SailRail Questions

[_toommm_]

I'm looking to use SailRail for the first time, outward booking a single from Leeds to Dublin Belfast via Ayr, and on the return Rosslare to Leeds via Fishguard. I'll collect both tickets in Leeds before travelling as I understand I can't collect the tickets in Ireland, spend a day or two in Ireland, and book a train from Dublin to Rosslare on IrishRail. Do I need to make a ferry reservation externally to the ticket, or is that done automatically via the ticket booking? Also is the bus from Ayr to the ferry port included in the ticket?

Sorry if these are stupid questions, I'd just rather make sure from people who have made the journey before, rather than potentially getting misinformation from the TOCs. Thanks

 

[gnolife]

I wasn't aware that you could get SailRail from destinations in England to Dublin via the Cairnryan ferry - I think that you can only get it to Belfast. Sailrail tickets to Belfast routed Cairnryan Stena include the bus link from Ayr - it goes from outside the exit to the station on platform 4. It does not include any onward travel from Belfast Port - you have to make your own way from there to Belfast city centre (Translink route 96 is your friend here - it connects into the SailRail ferry)

 

[_toommm_]

I wasn't aware that you could get SailRail from destinations in England to Dublin via the Cairnryan ferry - I think that you can only get it to Belfast. Sailrail tickets to Belfast routed Cairnryan Stena include the bus link from Ayr - it goes from outside the exit to the station on platform 4. It does not include any onward travel from Belfast Port - you have to make your own way from there to Belfast city centre (Translink route 96 is your friend here - it connects into the SailRail ferry)

Sorry, I did mean Belfast. The original post has been edited

 

[Hadders]

Ferry reservations are compulsory with SailRail. I assume you're purchasing at the ticket office in Leeds, if so they will do the ferry reservations for you, they're identical to a seat reservation coupon excpet it says 'ferry reservation'. Technically you'll need to show this at Cairnryan although in my experience they often don't bother and will just check your rail ticket has a destination of Belfast. The bus from Ayr to Cairnryan is included in the price.

Be aware that SailRail is a niche product and I suspect the ticket office staff might lack knowledge of how to issue it, so be prepared to shop around. I would certainly get the tickets before the day of travel.

If you're ordering online and collecting via ToD then the TVM should print a Ferry Reservation coupon.

 

[Flying Snail]

If you want to use the Rosslare ferry then you will need to arrange accommodation on one side or the other.

There is no longer any train connection in Fishguard from the evening sailing at 19.30, you would have an 8 hour wait.

There is a bus from Wexford that gets to Rosslare just in time for the morning 08.15 ferry, Local Link route 387.

 

[_toommm_]

Thanks all if the specialised travel office is still open in Leeds, I'll probably try there first as I know they advertise it on the entrance to it. If not, I know TrainSplit will sell them so that's my backup plan.

 

[johnnydoe]

The 387 Local Link service has been enhanced to 15 return services per day. The second bus of the day will take you to Rosslare Europort from 6:45am from Redmond Square, Wexford, arriving at 7:25 outside the terminal. It would be best to download the new timetable, or alternatively, use the rather inconsistent TFI Live app.

Leapcard is the best payment method. Otherwise it's the more expensive cash.

Timetables

Timetables TFI Local Link Wexford work with 11 bus operators, all based in Co Wexford to provide public transport. The bus operators are contracted to provide all TFI Local Link Wexford services. TFI Local Link Wexford provide two types of bus service These operate to a set timetable...

locallinkwexford.ie