Buy a "BritRail Pass plus Ireland" before you leave the United States for the most flexible travel options. You can order these passes online at the BritRail Web site. See the Resources section below for a link. For booking assistance, call the BritRail hotline at (866) BRITRAIL.
Buy tickets for the train and ferry journey from Cambridge to Dublin at any train station in the United Kingdom if you prefer to buy individual tickets rather than a BritRail Pass.
Be aware of seasonal fare changes.
Consult a route map to ensure you are taking the route to Ireland that would afford you the most enjoyment. Britain has more than 18,000 trains traveling daily. You can get to Ireland by a number of routes.
Book your travel a few days or even weeks or months in advance to allow for more effective trip planning. The helpful Web sites and phone numbers for rail travel within the United Kingdom provide tools that can ease your journey. You can book train travel from Cambridge to Dublin by calling Rail Europe at (888) 382-RAIL or by visiting the link below.
Begin your journey from Cambridge to Dublin with a 45-minute trip to London.
Catch one of the frequent connections to Dublin via a train and ferry link. The train leaves London four times a day on weekdays and on Saturdays, but only once on Sundays.
Plan extra carefully for Sunday travel, as trains and ferries travel less frequently.
Choose between high-speed and more conventional ferries to take you across the Irish Sea. The slower ferries will take between three and four hours to cross over to Ireland, while the high-speed option will take between one and two hours.
Nap in your own cabin or catch a movie if you choose one of the slower, more well-appointed ferries.
Be aware of your tolerance for sea travel, and pack appropriate medications accordingly.
