Help with train from London to Dublin
 

I realize that this issue is not Hilton related but there seem to be so many London experts on this site I thought I'd start here. The moderator can move it if there is a better place...


I will be in London next month for 3 days at either the Hilton Kensington or Euston, then in Dublin for 2 nights. I thought a train and ferry trip would be a nice change and found that there are some really good deals out there (from 16 pounds one way LON-DUB!) The Virgin Train website lists these 14 day advance purchase "Virgin Value" tickets, but I called 3 times to try to book it and got 3 different confused agents that couldn't book it. The first said that she couldn't book trains out of London. The 2nd said I need to call the "UK National Rail Company". And the third said that there are no 14 day advanced purchases and I should call back a few days before the travel date. Does anyone out there know how to actually book these tickets from the USA?

This topic is perfect for the TravelBuzz! forum, which is now its new home.

However, those in the Hilton forum who want to take a shot at answering srodr’s request will still have the opportunity to do so.

Because there are more experts on transportation in the TravelBuzz! forum than in the Hilton forum, you are most certainly going to receive answers to your request quickly.

Good luck in searching for the answer to your request, srodr.

Regards,

Canarsie
Co-Moderator, Hilton forum

there is a website, nationalexpress.com, which is the national bus lines in the uk. they offer a rt from london to dublin for cheap depending on how far in advance you book. i have used their "fun fares" for some very cheap travel in england. it all depends on whether you want to use the bus or train. their website is easy to use and you may be able to print your boarding passes. good luck. i think i might try that to dublin too. bus station in london is next to victoria station.

Looks like those special fares can only be booked in person - how quaint!!

From the Virgin Trains web site:

"Booking is quick and easy, just visit your local station to buy your tickets"

I think they can be mailed to an address in the UK also - are they reflected on thetrainline.com ?

Ah, the Stenaline website has some further info:

"How to Book - call: 08705 455 455 quoting rail"

Note that the '£16 single', when you drill down, is actually '£16 each way when you book a 14 day return'. A Super Economy Single is £24.

I did the train+boat to Dublin last year, and I was quite impressed; although I did the Irish Ferries one to Dublin Port, which is easier IME (only an hour or two longer than the journey by air, city centre to city centre, and its a breeze)

I remember leaving London at about 5am on a completely Empty train (one change at Crewe) and was on O'Connell Street for a late lunch

The journey thru north wales was quite pretty (including a request stop at the longest station name in the world :cool: ) , and I crossed on the Catamaran, only had time for two pints and the paper!

You can come back by day or overnight as well, which is good if you can sleep ok on the train and want an extra day

as far as tickets go, I bought mine at Watford Junction the day before, didnt get the cheapest ticket (£48, not subject to availabilty, return within a month) and it took them a while to work it out, but it definitely is possible!

Given that the journey times are significantly longer on bus/train and ferry from London to Dublin and not that much cheaper against flying, why on earth would you bother? (I've been there, seen that, done the t-shirt if you know what I mean). LON/DUB is just about 1hr flying time against all bloody night on the ferry and train/coach

Personally I'd have to be down to my last fiver to even contemplate this route, so give it a bit of thought before you consider it.... trust me!!! Given that the sea crossings are most likely going to be VERY bumpy, I think you're demented. However if you are set on travelling overland, check out
https://www.buseireann.ie/EurolinesPublic or http://www.seat61.com/Ireland.htm

I've done the ferry a couple times over the years, either with a bus or rail connection. On one trip, we had to wait outside the harbor at Holyhead for 4 hours because of rough seas, so we arrived in London at noon instead of 8a.m. My preference when I go by ferry is actually from Stranraer in Scotland over to Belfast. You can easily get down to Dublin in 3 hours by bus or train.

Actually I found some Ryanair fares that would be cheaper than the over land travel, but I like trains and boats, what can I say?

I got this response from Virgin:

Dear Srodr

Thank you for your recent email regarding the ticket availability.

After checking, I can confirm that the booking deadline to the "Value 14 Day Advance Single" have changed to 18:00 a day before the travel. Also, the name have been changed to "Value Advance Single C". I request you to contact our Web Support Team on 0870 010 1127 and one of our advisors will be happy to assist you with the availability of these tickets.

If you have any more questions please get in touch.

Kind regards

Akhil

Sounds odd since their website still lists the 14 day Value fares that this guy says no longer exist.

Try http://www.seat61.com/Ireland.htm

when they build a dublin airport express, let me know..

..and when any airline crossing the irish sea can offer a semi-flexible return ticket for less than £50

it'll take you well over 3 hours just to get from central london to your seat on the plane, maybe more with luggage. and then another 2 hours from leaving your seat to dublin city centre. I'd rather spend those hours sitting down, relaxing and enjoying the scenery instead of trying to get my bags up an escalator :o

bus eireann tends to be busy, cramped, full of kids (families who cant afford to fly them all) and takes 2 hours just to get out of london :(

We have this magical thing in little old backwards Ireland called Aircoach & every time I've used it, I've got into town in less than 30 mins - www.aircoach.ie for more info.

30 mins into town from when the bus actually departs the bus stop, i highly doubt its 30 mins from your seat on the plane, as I initially said. Read me before you misquote me ^