THEY say it’s not the destination, it’s the journey.
And with Transport for Wales’ partnership with Stena Line, you really can enjoy an exciting trip to the Emerald Isle while leaving the car at home.
Sail Rail is a combined ticket covering you for both your train fare to the ferry port and your crossing as a foot passenger.
The service is available from Holyhead to Dublin and Fishguard to Rosslare and more information can be found here.
Fishguard to Rosslare
As part of the Sail Rail ticket, customers can connect to a Fishguard Harbour train from Swansea at 10:58 (times subject to change so please check before travel).
Tickets can be purchased at booking offices or the TfW Website and selecting “Rosslare Europort” as your destination.
Advance singles can be found for as little as £42.70 (prices subject to change).
Trains take approximately 1.5 hours from Swansea or between 2.5 and 3 hours if traveling in from Cardiff and making a connection.
The initial journey takes in the beautiful Loughor and Burry Port estuaries as the train winds its way leisurely through the Carmarthenshire countryside and on across Pembrokeshire to the coast, arriving at approximately 12:30, well in time for the 14:00 crossing.
For travellers looking for a more active holiday, you can bring a bike on both the train and ferry and making a free bike booking is recommended. You can also bring pets with you, meaning you can save money on boarding costs and enjoy beautiful walks in the Irish countryside with your four legged friend if you so desire.
The crossing typically takes between 3 hours 30 minutes and 4 hours, subject to tidal conditions.
Sailing on a comfortable ferry, you can watch the Pembrokeshire coast disappear from view with a drink in hand as you head for your Irish adventure.
With several bars, a restaurant, soft play area, film screenings, TV lounge and duty-free shop, there is plenty to keep you occupied to ensure the crossing goes by in the blink of an eye.
Taking the ferry and being able to spread out and walk between decks at your leisure really does make a welcome alternative to being stuck in an aeroplane seat for several hours.
For those wishing for a more luxurious experience, Stena also offers several different Lounge experiences and you can also book a cabin if you want to grab a few precious hours sleep before the next part of your adventure.
From July, 2023, the route will be served by Stena Nordica.
When you get off the boat
Arriving into the Rosslare terminal, foot passengers are taken by shuttle bus to the terminal where you can pick up bus connections to nearby towns including Wexford, Waterford, Cork and Limerick.
Buses cost approximately £6.50 to Wexford and £20 to Waterford.
Or a short walk away you can catch a train from Rosslare Europort Railway Station to Wexford, Wicklow or Dublin.
An open return to Dublin costs approximately £31.50.
Spotlight on Waterford
A great family destination for a weekend break, Waterford is just over an hour by bus from Rosslare.
Situated on the pretty Suir river, the lively town has an abundance of hotels, bars and restaurants to enjoy. As Ireland’s oldest city, the area is steeped in history with museums and galleries to explore, not to mention the famous Waterford Crystal experience. On almost every street is a blue plaque reflecting the people and places that have formed part of its identity.
The town also has a contemporary feel, with live music in most bars on a weekend. The walls of the town have been transformed in recent years with beautiful murals adding a splash of colour to reflect the positive feel of the place.
For those looking for a real active experience, bikes can be hired for just £25 per day. You can then explore the Waterford Greenway, part of the old railway line to Cork. The route meanders through the foothills of the Comeragh Mountains and onto the pretty harbour town of Dungarvan. You can walk part of the way, cycle in both directions or cycle one way and get the bus back to Waterford from Dungarvan.
It also plays home to the Waterford Suir Valley Railway, a narrow-gauge heritage line that children will love travelling on.
Waterford can be used as a base too for a longer stay, with bus links to Cork and Limerick and rail links to Dublin, Limerick and Tipperary amongst others.
So whether you are traveling over for a few nights or a longer stay, why not leave the car behind and let the train, ferry and bus do the work for you?
As a reminder, tickets can be purchased from booking offices or the TfW website, selecting “Rosslare Europort” as your destination.
