sailrail anytime return

[bkhtele]

This ticket as an anytime return shows as valid via Glasgow.
I would use the following process:
1. Decide which ferry & coach from Cairnryan
E.g Sat 23/3 coach from Ayr 12.35, ferry Cairnryan 15.30 OR Ayr 17.05, ferry 19.30
(you can get this info from Stena website)

2. Check route on journey planner or say Scotrail or FGW website Great Malvern to Ayr
E.g. Gt Malvern 8.10 via Bir, Carlisle, Glasgow 15.01, Ayr 16.16

3. Go to station, buy ticket ensure ferry reservation is correct - ignore rail reservation & travel on train of choice e.g valid gt Malvern to Ayr (most showing in journey planner via Glasgow)

4. If you want diff trains ( to allow for delays etc ask station to change reservations after ferry booking is confirmed.

Suggest you might want to check your local FGW self service ticket machine as old ones still offer this ticket. Without ferry reservation, this is only a problem if we have another ash cloud or at Xmas....

At various times of the year it is almost impossible to buy this ticket on the Internet, some times rail easy is best! Include via Cairnryan if you do this

 

[bb21]

Is it sad that i find the routing guide fascinating?

Erm, yes, and proud of it.

 

[soil]

Maybe that is the shortest route? (Then how are Eire mileages computed? I think this would be a very naughty interpretation though.)

Belfast does not have a mileage associated.

There are two railsail routes - Cairnyran and Holyhead. This will be the cause - two far distant stations with insufficient discrimination in the logic to distinguish between them.

 

[bangor-toad]

Well you certainly learn new things from this Forum!

I never knew you could force a Birkenhead - Belfast crossing by putting "Avoid Ayr" into the Scotrail booking engine. It seems to work for more or less anywhere that allows you to arrive at Liverpool Lime street an hour or so before the sailings

Now whilst this comes up as an interesting route, is it actually possible to book? The Birkenhead - Belfast crossing would be a lot more convienient to do.
(Of course, that hypothetically means breaking the fare rules by not doing travelling the Belfast - Cairnryan - Belfast parts.)

Cheers,
Jason

 

[ainsworth74]

Is it sad that i find the routing guide fascinating?

You need to come to a Fares Workshop. Lots of discussion about the routeing guide to be had

 

[Goatboy]

Is this the sort of ticket you'll get any hassle from staff using or is it so obscure they'd just mark it and move on?

I'm planning to use the XC Plymouth to Edinburgh service with a change onto a Glasgow Scotrail service (Annoyingly XC don't run through to Glasgow at the weekend) as I've not done the ECML north of York. Do I need to ensure I'm fully versed on why its valid?

 

[bkhtele]

Is this the sort of ticket you'll get any hassle from staff using or is it so obscure they'd just mark it and move on?

I'm planning to use the XC Plymouth to Edinburgh service with a change onto a Glasgow Scotrail service (Annoyingly XC don't run through to Glasgow at the weekend) as I've not done the ECML north of York. Do I need to ensure I'm fully versed on why its valid?

Hassle free:
Never had a problem yet including east coast. Was questioned on east coast once: seemed if clear on route & journey plan plus ferry you are taking unlikely to have a problem. Occasionally they think you are going to Holyhead so highlighting Cairnryan solves the problem.
They are very used to it in Scotland. At weekends I have used weekend 1st freely, they always happy to take extra cash, & ferries are now very good. Enjoy!
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---

Well you certainly learn new things from this Forum!

I never knew you could force a Birkenhead - Belfast crossing by putting "Avoid Ayr" into the Scotrail booking engine. It seems to work for more or less anywhere that allows you to arrive at Liverpool Lime street an hour or so before the sailings

Now whilst this comes up as an interesting route, is it actually possible to book? The Birkenhead - Belfast crossing would be a lot more convienient to do.
(Of course, that hypothetically means breaking the fare rules by not doing travelling the Belfast - Cairnryan - Belfast parts.)

Cheers,
Jason

The Ireland rail sail ticket is not valid via Birkenhead (pity) must be some mix up with isle of man rail sail!

 

[bkhtele]

Now available via Birkenhead/Liverpool - details on Stena website or see other threads