Expert: Alun Hill MCIJ - 3/12/2011

Question
I have checked flights and train/ferry information for travel between London and Dublin. The train/ferry is about half the price of the flight between London and Dublin.  If I arrive at 7:30am is it possible and how would I get to the train/ferry station from LHR?

Answer
UPDATE: It is possible to get the 1210 from Euston most days, changing at Chester and Holyhead.

You can get to London Euston rail station by London Underground, changing once, in about an hour.

You can also buy the rail ticket from Euston on the day - there's no need to book in advance.

You will arrive in Dublin at about 7.30pm.

My apologies for missing this connecting train in my original response below.

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Hi - thanks for this interesting question!

There are some problems, unfortunately.

The train leaves London Euston at 0910 (earlier at weekends) and, depending on where you're flying from, it could be 0930 before you even leave London Heathrow airport, as it's very busy with inter-continental arrivals at that time.

You'd need to allow an hour at least between Heathrow and Euston railway station.

I also tried to see if you could get the special Air-link coach to Milton Keynes and see if you could pick the train up there, but the timings are not possible, sorry.

It would also be about 6pm before you arrived in Dublin.

An alternative for you would be to take a cheap flight from London's Gatwick airport on Ryanair.com.

This is from about £20, but if you were to miss the flight, you would lose the ticket, so I would suggest you book a early afternoon flight. There is a regular coach service between Heathrow and Gatwick airports, costing about £21.50 - the journey time is 1 to 2 hours, as you're travelling on Britain's busiest road.

I do hope this helps!


Alun Hill, MCIJ