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Holyhead Ferry Terminal as a foot passenger

  • 18-05-2010 10:30AM
    #1
    JHMEG
    Closed Accounts Posts: 7,686 ✭✭✭


    Would be grateful if someone could answer these questions:

    Stena terminal:
    - Is this close enough to the Train station that it's done on foot (and not bus)?
    - How long does it take to walk from the ferry to the station?
    - The ferry arrives in at 15.05... what is the likelihood of making the 15.23 train?

    Irish Ferries Terminal
    - Are foot passengers transferred to the Train station by bus?

    TIA.


Comments

  • #2
    Moanin
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,136 ✭✭✭Moanin


    Both are about 5-10 mins walking distance from the train station.


  • #3
    KC61
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 4,316 ✭✭✭KC61


    JHMEG wrote: »
    Would be grateful if someone could answer these questions:

    Stena terminal:
    - Is this close enough to the Train station that it's done on foot (and not bus)?
    - How long does it take to walk from the ferry to the station?
    - The ferry arrives in at 15.05... what is the likelihood of making the 15.23 train?

    Irish Ferries Terminal
    - Are foot passengers transferred to the Train station by bus?

    TIA.

    The Stena HSS/Lynx uses a berth right next to the terminal and you walk directly into the railway station. All told 10-15 minutes from ship to train.

    All other ferries involve bus transfers.

    18 minutes is to say the least very tight. You *might* make it but I would not stake my house on it.

    Be aware also that GB Train Operator's timetables change from this weekend and that you consult the correct timetables as there are currently two versions on all of the websites!


  • #4
    Vic_08
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 3,090 ✭✭✭Vic_08


    KC61 wrote: »
    The Stena HSS/Lynx uses a berth right next to the terminal and you walk directly into the railway station. All told 10-15 minutes from ship to train.

    All other ferries involve bus transfers.

    18 minutes is to say the least very tight. You *might* make it but I would not stake my house on it.

    Be aware also that GB Train Operator's timetables change from this weekend and that you consult the correct timetables as there are currently two versions on all of the websites!

    Not quite. Terminal 1 in Holyhead is only used for the HSS, it's linkspan is not compatible with other ferries.

    The Lynx III uses Terminal 2 which is also used by Jonathan Swift, Ulysees and Stena Adventurer use T3 and 5 which are alongside each other.

    zoom in on Anglesey on http://www.marinetraffic.com/ais/ when the ships are due to be berthed and you can see where the terminals are located.

    T1 is right beside the main passenger terminal and railway station and the HSS linkspan has a short covered walkway directly into the building, all others are a considerable distance and require bus transfers.

    I would say the chances of catching the 15.23 from the Lynx are practically zero, even if it is in early.
    With the HSS it might be possible but I doubt it. I certainly wouldn't make plans requiring that connection. If you wan't to try it don't check in luggage and hope the crack Customs and UKBA squad are off for a long lunch.


  • #5
    KC61
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 4,316 ✭✭✭KC61


    Apologies for that - didn't realise the Lynx could not use it.


  • #6
    JHMEG
    Closed Accounts Posts: 7,686 ✭✭✭JHMEG


    I thought that bus transfers were required for most sailings alright, but not for Stena high speed.
    Vic_08 wrote: »
    With the HSS it might be possible but I doubt it. I certainly wouldn't make plans requiring that connection. If you wan't to try it don't check in luggage and hope the crack Customs and UKBA squad are off for a long lunch.

    The 13.15 ex Dun Laoghaire is a HSS (journey time 1hr50)? HSS = High Speed Sailing?


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  • #7
    KC61
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 4,316 ✭✭✭KC61


    JHMEG wrote: »
    I thought that bus transfers were required for most sailings alright, but not for Stena high speed.



    The 13.15 ex Dun Laoghaire is a HSS (journey time 1hr50)? HSS = High Speed Sailing?

    Not until June 28th - the Lynx is operating the route at the moment.


  • #8
    Breezer
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 3,236 ✭✭✭Breezer


    Vic_08 wrote: »
    zoom in on Anglesey on http://www.marinetraffic.com/ais/ when the ships are due to be berthed and you can see where the terminals are located.
    I had a look at this, and I'm not quite sold on its accuracy... :D

    screenshot20100518at190.png


  • #9
    JHMEG
    Closed Accounts Posts: 7,686 ✭✭✭JHMEG


    KC61 wrote: »
    Not until June 28th - the Lynx is operating the route at the moment.

    You'll need to explain it to me. According to wikipedia these are the Stena boats to/from Holyhead:

    # Holyhead - Dublin Port: Stena Adventurer, Stena Nordica (2009)
    # Holyhead - Dún Laoghaire: Stena Explorer, Stena Lynx III

    Lynx III is a catamaran - is this not a High Speed something? Or is it just not as High Speed as the Explorer?


  • #10
    JHMEG
    Closed Accounts Posts: 7,686 ✭✭✭JHMEG


    KC61 wrote: »
    Not until June 28th - the Lynx is operating the route at the moment.
    I'm travelling the 24th of June. This means there's not a hope of getting the 15.23 train then as it's bus transfer from where-ever the Lynx docks to the station?


  • #11
    KC61
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 4,316 ✭✭✭KC61


    JHMEG wrote: »
    You'll need to explain it to me. According to wikipedia these are the Stena boats to/from Holyhead:

    # Holyhead - Dublin Port: Stena Adventurer, Stena Nordica (2009)
    # Holyhead - Dún Laoghaire: Stena Explorer, Stena Lynx III

    Lynx III is a catamaran - is this not a High Speed something? Or is it just not as High Speed as the Explorer?

    The Lynx is a small catamaran that is high speed.
    http://www.stenaline.ie/ferry/our-ships/stena-express/

    The Stena Explorer is a much larger vessel whose ship class is known as "HSS".
    http://www.stenaline.ie/ferry/our-ships/stena-explorer/

    The difference between the two fundamentally is that the HSS is far bigger than the Lynx.

    Only the Explorer (or as it is mainly known the HSS) ties up beside the railway station.


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  • #12
    KC61
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 4,316 ✭✭✭KC61


    JHMEG wrote: »
    I'm travelling the 24th of June. This means there's not a hope of getting the 15.23 train then as it's bus transfer from where-ever the Lynx docks to the station?

    You might be lucky - in another thread (http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=2055907872&page=3) it has just been reported that the HSS Stena Explorer is coming back into service a month early on Dun Laoghaire-Holyhead from May 26th.

    With a bit of luck you might make that train yet! But as I said above it will be a close shave. You'll need to run!

    One word of warning - get your sterling in advance or onboard the ship. There is no ATM in Holyhead station.

    If you are travelling again, the best connections from a fastcraft are into/out of the Irish Ferries Jonathan Swift.


  • #13
    Southsider1
    Closed Accounts Posts: 674 ✭✭✭Southsider1


    Anytime I've gone via Holyhead on foot the train waited for the ferry passengers. So if the boat is delayed slightly you should still be ok.


  • #14
    JHMEG
    Closed Accounts Posts: 7,686 ✭✭✭JHMEG


    Southsider1 wrote: »
    Anytime I've gone via Holyhead on foot the train waited for the ferry passengers. So if the boat is delayed slightly you should still be ok.
    The 15.23 train has waited for passengers from the 15.05 arrival?

    Most of the rest of the trains seem to have been timetabled by Irish Rail - there are long waits as they're not timetabled to meet incoming ferries.


  • #15
    scudzilla
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 11,972 ✭✭✭✭scudzilla


    Southsider1 wrote: »
    Anytime I've gone via Holyhead on foot the train waited for the ferry passengers. So if the boat is delayed slightly you should still be ok.

    I've been living in Dublin for 5 years and am from Llandudno in North Wales, a 45 min train journey from Holyhead

    I have never EVER known the train to wait for the boat, if the boat's late, the train goes, that's always been the case.

    If it's a real rush then don't check any luggage in, as if the luggage is delayed in coming onto the conveyor belt you're bolloxed. Just take hand luggage if possible


  • #16
    Fratton Fred
    Closed Accounts Posts: 26,567 ✭✭✭✭Fratton Fred


    I'm heading up from London for the 2am sailings, i am tempted to get the direct train from Euston but it means a three hour wait. Is the coffee shop at Holyhead open that late at night, or should I get the later train that needs a change at Chester?

    Any suggestions?


  • #17
    Bogger77
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,857 ✭✭✭Bogger77


    Fratton Fred wrote: »
    I'm heading up from London for the 2am sailings, i am tempted to get the direct train from Euston but it means a three hour wait. Is the coffee shop at Holyhead open that late at night, or should I get the later train that needs a change at Chester?

    Any suggestions?
    It useta be open, but it's been a while since I popped in to visit, but bring supplies, a good book/mp3 player and tough it out? 3 hours is enuf time to walk to the pub/chippers near the terminal, anyhows.

    I'd rather be sitting in Holyhead terminal, waiting for the boat, than sitting in Chester or somewhere waiting for a train that's cancelled, late, etc.


  • #18
    KC61
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 4,316 ✭✭✭KC61


    Southsider1 wrote: »
    Anytime I've gone via Holyhead on foot the train waited for the ferry passengers. So if the boat is delayed slightly you should still be ok.

    The 1523 train is not timetabled to connect with the ferry. The sail/rail timetable shows the 1636 as the train connection.

    You have to remember that the trains on the Holyhead route are providing links with North Wales and either London, Manchester or indeed Cardiff, and as such delays have a far greater impact. The days of the trains specifically being ferry connections are long gone, given the (until recently) decline in foot passenger traffic.

    It's not like at Fishguard where there are just two trains a day that specifically connect with the ferry.

    I'm afraid that I would not expect the 1523 train to wait for ferry passengers.


  • #19
    Vic_08
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 3,090 ✭✭✭Vic_08


    JHMEG wrote: »
    I'm travelling the 24th of June. This means there's not a hope of getting the 15.23 train then as it's bus transfer from where-ever the Lynx docks to the station?

    Look, there is almost no chance of you making that connection either way. Even when the Explorer is running it is unlikely, it is booked for a 2 hour crossing so it isn't due to arrive until 15.15. Plan on getting the later train and forget about the 15.23, you'll be less stressed out that way.


  • #20
    Vic_08
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 3,090 ✭✭✭Vic_08


    Fratton Fred wrote: »
    I'm heading up from London for the 2am sailings, i am tempted to get the direct train from Euston but it means a three hour wait. Is the coffee shop at Holyhead open that late at night, or should I get the later train that needs a change at Chester?

    Any suggestions?


    By later train I assume you mean the one that arrives in Holyhead at 00.55. The 02.15 arrival is not a connection for the 02.40 Irish Ferries sailing and would probably leave you stranded.

    If you are travelling on a Friday or Saturday night get the earlier direct train from London, the later trains are often filled with drunken scum from Chester to North Wales.

    On other nights they would be quiet enough, if you want an extra hour in London and less time in Holyhead then get the later one.

    As for missing the ferry due to late trains, it is very unlikely. I have had 2 occasions when I missed connections to the last train for the overnight ferry from Holyhead and Fishguard. On both occasions the rail companies put on taxis and got me to the ferry with time to spare.


  • #21
    JHMEG
    Closed Accounts Posts: 7,686 ✭✭✭JHMEG


    Vic_08 wrote: »
    Look, there is almost no chance of you making that connection either way. Even when the Explorer is running it is unlikely, it is booked for a 2 hour crossing so it isn't due to arrive until 15.15. Plan on getting the later train and forget about the 15.23, you'll be less stressed out that way.
    Stena have that sailing as arriving at 15.05.

    I will probably stick with the Irish Ferries 14.30 sailing ex Dublin Port as there is too much time spent waiting in the train station in Holyhead if I arrive in at 15.05 and have to wait for the 16.36 train.


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  • #22
    KC61
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 4,316 ✭✭✭KC61


    JHMEG wrote: »
    Stena have that sailing as arriving at 15.05.

    I will probably stick with the Irish Ferries 14.30 sailing ex Dublin Port as there is too much time spent waiting in the train station in Holyhead if I arrive in at 15.05 and have to wait for the 16.36 train.

    The Stena sailing is timed as being operated by the Lynx III which is 10 minutes faster than the HSS Stena Explorer. Given the new change of ship, that sailing will now be 10 minutes slower than it was advertised.

    As I said above, the Jonathan Swift fastcraft sailings by Irish Ferries have the best connections on the route if you are travelling as a foot passenger.


  • #23
    JHMEG
    Closed Accounts Posts: 7,686 ✭✭✭JHMEG


    KC61 wrote: »
    As I said above, the Jonathan Swift fastcraft sailings by Irish Ferries have the best connections on the route if you are travelling as a foot passenger.
    That was the original plan, although anyone on the 16.30 arrival has a 50 minute wait for the next train.


  • #24
    KC61
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 4,316 ✭✭✭KC61


    JHMEG wrote: »
    That was the original plan, although anyone on the 16.30 arrival has a 50 minute wait for the next train.

    True but given there are bus transfers involved it isn't quite that bad.


  • #25
    Fratton Fred
    Closed Accounts Posts: 26,567 ✭✭✭✭Fratton Fred


    Vic_08 wrote: »
    By later train I assume you mean the one that arrives in Holyhead at 00.55. The 02.15 arrival is not a connection for the 02.40 Irish Ferries sailing and would probably leave you stranded.

    If you are travelling on a Friday or Saturday night get the earlier direct train from London, the later trains are often filled with drunken scum from Chester to North Wales.

    On other nights they would be quiet enough, if you want an extra hour in London and less time in Holyhead then get the later one.

    As for missing the ferry due to late trains, it is very unlikely. I have had 2 occasions when I missed connections to the last train for the overnight ferry from Holyhead and Fishguard. On both occasions the rail companies put on taxis and got me to the ferry with time to spare.

    I've seen the scum of which you talk, but it was during the day. they were smoking in the toilets and generally being load and obnoxious.

    I think i might get the earlier train, It means a wait from 10:55 until 2ish but at least it will be a nice modern wifi enabled train all the way from Euston.


  • #26
    BenShermin
    Closed Accounts Posts: 701 ✭✭✭BenShermin


    I usually get out of the terminal for a few pints when I'm doing the overnight ferry, three hours is that kip of a port is enough to make me want to kill myself. The only problem with going out is that the port doesn't have left luggage facilities:rolleyes:.

    Anyway, if it's a Friday or Saturday night you should be able to get out of the terminal for a few pints until 2am. The Holland Inn (directly across from the railway bridge for motorists) is open until 2am afaik, I think it's open until midnight on weeknights. The only catch is you'll have to put up with Welsh karaoke;).

    If you like your kebabs ask one of the friendly locals for directions to The Moonlight Cafe, after one of these kebabs there'll be no need for breakfast on the ferry. Enjoy the wonders of a Holyhead night out.


  • #27
    P_1
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 14,681 ✭✭✭✭P_1


    Going slightly OT but does anybody know what's open in Fishguard around midnight or so?


  • #28
    BenShermin
    Closed Accounts Posts: 701 ✭✭✭BenShermin


    pithater1 wrote: »
    Going slightly OT but does anybody know what's open in Fishguard around midnight or so?
    The ferry terminal;).

    I know there's a pub around 15mins walk from the terminal building, whether or not it's open beyond midnight is another story.


  • #29
    Bogger77
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,857 ✭✭✭Bogger77


    BenShermin wrote: »
    The ferry terminal;).

    I know there's a pub around 15mins walk from the terminal building, whether or not it's open beyond midnight is another story.
    the ferry terminal is barely open, make sure you have supplies as when I was there in November, there was no shop open, just vending machines.


  • #30
    P_1
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 14,681 ✭✭✭✭P_1


    BenShermin wrote: »
    The ferry terminal;).

    I know there's a pub around 15mins walk from the terminal building, whether or not it's open beyond midnight is another story.
    Bogger77 wrote: »
    the ferry terminal is barely open, make sure you have supplies as when I was there in November, there was no shop open, just vending machines.

    Thanks, looks like it'll be the last train from Cardiff via the shop/offie so. :D

    I'm assuming that you get a cabin on the night sailing from Fishguard to Rosslare?


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  • #31
    rainbowdash
    Closed Accounts Posts: 878 ✭✭✭rainbowdash


    pithater1 wrote: »
    Thanks, looks like it'll be the last train from Cardiff via the shop/offie so. :D

    I'm assuming that you get a cabin on the night sailing from Fishguard to Rosslare?

    Cabins cost extra!!

    I was thinking about boating it in June due to the volcano but Ryanair are quoting €16 including all taxes return for the trip.


  • #32
    Fratton Fred
    Closed Accounts Posts: 26,567 ✭✭✭✭Fratton Fred


    The train gets into Fishguard at around 1:30 so there isn't too much of a wait. there is nothing there though, on Monday not even the coffee machine was working.

    What I do on the Stena ferry is go to the top of one of the forward stairwells and crash out there. It is usuallt quiet and you can get your head down.

    If you need power for a laptop, take a european two pin adaptor as all the sockets are that type.


  • #33
    Rock Steady Edy
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 413 ✭✭Rock Steady Edy


    Vic_08 wrote: »
    Look, there is almost no chance of you making that connection either way. Even when the Explorer is running it is unlikely, it is booked for a 2 hour crossing so it isn't due to arrive until 15.15. Plan on getting the later train and forget about the 15.23, you'll be less stressed out that way.

    I travelled on a Rail and Sail ticket to London on the HSS a couple of weeks back. I was similarly hopeful that we'd get there for the 15.23 train, and even more so when we left Dun Laoghaire 10 mins ahead of schedule at 1.05pm.

    It was obvious we were never going to make it pretty early on though, it was going so slowly (compared to days gone by) and it finally docked in Holyhead at 3.30pm, ie it took 2 hours and 25 mins.

    They're obviously trying to get people used to their slower vessels and want people to use their cars as these are higher yielding passengers. It struck me as we waited in Holyhead for an hour that the last thing they want is for cars that have been on the ferry to be overtaken by a well-connected train that doesn't get stuck in traffic jams.

    We finally pulled into London around 9.15pm I think. 8 hours - not bad, but could have been 6 1/2 if Stena and the UK rail companies worked together.

    Irish Ferries swift sailings all connect much better with the trains, but personally I have a great dislike of Dublin Port, it's just such a depressing place to depart from or arrive into.


  • #34
    KC61
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 4,316 ✭✭✭KC61


    To be fair the advertised connection from the HSS is not listed as being into the 1523 service, but rather the 1636 train.

    The train times are more difficult to change as they are (in general) all designed to deliver a clockface service pattern once they get to Chester/Crewe for the onward journey either to London (Virgin) or Cardiff (Arriva Trains Wales).

    However, perhaps the recent resurgence in foot passenger numbers might prompt Virgin Trains to look at more direct London/Holyhead and v.v. services to connect with the ferries, and even First Great Western for London/Fishguard.

    In Virgin Trains case, there is an hourly clockface Chester/London service, with some trains operating to/from Bangor or Holyhead. Perhaps some more trains could operate from Holyhead, but I would assume that this is dependent on the availablility of rolling stock, something that is at a premium in the UK at the moment. Virgin Trains would leave Holyhead at XX:55 which would mean, in the case of the HSS sailing, getting to London for 19:38 if there was a 15:55 train from Holyhead.


  • #35
    Rock Steady Edy
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 413 ✭✭Rock Steady Edy


    We travelled on the 1636 on the Friday of the recent Irish Bank holiday weekend. Unbelieveably it was a 2 carriage train, full leaving Holyhead, and bursting at the seams at it left Bangor with all the University students.

    There's little interest in properly co-ordinating services from the train companies or the ferry companies.

    On the plus side, it never fails to surprise me how frequently and easily you get chatting to people on the North Wales line


  • #36
    Pineapple stu
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,677 ✭✭✭Pineapple stu


    KC61 wrote: »
    You might be lucky - in another thread (http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=2055907872&page=3) it has just been reported that the HSS Stena Explorer is coming back into service a month early on Dun Laoghaire-Holyhead from May 26th.

    With a bit of luck you might make that train yet! But as I said above it will be a close shave. You'll need to run!

    One word of warning - get your sterling in advance or onboard the ship. There is no ATM in Holyhead station.

    If you are travelling again, the best connections from a fastcraft are into/out of the Irish Ferries Jonathan Swift.

    There is one in by the cafe .


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  • #37
    Heisenberg.
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 7,541 ✭✭✭Heisenberg.


    This post has been deleted.


  • #38
    Bogger77
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,857 ✭✭✭Bogger77


    Scien wrote: »
    On the subject of Stenaline, can anyone tell me if it's possible to just turn up an hour beforehand in Dublin Port/Fishguard) and buy a ticket there and then as a foot/cycle passenger?

    Or do you have to purchase online and pay their €6 credit card 'handling charge'?
    yes, I think you should still be able to do that, it's just port to port

    Call the port number and ask?


  • #39
    Rock Steady Edy
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 413 ✭✭Rock Steady Edy


    Scien wrote: »
    On the subject of Stenaline, can anyone tell me if it's possible to just turn up an hour beforehand in Dublin Port/Fishguard) and buy a ticket there and then as a foot/cycle passenger?

    Or do you have to purchase online and pay their €6 credit card 'handling charge'?

    You can definitely buy at the port.

    Debit cards don't attract fees. I think Irish Ferries are a bit more restrictive on their fee-free debit cards, but you could find out from their websites.

    I see that Stena have extended their Explorer service to mid-September and at the same time removed the previously scheduled Express second sailing to Dun Laoghaire during September.


  • #40
    gutenberg
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 984 ✭✭✭gutenberg


    A friend & I are going to Sail/Rail home from London next Friday July 9th, we're hoping to get the 17.15 Irish Ferries sailing from Holyhead. The suggested connecting train is the 12.10 service from Euston, changing at Chester. Only thing is they only allow 12 minutes for the change at Chester, and the next train from there to Holyhead is an hour later, which means we'd miss the ferry. In London, there is only one train an hour, so that means sacrificing time in London itself.

    Has anyone any experience of returning from London around this time on a Friday? Would we be ok with the 12.10 train? I just have nightmare visions of us being stuck in Chester and missing our ferry!


  • #41
    JHMEG
    Closed Accounts Posts: 7,686 ✭✭✭JHMEG


    I did it on last saturday (see my other thread). You've nothing to worry about, it's all relaxed enough and the train from Chester will probably wait on the train from London if it's late, which it's unlikely to be.


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  • #42
    Rock Steady Edy
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 413 ✭✭Rock Steady Edy


    gutenberg wrote: »
    Has anyone any experience of returning from London around this time on a Friday? Would we be ok with the 12.10 train? I just have nightmare visions of us being stuck in Chester and missing our ferry!

    Agreed. Did it about 3 weeks ago. Lots of people do it.


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