I'm wondering if it's possible to train from Dublin Ird to Edinburgh Scot crossing at Stranraer?

Question

I'm trying to take a route up through Belfast, cross at Stranraer and on to Edinburgh. Is this possible or are there ppolitical implications?

Answer 1

Yeah Its possible. You may even be able to buy through tickets on the "sailrail" website.

Answer 2

This is the current timetable for weekday trains from Dublin Connolly to Larne Harbour, changing at Belfast Central:-

Departure 11:00 11:48 13:20 13:48 16:50

Arrival 14:41 16:16 17:32 18:05 20:23

Travel Time 3:41 4:28 4:12 4:17 3:33

Changes 1 2 2 1 1

Or there are ferries direct from Belfast:- check Stena Line website for times:- http://www.stenaline.com/gb/stena_line.h...

Your problems arise when you get to Stranraer as there are only three trains a day giving connections to Edinburgh, at 10, 11.48 and 14.37. All require a change at Glasgow Central and a walk to Glasgow Queen Street. On the first and third you also have to change at Ayr (and you can on the 11.48 - it's in fact quicker than staying on the train and going straight through to Glasgow). The journey takes nearly 4 hours.

Unless you are really set on this particular route, you would be far better off taking the ferry to Holyhead, and then the train to Edinburgh (usually 2 changes again, but no walk in Glasgow) as these only take an hour or so longer than from Stranraer

There are no political implications, however, in using the Northern Ireland route!