Flight-Free Travel to Dublin From Wales
Travel by Ferry
Getting to Dublin by Ferry from Wales
Travel By Train
Train travel within the UK and in Ireland
DIY Walking Tours For All
Accessible DIY Walking Tours in Dublin
FIRST: TRAVEL WITH YOUR PASSPORT!!!!
Although UK citizens can freely travel between mainland UK and Ireland, spot-checks can be made – and you MUST have photo ID.
Travel to Dublin from the South of the UK without flying
There are three different ways to get to Dublin in Ireland from the UK which don’t involve going anywhere near an airport:
- A UK train to Holyhead; either of the Irish Ferries or Stena Line ferries from Holyhead to Dublin Port; then bus/taxi from Dublin Port to central Dublin.
[This is the easiest flight-free route between London and Dublin – for both able-bodied and wheelchair using passengers];
- A UK train to Fishguard Harbour; the Stena Line ferry from Fishguard to Rosslare Europort; then the Irish Rail train from Rosslare Europort to Dublin Connolly;
- A UK train to Pembroke Dock; the Irish Ferries ferry from Pembroke Dock to Rosslare Europort; then the Irish Rail train from Rosslare Europort to Dublin Connolly. NOT RECOMMENDED FOR WHEELCHAIR USERS!
Option 1a (Accessible): Avanti West Coast Train from London Euston to Holyhead
Trainline sells combined “Rail & Sail” tickets for the entire route between London and Dublin Port (but you will still then have to pay for the bus/taxi transfer between Dublin Port and central Dublin). There are also a couple of things to note about Rail & Sail tickets though, which may make a difference to you: First Class travel is not covered by Rail & Sail. And railcards are not accepted either (so if you have a Disabled Railcard then there is no additional 1/3 off the fare I’m afraid – but it might still be the cheapest option for you though – even without the railcard discount!).
The direct train from London Euston to Holyhead takes just under 4 hours (there are also trains which require 1 or 2 changes too – and which take a bit longer).
London Euston station information: www.avantiwestcoast.co.uk/where-we-go/station-information/london-euston
Holyhead station information: www.avantiwestcoast.co.uk/where-we-go/station-information/holyhead
Accessibility:
Avanti West Coast Passenger Assist form (which will let you pre-arrange ramp assistance at all points – including on the later trains operated by different rail companies):
www.avantiwestcoast.co.uk/travel-information/plan-your-journey/assisted-travel
Alternatively, book Passenger Assist at all points using the official Passenger Assist app (available on both Google Play and the Apple Store).
Option 1b (Accessible): Ferry (Stena Line - or Irish Ferries - they both operate on the Holyhead to Dublin route).
The Holyhead to Dublin ferry route is operated by two different companies though: Stena Line and Irish Ferries. So you have a choice.
Holyhead train station and the Stena Line/Irish Ferries departure desks at Holyhead port are actually part of the same building. And the building is fully wheelchair accessible (with an accessible toilet). You simply roll between train and ferry.
As both of the Stena Line and Irish Ferries check-in desks can be reached directly from the train station, there is no practical difference between them (and the ships used by both companies on this route are accessible.
The crossing between Holyhead and Dublin Port takes around 3 hours 15 minutes.
Accessibility:
In addition to the Holyhead ferry terminal building being wheelchair accessible (incuding a wheelchair accessible toilet), all ships used on this route are wheelchair accessible too.
You must notify the operator you will be travelling with of your assistance needs no less than 48 hours in advance of travel though:
Stena Line (via e-mail or telephone);
Irish Ferries (via e-mail – additionally, you should specify “Passenger with Wheelchair” when buying your ticket).
Option 1c (Accessible): Bus from Dublin Port Terminal One to central Dublin (Dublin Bus number 53 or Ferrylink express shuttle bus 853 - both are wheelchair accessible).
The Ferry terminal (Terminal 1 – where the Irish Ferries ship docks) and the number 53 bus stop are in the same place. Again, you simply roll from ferry to bus. The number 53 bus (a public bus route in Dublin) stops at various places in the centre of Dublin. All Dublin buses are low-floor and wheelchair accessible.
There is another express shuttle bus service that runs between Terminal 1 (for Irish Ferries passengers), and/or Terminal 2 (for Stena Line passengers), and then direct to central Dublin (where it makes just one stop – at George’s Quay) though. This Ferrylink express service (route number 853) is operated by Nolan Coaches. Tickets can be bought either online at https://nolancoaches.palisis.com/ or you can simply buy a ticket on the bus (but if buying your ticket on the bus, you can ONLY purchase it using a contactless card – cash is NOT accepted on the shuttle bus). The 853 bus is also wheelchair accessible.
Accessibility:
Both 53 & 853 buses are wheelchair accessible.
Normally, there are separate 853 buses leaving from either terminal (depending on the arrival time of each operator’s ships). However, the first and third buses of the day serve BOTH terminals (as Irish Ferries and Stena Line both have ships arriving at the same time then). The bus collects Irish Ferries passengers from Terminal 1 first, before collecting Stena Line passengers from Terminal 2. And this can be a bit of an issue for wheelchair users who want to use the bus:
Therefore, if you have travelled on a Stena Line ship, you will arrive in Terminal 2 at Dublin Port. And when the 853 bus also arrives at Terminal 2, it may already be carrying passengers from Terminal 1. And if there’s already a wheelchair user on board – then you are going nowhere.
And there’s more….
Even if there is no wheelchair passenger already on the bus, it will have lots of passengers already. With luggage. And luggage tends to be left in empty wheelchair spaces I find! In my experience though, people will usually move bags out of the way. But sometimes accompanied with a lot of sighing, muttering and shaking of heads.
Not exactly the ideal introduction to Dublin.
And as the bus only makes one stop in central Dublin (at George’s Quay), I would just look in that area for a hotel – and simply roll to your Dublin hotel from the shuttle bus stop.
Option 1d (Accessible): Taxi (from Dublin Port to central Dublin).
The alternative way to reach central Dublin (and to travel directly to your Dublin hotel), is simply to take a taxi between Dublin Port and your Dublin hotel.
It is a 5km journey from Dublin Port to central Dublin. Your taxi journey should only take between 16 and 30 minutes (depending on traffic and where your central Dublin hotel is actually located), and will cost around EUR13-EUR19.
The minimum of stress – and you’ll be in your central Dublin hotel in the shortest time possible.
Now THAT is what you want your introduction to Dublin to be!
You can then also stay in a Dublin hotel anywhere that is more suitable for you in central Dublin.
Accessibility:
There are no accessible taxis waiting at Dublin Port though (you have to arrange this yourself – but it is very easy to do – as it can all be done online, and can/should be done before you leave home – so that your taxi is waiting for you when the ferry docks in Dublin Port):
Dublin Wheelchair Taxis (a division of the seriously well-recommended Leinster Taxis) can provide wheelchair accessible taxis between either of the Irish Ferries or Stena Line terminals and your central Dublin hotel.
Their wheelchair accessible taxis in Dublin can be booked online at: www.dublinwheelchairtaxis.com (I recommend booking in advance of travel, as there can be delays in last-minute wheelchair taxi bookings – they’ll then be able to monitor your ship’s crossing, and expected arrival time, so that they will be waiting for you on arrival).
My advice then:
If you really really want to travel by the cheaper public bus from Dublin Port to Dublin city centre, then definitely travel with Irish Ferries (and not Stena Line). However, if you plan to travel directly to your Dublin hotel by taxi (or an accessible taxi) from Dublin Port, then it makes no PRACTICAL difference between using Irish Ferries or Stena Line. But there is a FINANCIAL difference.
It is WAY cheaper to use the Trainline “Rail & Sail” ticket (for travel between London Euston and Dublin Port). And a specific ferry company will be stated on the ticket (so it could be either Stena Line or Irish Ferries though).
So, either of the ferries between Holyhead and Dublin Port – using the Trainline’s combined “Rail & Sail” ticket from London Euston to Dublin Port, and then a taxi from Dublin Port to your Dublin hotel, is definitely the way to go (the taxi is definitely easier – and you will have saved so much on the combined “Rail & Sail” ticket anyway, that you will feel that the extra cost of the taxi is more than deserved).
An example test booking (made on April 6):
Going out on Thursday May 4 2023, and returning on Thursday May 11 2023 (and these fares are for London to Dublin Port only – you have to pay for the bus/taxi on top of this – but that cost is fixed – EUR3 for the bus, and EUR13-19 for a taxi).
Train (if booked directly via Avanti West Coast): £120.90
+
Ferry (if booked directly via Stena Line): £72.00
Total: £192.90
——–
A combination “Rail & Sail” ticket bought via the Trainline (sailing with Stena Line in this example), is only £97.60 though – including a direct London to Holyhead rail ticket. Cheaper than just the train part of the journey if booked separately (and less than half the price of the entire journey)!
And you then simply add the bus/taxi fare between Dublin Port and central Dublin/your central Dublin hotel to this.
There are a few things to be aware of when buying combined “Rail & Sail” tickets though: Travel is only available in Standard Class; and railcard discounts are not available as well (possibly because the fare is so seriously discounted already?). First class train travel & cabins can be added when booking direct though.
And although you don’t actually buy the train tickets directly from Avanti West Coast, you still need to arrange any Passenger Assist directly with them (or directly with Passenger Assist – through their app is easiest).
Option 2a: Train (GWR: London Paddington to Fishguard Harbour).
Even though a change of trains is required at Cardiff Central (or Swansea), and to a train that’s operated by a completely different train company (Transport for Wales), you just need to buy the ONE ticket (from GWR) for the entire journey from London Paddington to Fishguard Harbour.
The transfer from train to ferry at Fishguard Harbour is what makes this a great option: The train arrives at one side of the station/terminal building – and the ferry is docked on the other side. Moments away (not even 1 minute).
Accessibility:
You also only need to book Passenger Assist once too though (from GWR). Although the end of the journey is on a Transport for Wales train, because you are ticketed all the way to Fishguard Harbour, GWR will contact TfW to arrange assistance on their train. The GWR Passenger Assist form is at:
https://www.gwr.com/travel-information/passenger-assist
In addition to the terminal building being wheelchair accessible (incuding a wheelchair accessible toilet), all ships used on this route are wheelchair accessible too.
https://www.stenaline.co.uk/routes/fishguard-rosslare/fishguard-port
You must notify the operator you will be travelling with of your assistance needs no less than 48 hours in advance of travel:
Stena Line (via e-mail or telephone);
Irish Ferries (via e-mail – additionally, you should specify “Passenger with Wheelchair” when buying your ticket).
Option 2b (Accessible): Ferry (Stena Line: Fishguard Harbour to Rosslare Europort).
Stena operates two ships on this route (the Stena Europe and the Stena Nordica).
The crossing takes 3 hrs 30 mins.
Accessibility:
Both ships that Stena use on this route (the Stena Europe and the Stena Nordica) are fully wheelchair accessible. Including accessible toilets.
You must notify Stena of your assistance needs no less than 48 hours in advance of travel though, via e-mail or telephone.
Accessible cabins (with accessible showers/toilets) are available on both ships. And although the crossing takes just 3 and a half hours, having your own private space equipped with an accessible shower might just worth paying a bit extra for.
Option 2c: Train (Iarnród Éireann / Irish Rail: Rosslare Europort to Dublin Connolly).
This is actually one of the most attractive rail journeys in Europe. So if you love train journeys, then this is the route for you. But you need to book your rail ticket for the journey between Rosslare Europort and Dublin Connolly yourself separately.
But it’s really easy to do on the official Irish Rail website:
You buy your ticket online now – and simply retrieve the physical ticket from a ticket machine in Rosslare Europort train station when you arrive there on the ferry.
Accessibility:
You MUST book your wheelchair space at least 24 hours in advance, on the official Irish Rail website:
And selecting the wheelchair space requires some careful effort on your part:
First, when selecting the route initially, complete the departure and arrival points, and also your date of travel, as you normally would. But DON’T click the big orange “GO” button. Instead, click on the “Wheelchair Users” link (it’s also indicated by a wheelchair symbol). This then prepares the booking system for your wheelchair seat selection (which comes next);
You MUST use the “Manual Seat Selection” option when buying your ticket online. The wheelchair space will be indicated on the seating plan (which will be shown to you during the booking process), but it will appear to be “greyed out”. Simply click on it anyway; a green box will appear around the seat; and the seat number will be displayed as your seat selection.
And then just complete the train ticket purchase as normal.
At Rosslare Harbour train station, the station staff will help you board via a ramp. And there will be similar assistance to alight at Dublin Connolly station too.
Both Rosslare Harbour and Dublin Connolly train stations have accessible toilets. Plus, there is also a Changing Places toilet located in the Belfast waiting area of Dublin Connolly train station too when you arrive in Dublin. To gain access to the Changing Places Toilet at Dublin Connolly train station, please ask at the Connolly Station Information Desk.
An example test booking (made on April 6):
Going out on Thursday May 4 2023, and returning on Thursday May 11 2023 (and these fares are for central London to central Dublin – well, Dublin Connolly train station anyway).
Train (booked directly via GWR): £84.00+£63.90 (it was cheaper for me just to buy two single tickets). So total return is: £147.90
+
Ferry (booked directly via Stena Line): £72
+
Train (booked directly via Irish Rail): €14.98 rtn – so about £13
Total: £232.90
——–
A combination “Rail & Sail” ticket bought via the Trainline, and sailing with Stena Line, is only £114 though. Again, cheaper than just the initial train part of the journey if booked separately (and less than half the price of the entire journey)!
But this combination “Rail & Sail” ticket only takes you as far as Rosslare Europort though – so you would still need to book/add the price of the Irish Rail ticket (about £13). So the total central London to central Dublin cost would be £127.
There are a few things to be aware of when buying combined “Rail & Sail” tickets though: Travel is only available in Standard Class; and railcard discounts are not available as well (possibly because the fare is so seriously discounted already?). But First Class train travel & cabins can be added when booking direct though.
And although you don’t actually buy the train ticket directly from GWR – you still need to arrange any Passenger Assist directly with them.
Option 3: Train to Pembroke Dock, Irish Ferries ferry to Rosslare Europort, then train to Dublin (Connolly station).
NOT RECOMMENDED FOR WHEELCHAIR USERS.
Option 3a: Train (GWR: London Paddington to Pembroke Dock).
Although a change of trains is required at Cardiff Central (or Swansea), and to a train that’s operated by a completely different train company (Transport for Wales), you just need to buy the ONE ticket (from GWR) for the entire journey from London Paddington to Pembroke Dock.
Accessibility:
BE CAREFUL: ALTHOUGH THIS ROUTE IS NOT IMPOSSIBLE FOR WHEELCHAIR USERS – IT CAN BE SERIOUSLY DIFFICULT.
THERE IS A 15-20 MINUTE WALK/ROLL BETWEEN THE TRAIN STATION AND THE FERRY TERMINAL AT PEMBROKE DOCK (THERE ARE PAVEMENTS ALL THE WAY THOUGH). BUT SOME OF THE TRUCKS DESTINED FOR THE DUBLIN FERRY PARK ANYWHERE. AND IF THEY ARE BLOCKING A DROPPED KERB, YOU WILL BE DELAYED AS YOU FIND A WAY AROUND.
SO THE PEMBROKE DOCK TO ROSSLARE EUROPORT ROUTE IS DEFINITELY NOT RECOMMENDED FOR WHEELCHAIR USERS.
If you do decide to make this journey though:
You also only need to book Passenger Assist once too though (from GWR). Although the end of the journey is on a Transport for Wales train, because you are ticketed all the way to Pembroke Dock, GWR will contact TfW to arrange assistance for you on the TfW train. The GWR Passenger Assist form is at:
Option 3b: Ferry (Irish Ferries: Pembroke Dock to Rosslare Europort)
The ferry is wheelchair accessible, and the crossing takes around 4 hours.
Accessibility:
In addition to the terminal building being wheelchair accessible (incuding a wheelchair accessible toilet), all ships used on this route are wheelchair accessible too.
You must notify Irish Ferries of your assistance needs no less than 48 hours in advance of travel though, via e-mail.
You should also specify “Passenger with Wheelchair” when buying your ticket.
Option 3c: Train (Iarnród Éireann / Irish Rail: Rosslare Europort to Dublin - Connolly).
This is actually one of the most attractive rail journeys in Europe. But you need to book your rail ticket for the journey between Rosslare Europort and Dublin Connolly separately.
Easy to do at on the official Irish Rail website:
You buy your ticket online now – and simply retrieve the physical ticket from a ticket machine in Rosslare Europort train station when you arrive there on the ferry.
Accessibility:
You MUST book your wheelchair space at least 24 hours in advance, on the official Irish Rail website:
And selecting the wheelchair space requires some careful effort on your part:
First, when selecting the route initially, complete the departure and arrival points, and also your date of travel, as you normally would. But DON’T click the big orange “GO” button. Instead, click on the “Wheelchair Users” link (it’s also indicated by a wheelchair symbol). This then prepares the booking system for your wheelchair seat selection (which comes next);
You MUST use the “Manual Seat Selection” option when buying your ticket online. The wheelchair space will be indicated on the seating plan, but it will appear to be “greyed out”. Simply click on it anyway; a green box will appear around the seat; and the seat number will be displayed as your seat selection.
And then just complete the train ticket purchase as normal.
At Rosslare Harbour train station, the station staff will help you board via a ramp. And there will be similar assistance to alight at Dublin Connolly station too.
Both Rosslare Harbour and Dublin Connolly train stations have accessible toilets. Plus, there is also a Changing Places toilet located in the Belfast waiting area of Dublin Connolly train station too when you arrive in Dublin. To gain access to the Changing Places Toilet at Dublin Connolly train station, please ask at the Connolly Station Information Desk.
An example test booking (made on April 6):
Going out on Thursday May 4 2023, and returning on Thursday May 11 2023 (and these fares are for central London to central Dublin – well, Dublin Connolly train station anyway).
Train (booked directly via GWR): £84.00+£63.90 (again, it was cheaper for me just to buy two single tickets – same prices as the Fishguard route though). So total return is: £147.90
+
Ferry (booked directly via Stena Line): £72
+
Train (booked directly via Irish Rail): €15 rtn – so about £13
Total: £232.90
——–
A cheaper combination “Rail & Sail” ticket bought via the Trainline is not available on this route though. £232.90 it is then. So go via Fishguard Harbour instead!
Option 4: Liverpool to Dublin?
This is NOT an option for foot passengers though. The P&O ferry between Liverpool and Dublin takes vehicles only – but this is still an option for people who are taking their own vehicles/WAVs. And when travelling from anywhere south of the Lake District, it’s probably the best option for people who are taking their own vehicles (people travelling to Dublin from Scotland, either with their own vehicle or as a foot-passenger only, have another option: Dublin via Cairnryan and Belfast):
Public Transport in Dublin
Dublin has no underground Subway/Metro network. So all public transport in Dublin is above ground:
DART (the suburban/regional rail network in Dublin);
Luas (the tram network in central Dublin);
and the Dublin Bus network – which previously was entirely operated by the publicly-owned “Dublin Bus”, however, a number of bus lines in central Dublin have now been privatised – and are operated by “Go Ahead”.
Tickets.
You have 2 options when buying tickets for the various forms of public transport in Dublin:
- Dublin single-journey tickets.
Just buy individual tickets for each journey you make (DART: in advance, at rail station ticket offices, or from ticket machines in the stations; Luas: from ticket machines on each platform before you board one of the trams in Dublin; or from the driver, onboard your Dublin bus). - Visitor Leap Card.
A much more convenient option is to buy a Visitor Leap Card, as these can be used interchangeably on all different forms of public transport in Dublin.
Better still, you can buy a Visitor Leap Card before you even travel to Dublin, and it will be posted to your address in the UK (but it’s important to realise that the Visitor Leap Card is a physical card – so if buying the Visitor Leap Card in advance like this, please allow time for it to be sent to you before you leave for Dublin).
The Visitor Leap Card can also be bought in central Dublin – from Dublin Bus (O’Connell Street).
Visitor Leap Cards can be purchased for 3 different time periods (the longer you plan to be in central Dublin, the cheaper it will be): 24-hours (€8); 72-hours (€16); and 7 days (€32).
Accessibility:
The official Transport for Ireland website provides very thorough accessibility information for visitors to Dublin (and also further afield in Ireland) who plan to use public transport.
Luas (the trams in Dublin):
All Luas trams in central Dublinare fully wheelchair accessible (and all tram platforms too). You simply roll on and off.
Platforms are raised 280 mm above the track and are accessible via the short 5-6 m ramps located at one or both ends of the platform. Where required, there is a lift to provide access to the platform instead.
On the trams in Dublin, there are TWO designated areas for wheelchair users, which are accessed via the four central sets of double tram doors. These designated areas are indicted by the double-sided wheelchair stickers on the windows above the fold-down seats and back rest area. Wheelchair users have priority for use of this space.
Dublin Buses.
All Go Ahead buses, and many Dublin Bus buses, are low-floored with an automatic ramp. This ramp is positioned at the front of the bus (next to the bus driver), so you MUST exit from there only.
There is ONE designated wheelchair space on all buses – and wheelchairs must have maximum size of 120cm x 70cm.
Not all bus stops in Dublin are wheelchair-accessible though. The TFI Journey Planner will show you which bus stops are accessible.
Dublin Hotels / Dublin Hostels / Dublin Apartments
Where in central Dublin is the best place to look for a hotel?
Hmmm? Well, as the bus from the Dublin Port arrives in central Dublin at George’s Quay only – then it would make sense to stay as close as possible to there.
The following hotels are moments away from George’s Quay in central Dublin (the hostel is a bit further away, on the other side of the river – but is still easily walkable).
And all three receive seriously good reviews:
4-Star Hotel
Trinity City Hotel
Central Dublin
Great location in Dublin city centre
1-min walk to Tara Street DART Station
Walking distance to all Dublin attractions
Accessible Rooms Also Available
3-Star Hotel
Temple Bar Inn
Temple Bar Dublin
Walking distance to Trinity College and Book of Kells, shopping and many pubs
“Perfect”
Accessible Rooms Also Available
Hostel
Jacobs Inn Hostel
Dublin City Centre
Located opposite Connolly Station
5-min walk to Dublin’s lively Temple Bar entertainment district
Dorms & Private Rooms Available
More....
For details of other central Dublin hotels, Dublin hostels and apartments in Dublin, see Booking.com Dublin
Accessible Dublin Hotels, Hostels & Apartments:
Finding a truly accessible hotel, hostel or apartment anywhere can be a bit of a nightmare.
But the accessibility filters on the Booking.com Dublin Hotel search (simply scroll down on the left), make it much easier.
There’s a wee trick though:
By default, the filters are a bit limited. So, ignore the filters initially, simply enter your desired dates, and make an initial search. You will then be presented with ALL properties that are available on your desired dates – and much more detailed filters (on the left – keep scrolling down until you see the “Property accessibility” and “Room accessibility” filters). NOW, filter the results as required. As I need step-free access & a roll-in shower as a minimum, I select BOTH of the “Wheelchair accessible” Property and “Roll-in shower” Room filters.
IMPORTANT: Always specify that you MUST have an accessible room, in the “Comments” during the hotel booking process.
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Thank you so very much – and have a great time in Dublin!