Going to Ireland

[map71070]

I need to get from Northamptonshire to Cookstown in N. Ireland. Has anyone done a similar journey? If so any suggestions on the easiest/cheapest way to do this?
Many thanks in advance
xxmapxx

[dzug]

Get yourself to Birmingham International airport (train from Northampton) for a budget flight to Belfast City (Flybe) or International (BMIBaby I think) then by bus/buses or hire a car.

http://www.translink.co.uk/ will give you the connections in Northern Ireland.

You can also go by coach from Birmingham via Stranraer or Holyhead - might be a bit cheaper particularly if your budget flight isn't - but a lot longer. National Express for details.

[Buenchico]

Is there any chance that a friend or relative could meet you at Derry airport? The reason I ask this is because there's a daily flight from East Midlands airport. (Depart 1635, arrive 1735). Unfortunately, the last bus which connects for Cookstown leaves Derry town centre at 1741, so you'd either need to have someone collect you or to find a room for the night.

In case that is of any use to you, I'll fill in a few details:

For the random dates I tried (out Friday 5th Jan, back Wednesday 10th Jan) the Ryanair website offered fares of �2.99 out and �0.99 back. With taxes and charges, that comes to a total return fare of �30.34. (Outbound times as above. The return flight leaves at 1800 and lands at East Midlands at 1900).

Even if you did have to find a room for the night, that might be the easiest way to do it. (If you could find a cheap B&B for, say, �30, that would mean your total costs would be about �60 + travel to/from your home to E. Midlands airport + buses/taxis to/from Derry airport to city centre + buses between Derry and Cookstown).

Ryanair:
http://www.ryanair.com/site/EN/

Northern Ireland travel information:
http://www.translink.co.uk/

Derry accommodation. (Top right of page):
http://www.derrytourist.com/

Chris

[map71070]

WOW thanx very much both. I'll look into all these suggestions
xxmapxx

[map71070]

P.S. forgot to ask. Will I need a passport?

[Buenchico]

Northern Ireland is part of the UK so, as far as the authorities are concerned, no passport is required. (It's just the same as if you went to Wales or Scotland).

However, all airlines require photo ID before they'll issue you with a boarding pass. Ryanair will only accept a valid passport or photo-style driving licence.

FlyBe accept the following (quoted from their website):
* A valid passport
* An expired passport (can be used on domestic flights for up to two
years after expiry)
* Valid photographic EU or Swiss national identity card
* Valid photographic driving licence full/provisional
* Valid armed forces identity card
* Valid police warrant card/badge
* Valid airport employees security identity pass
* A child on parent' s passport is an acceptable form of ID
* CitizenCard
* Valid photographic firearm certificate
* Valid Government-issued identity card
* Electoral identity card
* NUS cards photographic (National Union of Students)
* Photographic University/College ID card
* Company ID cards of Nationally recognised companies (photographic)
* Council issued bus pass (Senior Citizens only)
* Pension book or Post Office card (as only acceptable forms of non-photographic
identification)

Here's the information from the BmiBaby website:
"bmibaby accepts all forms of photographic identification, however passengers must ensure that all personal identification is of a good standard".

To the best of my knowledge, photo ID is not required on ferry services to Northern Ireland.

Chris

[map71070]

Thank you yu've been unbelievably helpful. I looked at all the links you gave me and can fly, hire a car and get 2 night b&b for just over �100!!! Much less than I was thinking it would be.