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mattygs16:12 UTC10 Jun 2011

Heya guys

Im after abit of help, I really hope someone can provide me with some help as the various help desk e mail services havent really been able to give me any answers.

Im in Dublin at the moment and am wanting to get to Scotland tomorrow. To get over here, I used the sail rail ticket that you can get through virgin trains/easyrail website etc etc. I picked these up from the automated ticket pick up machines at Lime st station and quite happily enjoyed the Liverpool - Chester - Holyhead - Dublin service.

Im going on the same websites and the same trip (obviously in reverse) are available, however they all make you pick up your tickets from the machines, however, there don't appear to be any in Dublin (port or rail stations).
Logic would say I could take my reference number and payment credit card with me to the ticket office at Dublin ferry terminal and pick up all my journey tickets from there, but I am really nervous about doing that, Im just not sure.

Is someone able to help me out with information. Oh, and I have looked at budget flights too, but they are all far more expensive, and I dont have an issue with the 5 plus hour journey time.
Ive also looked on the Irish ferries website which provide this same service, however, the search options don't include the 11th of June for some reason.

thanks guys.

fear_rua21:07 UTC10 Jun 2011

No, the British booking system is not connected to the Irish one (although obviously tickets are honoured), so you can't pick up tickets booked on a UK website from an Irish rail or ferry terminal. Don't try to buy your tickets from a UK website.

Your best bet is to get to an Iarnród Éireann (Irish rail) mainline station, where they can sell you these tickets. In Dublin, these are Heuston Station in the west of the city and Connolly Station in the city centre. Suburban rail stations on the DART line won't sell these tickets.

Alternatively, you can turn up at the ferry port. There is normally no problem getting sail-rail foot passenger tickets on the day except at peak times (Easter, Christmas, holiday weekends) or if some Icelandic volcano has caused a lot of people to divert from plane travel. But if you want to be sure, go to Connolly Station to buy tickets at the ticket office there.

Edited by: fear_rua

fear_rua12:08 UTC11 Jun 2011

Just occurs to me that secondary school holidays will have recently begun in Ireland, so in fact the ferries may be busy, especially on a Saturday.

You will probably have a better chance with the large ferry (Ulysses from Dublin Port) than with a fast ferry, as the latter are more popular and have much less capacity.

Also note that tickets issued by Iarnród Éireann do not constitute a booking for travel on any specific sailing.

Help Needed with Dublin-Liverpool Sail Rail Pickup Country forums / UK & Ireland / Ireland
mattygs16:12 UTC10 Jun 2011	Heya guys Im after abit of help, I really hope someone can provide me with some help as the various help desk e mail services havent really been able to give me any answers. Im in Dublin at the moment and am wanting to get to Scotland tomorrow. To get over here, I used the sail rail ticket that you can get through virgin trains/easyrail website etc etc. I picked these up from the automated ticket pick up machines at Lime st station and quite happily enjoyed the Liverpool - Chester - Holyhead - Dublin service. Im going on the same websites and the same trip (obviously in reverse) are available, however they all make you pick up your tickets from the machines, however, there don't appear to be any in Dublin (port or rail stations). Logic would say I could take my reference number and payment credit card with me to the ticket office at Dublin ferry terminal and pick up all my journey tickets from there, but I am really nervous about doing that, Im just not sure. Is someone able to help me out with information. Oh, and I have looked at budget flights too, but they are all far more expensive, and I dont have an issue with the 5 plus hour journey time. Ive also looked on the Irish ferries website which provide this same service, however, the search options don't include the 11th of June for some reason. thanks guys.
fear_rua21:07 UTC10 Jun 2011	No, the British booking system is not connected to the Irish one (although obviously tickets are honoured), so you can't pick up tickets booked on a UK website from an Irish rail or ferry terminal. Don't try to buy your tickets from a UK website. Your best bet is to get to an Iarnród Éireann (Irish rail) mainline station, where they can sell you these tickets. In Dublin, these are Heuston Station in the west of the city and Connolly Station in the city centre. Suburban rail stations on the DART line won't sell these tickets. Alternatively, you can turn up at the ferry port. There is normally no problem getting sail-rail foot passenger tickets on the day except at peak times (Easter, Christmas, holiday weekends) or if some Icelandic volcano has caused a lot of people to divert from plane travel. But if you want to be sure, go to Connolly Station to buy tickets at the ticket office there. Edited by: fear_rua	1
fear_rua12:08 UTC11 Jun 2011	Just occurs to me that secondary school holidays will have recently begun in Ireland, so in fact the ferries may be busy, especially on a Saturday. You will probably have a better chance with the large ferry (Ulysses from Dublin Port) than with a fast ferry, as the latter are more popular and have much less capacity. Also note that tickets issued by Iarnród Éireann do not constitute a booking for travel on any specific sailing.	2

Help Needed with Dublin-Liverpool Sail Rail Pickup