Bikes on ferries - hand luggage?

mayan

I'm heading over to wales for a weekend to meet some friends, on the ferry from Dublin to Holyhead. Planning on taking the bike to save money on the ferry, then I'll cycle onto Betws y Coed where we're staying.
The foot passenger price is 30 or 40 euros, and to take a bike is 10 euros extra each way.
Im thinking of packing the bag into a smallish bike bag and just walking on with it. I cant find any limits on hand luggage, I'd have 2 smallish panniers and a bike bag. It takes 10mins to pack it up and put it away so its no big hassle and this would save me 20 quid.

Has anyone done this, or know if it would cause any problems?

thanks

cdaly_

Usual thing with ferries AIUI is to cycle it up the car ramp and stow on the car deck...

monument

There's no limits on hand luggage on ferries.

Mint Sauce

On the fast ferry normal luggage for passengers is stowed. Hand luggage is unlimited. Not sure what a bike bag would be classed as.

But with a bike you just ride on (i joined with the motorbikes last time I went), and ride off once the doors open, once on the car deck its just a case of finding a point to secure your bike to, asking permission from the staff first.

Am sure its similar for the slow ferry, although last time we were late (got the train to hollyhead), bike was loaded on to a truck with other stowed luggage, and passengers bussed on.

titanan

The Ferry company don't usually let you take large hand luggage on board, they usually take it and store it, only allowing smallish type bags and rucksacks to be carried on board.

With Stenaline all luggage and bikes are placed in a van which travels over in the ferry to Wales and unload at the terminal building.

Irish Ferries let you ride the bike up the ramp on to the ship, where you tie or bunjee it up.

Both these companies sell a sail and rail ticket which for one ticket price both you and bike can go to any UK train station as your final destination.

http://m.irishferries.com/mobile/en/dublin-holyhead/deals.aspx

http://www.stenaline.ie/ferry/rail-and-sail/holyhead/

titanan

monument wrote: »

There's no limits on hand luggage on ferries.

But there is a limit to what you can actually carry on board with you.

Health and safety regulations is what they quote to passengers when relieving them of oversized and cumbersome luggage.

C3PO

titanan wrote: »

The Ferry company don't usually let you take large hand luggage on board, they usually take it and store it, only allowing smallish type bags and rucksacks to be carried on board.

With Stenaline all luggage and bikes are placed in a van which travels over in the ferry to Wales and unload at the terminal building.

This happened to me last year! I had bought a new Pinarello from a guy on ebay. Agreed to meet him in Hollyhead. Got the ferry over and brought a bike bag under my arm. Met him in the terminal, checked the bike out and loosely packed it into the bag assuming that I could just roll it on and off the ferry! But when I got to check-in they insisted that the bag had to be jammed into the back of a van with piles of other luggage for the trip! Not a happy camper! Thankfully the bike survived unscathed but it was a worrying couple of hours!

mayan

Thanks for the replies...

I know i can just walk up and roll my bike on, but that will cost an extra 10 euros each way (for both stenaline and irish ferries).

It sounds like i could bag it and walk on with it as hand luggage, but it will get stowed so i'd have to make sure it gets padded so it doesnt get crushed....I'll then need to carry all the padding with me for the return journey.

If I pay the extra 10 each way, it means i wont have to pack the bike up and worry about it getting squashed.

Tau

mayan wrote: »

If I pay the extra 10 each way, it means i wont have to pack the bike up and worry about it getting squashed.

It is worth it. Besides the risk of it getting squashed, there is something deeply offensive about taking a bicycle, a beautiful, elegant piece of technology that can transport you hundreds of miles under your own power and putting it in a bike bag, whereupon it becomes the most awkward, unweildy, unpleasant thing to have with you that you can imagine.

Besides, there's something fun about cycling on and off the ferry.

Mint Sauce

Tau wrote: »

It is worth it. Besides the risk of it getting squashed, there is something deeply offensive about taking a bicycle, a beautiful, elegant piece of technology that can transport you hundreds of miles under your own power and putting it in a bike bag, whereupon it becomes the most awkward, unweildy, unpleasant thing to have with you that you can imagine.

Besides, there's something fun about cycling on and off the ferry.

Just be sure not to get your tyres caught in the grills of the metal deck if on a road bike. very nearly did this.

mayan

Thanks folks,
I think you're right, for the extra hassle of carrying a bag and packing material with me, its not worth it.
So I reckon I'll pay the extra and cycle my beautiful and elegant piece of technology on and off the ferry!

thanks

L'Enfer du Nord

Cycled to Betws y Coed last years myself. I agreed unless you're on a very tight budget, bike bag isn't worth the hassle.

For some reason we couldn't cycle on to the ferry on the way. Instead our bikes were put on a van and we picked them up on the otherside. Can't quite remember why. I think it some thing to do with have to check our other luggage in.

Anyway we were able to cycle onto the ferry on the way back.

Not sure if you're on MTBs but there's some great trails around Betws y Coed.

michaelm

mayan wrote: »

Thanks for the replies...

I know i can just walk up and roll my bike on, but that will cost an extra 10 euros each way (for both stenaline and irish ferries).

For what it's worth I have done this twice in the last year - just on a day trip cycling around Anglesey (great day out by the way) - and wasn't charged for the bike on either occasion. Cycling on and off the ferry is a great feeling also.

CramCycle

L'Enfer du Nord wrote: »

For some reason we couldn't cycle on to the ferry on the way. Instead our bikes were put on a van and we picked them up on the otherside. Can't quite remember why. I think it some thing to do with have to check our other luggage in.

Anyway we were able to cycle onto the ferry on the way back.

same as myself, got the sail and rail, propped up at the luggage desk when I arrived in Holyhead.

The girl at the desk told me they try and avoid people cycling up as people have slipped on the surface before, LD Lines make you dismount and walk the ramp, for this reason. I do enjoy cycling out when you get the chance although the lorries could be intimidating to some people.

Seve OB

mayan wrote: »

The foot passenger price is 30 or 40 euros, and to take a bike is 10 euros extra each way.

I dont understand that you are so worried about saving a tenner by carrying on your bike but at the same time, the tenner difference in main fare price doesn't seem to bother you at all

justo

mayan wrote: »

I'm heading over to wales for a weekend to meet some friends, on the ferry from Dublin to Holyhead. Planning on taking the bike to save money on the ferry, then I'll cycle onto Betws y Coed where we're staying.
The foot passenger price is 30 or 40 euros, and to take a bike is 10 euros extra each way.
Im thinking of packing the bag into a smallish bike bag and just walking on with it. I cant find any limits on hand luggage, I'd have 2 smallish panniers and a bike bag. It takes 10mins to pack it up and put it away so its no big hassle and this would save me 20 quid.

Has anyone done this, or know if it would cause any problems?

thanks

Hope you don't mind going off topic but I'm doing the same trip in late April.

Have you found any good day trips from Betws y Coed? From a preliminary search I have only found this resource: http://www.cyclingnorthwales.co.uk/pages/rte_betws.htm

I'm not doing off road stuff, of which there seems to be loads, but looking for a few nice 100k day trips, or there abouts.

I'd appreciate any you may know and I can share any I find..

Thanks.

2x4

How much time do you have on Anglesey on a day trip? There use to be an early ferry at 6.30am which gave you a good ten hours before the return ferry. Plenty of time to climb the Llanberis Pass in Snowdonia and see a bit of Anglesey as well. Great cycling country.

LordSutch

cdaly_ wrote: »

Usual thing with ferries AIUI is to cycle it up the car ramp and stow on the car deck...

Precisely, and I have done it myself many times before between Ireland & Britain (Stena & B&I ferries). I always leave my panniers on the bike (minus any valuables), and take my rucksack up the stairs into the public area for the trip, no extra charge, pretty straightforward too.

Enjoy.

mayan

I dont understand that you are so worried about saving a tenner by carrying on your bike but at the same time, the tenner difference in main fare price doesn't seem to bother you at all

I dont understand what your point is?

Im looking to minimise my fare, simple.
As a foot passeger, the stenaline price is 32 euros each way, the irish ferries price is 37 euros each way. Stenaline charge an extra 8 euros for the bike each way, irish ferries charge 10 each way. So im looking at basic price of between 64 and 74 euros, and to register the bike (as opposed to taking it on as hand luggage) would cost me an extra 16 or 20 euros.
From the posts here, it sounds like the extra cost is worth it to minimise the hassle.

As to day trips etc, I probably wont be biking, think we'll hike up snowdon, maybe go mtbing for a few hours, but i think this trip is mostly going to revolve around drinking!

Seve OB

mayan wrote: »

but i think this trip is mostly going to revolve around drinking!

the best trips always are

dshalloo

Similar query on the sailrail and bikes,

heading off next week, and worried about my bike on UK rail has anyone any experience in this

Any help much appreciated

Captain Havoc

dshalloo wrote: »

Similar query on the sailrail and bikes,

heading off next week, and worried about my bike on UK rail has anyone any experience in this

Any help much appreciated

They put it in the guard carriage.

dshalloo

Should have been more specific!

Who do you identify what rail company you will be using with your sail rail so that you can book your bike on! and I dont end up missing all my conecting trains

CramCycle

dshalloo wrote: »

Should have been more specific!

Who do you identify what rail company you will be using with your sail rail so that you can book your bike on! and I dont end up missing all my conecting trains

Only Virgin need to have it prebooked AFAIK but you can pick it up (a pass) in the station before you board at the ticket desk. Most trains there have at least two spaces, and will let on more if they can fit in beside, Virgin have loads of room but there conductors are notorious for being picky about the not having a pass, even if your the only person on the train (according to every passenger and staff member I talked to about Virgin).

Mint Sauce

CramCycle wrote: »

Only Virgin need to have it prebooked AFAIK but you can pick it up (a pass) in the station before you board at the ticket desk. Most trains there have at least two spaces, and will let on more if they can fit in beside, Virgin have loads of room but there conductors are notorious for being picky about the not having a pass, even if your the only person on the train (according to every passenger and staff member I talked to about Virgin).

I contacted the rail company after booking my sail rail tickets. Holyhead to london was Aviva Wales (i think) and Virgin. Aviva service had more bikes on than train would allow, but had my confirmation number should guard had questioned it, also had confirmation for Virgin leg of journey. London to Holyhead was Virgin all the way.

Cant remember which one, but one of them allowed me to book on line, other I rang the customer service desk at holyhead, was allowed to book bike 3 months in advance, time when timetables are released.

Bike spaces were at one end of two of the train carriages, rather than the guard van.

Was not asked on any of the trains for my confirmation, even dispite the extra number of bikes on the Aviva service. Wish it was that easy and free on this side of the water.

CramCycle

The last time I used Aviva myself and 2 MTBers were jammed into a middle carriage because the bike rack was full, the guard let it slide for whatever reason and was generally nice.

I had no problems with Virgin except sprinting to the ticket office in cleats as I only was told of the pre booking on the platform, you are meant to leave your booking ticket onto your bike, either with tape or by some other forms, one of the conductors warned me that they could theoretically take my bike off the train and leave it at whatever station they were at. The guard on any Virgin train I have been on has never checked AFAIK but every customer and member of staff (non virgin) seemed to think they were generally sticklers for the rules but I never came across it, I am just passing on the general fear of the british in regards to Virgin.

gaffmaster

Sorry to resurrect a zombie thread but...

I'll be making the trip from London to Dublin and back via Rail and Sail.

I've booked my bike space on the trains. I'll pay the extra to bring the bike on the ferry at the terminal. My question is:

Do I need a lock - for securing the bike on the ferry and on the trains?

Also - I want to bring my newish carbon road bike, but also have an older entry level alu road bike. The carbon frame will be fine on these modes of transport, right?

OleRodrigo

On the trains there is no need to lock it, I would try and get a seat close to the bike area however. The biggest threat is from other passengers dumping luggage/ parking their bike in the same area and hitting off it.

The ferry is fine. I would bring a lock just to secure the bike in place. When you embark, you will be with the car traffic and the stewards will guide you to one of the decks to park. Do whatever you can do to secure it from falling over. The decks are locked during the journey, but I'd take any panniers/ saddlebag up with you to the accomodation area anyway.

Taking the above into consideration, I cant see any reason not to take the carbon.

cdaly_

Last sail/rail trip I did, I brought a cable lock for on the trains. I wasn't sitting in sight of the bike so I thought it worthwhile. It's also handy for preventing it from falling over.

For the ferry, I went Stena Line (IIRC). They told me the bike had to go in the luggage van 'cos the ferry port wasn't suitable for cycling. I'm not sure which end.

At Dublin, I had to go outside to hand the bike to the luggage handlers but I was just beside where the motorbikes were queuing. I reckon I could have just slipped in among them and boarded via the car ramp.

At Holyhead, they told me to give the bike to a baggage handler (mostly 'cos I said I had no hi-vis even though the bike was well lit :rolleyes: ). When I got around to him, he was happy for me to cycle the 1.5km to the boat and board with the motorbikes so that's what I did. Suited me better as I didn't have to await baggage reclaim at the other side.

CramCycle

Same as cdaly, told to give it to the luggage handlers but the last time I just cycled round and the ticket guy didn't care. It is far quicker as the passage bus and luggage is always last off. Generally I found that the people directing cars held traffic and let me out first. It can be steep enough coming off in Dublin and if it's raining you will be asked to walk across the metal part.

There is piping at either end where you will see motorbikes hanging about. I used a bungee cord but there is usually rope there for tying things and on the way back one of the handlers came down and threw it to me for extra.

I brought my mini kryptonite, in the trains I just looped it through the front wheel to the bike stand. One train had a carriage for stuff. The ticket man said it was safe in there but I hung out near the door regardless.