£50 Sail Rail Bargain! My Epic 12-hour Ferry, Train & Bus Adventure!

[@steve-marsh]

Pretty decent value for that journey eh! Fantastic to watch, thanks mate, hope your trip is going well!

[@LetsMakeaTrip]

Cheers mate, editing this in KL made me yearn for home tbh. I do like it here but I’ll be back a lot earlier than I expected (and I need to be really). 😊

[@stephenrobinson1648]

I do Sail Rail from Dublin to the UK all the time and love it! Would have been easier to take the train from Belfast to Dublin and then the ferry to Holyhead, joining the rail lines in north Wales.

[@shaunflanagan8735]

Planes are overrated! That looks like a great adventure! I might just do it whenever funds permit😂🥴👀

[@LetsMakeaTrip]

I’m starting to agree with you on that Shaun! I definitely recommend this trip though. Great fun 👍

[@carolinehaining1958]

This Is a fantastic way to travel to Belfast. No baggage restrictions,plenty of things to do on the boat. Would recommend this journey.

[@mott2945]

Great video mate for the record their called air bridges 🤜🤛

[@LetsMakeaTrip]

Cheers Mott 😊👍

[@claudiel4660]

This brings me back! As a kid, we made this trip every year to visit my grandparents via national express from Bristol to Birmingham then Birmingham to Stranraer (it used to be Stena there) because the flights were so expensive. Took about 15 hours total!

[@davidoliver1169]

Brilliantly entertaining video Mark. The journey is half the fun and who wants to fly. Have a good week.

[@LetsMakeaTrip]

Cheers David, thanks for watching as ever 😊👍

[@Robutube1]

A couple of questions on this one Mark: 1. You mentioned connections several times but, since you were on an Anytime ticket, did it matter if you missed any or was the ticket valid on all trains? 2. By 'the usual booking sites' do you mean The Trainline, National Rail Enquiries etc.? I didn't know the did bus tickets too. 3. How did you know you were on the right bus for the right Stena terminal in Belfast? 4. How did you know where to catch the bus from? Thanks. A tiring but rewarding journey by the look of it!

[@anianoenrique2115]

Annan. Stress on the first syllable. This is the Scottish town my ancestors came from all those generations ago.

[@JohnResalb]

Thank you for taking us round the long way. Yes, that route to Ulster is the most scenic, particularly the rail route. It's a pity you didn't go during the summer period. The few times I've been to Scotland - it's not only been nice weather - it's been decidedly hot.! But I only go in summer. You can go round all those lines with a Spirit of Scotland pass (which also includes many important coach links, and the buses on the larger islands).

[@LetsMakeaTrip]

Cheers, yes plenty of travel opportunities around Scotland. Only drawback in the summer- midges!

[@divisivecottonwood]

this is the old route from before the budget airlines and the peace process that you had to do to get to belfast from england. it was an epic journey :)

[@TransportGeekery]

In the Stranraer days, there used to be a direct connecting train via Kilmarnock and Carlisle to Newcastle

[@britainonabudget]

“Did it make any logical sense?” 😂😂😂 It did to me! Loved seeing the journey!

[@LetsMakeaTrip]

Haha, exactly. Cheers mate 😊👍

[@Alan_AB]

Awwww....... You passed right through my city. I could have bought you a coffee.

[@LetsMakeaTrip]

Next time Alan! I’ll give you a shout 👍

[@sandiandgregh]

We love taking the Stena between Belfast and Cairnryan. We've had smooth crossings, the food is good and the staff are friendly. We do the "Rail & Bus" packages which are a good price. Definitely would recommend.

[@alexmcwhirter6602]

What an enterprising routing you devised Mark. Great scenery and variety of travel modes which fortunately all connected as planned.

[@LetsMakeaTrip]

Cheers Alex. Yep, I could’ve missed a couple and still made it back but that was the main challenge really and for once, everything went to plan.

[@4042buchan]

Shame national express scrapped the 920 service, left Belfast around 2pm, sailed to Cairnryan then nx920 from there at 6pm down to Birmingham or London, scrapped it after covid

[@matthewfrizzell1113]

Yeah i done that service about 10 years ago from belfast where th boat finished at stranraer. Got off at MIlton keynes. Was an overnight coach and took about 10 hours

[@4042buchan]

@matthewfrizzell1113 yeah It used to be ulsterbus that run it then the company I worked for took it up, done the route twice a week, was a 17 hour double driver shift but I enjoyed it

[@matthewfrizzell1113]

@@4042buchan bizarre why it stopped, maybe most travel by plane or get boat from dublin to holyhead, then train to england

[@4042buchan]

No ulsterbus had a fall out with nx, they had went bought their coaches and nx wanted them to run their models, contract went to our company that ran more or less empty from North lanarkshire to Cairnryan so were wasting fuel, when covid cleared nobody wanted the contract

[@garethdavies1000]

Well played that mate enjoyed it, good to see different methods and glad it was efficient 😊 as always, cheers for now 👍😉

[@LetsMakeaTrip]

Cheers Gareth 😊👍

[@fraserbain225]

Quite the trip....Spotted a Carlisle United footballer in the reflection in the window as you boarded the train in Carlisle! Recognised him as he previously played for Aberdeen 😊

[@LetsMakeaTrip]

Fair do’s I wouldn’t have got that Fraser I must admit!

[@frglee]

Done the ferry crossing a few times; it's a nice big ship and a good service with modern ferry terminals. Before Covid, you could get a day return from Cairnryan as a passenger for £25, which included a visit to the excellent Titantic Museum with a connecting coach. Alternatively, Stena used to give you a free day Belfast bus ticket so you could explore the city. I'd often wondered if it were feasible to fit in a day trip to Dublin - the day return on that being under £20 a decade back on the 2 hourly 'Enterprise Express' train which takes about 2 hours from Belfast Lanyon Place (the old Central station).

[@LetsMakeaTrip]

That £25 deal sounded excellent. They do do occasional offers from Holyhead too though I haven’t seen anything for a while yet. As for the Enterprise to Dublin, I prefer the coach tbh (video on that out soon).

[@AngusMacKinnon-xm5ko]

Hello there LMAT. It has been a while since we last met. Looks like so much has changed in the "Old Dart" I remember taking a train from Watford, Herts to Holyhead and fro there to Dún Laoghaire to find the mother's relatives. I remember passing though Carewe en route and taking the Stena Line ferry from Holyhead that sailed at around 0200 hours (from memory). I was in Dublin for about a week before taking the Stena Line ferry back to Holyhead from Dún Laoghaire, then the train to Carewe, where I changed for the train to take m back to Watford, Herts. I was surprised that the Stena line no longer travels from Dún Laoghaire to Holyhead anymore. On that trip, I was planning to get to the Hook of Holland to meet up with friends in Holland but sadly, that did not come off as I was running out of time. Thanks for sharing my friend. I am just about to look at your run from the Hook of Holland now. Cheers!

[@LetsMakeaTrip]

Cheers Angus. Yes I remember the days of Dun Laoghaire - a few years back now. Much more convenient for getting on the train there too!

[@garethdevlin2732]

Great to see you in Northern Ireland. The stenaline is a great way to travel with plenty to do and it's really about the experience. Over the years Stenaline has always had the best ferries on the Belfast to Cairnryan route. It's a pity there is no longer a rail connection on the Scottish side. I remember coming off the ferry at stranraer and straight on the train!

[@LetsMakeaTrip]

Cheers Gareth, always enjoy my trips to NI mate. I'm sure I'll be back again soon!

[@andrewp4172]

Not always the best. When there was the ferry service to Stranraer, one of the ships used by the operator was a quite new Stena Nordica. As I recall, it didn't have stabilizers, and gained a certain notoriety for the unpleasantness of the crossings. Agree with you about the rail service. There actually was a railway line from Cairnryan to Stranraer, built in the 1940's, and lifted in the mid 60's. It linked, just on the outskirts of Stranraer, onto the line from Stranraer to Dumfries. No need for long detours up to Glasgow in those days.

[@garethdevlin2732]

@@andrewp4172 fair point 👍

[@johnmullin1188]

Absolutely great Mark what a day out for £70 with your grub 🍞and drinks you find great bargains like the 1to Holyhead on Anglesey all the best m8 c u soon John 😊

[@LetsMakeaTrip]

Yep, cheers John. I reckon it was about £70-odd yes (and it's certainly not a bad day out for that!).

[@andrewp4172]

Must say, I wouldn't fancy a crossing on that route without stabilizers. It's the same route where the Princess Victoria ferry sank with great loss of life, when the seas breached the car deck doors. Years later, the ferries would regularly seek shelter in the lee of Arran when the seas were so heavy that they were unable to dock at Stranraer.

[@LetsMakeaTrip]

Yes I read about that. Thankfully things have improved over the years.

[@Diana-andre2018]

An excellent and very interesting journey Mark, beautiful scenery along the way, and your choice of music superb as usual.

[@LetsMakeaTrip]

Thanks Diana. Not everyone likes the music but I think it fits sea journeys quite well. 😊

[@johnmehaffey9953]

I’ve done all the ways to travel from Belfast to England I’m old enough to remember getting the through train that left Stranraer and went to Dumfries and then onto Carlisle, then from Stranraer to Kilmarnock then across onto the line south, then from Stranraer to Glasgow then south, yep that’s progress everything that goes backwards, don’t even know if the line out of Stranraer still exists, I now take the car, nice report

[@LetsMakeaTrip]

Cheers John. Yep, not much progress on the railways these days. I just try and do things as cheaply as I can (and that’s a challenge in itself!). 😊👍

[@kevinpennick3604]

Enjoyed the video. Still drooling over that breakfast bap.

[@hulme187]

I love your enthusiasm. A bit of fun so why not.

[@LetsMakeaTrip]

Exactly! Sometimes it's the enjoyment of the journey rather than whether it makes any sense or not!

[@mitchukonline]

Ah Prestwick, my home town, and a rare video that doesnt dwell on Elvis visit to the airport. There's just been a massive fire at Ayr station at the hotel that was covered in white tarp in your video so could look a lot different on your next trek through Burns country.

[@LetsMakeaTrip]

Cheers Mitch. Yep, I heard about the fire but I had no idea about Elvis until now. Good job really otherwise I'm sure I'd have put it in!!

[@Oldladysgin]

A bit of fun, that is it. The reason to do it. Thank you

[@LetsMakeaTrip]

Exactly 😊👍

[@Bobhale50]

I remember taking a BR excursion from Birmingham to Ayr in about 1982, cost me, my wife and 2 kids a total of a tenner! That was a bit an adventure! Didn't get much time in Ayr though.

[@LetsMakeaTrip]

I always think the journey’s part of the adventure and you did well for a tenner. Cheers Bob 👍

[@markcarson8]

I’m not a keen flyer so really enjoyed this Mark

[@LetsMakeaTrip]

Cheers Mark, thanks for the watch 😊👍

[@paulhellander2791]

A "bit o fun" is what these trips are all about and I would have done exactly the same Mark. Great vid. I am assuming you could have done a similar deal from Belfast to Liverpool and got home a bit quicker. Good to see the scenery from the North of England. How about doing the Mt Snowdon train from Llanberis. I did it in 2019 and it was a hoot. I am sure your followers would love to see what it's like to climb Cymru's highest mountain on a steam train. Paul in Oz.

[@LetsMakeaTrip]

Cheers Paul. Yep I've done Birkenhead to Belfast in a previous video but never this crossing. That was the main reason really. I've never done the Snowdon train but tbh, any time I do a video about a steam train it does terribly! No idea why but they just don't seem to get any traction at all.

[@paulhellander2791]

That's odd - the lack of interest in steam trains - not that there a lot to choose from. Was it you who did the Snaefell Railway ride or was it the affable Scotsman? That was a great story! Oh, well no traction is not a good thing. One train ride I have not seen anyone do a review of is of the 'new' Pendolino service in Greece linking that country's two major cities Thessaloniki and Athens@@LetsMakeaTrip My wife, granddaughter and I turned up in Athens last year to try the service not knowing that the Pendolino service only runs twice a day in each direction :-( We got the classic older train system. Nice ride though with the upgraded rail network through Central Greece that has cut a lot of time off a journey that in the old days (in the 70s when I first took that train) took a l o n g time. If you are ever heading down to Greece give it a try though (forget that awful train crash earlier this year, that was an awful human cock-up) and report on here how it went. Paul in Oz (Lonely Planet's former Man in Greece).

[@LetsMakeaTrip]

Both of us did the Snaefell but the affable Scotsman got many more views (as per usual lol). I quite fancy Greece again next year. Done many island-hopping trips in my youth..Love it there.

[@calebmumby5803]

WOW Good value for money Mark liked it very much

[@LetsMakeaTrip]

Cheers Caleb, I definitely recommend it. Can’t go wrong for £50 (if you like spending the day travelling)!

[@Rob_Star]

I love your video's and you know your class's off trains too :) , me and my dad love your video's :) Thankyou !

[@LetsMakeaTrip]

Cheers Rob, thanks to you (and your Dad) for watching too - much appreciated.

[@shanewaterman4125]

I love journeys like this, with many connections, twists and turns. You should do more of them Mark. Just an idea: how about asking followers to pick a start point and a destination that involves a number of different methods of public transport to get you from start to finish? Ill give you one to start: Palermo, Sicily to Copenhagen.... 😉 ... and you must include two coach sections....

[@LetsMakeaTrip]

I do like a challenge mate! Tbh, the biggest challenge for me atm is getting time to do it all! Unlike some other (similar) youtubers, I'm not retired yet and cannot make it my full time job unfortunately. That is a good one though. I'll bear it in my mind as I think I'd probably get the sleeper down to Sicily for part of it.

[@shanewaterman4125]

@@LetsMakeaTrip That's what stops me having my own channel tbh. I've got my fingers in so many pies I'd struggle to post content often enough. As far as the journey challenge I set, do the Sleeper from Sicily up to Milan in that direction. There are already several yt videos of it in the other direction (even Noel Phillips got off a plane to do it!!) and from Milan, you route options to Copenhagen are massive. Could be a really good one (or a series?).

[@jamessmith6402]

Thanks Mark super entertaining video that looked a very enjoyable trip 👍

[@LetsMakeaTrip]

Cheers James, it was 😊👍

[@michaelstaley2241]

Fascinating journey Mark, always interesting following your trips a good way to view all the various places…

[@LetsMakeaTrip]

Cheers Michael, appreciate your support.

[@alistairgrew]

If making that journey i might have been more tempted with the Belfast - Birkenhead route instead as the longer crossing would have been mitigated by the shorter train ride.

[@SouthPaw1805]

Another option being to take a train from Belfast to Dublin, taking around two hours, and take a ferry across to Holyhead for the onward rail journey.

[@LetsMakeaTrip]

It is a sensible option Alistair but I’d already done that route (and filmed it) the other way round. Worth a watch if you search through my back catalogue 😊👍

[@LetsMakeaTrip]

Yes, or the coach Belfast - Dublin.

[@Didderly]

Enjoyed that m8.

[@LetsMakeaTrip]

Cheers the D 👍

[@horsehollerer]

Great stuff, thanks. I do love a multi-leg journey (especially when it works out!)

[@LetsMakeaTrip]

Cheers mate, thanks for watching

[@timbounds7190]

What a trip! I'm slightly puzzled at the route - whilst Cairnryan doesn't have a station, Stranraer stil has (I presume!) direct trains to Carlisle. Well, direct as in not changing, the actual route is wildly indirect! Wouldn't it make more sense for Stena to take you to Stranraer rather than all the way to Ayr? I guess there aren't many trains from Stranraer, whilst I presume there are lots more from Ayr. But going 'direct' from Stranraer would cut any worries about connections. That ferry looked anything but 'Superfast' to me! But I hate ferries anyway.....

[@AndreiTupolev]

I think their design speed was something like 27 knots, so they're certainly fast. Of course, that kind of speed isn't necessary on a short crossing like this, they were built for long overnight crossings between Greece and Italy

[@LetsMakeaTrip]

Stena’s thinking is probably that most customers are Scottish hence connecting through to Glasgow and beyond.

[@TravelJackJourneys158]

Fantastic video I found it very interesting to watch

[@LetsMakeaTrip]

Cheers Jack, appreciate the support mate 😊👍

[@kevinellis8869]

Another epic journey Mark. Who's got the copyright on "What could possibly go wrong?" you or Scott?

[@LetsMakeaTrip]

Haha, could apply to both of us (and others!).

[@powmillon]

Excellent Trip . Well done.

[@LetsMakeaTrip]

Thank you 😊

[@neilcoram3495]

That journey made a very interesting video. Nice one keep it up. Im off to Belfast myself in April im flying from Bristol

[@LetsMakeaTrip]

Cheers Neil. Bristol Airport I’ve never actually been to. I might make the effort 👍

[@enricomonti156]

Trains allow sceneries that planes will never allow. And the crossing of the Irish sea is something I definitely need to do

[@LetsMakeaTrip]

Cheers mate. Yes you should - plenty of options (I think I’ve done them all now one way or another). Ordinarily the Dublin - Holyhead route would be quickest but this was just a bit of fun really and I enjoyed it 😂👍

[@arthurbraddock5235]

Another great video mark like planes trains and automobiles 👍

[@LetsMakeaTrip]

Cheers Arthur. It was a bit wasn’t it 😂👍

[@EvanBingham-g4v]

I really enjoyed this one. Great to see you here in Belfast, Mark. For many years nobody wanted to come here, for obvious reasons. Glad you liked the bus on Service 96 - as a bus nerd I can tell you that it's one of the oldest in the Metro fleet at 15 years old!

[@LetsMakeaTrip]

Cheers mate. I really like Belfast, been a few times now and one of the main reasons- great connectivity! I’ll definitely be back soon I can assure you 😊👍

[@TravelSignal]

Looks like a fun journey, and great value!

[@LetsMakeaTrip]

It was both, cheers mate.

[@johnferguson1412]

A pleasure of travelling. Needs more breakfast buffet action of course.

[@LetsMakeaTrip]

Yes the breakfast was fine and decent value but I could’ve eaten more, easily!

[@Ste12D]

Very enjoyable trip, cheers

[@LetsMakeaTrip]

Cheers Ste, thanks for the comment 😊👍

[@roystonvasey5471]

I did simiiar once - Dublin-Holyhead-Crewe-London-Portsmouth-Isle of Wight. Didn't went well to say at least.

[@LetsMakeaTrip]

Sounds a good route if it works out!

[@roystonvasey5471]

@@LetsMakeaTrip As you know it relies on train connections and no delays.

[@Shawry7991]

Great video as always!! Love to see Belfast getting the light, can't wait to be back in my second home!

[@LetsMakeaTrip]

Love Belfast mate - great connectivity too. Tbh, I need to go further so may head over to Derry/Londonderry next time 👍

[@seancoleman8528]

As usual mark, love this as you say why not if you have the time and the inclination its worth doing keep i up the content really love the videos

[@LetsMakeaTrip]

Cheers Sean. Appreciate the kind words 😊👍

[@melvynbuckton6881]

Thanks

[@LetsMakeaTrip]

Thanks Mel, much appreciated.

[@tsr207]

A remarkable journey -Prestwick was indeed Glasgow's main air "gateway" airport - used to visit there to see the Tridents of BEA fly into the night skies. Mark- you show the country at its finest and as someone who spent hours on trains and changes you bring back memories of sitting on deserted platforms waiting for a diesel multiple unit. And unplugging the pin ball machine in a South Wales railway café to charge my phone - the owner was not impressed ! Excellent work Mark !

[@erik_griswold]

There were trans-Atlantic flights to Prestwick! I wish there still were.

[@alexmcwhirter6602]

Must be a mistake. I began using GLA in the late 1960s and BEA along with BUA and British Eagle operated flights to London. PIK (Prestwick) was at that time used *only* for long-haul flights and BOAC used to operate transtantuc flights with 707s .

[@erik_griswold]

@@alexmcwhirter6602 Northwest operated Boston to PIK in the 1980s. I suspect this was in part because of the inability to serve Heathrow as they were not PanAm or TWA.

[@alexmcwhirter6602]

​@@erik_griswold Thanks but I cannot remember. I do know that those US airlines which couldn't gain access to LHR had to use LGW. Examples were NW, DL and CO at that time.

[@killerqueen9298]

Super journey, Mark. It's given me an ideea for a geat short break in Belfast sometine next year.🙃🙃

[@LetsMakeaTrip]

That's what it's all about mate! I hope you have a great time.

[@Timstravels01]

What great fun. My sort of day out!

[@LetsMakeaTrip]

Cheers mate - I knew you’d like it! 😊

[@janer2709]

Great trip Mark. Really enjoyed this.

[@LetsMakeaTrip]

Cheers Jane, thanks for the comment 😊👍

[@thebass64]

Great video again. As for the footbridge for boarding a ship - isn’t that a “gangway’ ??

[@LetsMakeaTrip]

Cheers, yes I decided to call it a gangway in the end 😂

[@martinlongley8330]

Brilliant what you can do for £50 if you're not pressed for time, enjoyed.

[@LetsMakeaTrip]

It is, cheers Martin.

[@trapper561]

Brilliant journey such beautiful scenery . Great vlog thank you 😊

[@LetsMakeaTrip]

Thanks mate, I appreciate the comment 😊👍

[@peterdnreynolds777]

Brilliant video as always!! Definitely an epic journey. Hope all is well and hope you have a great weekend, take care

[@LetsMakeaTrip]

Cheers Peter, yep I’m in KL atm, things are definitely improving! Thanks for the comment and have a great weekend yourself 😊👍

[@AndreiTupolev]

Used to be able to get a train straight from Stranraer to Euston (with easy connections for Birmingham, in fact at one point I think it ran via Birmingham). Now of course everything is designed to make any non-flying and non-driving journey as difficult and inconvenient as possible

[@kevinh96]

A slightly conspiracy theorist way of thinking there really. The reality is that the service just wasn't commercially viable in today's for profit capitalist World. The irony is that we British don't trust our government to run the railways but we're happy for foreign government's to run them through companies like Arriva, owned by DB, German government owned state railways. The funny thing is when a state owned enterprise is run decently it works incredibly well, East Coast performed much better as a state owned company than it did under Virgin's ownership, and Lothian Buses is owned by the city council and is considered one of the best bus companies in the UK.

[@alexmcwhirter6611]

@@kevinh96 I would agree just so long as there are sufficient funds to maintain the services. I recall BR days and how the govt would not provide sufficient cash from time to time. Another example would be the ECML electrification which was done on the cheap (because of budget constraints). Certainly DB is not making a success of GC .... *almost* every day there are cancellations due I suppose to the 180s.

[@alanshelly7068]

Awesome video Mark from Alan in Lowestoft buddy 👍 😊

[@LetsMakeaTrip]

Cheers Alan and thanks so much for your support as always mate.

[@alanshelly7068]

@@LetsMakeaTrip your more than welcome buddy

[@maxwilson5176]

Looked weird seeing a TFW service with seats! They run 2 car 150s from Milford Haven up to Manchester, almost a 6/7 hour journey via major cities, can hardly ever get on! Great video as always, may have to do this

[@LetsMakeaTrip]

Cheers Max, yes I'm more than familiar with that TfW 150 service! I'll do the whole journey one day - not sure why tbh - must be mad!

[@robertalan3214]

Excellent journey Mark, thanks again, I cant wait to see your adventures from India bud 👍

[@LetsMakeaTrip]

Cheers Robert, not much from India now tbh as my plans have had to change. I hope you like Malaysia?

[@robertalan3214]

@LetsMakeaTrip Sorry to hear that Mark, I hope your OK ?, Yes Malaysia would be wonderful bud, I've been to Singapore and Thailand , travelling is amazing my friend 👍

[@simonwhitlock9189]

Loved the journey and, as usual, it was up to your high standard of filming, loved the scenery. As you said you could get a flight but where is the adventure in that,ok there would be a little bit but this was so much better.I do hope your time in India is going well and until the next video stay safe and well, cheers.

[@LetsMakeaTrip]

Cheers Simon. Yep it was all about the adventure really. I've left India now and won't be returning anytime soon. Loving Malaysia, KL is really nice.

[@montystelevision3238]

When you go home is this where you go on holiday !!!

[@LetsMakeaTrip]

Yep, pretty much!

[@JFinney]

You keep on giving me ideas of very long trips to do Mark! Great video as always 👍

[@LetsMakeaTrip]

Haha, you certainly get your money’s worth on this one mate!

[@JFinney]

@@LetsMakeaTrip this one I've actually got to the pricing up stage - with railcard discount I can get Belfast to London for £38.25. Definitely great value for money!

[@karljoachimgoll]

What a wonderful trip!

[@LetsMakeaTrip]

Thanks mate, appreciate your comment and yep, I would definitely recommend it 😊👍

[@richardstreet7518]

Rail & sail tickets outstanding for us transport enthusiasts... got caught at Dublin once the flight cancelled late flight - did the overnight rail sale Dublin Holyhead..Brittany ferries had one of these superfasts on the Spanish run.. Cap Finnistere i think?

[@LetsMakeaTrip]

I’ve been on Cap Finistere a few times - never liked it on the Spanish run but compared to Pont Aven, well……..Didn’t know there was a connection tbh. Cheers 👍

[@shropshiregirl9279]

I had no idea you were a Salopian, I live between town and Wem. Food for thought re a little trip to Belfast 😊. Thank you for sharing it

[@LetsMakeaTrip]

I am and I know Wem very well 😊

[@alanchandler254]

Is their any reason why the ferries are called Super fast? Wish I was nearer to the Irish routes. Get a bit fed up of the Dover Calais crossings.

[@neilmurray7330]

On the stretch between Kilmarnock and Carlisle you should have filmed crossing the Ballochmyle viaduct which was the highest railway viaduct in the world and still the highest in the UK.

[@LetsMakeaTrip]

Maybe next time Neil. I hadn’t researched everything tbh and obviously missed that one 😊👍

[@neilmurray7330]

@@LetsMakeaTrip tbh, it’s best seen from river level but it’s not easy to get to.

[@philwoodward5069]

Weird that foot passengers have to go through airport-style security. I've only ever been on that ferry once (a couple of weeks ago) and I took the Hannon coach. Very civilised. I had a wheely case and a backpack with me, none of which were checked at any point. I don't think they search the vehicles either, unless there's a reason to. So it seems entirely unnecessary, unwelcoming and disproportionate to frisk every single foot passenger. It's a real shame they bus you to Ayr and that the Stranraer line is currently closed (though I understand they bus you to Ayr anyway, even when the Stranraer line is open). That is the reason I took the Hannon coach rather than SailRail to Glasgow.

[@aarondrake-worth]

Great video! I made this trip myself a few weeks ago on the 15:30 sailing out of Belfast. For some reason the ticket had "Anytime Day Single" on the top however my seat reservations were split across two days (I was travelling all the way back to Devon so couldn't make it in one day). Luckily the train crew were lovely and endorsed by ticket for travel on both days but it's worth noting that for future trips.Thanks!

[@LetsMakeaTrip]

That's pretty decent to get the whole trip over two days. I'm assuming the price was approx £58 for that one. Cheers.

[@aarondrake-worth]

@@LetsMakeaTrip Hi Mark! Thanks for your reply. Sorry that I've only just seen this. It was actually only around £38 as I have the 16-25 railcard! Absolute bargain if you ask me. Love the recent videos! Thanks.

[@TPerry2828]

Really enjoyed that trip, Mark 👍 And yes, the refurbished Pendolinos are definitely an improvement, always found Standard Class poorly lit and claustrophobic on the unrefurbished sets.

[@LetsMakeaTrip]

Definitely an improvement yes and it was nice to find it calm and quiet (on this occasion).

[@theBusManiac]

Have you tried the direct bus from Belfast to Glasgow yet? Its operated by Hannon Coaches i think and obvs uses the ferry but no changes on route!

[@LetsMakeaTrip]

Not yet, though I do know about it so yep, it’s a future plan 👍

[@erik_griswold]

I think Prestwick was perhaps designated to be served (from the USA) under the Bermuda I or II treaties before open skies?

[@LetsMakeaTrip]

It was definitely the US I flew to - American Trans Air 757 I think.

[@baseballfan99]

Certainly great value for the journey and plenty of variety, If only there was still a direct line to Carlisle from Stranraer. I am taking a mini cruise from Hull to Rotterdam in December in order to visit the Mauritius art museum in The Hague and it would be great to have the train included to Hull.

[@littlebigman5791]

You will have a great time on the hull to Rotterdam crossing. Done it countless times.

[@baseballfan99]

@@littlebigman5791 Thanks, it’s been a few years since I have been on this route, been on the Newcastle ferry a several times in the past few years.

[@LetsMakeaTrip]

I’ve never done the Newcastle ferry but I find myself with some time on my hands. Watch this space…..

[@andywillis2650]

A great trip Mark, glad all your connections were favourable. Seems like a great price for that journey :)

[@LetsMakeaTrip]

It was great value Andy. Definitely recommend it.

[@JackSullivan101]

Looked long, fair play to u

[@LetsMakeaTrip]

It was long Jack but a a great days travelling and great value.

[@6yjjk]

Brave of you to have a train *after* the Avanti.

[@LetsMakeaTrip]

Well it was only half an hour or so and they’re fairly regular!

[@rachelehrenberg9231]

I found everything ok, mate. Just remember since you are not separately mic'd when you turn your head you are barely audible. Other then that...perfect fine and a fun adventure.

[@LetsMakeaTrip]

I know - hard habit to break that. I’m definitely going to invest in something better I think. Cheers mate 😊👍

[@kevinh96]

Prestwick was Scotland's transatlantic and main international airport at one time, due to restrictive legislation at the time. When air travel was pretty much deregulated international flights moved to the more convenient Glasgow and Edinburgh airports so Prestwick pretty much became redundant. It survived mainly as a cargo airport but more recently has started to see an increase in charter and holiday passenger flights again. It no longer has any proper international or transatlantic flights though, they all fly from the afore mentioned Glasgow or Edinburgh airports.

[@alexmcwhirter6602]

Not forgetting that airlines use Prestwick for training flight crews because of its favourable weather.

[@AndreiTupolev]

The main reason it was the main transatlantic airport was because it had a nice long runway and it made a handy refuelling stop before the transatlantic crossing

[@alexmcwhirter6602]

Maybe Scotland's "main transatlantic airport" but not for England. At that time consider the number of transatlantic flights both scheduled *and* charter from LHR, MAN, BHX.

[@LetsMakeaTrip]

I’m pretty sure when I flew with American Trans Air from Manchester, it called in at Prestwick! That was around 1991 I think.

[@progster999]

Brilliant video. Ayr is a brilliant small town. Kilmarnock... I am not so sure. The Borders are a bit overlooked. It's problem is that the Highlands and Islands is prettier. But if you moved The Borders (here I mean the area between Glasgow/Edinburgh and Newcastle/Carlisle) to any other country, it would have been a must-visit tourist attraction. I like the Pendulino trains a lot.

[@iainclark5964]

I agree with Billy Connolly that the Borders get overlooked in the race to the Highlands. I've loved the Borders since my first visit in 1977, great history, folklore and culture.

[@LetsMakeaTrip]

Cheers, I had a great weekend once, walking up the Merrick and the Galloway Forest is a beautiful area. I’ll definitely come back 👍

[@DavidNewmanDr]

Wouldn't Dublin-Holyhead have been a quicker route to Shrewsbury? Or even Rosslare-Pembroke?

[@LetsMakeaTrip]

Yes (but I’d already done those routes before and fancied a challenge!). 😊

[@JohnnyHooverTravels]

I'm such a huge fan of Rail/Sail to/from Ireland. It's reasonably priced, pretty reliable, greener and yes, much more fun than flying! Btw did you have to route through Kilmarnock? I'm guessing you could have changed at Glasgow Central as the trains from Ayr to Glasgow are quick and plentiful. Thanks for another excellent and informative video 👍

[@LetsMakeaTrip]

Cheerse mate. Yep, I only did the Kilmarnock - Carlisle route because I've never travelled it before. It is much easier to go up to Glasgow and down from there.

[@Mickulty]

I'm curious if the flashing at 23:20 was like that in person, or if it's an interaction of a bulb flickering from the 50Hz of UK mains (typically actually produces 100Hz flicker) with recording at 60fps.

[@AndreiTupolev]

Yes, that'll be the frame rate of the camera

[@LetsMakeaTrip]

Yes, the latter. I can live with it in short bursts but if I was in a room then yes, I’d need to adjust the frame rate on the camera.

[@erik_griswold]

Proper meals, proper toilets, no issues with leg room, take the baggage you need.

[@LetsMakeaTrip]

Exactly 👍

[@drdoolittle5724]

Possibly quicker and more interesting yet not cheaper might be via Dublin/Holyhead? Nice vid anyway!

[@LetsMakeaTrip]

Oh it sure is. But I've done that route a few times and just fancied the change.

[@simonboulton4490]

Ryan air left Prestwick which was the main airline using the airport and no other operator has come in to replace it. Ryan air went to Edinburgh airport instead.

[@carolinehaining1958]

Ryanair no longer fly to Northern Ireland.

[@LetsMakeaTrip]

There were still lots of Ryanair signs about but I couldn’t really figure it all out tbh. Seemed very quiet.

[@mikedown1250]

love Fridays and let's make a trip

[@LetsMakeaTrip]

Cheers Mike - struggled to get this out tbh as I was editing it in KL and finally uploaded it at 01:00 last night!

[@hoof2001]

You head off to Belfast and Johnny Hoover sneaks off to Shrewsbury to travel down to Cardiff with a feature on train breakfast. You lads must boost travel companies profits

[@LetsMakeaTrip]

We did share a few beers that weekend so helping the pubs stay open too I hope!

[@clareclark6535]

Done that crossing less than 2 weeks ago. X

[@LetsMakeaTrip]

It's a great ship. I hope you enjoyed it as much as I did.

[@clareclark6535]

@@LetsMakeaTrip I got locked in the loo but aside from that great xx lol

[@jackmaher9296]

Cracking video again mark, did you book the ticket online ? For the boat and train

[@LetsMakeaTrip]

I did Jack but I had to go and print it off at the station.

[@jackmaher9296]

@@LetsMakeaTrip oh fair enough. I got to a station a while ago and there was no kiosk thing or self service machines and the guard said I can’t come on because I need the ticket , I said how do I get it then and he said through me and walked off

[@TheCarin12]

Lets Make a Trip - Is that your own musical composition? Sounds great.

[@LetsMakeaTrip]

It’s not unfortunately. Asher Fulero (there should be a link to the music in the description 😊)

[@welshboy1466]

I did the sail from Pembroke to Rosslare on the same day😂

[@LetsMakeaTrip]

That one’s on my list (the ferry at least).

[@welshboy1466]

@@LetsMakeaTrip it takes 4 hours on Irish ferry

[@djburland]

The problem with Prestwick began when they branded it, "A dead good airport". Obviously thought up by a kid !!

[@LetsMakeaTrip]

Hmmm, that's not a great slogan!