Rail Sea Rail Connection Query.

[reb0118]

I'm travelling from Linlithgow to Lurgan on Friday. We have booked on the 11:30 ferry crossing from Cairnryan to Belfast. The recognised interchang point is Ayr for the connecting bus to Loch Ryan Port (Cairnryan).

Now my travelling companion does not like buses (#busesareforpeasants) and I heard he took a funny turn on the recent RRB from Edinburgh to Linlithgow during the last lot of engineering works.

He has discovered that it is possible to get the train all the way to Stranraer (arriving at 10:49) then a taxi to Cairnryan.

My point is that check in closes at 11:00 and I reckon you would need a minimum (but preferably a lot more) of 25-30 minutes to complete this journey and check-in in comfort.

My companion further states that the captain has the discretionary ability to hold the ferry if there are train delays (notwithstanding the fact that I believe that this only applies to Holyhead & Fishguard harbours as they remain truly rail connected) and that "many" people successfully made that connection on a daily basis.

Do we have any regular travellers of this route and can they confirm or deny the veracity of my friend's claims?

Personally I'll be on the bus.

TIA

 

[Bantamzen]

I couldn't confirm that people use this connection on a daily basis, but Google Maps suggests it is a 5.7 mile journey with an expected travel time of 12 minutes. So assuming that a taxi was parker outside ready to go, and there was no traffic your companion might be lucky and get there just in time. But if others do really make this journey daily, and they get to any waiting taxi first, well I'm sure you get the point. I think your choice of the bus is far more sensible, and way less stressful....

 

[4F89]

Get an earlier train?

 

[Highlandspring]

I suggest he gets an earlier train, a later ferry, a taxi from Ayr or chances that he’ll be ok on the bus with the rest of the ‘peasants’. Stenna are not going to hold the boat for someone coming from Stranny in a taxi.

 

[Indigo Soup]

My companion further states that the captain has the discretionary ability to hold the ferry if there are train delays (notwithstanding the fact that I believe that this only applies to Holyhead & Fishguard harbours as they remain truly rail connected) and that "many" people successfully made that connection on a daily basis.

I believe that since the ferries moved from Stranraer to Cairnryan, the 'official' connection is the coach from Ayr. If the coach is late, then the ferry may well (but will not necessarily) be held. Any other travel arrangements are certainly at your own risk.

 

[farci]

There's a very 'un-peasanty' Citylink bus service from Glasgow-Belfast which might even please your companion. In reality it's a bus from Glasgow Buchanan-Cairnryan Terminal-Ferry-Connecting bus from Belfast Port. Leaves Glasgow at 0830. Highly recommended