighton?

3. Has anybody taken the train from Holyhead to Cardiff? Is it a nice journey?

4. Do the ferries/trains all link up?

Thanks!

1. You show up there on the day and buy your ticket - this will work if its not extremely busy. Else you can phone them and pay by laser or credit card

2. Brighton is a long way away. Could go Hollyhead->Euston, underground to Victoria and then on to brighton. Its doable though apparently although if you have a lot of stuff with you that can be a torment on the underground. What i'd be worried about here is getting back, would have to leave fierce early in the morning or else get a night ferry home

3. Yes it is, a scenic ruite if you go when the weather is good. Virgin 125mph trains are fairly comfortable

4. Most of them do but you could be waiting half an hour or a bit longer at some of the places you'd have to change. Like you'll have to change in Crewe or some place

Also avoid going on sunday. Very few trains then

Fratton Fred

The Hollyhead to Cardiff train is quite slow and laborious. It isn't an intercity train so won't have the Buffet car that the Virgin trains do. It probably won't have power points either.

For Cardiff, you might want to consider Fishguard.

jjbrien

Fratton Fred wrote: »

For Cardiff, you might want to consider Fishguard.

I second this if your going to cardiff head down to rosslare and get the ferry to fishguard there generally is a train waiting in the station when the Stena Line Ferry arrives in Fishguard

schemingbohemia

why do you want to go to cardiff? from all accounts (and my own opinion having been there for a match) there's not a lot to do/see there.

if you don't want a long trip why not go to bristol or bath? nicer cities especially the latter.

formernyer

smeedyova wrote: »

1. Seems you can't buy tickets online...how does this work?

You can buy tickets online from the ferry companies, e.g., http://www.irishferries.com/ie/sailrail.asp