RUADHÁN MaC CORMAICwith advice for Irish people stranded abroad
I’m stranded on the Continent. What are my chances of finding a flight to Ireland today?
Restrictions on European air travel are gradually to be eased from this morning. Some airlines serving Ireland have announced tentative plans to resume flights today, but services will be patchy and subject to the latest scientific advice. It could take days before the schedules are back to normal. Keep in contact with your airline.
Can I still book a direct sailing to Ireland?
There are two direct ferry routes from France to Ireland: Cherbourg – Rosslare and Roscoff – Cork. However, Irish Ferries has no availability on its Cherbourg – Rosslare sailings until Saturday (8pm) while Celtic Link is booked out on the same route until Sunday (7pm). Brittany Ferries had limited availability, as of late yesterday afternoon, on its Roscoff – Cork sailing on Friday (9.30pm). All ferry companies’ websites are slow due to heavy demand. Calling could be quicker.
How about travelling via Britain?
There are at least 10 sailing routes between northern France and Britain, including departures from Calais, Le Havre, Caen and St Malo. Among the companies running services to Britain are Norfolk Lines, PO, LD Lines, Transmanche Ferries, Brittany Ferries and Condor Ferries. For those travelling from Germany or central Europe, it might be worth looking at the ferry services connecting Holland (Rotterdam, Hook of Holland) and Belgium (Ostend, Zeebrugge) to Britain. There were places available on ferry services linking Britain to Dublin, Rosslare, Cork and Belfast yesterday.
What about the Eurostar?
Eurostar operates from Paris, Lille, Calais and Brussels to London St Pancras, and has added extra trains to help meet demand. As of late yesterday afternoon, the next available places from Paris to London were for Friday, but demand appeared to be lower from Brussels. Eurostar (www.eurostar.com) stresses that only passengers with confirmed reservations should arrive at their terminals. A useful tip: it can often be cheaper to book a return ticket than a one-way.
I’ve heard there’s a rail strike in France. Will I be affected?
Some services are curtailed due to an industrial dispute, but if you leave yourself a little time and stick to inter-city and high-speed trains, you should be fine. As of last night, 90 per cent of TGV high-speed trains were running, with disruption concentrated in south-east France (the regions of Burgundy, Franche Comté, Rhône-Alpes, Languedoc-Roussillon, Midi-Pyrénées et Provence-Alpes-Côte-d’Azur).
Some 75-80 per cent of other inter-city services and Paris regional trains were operating, though just 50 per cent of regional TER trains were guaranteed, while overnight (LUNEA) services were severely disrupted. Further up-to-date information can be found at www.voyages-sncf.fr
I’m running low on my prescription drugs. What’s the advice?
The Department of Foreign Affairs suggests asking for help in a pharmacy. With the pharmacists’ agreement, you can ask your GP to fax through a copy of the prescription. Should there be a discrepancy in the name of the drug contact the nearest Irish Embassy or Consulate for help. For the Irish Embassy in Paris, call +33 1 44176700.
I’m in America/ Africa/ Asia/ Australia and need to get home urgently. Can I fly to the Continent and make it the rest of the way by land and sea?
All French airports south of a line from Bordeaux to Nice have been open for the past few days, and there were reports of Irish travellers flying to Nice, Marseille and Toulouse and then making their way north to the ferry terminals. France and Germany have announced the reopening of their air-space today, while ash-free Spain’s never closed, so the options will widen.
What if my visa is about to expire?
If your foreign visa is expiring shortly and you’re worried that you cannot leave, contact the local Irish mission or your travel agent.
The Department of Foreign Affairs also opened a Consular Crisis Centre (+353 1 408 2999) for those “in genuine need”. It can provide “information and reassurance” but won’t make travel arrangements for you.