Does it take long to 'get through' Dublin Port ?

Spirogyra

Hi thinking of going to Fishgard. But time would be at a premium. I mean I'd be arriving about a half an hour before scheduled departure, possibly less. I'm thinking of the 8.45am Dublin Swift sailing. Never travelled by Ferry before. Is it a quick process from arrival to boat? any advice appreciated,thank,S

HeidiHeidi

Can't answer your question re speed of getting through Dublin Port.

But there's no ferry from Dublin to Fishguard. The Swift goes to Holyhead.

Spirogyra

Ok sorry, I've never travelled by Ferry before, my end destination will be Manchester.

HeidiHeidi

OK, then either Holyhead or Liverpool are your options - this website looks very useful http://www.directferries.ie/routes.htm

Liverpool - long ferry time, shorter drive,
Holyhead, very quick ferry options, longer drive.

Sorry, can't be any more help in terms of boarding time at the Dublin end.

XsApollo

Yea the process is very quick , drive to the box , show document and away you go

Vic_08

30 minutes is latest check-in for cars or foot passengers on Irish Ferries and Stena Line.

You might be allowed through a little beyond that but I wouldn't want to depend on it.

Irish Ferries wrote:

Sailing-check-in
Sailing-latest check-in times

Please note Irish Ferries use the 24 hour clock. Check-in times differ depending on the route etc. You must ensure that you are through the check-in point before the times advised below:

Great Britain / Ireland Routes – latest check-in time
Travelling with coach – 1 hour before departure
Travelling with any other vehicle type - 30 minutes before departure
Travelling on foot or cycling – 30 minutes before departure

http://www.irishferries.com/uk-en/faq/sailing-check-in/

elperello

XsApollo wrote: »

Yea the process is very quick , drive to the box , show document and away you go

It is very quick and if you don't have a printer just write your confirmation number from the email on a piece of paper and that will do. Also bring your passport if you have one just in case.

munchkin_utd

firstly, I understand your question because the ferry companies do not explain in the slightest what "checkin" is.
My first time travelling by ferry was from Cherbourg and I went round to the office to checkin, parked in the car park and went into the terminal, as obviously you would need to go to an official looking desk to checkin, you would think.

But indeed, its way handier than that, you just keep bulling on in the direction of the ferry and theres wee huts at the entry to the ferry port where someone will give you a boarding pass and tell you where to go after that.
The ferry companies state that theres a half hour limit on checking in, and they do allow a little wiggle room and i have seen cars board seconds before the doors are shut and the ferry leaves port, but its not something I'd like to test the limits of in practice.

Regarding the fast ferry, just be aware that it only travels in relatively calm weather so you'd want to have a look at the regular ferry times to see if they suit should the fast ferry gets cancelled. In summer its not an issue but this time of the year with storms every other day it wreaks havok with the schedules.

Spirogyra

munchkin_utd wrote: »

firstly, I understand your question because the ferry companies do not explain in the slightest what "checkin" is.
My first time travelling by ferry was from Cherbourg and I went round to the office to checkin, parked in the car park and went into the terminal, as obviously you would need to go to an official looking desk to checkin, you would think.

But indeed, its way handier than that, you just keep bulling on in the direction of the ferry and theres wee huts at the entry to the ferry port where someone will give you a boarding pass and tell you where to go after that.
The ferry companies state that theres a half hour limit on checking in, and they do allow a little wiggle room and i have seen cars board seconds before the doors are shut and the ferry leaves port, but its not something I'd like to test the limits of in practice.

Regarding the fast ferry, just be aware that it only travels in relatively calm weather so you'd want to have a look at the regular ferry times to see if they suit should the fast ferry gets cancelled. In summer its not an issue but this time of the year with storms every other day it wreaks havok with the schedules.

Thanks a lot, that's good advice . Slower Ferries would be a lot less convenient, possible maybe but a long journey at the other end too (Manchester). What's April normally like for sailings ?:)

coylemj

Spirogyra wrote: »

What's April normally like for sailings ?:)

Might as well check the tea leaves as ask that question in January!

Look at the weather forecast starting about 6 days before your sailing. And beginning two days before you sail, take a look here (scroll down to 'sea crossings').....

http://www.met.ie/forecasts/coastal.asp

XsApollo

If your pressed for time would you go the overnight to Liverpool?
Have a nap and be in Liverpool at 6am, short hop to Manchester then.

Spirogyra

Thanks,I had planned to go in March but I could wait until April, still trying to work it out. Eurobus is an option, but travelling right through the night, would be exhausting. It would probably be the 'fall-back' option if something went wrong.

Do other's normally actually sleep on buses?

XsApollo

Ok I thought you were driving yourself.
Have you ever been on a ferry before?

I meant the overnight ferry to Liverpool.
You wouldn't sleeping on the bus.
You can have a cabin with a bed :-P
Resteraunt for dinner( meal included in the ticket I think) drink in the bar ,
Then to bed.

Vic_08

Spirogyra wrote: »

Thanks,I had planned to go in March but I could wait until April, still trying to work it out. Eurobus is an option, but travelling right through the night, would be exhausting. It would probably be the 'fall-back' option if something went wrong.

Do other's normally actually sleep on buses?

You can't plan your way around bad weather cancelling the fast ferry, it happens throughout the year when the seas are too rough. As in the previous reply there is no way to tell more than a week in advance, realistically unless there is a major storm 2-3 days warning is the most you will get.

What exactly are you trying to do, most people assumed you were driving but now you are looking at getting the overnight coach?

Options by sea/rail are:
08.45 fast ferry arrive Manchester 14.50
08.05 Irish Ferries or 08.20 Stena ferry arrive Manchester 15.50
14.30 fast ferry arr Manchester 21.50
15.10 Stena ferry arr Manchester 22.50

The overnight options are:
20.40 Stena or 20.55 Irish Ferries, for rail passengers this means a long wait in Holyhead of over 4 hours for the first train, arriving in Manchester at 07.50

Alternatively the Bus Eireann/Eurolines 880 from Busaras at 20.00 that travels on the 20.55 Irish Ferries sailing arriving at Manchester at 05.45

Also available is the 02.15 Stena sailing from Dublin with rail connections arriving at Manchester at 09.50

Timings are rounded and rail connections usually require at least one change.

TheQuietFella

Spirogyra wrote: »

Thanks,I had planned to go in March but I could wait until April, still trying to work it out. Eurobus is an option, but travelling right through the night, would be exhausting. It would probably be the 'fall-back' option if something went wrong.

Do other's normally actually sleep on buses?

What about flying there? If you booked well in advance it wouldn't be that exp'

Wouldn't go to the UK by boat EVER again!

Vic_08

XsApollo wrote: »

Ok I thought you were driving yourself.
Have you ever been on a ferry before?

I meant the overnight ferry to Liverpool.
You wouldn't sleeping on the bus.
You can have a cabin with a bed :-P
Resteraunt for dinner( meal included in the ticket I think) drink in the bar ,
Then to bed.

Foot passengers are not carried on Dublin-Liverpool sailings only vehicle traffic.

Cabins are available on Dublin-Holyhead but the short crossing means it is barely worthwhile unless they are cheap (which they usually aren't on the night sailings).

Spirogyra

Thanks all, things are becoming clearer now. I'll be going 'by foot' and hoping to get a train to Manchester later.

abarkie

Spirogyra wrote: »

Thanks all, things are becoming clearer now. I'll be going 'by foot' and hoping to get a train to Manchester later.

a flight makes more sense here

€20 each way should cover it

Spirogyra

Thanks all. I suffer with anxiety , usually not too bad, but I've 'backed out' of flying before because of anxiety. It's not something I can just turn off. So therefore I'm going by Ferry this time and hope to manage better.

elperello

Sorry I assumed you were travelling by car also.

If you are sailing on Irish Ferries Ulysses there is a very comfortable seating area up the staircase behind the shop. A good spot to get a bit of sleep.

Bon Voyage

Marcusm

Spirogyra wrote: »

Thanks all. I suffer with anxiety , usually not too bad, but I've 'backed out' of flying before because of anxiety. It's not something I can just turn off. So therefore I'm going by Ferry this time and hope to manage better.

Make sure you look into a sail/rail ticket which can offer substantial savings on purchasing individually.

abarkie

Marcusm wrote: »

Make sure you look into a sail/rail ticket which can offer substantial savings on purchasing individually.

Same applies if he wants to use the bus / Eurolines as it looks like Megabus doesnt do Dublin to Manchester any more

Spirogyra

I can't really see any discount through the sail-rail options and in any event it's hard to be absolutely certain which train I would make. Hollyhead to Manchester seems to be about £50 each way by train,without no return fair discounts. Would I be as well to pay on the spot ? Or is there any train travel cards I could buy in advance? Is it mostly automated ticket sales there ? by that I mean it's easier to deal with a person behind a desk when one is a stranger. Thanks, S

Vic_08

Spirogyra wrote: »

I can't really see any discount through the sail-rail options and in any event it's hard to be absolutely certain which train I would make. Hollyhead to Manchester seems to be about £50 each way by train,without no return fair discounts. Would I be as well to pay on the spot ? Or is there any train travel cards I could buy in advance? Is it mostly automated ticket sales there ? by that I mean it's easier to deal with a person behind a desk when one is a stranger. Thanks, S

Unless you want to wander around Holyhead town then you will make the same train as everyone else on the ferry.

The sail-rail tickets are far cheaper than paying separately; Dublin Port-Manchester is €82 sailrail return

To buy separately it would be €60 Dublin Port-Holyhead return and £51.50 Holyhead-Manchester Return, around €120 total.

Sailrail tickets bought in Ireland aren't reserved to any particular train but unless you are planning on stopping over anywhere you will end up getting the listed connection anyway. There is no good reason to not use sailrail tickets when the alternative costs substantially more.

Just to note, if you are planning on travelling in the next few weeks; the Irish Ferries swift fast ferry is currently not operating, there was an issue with it and is currently under repair, it is listed as not sailing until 28 Jan but that date may change.

Spirogyra

Thanks Vic, I just can't seem to find rail-options though when booking . It looks like E97 Ferry return, with no option for rail. Thanks though that's great information.


** Oh is it an open ticket then? to all Manchester Stations, can I simply use the combined Ferry ticket ?

Vic_08

Spirogyra wrote: »

Thanks Vic, I just can't seem to find rail-options though when booking . It looks like E97 Ferry return, with no option for rail. Thanks though that's great information.

I don't know what you are looking at so it is hard to say what that is.

"Sailrail" is the name of the ticket you need. It is a fixed price ticket that combines the ship and rail journey.

There is no need to book in advance, the ticket can be bought at the ferryport immediately before departure or at main Irish rail stations on the day or in advance (Dublin Connolly are used to issuing them, others may struggle a bit).

Or online from Irish Ferries http://www.irishferries.com/ie-en/sail-rail/rail-to-Britain/

or Stena Line http://www.stenaline.ie/ferries-to-britain/rail-sail (stena do not do on-line bookings but the phone booking details are there)

All you need to book is the exact ferry you want, the train connections are included on the ticket but you are not strictly bound to a particular train. The timed from Dublin I posted in an earlier post are correct for the first connection to Manchester from all available sailings from Dublin.

In the other direction the times are:

Manchester (Piccadilly)

---

Holyhead ---- Dublin
05.11--(change at Crewe)

---

08.55

---

12.10 (Stena)
07.50

---

(Direct train)

---

11.50

---

13.40 (IF Fast ferry)
09.50----(Direct train)

---

13.50

---

17.05 (Stena)
09.50----(Direct Train)

---

14.10

---

17.25 (IF)
12.50--(Change at Chester)

---

17.15

---

19.15 (IF Fast ferry)
15.50--(Change at Chester)

---

20.30

---

23.45 (Stena)
21.50--(Change at Chester)

---

02.30

---

05.45 (Stena)
21.50--(Change at Chester)

---

02.40

---

05.55 (IF)

There is no onward public transport from the 23.45 Stena arrival, all others have a (payable) bus connection to the city centre.

There is no advantage to booking far ahead of travel, the price of the ticket doesn't change for early bookings and the only restriction is if the ferry is full to capacity. This almost never happens bar a freak occurrence such as the ash cloud event a few years ago that grounded most aircraft. The Fast Ferry can get booked out in the summer season but none of the ferries get near capacity at this time of year, not for foot passengers anyway.

Spirogyra wrote: »

** Oh is it an open ticket then? to all Manchester Stations, can I simply use the combined Ferry ticket ?

It is a ticket from Dublin to a specified destination, if your going to Manchester than any of Piccadilly, Victoria, Oxford Road, Deansgate are valid as well as connections (Rail NOT Metrolink) to get to any one of them.

If you are going to any other station such as a small suburban station on the outskirts of Manchester then buy the ticket to the exact station you want. The price will be the same but it will have the station named so will be valid on connecting trains to there.

Spirogyra

Thanks a lot Vic, very appreciated, I will have reason to go to Macclesfield the following day , staying in Manchester though. So should I make it a ticket to Macclesfield then? or just buy a ticket to Macclesfield when I'm going there, it would be very cheap anyway?. Thanks again, S:)

coylemj

Spirogyra wrote: »

Thanks a lot Vic, very appreciated, I will have reason to go to Macclesfield the following day , staying in Manchester though. So should I make it a ticket to Macclesfield then? or just buy a ticket to Macclesfield when I'm going there, it would be very cheap anyway?. Thanks again, S:)

You can't include an overnight in a single rail journey, in fact in some cases you can't leave any intermediate stations without validating your ticket which effectively ends your journey. You'll have to buy a separate ticket for the Manchester to Macclesfield trip.

Vic_08

coylemj wrote: »

You can't include an overnight in a single rail journey,

in fact in some cases you can't leave any intermediate stations without validating your ticket which effectively ends your journey.

Neither of those statements are correct, at least not without lots of conditions and exceptions.

None of it is relevant to the OP though.

coylemj wrote: »

You'll have to buy a separate ticket for the Manchester to Macclesfield trip.

That is true.

Even if it was on the same day Holyhead-Macclesfield would mean changing at Stockport or Stoke so not valid via Manchester.

Gamebred

Spirogyra wrote: »

Thanks all. I suffer with anxiety , usually not too bad, but I've 'backed out' of flying before because of anxiety. It's not something I can just turn off. So therefore I'm going by Ferry this time and hope to manage better.

Just bite the bullet the flight is literally 35 minutes long and much cheaper, take some relaxers and off you go.

Spirogyra

Gamebred wrote: »

Just bite the bullet the flight is literally 35 minutes long and much cheaper, take some relaxers and off you go.

Sometime I may fly again but on this occasion I don't want the additional stress....with the Swift Ferry it's not that long a journey anyway, thanks a lot Vic, very appreciated.