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Rail Connected Shipping Services

Being an island country, there are many locations you need to take a ferry to reach and when you need to go by ferry there is nearly always a convenient train link to get you there.  Travelling by ferry is a relaxing and enjoyable way to reach your destination.  In fact many people find ferry travel to be much more enjoyable than taking the train!  Perhaps it is the slow relaxing pace of the journey, or the adventure of a sea crossing or maybe it is finding the space to have some time to oneself while watching the sea gliding by.

Heysham Harbour.  Many ports have their own railway stations.

Whatever the reason ferries offer a long standing reliable means of reaching the many islands around the cost of Britain, and the UK itself from continental Europe.

Also useful are the rail links to cruise ships.  If you are planning taking a cruise from a UK port you might want to take advantage of the cruise ship's generous baggage allowances, so trains are the ideal way to get to the ship.  You also don't need to worry about parking or have the stress of driving to the port. 

Tell me about:  How to travel by ferry Ferry Ports with Rail Links

Travelling by Ferry

Booking.  Ferry travel may often be booked together with your rail ticket from staffed ticket offices and rail appointed travel agents (although usually not from the shipping companies themselves!).  Having one ticket means that your connection is guaranteed, you will probably get a better price than buying a separate ferry ticket and is more convenient.  One poor aspect of these joint tickets is that they are often not promoted by the ferry companies.  The Isle of Man Steam Packet is amongst the best ferry operators and devotes a page to rail and sail tickets.  Caledonian MacBrayne on the other hand with many rail connected Scottish ferry routes makes no mention of these fares on its website! 

To find out if you can book a joint ticket for your ferry, just ask at your rail station.  If you are visiting Scotland, keep in mind the Freedom of Scotland Rover tickets as these include most ferry travel in Scotland, as well as all rail services. 

Onboard.  One of the joys of ferry travel are the excellent on board facilities.  On shorter crossings you will usually find a choice of passenger lounges with comfortable seating, a cafe or restaurant, bar, shop and outdoor deck space.  Being able to get out on deck and enjoy the fresh sea air is one of the highlights of any sea crossing.  Many routes also have a first class lounge with lots of space, and added amenities.  On overnight crossings cabins are available.  These come in many forms from basic rooms with several bunk beds to executive ensuite rooms with sea views.  As always you get what you pay for and the more you pay, the more facilities your cabin will have.  Having said this, all are clean, modern and comfortable.  The main things to keep in mind are, do you want ensuite (shower and toilet in the cabin) or are you happy to use communal facilities and do you want a sea view. 

Also on the longer distance routes are greater facilities.  There will usually be a choice of restaurants, lounges, bars and entertainment.  The largest ferries are usually known as 'cruise ferries' for this reason and are considered part of the holiday experience. 

Checking in and boarding.  Once you arrive at the Ferry Terminal, make your way to the check in desks.  You will be asked for your reservation number or you will show your rail tickets with sea crossing included.  The check in staff will issue you with a boarding card, this is is very important for sea travel safety so keep it safely on your person at all times.  You will also often check in your luggage so there is no need to drag it onto the ship or keep an eye on it while on board, leaving you free to just enjoy yourself.  Of course if you are checking in luggage remember to take out anything you might want while on board.  You will probably want some money, warm clothing (it can get surprisingly cold on deck even on a warm summer day!), your camera and any other toiletries or medication you may need.  This is in common with motorists using the ferry who don't have access to their vehicles either during the crossing. 

There are always comfortable indoor waiting lounges with cafe's and toilet facilities.  Before long you will be called on board and the journey begins! 

First Class Lounges.  Many ferry companies offer first class lounges on board.  Currently, Stena Line, P&O, Isle of Man Steam Packet, Condor Ferries offer this option.  These first class lounges must be one of the best value for money travel options available.  Unlike UK first class train fares which often cost at least double standard class (and often much more!) these lounges can often be booked for less than £10 per person and yet put most First Class rail carriages to shame.  The seats really are amazing comfortable, and often leather.  There is a steward to serve you meals (no queuing with the masses in the self serve restaurant!).  There are complementary drinks, snacks and newspapers.  After my first journey by first class ferry I was left wondering why everyone wasn't upgrading! 

An added bonus of travelling in these lounges is that they usually have the best views in the ship.  On the Isle of Man Steam Packet's, Ben my Chree vessel it is located at the front of the ship overlooking the bow.  With a quiet relaxing atmosphere it made for the perfect journey. 

Reserved Seating.  Of course, even if you don't wish to travel first class, you will probably want a seat.  Seating on ferries (other than first class) is on a first come, first served basis and when its full, it is full.  If you don't want to be spending a lot of time handing about the bar, shop and open deck then be sure to reserve a seat.  Usually it is a very small supplement for only a few pounds and it means you know you have your seat there waiting for you to get back even if you want to go off exploring the ship. 

Bicycles Bicycles are usually carried free of charge when accompanied by a fare paying passenger.  Passengers are advised to dismount and push their bicycles when embarking or disembarking from the vessel.

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Rail Connected Ferry Ports

There are a number of rail connected Ferry Ports around the UK.  The connections and details are listed here.  The table is by port and then details the ferry routes and finally how you get to the port from the railway station.  Many are located inside ferry terminals, a bit like some airport rail links, while others are a very short walk or bus journey away.  There are links to the ferry routes so you can find out more about the actual ferry journeys also. 

(S) is a Sailrail Route.  Sailrail is a partnership of Irish Sea Ferry Companies and Rail Companies to offer one ticket from any UK rail station to any Irish railway station.  The fares are very competitive too.  For example from Aberdeen to Belfast is currently just £31.  You can book these tickets at any staffed railway station or rail appointed travel agent. 

Why are other ferry links not listed here?  I have only listed the routes which are useful to rail passengers.  Some companies offer competing services which cater to a far greater extent for motorists.  Some of these companies make no mention of rail and bus links to their ships, others don't even carry foot passengers at all!  Disappointingly major ferry company, P&O make very little effort to help rail passengers.  The worst services are those in the Irish Sea that cater entirely to motorists.  Happily though Stena (which is a very good quality ferry line) are set up for rail passengers with through ticketing and a dedicated website.  The ferries listed on this page all provide a good quality service to rail (and bus) passengers. 

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Rail and Ferry to the Isle of Man

The Isle of Man is easily reached with the services of the Isle of Man Steam Packet Company (IoMSP). The IoMSP uses fast ferries to link the ports of Liverpool and Douglas (on the Island).  Heysham in north England has a conventional ferry service to the Island. Regular rail connections are available to all areas of Britain with usually same day travel.  Staffed railway stations and rail appointed travel agents are able to sell inclusive tickets with combined rail and sea travel.

IoM Steam Packet vessel, Ben-my-Chree

Additionally you may use railcards with this tickets for even greater savings.  If travelling via Heysham Port, it has it's own railway station located next to the ferry terminal for the Isle of Man.  The connection could not be better with trains timed to meet arriving and departing ferries.  If travelling via Liverpool, go to Lime Street Station.  From there catch the frequent Ferrylink S2 bus service from the station to the Isle of Man ferry terminal.  Through rail and sail tickets are available on both routes. 

Onboard there Manannan Premium Lounges on all vessels providing a quiet relaxing place to enjoy the crossing.  There is also a restaurant and shop on all sailings.  The Heysham to Douglas route also has cabins available.  Dogs are welcomed and there is a specific lounge for passengers travelling with dogs. 

The Isle of Man Steam Packet Company itself holds the distinction of being the world's oldest continually operating passenger shipping company having started operations in 1830.  It celebrated it's 175th anniversary in 2006. 

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Orkney & Shetland

When travelling to Orkney you can either leave from Thurso or Aberdeen.  Shetland services leave daily from Aberdeen for the overnight crossing to Shetland.  

Aberdeen has three Intercity services daily from the East Coast of England provided by National Express East Coast and regular services from throughout Scotland including Edinburgh, Perth, Dundee and Glasgow.  There is also a nightly sleeper service from London. Travelling via Aberdeen has two benefits for the rail passenger.  Firstly, the railway station at Aberdeen is situated next to Aberdeen harbour and the terminal for Northlink Ferries to Orkney and Shetland.  Secondly, the ferries from Aberdeen arrive into Kirkwall, the main town on Orkney.  When travelling via the Thurso route, a bus connection must be used to reach the ferry terminal at Scrabster Harbour.  Additionally the ferry arrives into Stromness in Orkney, which again requires a further bus connection if you intend to travel to Kirkwall.  However, travelling via Thurso does make sense if you are located in the Inverness area and north.  If travelling via Thurso check the timetable as certain bus conections leave from the Railway Station and others from the St Georges St Post Office in Thurso. 

The Ferries are operated by Northlink Ferries who use modern cruse ferries for the route.  You can find out more about the company by visiting  www.northlinkferries.co.uk

Current Schedule (Aberdeen Route - 2008) - check with Northlink Ferries, or First Scotrail to see that this is still current.  Times for the Thurso route are contained in the First Scotrail Far North Line Timetable. 

Ferries operate via Orkney four days per week.

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Inverness - Fort Augustus (Loch Ness)

After a gap of 65 years scheduled ferry service is back on Loch Ness.  Cruise the entire length of Loch Ness, through the stunning scenery of the Great Glen, past Urquhart Castle and on to Fort Augustus, while enjoying superb views from the comfort of Harris Tweed clad seats or the open-air deck on Loch Ness Express. Join the boat at either Inverness, Foyers or Fort Augustus to enjoy your cruise with us. Use our timetable and trail map to plan your walks and cycle routes. Sail from Inverness and hop off to walk or cycle in Foyers or Fort Augustus then hop on again in the afternoon and enjoy a welcome refreshment while you sail back to Inverness. Afternoon sailings to Urquhart Castle are also offered.

From Inverness - The nearest Rail Station is Inverness - 5 minutes walk from the Tourist Information Centre on Bridge St.  Free shuttle bus from Inverness city centre (Tourist Information Centre) at 09.00, 13.15, 15.40 and 19.45* (*May - August only)

From Fort Augustus - Near the swing bridge in the centre of the village. Look for the Loch Ness Express signs and vessel.

• Groups welcome. 10% discount for groups of 12 or more.

• Bespoke corporate programs welcome.

• Vessel charter available.

• Bicycles carried free of charge

Bookings & Information

Telephone (free call rate): 0800 328 6426

Email : bookings@lochnessexpress.com

Visit www.lochnessexpress.com for fares and information.

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Rail and ferry to the Scottish Islands

First Scotrail in association with Caledonian MacBrayne offers inclusive packages to the Western Isles including rail and sea fares.  A number of Scottish West Coast islands are linked by rail.  For Island of Lewis, a Citylink bus service is provided between Inverness and the ferry terminal in Ullapool and this fare is included in inclusive tickets.

Tickets cannot presently be bought online. Tickets are available from First ScotRail Telesales on 08457 55 00 33 or from First ScotRail stations.

Destinations:

Dunoon £12.30 £10.10 Rothesay £13.35 £10.95 Brodick £15.70 £13.00 Craignure £26.90 £34.50 £22.90 Castlebay £52.60 £60.20 £48.60 Armadale £32.20 £48.00 £31.70 Stornoway

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The Dutch Flyer - England to Holland

When deciding how to reach Holland, there is an option that is often overlooked, the Dutch Flyer.  In association with One Railways (UK) and NS Railways (Holland), Stena Line, will take you from any One station to any town in Holland with one ticket.  Prices for the all inclusive package start at just £25 each way.  However economical prices are not the only attraction.  The Dutch Flyer web site offers the opportunity to compare the benefits of taking the service over flying from UK airports. 

Where can you travel from?  Passengers can originate at any One Railway station in England.  These include Norwich, Ipswich, Cambridge, Colchester, Chelmsford, Shenfield and London Liverpool Street.  Trains take passengers right to Harwich Quay for boarding directly onto the Stena Line Service.

What type of ferry is used?  Stena Line use their Stena HSS (High-speed Sea Service). Crossing the North Sea from Harwich – Hook of Holland in the HSS is not just fast but comfortable also.  There is a cinema on board as well as a choice of restaurants, bars and lounge areas. 

Where can you go in Holland?  On arrival at Holland, the NS railway station is right at the ferry terminal for easy access.  Onward travel can then be made to any rail station on the NS network.  These include Rotterdam, The Hague, Utrech and Amsterdam.   

You can find out more about the service by visiting  The Dutch Flyer website.

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