Ferries to Ireland from Scotland
Ferry from Scotland to Northern Ireland
If you’re looking to travel from Scotland to Ireland by ferry, there are two direct routes to Northern Ireland. From there, you can continue your journey to your destination in Ireland.
Scotland to Ireland
There are no direct ferries from Scotland to Ireland. However, you can reach Ireland via Wales or by travelling first to Northern Ireland.
Our ferry map below shows the crossings from Scotland to Ireland, including routes from the Isle of Man to Dublin and Belfast—and connections from Scotland.
Map with the ferries between Scotland and Irland.
About the crossings from Scotland to Ireland
As you can see in the map above, there are two direct routes from Scotland to Ireland, which we’ll discuss first, followed by some alternative options.
Depending on where you need to go, the Cairnryan to Larne crossing may be better than the ferry from Cairnryan to Belfast. The ferry to Larne is quicker than the one to Belfast and often more affordable.
From Cairnryan to Larne
This is the shortest and fastest crossing between Scotland and Northern Ireland. With this route, you’ll arrive in Northern Ireland in just under 2 hours on a P&O Ferries service. The crossings typically cost around £100 and operate up to 6 times a day between Northern Ireland and Scotland.
From Cairnryan to Belfast
Prefer to go directly to Belfast? You can also sail directly from Cairnryan to Northern Ireland’s capital with Stena Line. This crossing takes a bit longer, covers a slightly greater distance, and costs a bit more, but you’ll arrive right in Belfast, ready to explore Northern Ireland or travel further into Ireland. For example, Belfast to Dublin is just a 2-hour drive.
Returning to the Cairnryan-Belfast ferry: this route costs around £120, spans 44 miles, is operated by Stena Line, and takes approximately 2 hours and 15 minutes. A very popular crossing.
Alternatives for the crossings between Scotland and Ireland
If you live near Liverpool or want to include Liverpool in your itinerary, you could choose to drive to Liverpool and take the longer ferry to Belfast from there. Why? Because it’s a comfortable night ferry and an adventure in itself. There are also ferries from the Isle of Man to Dublin and Belfast. These three ferry options provide flexible ways to reach Ireland and Northern Ireland.
On this page, you can find all the ferries to Ireland from the UK. Which you can find too in the map below:
Maps of the crossings to Ireland and Scotland.
Prices and availability for this crossing
Find and compare availability and prices for travel to Ireland from Scotland (and vice versa) with our booking module, which will guide you through the entire booking process.
Additional Information
There are also many popular crossings from Wales to Ireland. We've tried the Holyhead-Dublin route both ways with both ferry companies, and it’s a crossing we highly recommend. You can read our full travel report here.
Public Transport
Public Transport from Larne to Belfast
Regular Translink NI Railways trains run from Larne to Belfast, taking about 50 minutes and stopping at major stations like Great Victoria Street. Buses also connect Larne and Belfast, though trains are generally quicker.
Public Transport in Northern Ireland
Translink operates Northern Ireland’s public transport, including NI Railways trains, Ulsterbus, and Metro buses in Belfast. Transport is reliable in urban areas but more limited in rural regions.
Trains between Dublin and Belfast
The Enterprise train service, jointly operated by Translink and Irish Rail, runs between Dublin and Belfast in around 2 hours. Trains are comfortable and well-regarded for this popular route. You don’t need a passport for travel between Ireland and Northern Ireland, but carrying ID is recommended.
Public Transport in Ireland
Irish Rail, Bus Éireann, and Dublin Bus offer good city and intercity links in Ireland, though rural routes are less frequent. The Leap Card provides discounted fares in Dublin and some other areas.
General tips for ferry travel:
- Download entertainment in advance: On longer night crossings, it’s a good idea to download series or movies beforehand, as Wi-Fi on board can be expensive, and roaming in international waters is costly.
- Travelling with young kids on a night ferry? We’ve got some helpful tips for travelling with kids here.
- Worried about getting seasick? In this article, you’ll find some tips to help prevent it.
Luggage & Pets
On most ferries, there are no restrictions on the amount of luggage you can reasonably bring. Pets are allowed, but additional fees apply, and they must stay in designated kennels on board. For some destinations, pets need to meet specific requirements, such as certain vaccinations and a pet passport. You can find country-specific regulations and company policies in this post.
Can you take a campervan on the ferry from scotland to Ireland? How often do they run and what would be the price for 2 adults and one campervan approximately 6 meters long. Thank You
Hi Noeline, Yes you can! We did a test booking for you and the total price was £359. The price will be more a less the same depending on the season / type of ticket. etc.