I can not seem to figure out an easy way to get from Cardiff to Dublin. Both Cardiff and Dublin have major airports, but it seems that there's no flights between the two until March. MARCH. The hell? No one ever needs to get from Cardiff to Dublin or vice versa?
So I began looking into ferries, figuring that since they both are cities with major Bay areas, there was bound to be something. Guess what? There's not. Ferries to Dublin only go out from Holyhead and Pembroke.
So my choices are to take a train from Cardiff to Pembroke so I can take a 3-hour ferry ride, OR take a train back to London and take a flight from London to Dublin, which seems kind of counter-productive, not to mention expensive. Either way, I lose an entire day to traveling, and while I'm sure I can entertain myself fine on a ferry and train, I'm not exactly looking forward to it.
As a spoiled American, I'm sort of surprised that there's not anything more convenient. I can't believe that there's not more inter-Isle travel going on. Where's the love, Wales and Ireland, Where's the love?
So I began looking into ferries, figuring that since they both are cities with major Bay areas, there was bound to be something. Guess what? There's not. Ferries to Dublin only go out from Holyhead and Pembroke.
So my choices are to take a train from Cardiff to Pembroke so I can take a 3-hour ferry ride, OR take a train back to London and take a flight from London to Dublin, which seems kind of counter-productive, not to mention expensive. Either way, I lose an entire day to traveling, and while I'm sure I can entertain myself fine on a ferry and train, I'm not exactly looking forward to it.
As a spoiled American, I'm sort of surprised that there's not anything more convenient. I can't believe that there's not more inter-Isle travel going on. Where's the love, Wales and Ireland, Where's the love?
Labels: 8K in the UK
2 Comments:
The best thing for you to do is to get a bus http://www.nationalexpress.com/
from Cardiff to Bristol, which will probably cost you between £10 and £20 and take 2 - 2 and a half hours. Go to Bristol Airport, and book a Ryanair flight http://www.ryanair.com/site/EN/ from Bristol to Dublin which can cost as little as £20 to £60 depending on which day you travel. If you avoid weekdays it's usually much cheaper! Just make sure you know where abouts in Dublin they fly you to, cause the Ryanair airport here is described as Glasgow Prestwick, when in reality it's in the middle of Ayrshire, which is about 25 miles outside the city. But I think with them being an Irish airline, they'll fly you straight into Dublin.
As far as recommending things to do in the UK, you've pretty much got it covered. It's worth going to the tower of London, next to the famous tower bridge,(A beefeater will give you a tour and you get to see the Crown Jewels) and the London Dungeon is a good laugh if you've got lots of spare time. The London Eye gives you a good view over the Thames but it's quite pricey if I remember.
I was in Cardiff earlier this year, and was well impressed with it. We just wandered round and took in the sights. It's quite cosmopolitan now, particularly down at the bay next to the millenium centre. I can't give you any tips for Dublin though, as I've never been to Eire before!
Hope this helps you out and I hope you have a fantastic time over here. As my gaelic friends would say : Ceud Mile Failte!
YAY, Stouff! Thank you so much! I am getting more and more excited about hopping the pond, and more and more bummed that I had to cancel Scotland from the trip. Next time, I swear, and I'm buying you a pint.
Thanks for all of the advice!
(And I'm totally doing the National Express, what a great suggestion)
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