Is it better to book ahead ferries and trains a few months ahead of time in the UK?

Question

I am planning on traveling to the UK this winter arriving in the UK in late November.

I have already booked and paid for my ticket, is it also a good idea to go ahead and book and pay for my ferry and train ticket from the city I will be arriving in.

Plan on traveling to Belfast from Dublin on the train and then after taking the ferry over to Scotland.

Or is this something that is easily enough available to buy at the ticket office at the last minute? and do the prices stay pretty consistant?

Answer 1

Personally, I'd try to pre-book train tickets.  I was going to go to London from the Midlands.  Tickets for 4 people booked 3 weeks in advance was going to cost £80.  Left it until the day before and the cost went upto £270.  Try looking at www.nationalrail.co.uk

Answer 2

It's not clear from the question whether you plane to travel by train in mainland UK or only in Ireland. I can't comment on the ferry question, as I've never travelled from Northern Ireland to Great Britain. But if you are planning on using the train on the mainland, the earlier you book, the more chance you have of getting cheap deals. For example, I have checked with www.thetrainline.co.uk for a journey from Stranraer (where I assume you will arrive from Belfast) to Manchester. the cheapest deal tomorrow is £82 for a Saver return. Looking two months ahead, however into November it could possibly do the journey for half that price, using two singles. I advise you start booking now!

Answer 3

If you are travelling by car then I would recommend that you book early to get the cheapest fares, but usually foot passengers have a fixed fare and therefore I would just book a few days before. Would not recommend that you book on the day in case their is no availability, but as a foot passenger this is unlikely! In Scotland are you planning going with P&O or Stena Line. I would recommend that you take a trip on Stena Line's HSS (Stena Voyager).

Answer 4

you probably dont want to buy it ahead of time as your plans might change..