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Day 1
Plans for the Ireland & UK Excursion
These are plans that I am trying to stick by for the spring of 2009, when I am studying abroad in London. The dates are tentative, as of now, but I am sharing my route should anyone be able to point out something useful to me.
FROM LONDON:
Pending on time, I have a few options available to me at this moment. StudentUniverse.com would enable me to fly from London to Belfast at $332 USD, but should you really see Ireland for the first time coming out of an airport? I'm a bit more adventurous than that!
Google: maninseatsixyone or maninseat61
This will bring you a very useful website about traveling throughout a plethora of countries. I am anticipating a trainride! From London to Dun Laoghaire it is 27 pounds each way. From London to Belfast it is 36.20 pounds each way. To inquire about SailRail package deals, the phone number is 08450755755.
As of now, I am looking to book a train ride from London to Holyhead. The Virgin Pedolino train leaves from London Euston Station at 09:00 for Holyhead in north Wales; arriving at 13:03 Monday through Friday. On Saturdays, it departs London Euston at 08:03, and you will have to change trains at Crewe. You will arrive at Holyhead at 13:30. Taking a seat on the right hand side of the train will offer the best views. I would prefer the train views than the flight views.
From Holyhead, move towards the Stena Line / Irish Ferries terminal. The Stena Line, which was recommended over the other, has a station at the end of platform 2. After checking through their terminal, take the escalator lift to the departure lounge. The Stena Line Ferry check-in is 30 minutes.
Sail from Holyhead to Dun Laoghaire by Stena Line fast ferry, and you will leave Holyhead at 15:00 and arriving at your destination at 16:59.
Finally, the train from Dun Laoghaire will bring you to Dublin City Centre. Retrieve your bags, walk out of the ferry terminal and catch the DART, with a railway station ahead and across the road. The wait for the Central Dublin should be twenty-five minutes, and you should arrive by there by 18:10.
Spending the whole day traveling will probably be exhausting, so I think I might call it a night after grabbing something to eat (maybe a few drinks too). So, instead of doing a direct flight from London to Belfast for $332, you can do extensive traveling for a lesser price over more time. By the way, check out the prices with these sources: SailRail, maninseat61, StudentUniverse, EuroRail and more. Always mention you are a student and you are looking to get a youth fare. I think I might opt this way of traveling since you see three countries over a day: England, Wales and Ireland. I guess it all comes down to how much time you have.
According to Student Universe, hostels for students in the area are priced at $14.82 USD and up. I believe in pounds, that would be a price around 7.41. Dublin, from what I've researched, is a bit expensive. So, I don't think I'll be staying too long in Dublin. The most I would stay would be one or two days. Even so, I would be taking a stroll around Dublin, stopping by the National Museum (free admission), taking a look at Dublin Castle and St. Patrick's Cathedral, and inquirying about James Joyce and WB Yeats. I think the better adventures are the ones that are spontaneous, so I may wander off the beaten track and into a pub.
So there you have my first day -- traveling, checking into a hostel, and wandering around.
FROM LONDON:
Pending on time, I have a few options available to me at this moment. StudentUniverse.com would enable me to fly from London to Belfast at $332 USD, but should you really see Ireland for the first time coming out of an airport? I'm a bit more adventurous than that!
Google: maninseatsixyone or maninseat61
This will bring you a very useful website about traveling throughout a plethora of countries. I am anticipating a trainride! From London to Dun Laoghaire it is 27 pounds each way. From London to Belfast it is 36.20 pounds each way. To inquire about SailRail package deals, the phone number is 08450755755.
As of now, I am looking to book a train ride from London to Holyhead. The Virgin Pedolino train leaves from London Euston Station at 09:00 for Holyhead in north Wales; arriving at 13:03 Monday through Friday. On Saturdays, it departs London Euston at 08:03, and you will have to change trains at Crewe. You will arrive at Holyhead at 13:30. Taking a seat on the right hand side of the train will offer the best views. I would prefer the train views than the flight views.
From Holyhead, move towards the Stena Line / Irish Ferries terminal. The Stena Line, which was recommended over the other, has a station at the end of platform 2. After checking through their terminal, take the escalator lift to the departure lounge. The Stena Line Ferry check-in is 30 minutes.
Sail from Holyhead to Dun Laoghaire by Stena Line fast ferry, and you will leave Holyhead at 15:00 and arriving at your destination at 16:59.
Finally, the train from Dun Laoghaire will bring you to Dublin City Centre. Retrieve your bags, walk out of the ferry terminal and catch the DART, with a railway station ahead and across the road. The wait for the Central Dublin should be twenty-five minutes, and you should arrive by there by 18:10.
Spending the whole day traveling will probably be exhausting, so I think I might call it a night after grabbing something to eat (maybe a few drinks too). So, instead of doing a direct flight from London to Belfast for $332, you can do extensive traveling for a lesser price over more time. By the way, check out the prices with these sources: SailRail, maninseat61, StudentUniverse, EuroRail and more. Always mention you are a student and you are looking to get a youth fare. I think I might opt this way of traveling since you see three countries over a day: England, Wales and Ireland. I guess it all comes down to how much time you have.
According to Student Universe, hostels for students in the area are priced at $14.82 USD and up. I believe in pounds, that would be a price around 7.41. Dublin, from what I've researched, is a bit expensive. So, I don't think I'll be staying too long in Dublin. The most I would stay would be one or two days. Even so, I would be taking a stroll around Dublin, stopping by the National Museum (free admission), taking a look at Dublin Castle and St. Patrick's Cathedral, and inquirying about James Joyce and WB Yeats. I think the better adventures are the ones that are spontaneous, so I may wander off the beaten track and into a pub.
So there you have my first day -- traveling, checking into a hostel, and wandering around.