Border Crossing: Getting the Cairnryan to Belfast Ferry (Scotland to Northern Ireland)
May 6 2023 | Tagged: United Kingdom, Border Crossings
I travelled from Dundee to Belfast for just £39. That's right, £39.
Scotland to Northern Ireland on a Stena Line Ferry.
Using a deal on ScotRail, I travelled from Dundee by train and bus and then a final ferry from Cairnryan to Belfast for just £39. Scotland to Northern Ireland.
And to add fuel to the fire, it would be my first visit to Northern Ireland.
Scotland to Northern Ireland on a Stena Line Ferry.
Using a deal on ScotRail, I travelled from Dundee by train and bus and then a final ferry from Cairnryan to Belfast for just £39. Scotland to Northern Ireland.
And to add fuel to the fire, it would be my first visit to Northern Ireland.
My buddy Neil informed me of the deal which exists when booked on ScotRail.
If a combo ticket, from Greenock or Glasgow to Belfast for just £35, how much was it going to be from Dundee? A quick check, £39. In fact, you could go from Wick to Belfast for £41. An incredible deal.
There were 5 stages:
1. Train: Dundee to Glasgow Queen Street.
2. Walk to Glasgow Central
3. Train: Glasgow Central to Ayr
4. Bus: Ayr to Cairnryan Stena Line Terminal
5. Ferry: Cairnryan Stena Line Terminal to Belfast
Here's my trip report, May 5 2023:
If a combo ticket, from Greenock or Glasgow to Belfast for just £35, how much was it going to be from Dundee? A quick check, £39. In fact, you could go from Wick to Belfast for £41. An incredible deal.
There were 5 stages:
1. Train: Dundee to Glasgow Queen Street.
2. Walk to Glasgow Central
3. Train: Glasgow Central to Ayr
4. Bus: Ayr to Cairnryan Stena Line Terminal
5. Ferry: Cairnryan Stena Line Terminal to Belfast
Here's my trip report, May 5 2023:
I booked online at ScotRail, paid by CreditCard, then went to the station to pick up the tickets.
Everything went very smoothly.
The 9:15 out of Dundee to Glasgow Queen Street:
The 9:15 out of Dundee to Glasgow Queen Street:
The 11:34 out of Glasgow Central to Ayr:
The connecting ScotRail bus to Cairnryan:
Arriving at the Loch Ryan Stena Line ferry terminal in Cairnryan:
Collect the boarding pass:
And boarding the ship:
I was, like always, travelling economy, no £20 lounge upgrade, in with the masses for me.
Chips and a beer in the restaurant:
Chips and a beer in the restaurant:
Enjoying the (border) crossing from Scotland to Northern Ireland:
First glimpse of Northern Ireland:
Arriving:
Arrived. Northern Ireland, my first visit here. 99th UN country:
Bus #96 into the centre. A single trip ticket costs £2.20. Paid on the bus, contactless. And an easy ride into town, last stop, Donegal Place.
How long is the ferry crossing from Cairnryan to Belfast?
The Stena Line ferry departed Cairnryan at 15:30 and arrived on schedule in Belfast at 17:45. Disembarkation was quick. There were no document checks. Northern Ireland is part of the UK.
Northern Ireland and Belfast welcomes you.
Northern Ireland and Belfast welcomes you.