Ireland and France Unveil Plans for Joint Train and Ferry Ticket Integration Set for 2024 Debut

As the Rugby World Cup 2023 kicks off in France, Ireland and France are collaboratively working towards launching a combined "Sail and Rail" ticket system in 2024.

This collaborative initiative, initially proposed by the President of France and the then Taoiseach in November 2022, aims to streamline the process of booking and traveling between these two nations, fostering greater ease and convenience for travelers starting next year.

In addition to its convenience, this unified ticketing system seeks to promote sustainable and eco-friendly transportation alternatives at an appealing cost.

Beginning early in September, individuals journeying between France and Ireland, utilizing both ferry and train services, will have the opportunity to secure train tickets through the websites of Brittany Ferries and Irish Ferries.

Moreover, this innovative Sail-Rail program extends attractive discounts to incentivize passengers to embrace this forward-thinking initiative, as highlighted by the Irish Department of Transport.

Furthermore, accessing the relevant train stations on either end of the journey has been simplified and is now seamlessly included in the Sail-Rail package.

The Department of Justice in Ireland further underscores that convenient bus transfers from the train stations to the ferry terminals are now available in four key cities: Dublin, Cork, Cherbourg, and Roscoff.

Reservations for this unique ferry-train combination can be made via various online booking platforms, including Trailine, Rail-Europe, and other participating operators.

With the mutual endeavors of Ireland and France, these arrangements will become even more streamlined in 2024 upon the official launch of "Sail and Rail" tickets. This introduction will enable travelers to book a single ticket for their entire combined rail and sea journey.

The decision to implement such a ticketing system stems from the recognition that trains and ferries represent the most energy-efficient modes of transport. Moreover, they offer a significantly more sustainable alternative to air travel.

For the same distance traveled, ferries emit a mere one percent of the carbon dioxide per tonne-kilometer that planes emit, while trains stand at a still impressive eight percent.

In alignment with broader European Union initiatives aimed at promoting eco-friendly modes of transportation, France recently announced its intentions to raise taxes on airline tickets while simultaneously reducing the cost of train fares. The French Minister of Transport anticipates the implementation of these higher taxes in the coming year as part of the new budgetary measures.

 

Source: schengenvisainfo.com