Irish public transport operator, Bus Éireann announced the return of the Expressway Eurolines coach and Irish Ferries service linking Dublin with Birmingham and London when the first service reopened yesterday.

According to Expressway-facebook, fares for the combined coach and ferry service start from €39 one way and €70 return.

The service across the Irish Sea, which is run twice a week, operates on new Bus Éireann Expressway top-end coaches, which represent a €1 million investment in Eurolines. The coaches depart Busáras to Dublin Ferryport and continue by boarding Irish Ferries cruiseferry the Ulysses which Afloat adds makes a 3 hour 15 minute crossing to Holyhead, Wales.

During pre-pandemic times, more than 15,000 passengers used the service between Ireland and Britain each year.

Customers check in on Thursdays and Saturdays from 19.15 at Busáras in Dublin, depart at 20.00, and arrive into Victoria Coach Station in London the following morning at 08.00.

The baggage allowances include a free first suitcase and the coaches are fitted with onboard wi-fi and toilet facilities.

Customers can book tickets through the Expressway website – expressway.ie.

Departing Dublin: Thursdays & Saturdays 20.00; Departing London: Fridays & Sundays 18.00; Departing Birmingham: Fridays & Sundays 21.00.

Andrew Yates, Head of Expressway, Bus Éireann, said: “Bus Éireann is pleased to relaunch our Expressway Eurolines service connecting Dublin with Birmingham and London. We are especially pleased to reinstate the service for those passengers who we know rely exclusively on Expressway Eurolines for travel between Ireland and the UK. For people who are unable to, or do not want to fly, whether for environmental, financial, medical or other reasons, these services provide an essential alternative, travelling on our top-end new coaches with extra comfortable seating.

“With fares from just €39 one way or €70 return, passengers can travel direct to the heart of London and Birmingham, without the hassle of getting to the airport or long security queues – while making sustainable travel choices and working together to reduce our carbon footprint and energy consumption.”