Ferry to Ireland from the UK
Travel to Ireland by ferry from the UK
Load up the car or camper, roll onto the ferry and let the ship do the miles across the Irish Sea.
Many ferries to Ireland and Northern Ireland depart daily from five British ports, making it easy to reach both the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland. From South to North, the main routes are:
- Pembroke ⇄ Rosslare (Wales ⇄ Ireland)
- Fishguard ⇄ Rosslare (Wales ⇄ Ireland)
- Holyhead ⇄ Dublin (Wales ⇄ Ireland)
- Liverpool ⇄ Belfast (England ⇄ Northern Ireland)
- Cairnryan ⇄ Larne (Scotland ⇄ Northern Ireland)
- Cairnryan ⇄ Belfast (Scotland ⇄ Northern Ireland)
There are also some temporary or occasional routes, such as: Fishguard ⇄ Dublin and Liverpool (Birkenhead) ⇄ Dublin. These are typically used as alternatives in specific periods – always check current schedules before relying on them.
Whether you prefer a shorter, faster crossing or a more comfortable longer sailing, our ferry map and route cards on this page help you compare all routes from the UK to Ireland at a glance.
In short: 🇬🇧 UK to Ireland & Northern Ireland by ferry
- From the UK you can sail to Dublin, Rosslare, Belfast and Larne from ports in Wales, England and Scotland.
- The most popular crossings are Holyhead ⇄ Dublin and the short hops from Cairnryan ⇄ Belfast / Larne.
- Depending on where you live, you can choose a fast crossing (2–3 hours) or a more relaxed, longer sailing and then drive on to Dublin, Belfast or deeper into Ireland.
Map: ferry routes to Ireland from the UK.
Overview: routes from the UK to Ireland & Northern Ireland
As shown on the map above, there are plenty of options to travel from the UK to Ireland by ferry. Which one works best depends on:
- Where you live in the UK (South, Midlands, North, Scotland).
- Where you want to arrive: Dublin, Rosslare, Belfast or Larne.
- Whether you prefer a short crossing + longer drive, or a longer crossing + shorter drive.
To give some perspective on driving distances in Ireland:
- Rosslare → Dublin: about 2 hours by car.
- Belfast → Dublin: about 2 hours by car.
- Rosslare → Belfast: roughly 4 hours by car.
For some travellers a shorter time at sea + longer drive is ideal; others prefer a long, comfortable crossing with a cabin and less driving afterwards. It’s also possible to sail from the Isle of Man (Douglas) to both Dublin and Belfast if you’re combining islands.
In short: if you mainly want to get to Dublin, start with our dedicated page: Ferry to Dublin. If you’re heading to Northern Ireland, also check: Ferry to Belfast.
The crossings in short:
- Holyhead (Wales) ⇄ Dublin (Ireland)
Operated by Irish Ferries and Stena Line, with journey times from about 2h15 (fast ferry) to roughly 3h25 on the larger ships. - Fishguard (Wales) ⇄ Rosslare (Ireland)
Operated by Stena Line, taking approximately 3h15–3h30. - Pembroke (Wales) ⇄ Rosslare (Ireland)
Operated by Irish Ferries, with a journey of around 4 hours. - Liverpool (England) ⇄ Belfast (Northern Ireland)
Operated by Stena Line, with a crossing time of about 8 hours, often including overnight options. - Cairnryan (Scotland) ⇄ Belfast (Northern Ireland)
Operated by Stena Line, with a short sailing of around 2h15. - Cairnryan (Scotland) ⇄ Larne (Northern Ireland)
Operated by P&O Ferries, taking roughly 2 hours.
Ferry from Wales to Ireland
From Wales you can sail to Ireland from Fishguard, Pembroke and Holyhead. This is the main gateway from England & Wales to Ireland. The fastest crossing is from Holyhead to Dublin, taking just 2 hours and 15 minutes across the Irish Sea.
The crossings from Wales to Ireland are:
- Holyhead ⇄ Dublin – the busiest route to Ireland, with both Irish Ferries and Stena Line operating multiple daily sailings, including a fast ferry.
- Fishguard ⇄ Rosslare – a comfortable mid-length crossing on Stena Line, ideal if you’re heading towards the south-east of Ireland.
- Pembroke ⇄ Rosslare – operated by Irish Ferries, great for travellers from South Wales and South West England.
We also have a dedicated page for the routes between Wales and Ireland, where you can zoom in further on these crossings.
Ferry from Liverpool to (Northern) Ireland
From Liverpool you can sail to Belfast with Stena Line. This route takes around 8 hours and is popular with travellers from the North West, Yorkshire and the Midlands, especially when using an overnight sailing.
In the past, there was a direct Liverpool ⇄ Dublin passenger service, but that crossing stopped operating in 2023. A primarily freight-focused service from Liverpool (Birkenhead) to Dublin has been used at times; treat it as an occasional extra option rather than a core passenger route and always check current availability.
Ferry from Scotland to (Northern) Ireland
From Scotland, you can travel quickly to Northern Ireland. The ferries from Cairnryan to Belfast and Larne take about 2 hours, making them perfect for short breaks or as a link into a longer Ireland road trip.
- Cairnryan ⇄ Belfast (Stena Line) – around 2h15, with multiple sailings per day in each direction.
- Cairnryan ⇄ Larne (P&O Ferries) – about 2 hours, also with frequent departures and only a short drive to Belfast.
From Northern Ireland you can then drive south to Dublin or explore the Causeway Coast, Mourne Mountains and the rest of the island.
There are also seasonal ferries from Douglas (Isle of Man) to both Belfast and Dublin, which are ideal if you want to combine the Isle of Man with Ireland.
On board the ferries to Ireland
Recently, we travelled by ferry from the UK to Ireland ourselves. On the outbound journey, we took the fast Dublin Swift catamaran with Irish Ferries, and on the return we sailed on Stena Estrid, both on the Holyhead ⇄ Dublin route.
What stood out:
- A relaxed boarding process compared to flying.
- Plenty of seating indoors and access to outside decks.
- Cafés, bars and buffets that are perfectly fine for a few hours at sea.
- The option to book lounges or cabins for extra comfort, especially on longer or evening crossings.
You can read more about this crossing in our blog: Journey from Holyhead to Dublin on the Fast Dublin Swift Catamaran Ferry. For detailed route information, check our dedicated page: Ferry Holyhead to Dublin.
Below, you’ll find pictures of the ferry route maps between Ireland and the UK along with some photos from our crossings.
Alternative routes & combinations
If the “obvious” route from your nearest UK port doesn’t quite fit, there are several smart alternatives that still work very well for trips to Ireland and Dublin:
- Via Rosslare
Sail to Rosslare (for example from Fishguard, Pembroke or Dunkirk) and drive to Dublin in about 2 hours. Ideal if you fancy a road trip through the south-east of Ireland. - Via Belfast
Sail to Belfast from Liverpool or Cairnryan and drive down to Dublin in roughly 2 hours. This opens up easy access from Scotland and northern England.
These alternatives give you flexibility: you can sail from England, Scotland or Wales to Ireland
How early should you arrive?
The exact arrival time is always shown on your booking confirmation, but as a general rule:
- With a car or camper, aim to arrive at the port 90–120 minutes before departure.
- As a foot passenger, 60 minutes before departure is usually enough, unless the operator states otherwise.
Check-in and boarding for vehicles often close earlier than you might expect. Arriving in good time keeps things relaxed and gives you some buffer for traffic or queues.
Prices and availability
To explore and compare all ferry crossings from the UK to Ireland – including timetables, current prices and availability – use the booking module below. Enter your ports and dates, and you’ll see the options side by side so you can pick the crossing that fits your plans best.
Which ferry to Ireland should I pick?
To wrap it up, choosing the best ferry from the UK to Ireland mainly depends on where you start and where you want to arrive:
- From England & Wales (to Dublin): start with Holyhead ⇄ Dublin. Then decide between Irish Ferries and Stena Line based on time, price and ship type.
- From South Wales: Fishguard ⇄ Rosslare and Pembroke ⇄ Rosslare are ideal if you’re heading for the south and east of Ireland.
- From North West England & the Midlands: Liverpool ⇄ Belfast is often the most relaxed choice, especially on an overnight sailing.
- From Scotland: Cairnryan ⇄ Belfast and Cairnryan ⇄ Larne are the fastest and most direct links, with easy onward drives into the rest of Ireland.
- Combining islands: use the seasonal Douglas ⇄ Dublin and Douglas ⇄ Belfast ferries to stitch the Isle of Man and Ireland into one trip.
Ferrygogo tip: start by looking at our detailed route pages for Dublin and Belfast. From there, you can decide whether you want the fast hop, the overnight crossing or a route that turns the ferry itself into part of your holiday.
Good to know: top 5 tips for driving to Ireland by ferry
- Bring the right documents
Always travel with a valid passport (or ID card for EU citizens), your driving licence, insurance details and, if possible, your car papers (V5C). Ferry staff can ask for them at check-in. - Think about cabins & lounges
On longer crossings (for example Liverpool ⇄ Belfast or French routes to Ireland), a cabin or quiet lounge makes a big difference – you can sleep, shower and arrive ready to drive. - Driving & tolls
The Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland both drive on the left-hand side. Around Dublin, certain roads (like the M50) are toll roads, sometimes without toll booths – you pay online or via app afterwards. Check toll info before you travel. - Wi-Fi, roaming & entertainment
At sea, Wi-Fi can be limited and “maritime” roaming is very expensive. Download series, music and offline maps in advance and treat the crossing as a few offline hours at sea. - Seasickness & kids
Worried about seasickness? Pack tablets or bands and pick a seat mid-ship. Travelling with kids? A cabin or quiet lounge turns “are we there yet?” into nap time. We’ve collected more tips for travelling with kids and seasickness in separate articles.
Luggage & pets
On most ferries there are no strict limits on how much luggage you can reasonably bring in your car or camper – one of the big advantages over flying. Pets are usually welcome on board for an additional fee, but must stay in designated kennels, pet-friendly cabins or in your vehicle, depending on the operator and route.
For some destinations, pets must meet specific requirements (such as vaccinations, microchip and pet passport). Check company policies and country rules before booking if you’re travelling with a dog or other pet.
Useful for travellers to Ireland
Tips for ferry travellers
Do any ferry crossings between England and Ireland allow dogs onto the decks with their owners rather than having to stay in the car or a kennel?
Hi Sue,
Thanks for your question. It depends a bit on the route and the specific boat. With Stena Line for example you can book a pet cabin. And the rules are different per ferry.
On Stena Adventurer (Holyhead – Dublin) and on Stena Nordica (Fishguard – Rosslare), pets must remain in their cabins for the duration of the crossing. All pet owners must clean up after their pets both in the cabins and on the decks. For example: Pets travelling on Stena Edda (Liverpool – Belfast), Stena Embla (Liverpool – Belfast), Stena Estrid (Holyhead – Dublin), Stena Horizon (Cherbourg – Rosslare) and Stena Vision (Cherbourg – Rosslare) can get fresh air, exercise and toilet breaks in a dedicated area on the outside deck. Pets must remain on a non-retractable lead. You can also book pet friendly cabins. For Irish Ferries you can find more about the rules on this page for the route from Pembroke to Rosslare.
https://www.irishferries.com/uk-en/frequently-asked-questions/top-10-faqs/pets-ireland-britain-routes/
Long story short: you can travel by ferry from the UK to Ireland while walking the dog with for example Stena Line on the route from Holyhead to Dublin and Fishguard to Rosslare and Liverpool Belfast.
Hope this helps.
There's a map of a ferry from Campbeltown to Ballycastle but I can find nothing about that route like dates? times?
Hi Bev,
More details on the Campbeltown to Ballycastle ferries (Port Ellen) can be found at Kintyre Express: https://kintyreexpress.com/tickets/
Let me know if this works!
Happy travels