Train to Westport worth it?

Fridge

I'm planning to go to Westport (from greater Dub area) on a Saturday afternoon and then return on the Sunday afternoon.

I don't fancy going all the way into Heuston so I was going to drive to Athlone and get the train the rest of the way to Westport. But I'm getting the sense from Twitter it can be hassle with reserved seats feuds and overcrowding.

How bad would it be at these times and would I be better off driving the whole way?
Driving 3.5 - 4 hours total
or
Driving 1.5 hours + Train 2 hours

I'm not a nervous driver or anything, it just takes its toll after a few hours, but then so does having a stand off with a seat hogger.

Thanks!

end of the road

are you near a bus or luas? get that to heuston or as near as you can and get the train from there. might be an option.

Budawanny

Saturday afternoon will take you 3 hours and 15 minutes.
Drive all the way. you would be bad to swap in athlone.

Fridge

end of the road wrote: »

are you near a bus or luas? get that to heuston or as near as you can and get the train from there. might be an option.

It would almost take me the same amount of time to get to Heuston as it would to Athlone, so I'd prefer to drive to Athlone and cut out a chunk of the train journey.

Hilly Bill

I'd drive the whole way. Would going through Longford be any quicker?

Fridge

Thanks guys!

If I drive, I will be going through Longford, yeah.
I just thought if I did take the train along the way, Athlone would be the best point to take it from.

I think I'll drive so. I just didn't want the 6-7 hours total driving over the 2 days, but it's probably the easiest option with the way the trains are.

ClovenHoof

Going from Athlone is a very good idea. I have always found the train from Houston to Westport to be a torturous, endless journey.

Budawanny

Fridge wrote: »

Thanks guys!

If I drive, I will be going through Longford, yeah.
I just thought if I did take the train along the way, Athlone would be the best point to take it from.

I think I'll drive so. I just didn't want the 6-7 hours total driving over the 2 days, but it's probably the easiest option with the way the trains are.

the road is pretty good most of the way. about 25k through Roscommon is a bit windy, and the road between castlebar and westport isnt superb but the rest is grand

plodder

I do the journey regularly and would prefer the train any time I don't need a car at the other end. You won't have a problem with seat hoggers if getting on in Dublin (in my experience). It depends on the effort needed to get to/from Heuston I suppose, but the train is much less stress, though it's not a bad drive either on a Sat. The return drive on Sunday, you'll see more traffic.

It doesn't take 4 hours to drive to Wesport. Just drive it.

Losty Dublin

Budawanny wrote: »

the road is pretty good most of the way. about 25k through Roscommon is a bit windy, and the road between castlebar and westport isnt superb but the rest is grand

Having driven the N4/5 almost weekly over the last two years I beg to differ on the road to Westport being pretty good. Once you clear the M4 at Mullingar you pass or skirt through a dozen villages and towns on the way, with only Longford being properly bypassed. There are long sections of the road that are narrow and hilly and windy, with safe overtaking zones being in rather in short supply. It is also extremely boring as drives and there is little of interest or beauty to look at.

QuietMan2010

I drive from Westport area to Dublin (airport) every couple of months, and am seriously considering going via Tuam / new M17 to M6 next time. AA Route Planner says its an extra 20km, and a few more minutes, but that would be worth it to avoid the roads in Roscommon/Longford. If you are considering driving as far as Athlone, keep going and use the M17.

Losty Dublin

QuietMan2010 wrote: »

I drive from Westport area to Dublin (airport) every couple of months, and am seriously considering going via Tuam / new M17 to M6 next time. AA Route Planner says its an extra 20km, and a few more minutes, but that would be worth it to avoid the roads in Roscommon/Longford. If you are considering driving as far as Athlone, keep going and use the M17.

Did it a month ago. Fun and games until you turn off at Tuam and go cross country to Kilmaine. The N17 to Claremorris and then to Castlebar via Balla isn't too bad but it can be busy. My preferred route is to go to Athlone and then Roscommon to Castlerea and then to Frenchpark. Better road, less towns, quieter and it's a little easier on the eye, in daylight at least.

PhoenixParker

Unless I'm missing something a Saturday afternoon train isn't going to be crowded. You'll be fine for seating. Arguments over reserved seats are going to happen on crowded trains where someone can't just betake themselves to another seat.

Sunday you'll be getting on at the first stop so should be fine too, just get there early and use your reserved seat.