Your Comprehensive Guide: How to Travel from Dublin to London by Sail Rail

For those seeking an alternative to air travel, the “Sail Rail” journey from Dublin to London offers a unique and environmentally friendlier option. This method combines a ferry crossing from Dublin to Holyhead with a subsequent train journey across the UK. Having taken this route numerous times, I can attest that while the process isn’t always as seamless as it could be, it provides a comfortable and scenic way to travel between Ireland and the UK, often at a very affordable price. This guide aims to walk you through everything you need to know about traveling from Dublin to London using the Sail Rail ticket, positioning it as a reliable and enjoyable alternative for your next trip.

Exploring Destinations with Sail Rail

The fundamental principle of the Sail Rail ticket is straightforward: it allows you to travel by ferry from Dublin Port to Holyhead, and then continue your journey by train to virtually any destination in mainland Britain with a rail connection. A single ticket covers all necessary train changes.

Beyond London, I’ve personally used this ticket for trips to cities like Oxford, Cambridge, Edinburgh, Basingstoke, and Birmingham. The ticket also works in the reverse direction, allowing travel from any UK rail station to Holyhead and then onto a ferry to Dublin.

Furthermore, you can use a Sail Rail ticket to reach London and then purchase a separate Eurostar ticket for onward travel to continental European cities, such as Paris and Brussels. While this is possible, connections can sometimes be tight, and Eurostar fares are not always inexpensive.

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Sail Rail Costs and Fares

Sail Rail tickets typically range from €40 to around €60. The pricing structure is relatively fixed, meaning there aren’t significant savings gained by booking far in advance. This makes it a potentially good option for last-minute travel, though be aware that tickets can sell out. You might pay a small premium (approximately €6) for booking a fast ferry or purchasing the ticket on the day of travel.

The maximum fare you’re likely to pay is around €60, with slightly cheaper fares available for destinations closer to Holyhead. The UK is divided into fare zones; Zone E includes London and Scotland and is the most expensive. In practice, I’ve almost always purchased a Zone E Sail Rail ticket, covering the widest range of destinations including London.

Map showing UK rail zones covered by Sail Rail tickets from Dublin.

Journey Duration: Dublin to London

The total travel time can vary depending on your specific route and chosen ferry/train timings. Generally, the train connections work out more conveniently when traveling from London to Dublin compared to Dublin to London. Here are some examples of journey times from recent trips:

• Departing London Euston at 9:02 am, arriving at Dublin Port at 5:25 pm. This route involves a direct train and a slow ferry and is one I’ve frequently used – it’s quite efficient.
• Departing Dublin Port at 8:20 am, arriving at London Euston at 4:07 pm.
• Departing Dublin Port at 8:20 am, arriving at Edinburgh at 5:30 pm.

Compared to flying, the Sail Rail journey is undoubtedly longer in terms of raw travel time. However, the difference is not as vast when considering the total door-to-door time. When traveling from London, you only need to arrive at the city-centre train station around 10 minutes before departure, or even just a couple of minutes if you’re prepared for a quick dash. This contrasts sharply with the significant time required to travel to an airport located outside the city centre and navigate check-in and security processes, which can easily add 3+ hours before your flight. It’s crucial to evaluate the total travel time from your starting point to your final destination, not just the speed of the longest segment.

Getting to and from Dublin Port itself can be a bit cumbersome, as it’s a large area and walking to the ferry terminal is not practical. Several options exist:

• Buses from Connolly Station (the 53 Dublin Bus and Nolan Coaches shuttle) go directly to the port, sometimes free, other times costing around €3.
• Taking the Luas tram to the Point and then a short taxi ride (roughly €10).
• A direct taxi to the terminal, which recently took 20 minutes and cost €17 from Inchicore, for example.
• If traveling with a bike (more on this later), cycling directly to the port is a convenient option.

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Stena Line or Irish Ferries?

You have two main ferry operators for the Dublin-Holyhead route: Stena Line and Irish Ferries. Both companies offer the same Sail Rail ticket, but you must select your preferred operator when booking.

Each company has its own terminal in Dublin Port, but conveniently, there is only one terminal in Holyhead, which is integrated with the train station.

Both operators typically have sailings at similar times, offering a slow crossing that takes approximately 3 hours and 15 minutes. Irish Ferries also offers a faster crossing (around 2 hours). Based on experience, the fast sailing can sometimes be cancelled due to weather conditions, especially in winter. However, Irish Ferries has always accommodated passengers on their larger, slower vessels in such cases. If a fast ferry is cancelled, you are usually notified in advance via email and text.

Both companies are reliable, but I’ve found Irish Ferries to have slightly better terminal facilities and a more user-friendly online booking process. Irish Ferries is also the sole provider of the fast ferry option, and their Dublin terminal allows passengers to walk directly onto the vessel, whereas Stena uses a bus to transport foot passengers. Stena has introduced a new, reportedly fuel-efficient ferry, the Estrid, which might be worth trying.

Ferry Schedule for Sail Rail

Sail Rail passengers represent a relatively small portion of the ferry companies’ business, which is primarily geared towards car and truck cargo. While sailings from Dublin occur at various times (e.g., 2 am, 2 pm, 8 pm), the practical options for Sail Rail passengers traveling from Dublin to Holyhead are usually the 8:00 am or 8:15 am sailings.

When traveling from Holyhead to Dublin, the timing will depend on your inbound train connection, but you’ll typically aim for the Holyhead to Dublin sailing around 2:15 pm or 2:45 pm, depending on the ferry company.

Ferry operators generally request that passengers check in about 40 minutes before departure. However, I have arrived as late as 10 minutes beforehand and just managed to board, though I wouldn’t recommend cutting it so fine. It’s significantly more relaxed than the check-in procedures at an airport.

While the faster ferries can be appealing, it’s wise to factor the slower ferry time into your plans, as weather cancellations are possible, requiring you to switch to the slower service.

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How to Book Your Sail Rail Ticket

Numerous booking methods are available, but I’ve found the most straightforward approaches to be:

Dublin to UK: The easiest way is to book directly through the ferry operators’ websites. Irish Ferries offers online booking for Sail Rail tickets from Dublin. Stena Line, strangely, still requires you to book via phone. Once booked, you collect your ticket from the check-in desk at the ferry terminal. Return tickets can also be booked this way.

UK to Dublin: If you haven’t booked a return ticket, using TheTrainline website is highly recommended. It’s a convenient UK-based rail ticket platform. Booking via TheTrainline also allows you to reserve a seat on your train journey. You book online, receive a reference code, and collect your ticket from a machine at any UK rail station. It’s important not to use this site for journeys from Dublin, as they would charge you to post the tickets since you cannot collect them at the Dublin terminal.

When booking through TheTrainline, you effectively choose the ferry company based on the destination port name: “Dublin Ferryport” is for Irish Ferries, and “Dublin Port – Stena” is for Stena Line.

Recommended Dublin to London Routes

While TheTrainline website is excellent for exploring various UK destinations reachable via Sail Rail and planning your route, I have specific recommendations for the most convenient ways to travel from Dublin to London and vice versa.

If you are traveling from Dublin to London, my preferred option is the 8:05 am Irish Ferries sailing from Dublin Port, arriving in Holyhead at 11:30 am. This allows time to grab a coffee or lunch in Holyhead before catching the 12:53 pm direct train to London, which arrives at 4:37 pm. This route involves no train changes and is simple and reliable. While faster ferries and earlier trains are available (potentially getting you to London by 3:30 pm if leaving Dublin around 7 am), I find this specific route, using the more reliable slow ferry and providing ample transfer time, minimizes stress. The direct train is also a comfortable ride with pleasant views along Colwyn Bay.

For those traveling from London to Dublin, I highly recommend taking the 9:02 am train from London Euston direct to Holyhead. This train arrives at 12:50 pm, leaving plenty of time to connect with a ferry departing around 2:10 pm. This ferry arrives at Dublin Port at 5:25 pm. In my opinion, this route is the smoothest Sail Rail experience available, and I have used it many times. Some travelers even choose to fly to London and take this specific route back to Dublin, enjoying the relaxed journey for reading or working on the train.

Again, quicker options exist, but this direct train and ample transfer time reduce stress, especially in case of minor delays.

Logistics: Luggage, Bikes, and Pets

Luggage allowances on the ferry are quite flexible; you can carry your bags onboard without much fuss. While checked baggage options exist for larger items, the practical limit is generally what you can comfortably carry or wheel onto a train.

I’ve traveled with my bike using Sail Rail previously. There was a €10 fee, and it was stored on the car deck of the ferry. Transporting the bike on the train was straightforward. While easy, minimizing train transfers is advisable when traveling with a bike to reduce potential hassle.

I have not personally traveled with a pet, but from accounts of others, it appears relatively simple. UK trains are generally accommodating of well-behaved pets on a lead. For the ferry journey, pets typically need to travel in a suitable crate on the car deck. Irish Ferries provides specific information on their website regarding traveling with pets. Note that I have also heard anecdotally that ferry staff are sometimes more flexible than airline staff regarding pets on board, occasionally allowing dogs to stay with owners, but confirming directly with the ferry company is always best practice.

Accessibility and Traveling with Kids

While I haven’t traveled with children on Sail Rail, I frequently see families on board. If your children are comfortable with train travel, the ferry section should be manageable. There is generally plenty of space and other families around on the ferry.

Regarding accessibility, there are stairs on the ferry, but lifts are available. Contacting the ferry company in advance is recommended to arrange assistance. I don’t have personal experience traveling with disabled friends on these services, so I cannot offer definitive advice, but my observation is that the ferry facilities are reasonably accessible. If you have experience with this route and accessibility needs, sharing your insights would be valuable. Irish Ferries has a dedicated page on their website addressing reduced mobility and special needs.

What to Expect On Board

Ferry interiors can sometimes feel a bit dated, but the experience is akin to waiting in a large hotel lobby for a few hours. There’s usually a bar, dining options (often buffet-style food which can be overpriced but decent), and a premium lounge. The premium lounge costs extra (around €19) but often includes complimentary food, drinks, and WiFi. I haven’t personally used the lounge but plan to on a future trip. There’s also often a cinema or dedicated area for children.

Going out on deck is highly recommended, especially on a sunny day. It offers beautiful views and the fresh sea air is great for clearing your head or mitigating seasickness.

View from the ferry deck sailing out of Dublin Bay with Howth Head visible in the distance.

Be aware that ferry WiFi can be unreliable. They also operate an “At Sea” mobile network, which you should strongly avoid connecting to. Put your phone on airplane mode or disable data roaming, as using data on the “At Sea” network is incredibly expensive. You’ll have excellent WiFi and mobile signal once you are on the train in the UK and can roam normally.

The direct London-Holyhead trains, often Pendolinos, are generally quite comfortable even when full, offering tables, power sockets, and working WiFi – similar to intercity trains in Ireland. Routes requiring multiple changes might involve less comfortable trains, comparable to commuter services, which can impact your ability to work or relax during the journey.

Holyhead itself hasn’t been a town I’ve explored extensively. The ferry terminal and train station being in the same building means you don’t need to venture out unless you choose to. If you do need to stay, The Hut is a budget-friendly hostel option near the seafront.

Connecting to the Continent

I frequently used Sail Rail when living in Brussels and later in London. Traveling from London to the continent via Eurostar is relatively straightforward. Connecting from Dublin via Sail Rail to Brussels is a bit more complex. Eurostar timings from London don’t always align perfectly for a same-day connection, and fares can be high if not booked well in advance. While it is possible to do the Dublin to Brussels journey in one day (I’ve done it in both directions), it requires careful planning. Breaking up the journey with an overnight stay in London is a convenient option.

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Environmental Impact

Beyond personal preferences for trains over planes, the environmental benefit of Sail Rail is a significant consideration. While quantifying the exact carbon footprint of the ferry, which primarily carries cars and cargo, is difficult, the impact of foot passengers is relatively small.

Studies, such as one by the Grantham Institute at Imperial College London, have estimated the carbon emissions of a Sail Rail journey from Dublin to London at around 4kg, starkly contrasting with approximately 74kg for a flight – a potential saving of 95%. The highly respected rail travel site, The Man in Seat 61, calculates a saving of about 73%.

While the precise figures may depend on the methodology, it’s clear that Sail Rail offers a substantially lower-carbon way to travel compared to flying. The experience of seeing the beautiful coastline from the train or being on deck as you approach Dublin Port simply adds to the appeal of this sustainable travel method.

Recommendation: Is Sail Rail Worth It?

Yes, I would recommend it, albeit with some caveats. The Sail Rail experience is less polished than air travel, can be subject to delays, and is less flexible in terms of scheduling options. It arguably has potential to be much better but is perhaps underutilized by travelers.

If you’re hesitant, trying the recommended London to Dublin route first is a good way to gauge your experience, as that direction often feels the most streamlined. Many people fly to London and take the Sail Rail route back to Dublin for a more relaxed return journey.

My experience, and that of friends who have used it, is largely positive. It offers ample time for relaxation, reading, working, or socializing in the ferry bar. It avoids the common anxieties associated with airport travel and early morning flights. Anecdotally, some have even reported seeing seals following the ferry out of Dublin Bay, adding a delightful, unexpected element to the journey.

While Sail Rail can be a bit messy at times, I believe it’s a criminally underused travel method that could appeal to many more people than currently utilize it. It’s definitely worth considering for your next trip between Dublin and London.