Irish Ferries Swift (Dublin-Holyhead) and Club Class

[yorkie]

I am looking to get the 1440 Dublin to Holyhead Irish Ferries on SailRail on a Sunday in March and have a few questions; hopefully someone here will have some answers

Firstly, having done this a while back, I think there is a dedicated bus (that we need to pay separately for?) going directly from the city centre to the terminal; does anyone have the details on that please?

Secondly, the ferry is due to arrive into Holyhead at 1655. How likely is it to be on time and is this the time we are likely to be actually disembarking? I'd like to get the 1715 train if possible and am wondering how realistic this is.

And finally, is it worth the extra for Club Class? If the standard accommodation is likely to be busy and this will get us better seating, I am more likely to go for it.

Thanks

 

[Flying Snail]

The dedicated bus is no more, Stena Line have put on a replacement (that needs to be pre-bought) only to their terminal.

The only public transport to the IF terminal is Dublin Bus route 53 https://dublinbus.ie/Your-Journey1/Timetables/All-Timetables/53/ payment in exact € coin or by leap card only, no notes and no £ taken.

20 minutes from booked arrival at Holyhead to getting a train would be unlikely, you are taken by bus from the car deck, the bus usually waits for the cars/trucks to leave before being brought on.

I should also say I was surprised when you suggested getting the Swift in March, it hasn't run outside the summer season for years. Despite being on the booking engine I would be sceptical about it actually running until it actually starts in service, if it doesn't you would be in a world of pain as IF basically shrug their shoulders and direct you to the 08.05 or 20.55, they refuse to take foot passengers on the 14.30 sailings (or any Epsilon sailing), even when disrupted by Swift cancellations.

In the unlikely event the Swift does run in March I seriously doubt there would be overcrowding issues.

 

[berneyarms]

I am looking to get the 1440 Dublin to Holyhead Irish Ferries on SailRail on a Sunday in March and have a few questions; hopefully someone here will have some answers

Firstly, having done this a while back, I think there is a dedicated bus (that we need to pay separately for?) going directly from the city centre to the terminal; does anyone have the details on that please?

Secondly, the ferry is due to arrive into Holyhead at 1655. How likely is it to be on time and is this the time we are likely to be actually disembarking? I'd like to get the 1715 train if possible and am wondering how realistic this is.

And finally, is it worth the extra for Club Class? If the standard accommodation is likely to be busy and this will get us better seating, I am more likely to go for it.

Thanks

1) As above the only public transport option to/from the Irish Ferries terminal is the hourly Dublin Bus Route 53. Journey time is approximately 20 minutes on a Sunday, so you'd need to be on the 13:00 bus to meet the 30 minute check-in deadline for a 14:40 departure. If you don't want to buy a full LEAP card in advance (valid across Ireland) you can get a visitor LEAP card that is valid in Dublin here https://about.leapcard.ie/leap-visitor-card. Personally I would get a taxi.

2) 20 mins connection at Holyhead into a train - not a chance. At an absolute minimum I'd leave 30 minutes given the need for the bus transfers after all the other vehicles have left the vessel. Gone are the days that the ferries (including the SWIFT when it runs) dock anywhere near the port terminal and railway station.

 

[wireforever]

I would hope the Swift engines have been fully repaired .The last time a travelled on it to Holyhead (pre covid)it was running on 3 engines half way across another engine failed the captain turned round we limped back to Dublin and a mile from port 2 tugs towed us into port.After Irish Ferries sorted themselves out we were allowed to board the truckers ferry and arrived in Holyhead at 2am full passport check by local police! on arrival foot passengers on a coach to be taken to Crewe railway station.The holiday firm and courier were great and we travelled club class on the ferry and they put us up in a hotel