THE GREEN ROUTE: LONDON TO DUBLIN

Apart from the obvious and important green credentials associated with 'sailing and railing', how does a land and sea based journey from London to Dublin compare with travelling by air?

Once again The Man in Seat 61 delivered. A sail-rail ticket from any UK train station to Dublin port (10 minutes from Dublin city centre) is available for £52 return up until the day of travel - an extremely competitive offering for the last minute traveller - and considering the savings available on airport transfers at both ends, sail-rail can be a real financial alternative to Ryan Air.

I left London Euston Station aboard the 0900 service direct to Holyhead, North Wales. It was a few minutes late leaving due to late arrival of the incoming train, but that gave me plenty of time to grab some breakfast. Seats can be reserved and as a result I immediately began to wallow in the stress free beginning to my journey. As with any ticket for a long train journey you also buy time for yourself. It isn't often that we take time to sit without any distractions. Contemplating the distance ahead gave a real sense of value for money - so often train travel in the UK is such an expense.

First stop en route was Rugby, followed by a short delay in Crewe waiting for a diesel engine to take us on to Holyhead - A break welcomed by smokers given that Crewe is the last stop before the non-smoking platforms of North Wales. From Crewe we passed through Rhyl and Colwyn Bay enjoying sea views and the beginnings of the undulating North Wales countryside. Llandudo Junction marks the start of the North Wales craggy landscape that becomes characteristic of Snowdonia National Park further inland. After stopping in Bangor we were on the last stretch into Holyhead, arriving at 13:20 with just under an hour until the ferry departed. Transfering from train to ferry terminal involves little more than a walk of a few hundred metres. I checked-in straight away and stepped onto a bus that carried us right onto the ferry before offloading at the base of stairs to the upper decks.

Being onboard the ferry isn't too disimilar from an airport departure lounge. However, comfy seats, the option of getting some fresh air out on deck and a lack of tannoy annoucements make it all the more appealing. Holidays for many of us are all about spending time away from the trappings of home in a new space, and this means of travel seems to enhance the opportunities for that whilst imparting a great deal of charm. For the solo traveller it also provides quiet time or the chance to meet and talk with others making the same journey as you.

The Ferry left Holyhead at 1410 and pulled into Dublin at 1730. The Bureau de Change at the port was closed and I had no Euros, but with the assistance of the cash machine just outside and some friendly staff at the Irish Ferries desk I was able to acquire enough change to pay the 2.50 Euro fare for the bus into town. I was checked-in to my Hostel and sitting drinking a Guiness by 1830 - 9.5 hours after leaving London.

Some bad weather on the return journey made for a rocky crossing, a slightly delayed arrival into Holyhead and a missed train. Despite this and dealing with the added problem of having lost my train ticket to the fierce winds on the ferry deck I still managed to make it back to London without too much trouble.