Ferries to Northern Ireland: choose your route
The main ferries to Northern Ireland sail from Cairnryan in Scotland to Belfast or Larne, and from Liverpool (Birkenhead) to Belfast. The Cairnryan crossings take about 2 hours to Larne or 2 hours 15 minutes to Belfast. Liverpool-Belfast takes around 8 hours, with day and overnight sailings.
Start with the journey to your departure port. A short crossing from Scotland can work well from northern Britain, while Liverpool may avoid a long drive north. From Wales or southern England, also compare sailing to Dublin and driving into Northern Ireland. There are separate connections from the Isle of Man and seasonal passenger services to Ballycastle.
Looking for a discount on this crossing? Before you book, check the current Stena Line discount and offer codes and P&O Ferries discount codes and offers. We check every offer against the operator’s own website.
Which ferry suits your starting point?
| Starting from | Routes to compare | How to choose | Detailed guide |
|---|---|---|---|
| Scotland | Cairnryan to Belfast or Larne | Compare your onward drive and departure time. Both are short crossings. | Compare the Scottish routes |
| Northern England | Cairnryan or Liverpool-Belfast | Weigh the drive to Scotland against a longer crossing from Merseyside. | Compare Belfast crossings |
| Midlands and southern England | Liverpool-Belfast or via Dublin | Compare total driving, check-in and sailing time, including any cabin. | Explore the Ireland routes |
| Wales | Holyhead-Dublin, then drive north | An indirect option for Northern Ireland, particularly if you also want to visit Dublin. | Compare routes to Ireland |
| Isle of Man | Douglas-Larne | Check the operating day before arranging accommodation or connections. | See the Isle of Man connection |
These are starting points for comparison. Your final destination, sailing time and vehicle fare can change which route makes most sense.
Ferries to Northern Ireland: compare and book
The three main crossings, with live times and prices for your dates.
The three main ferries to Northern Ireland compared
| Route | Operator | Crossing | Sailings |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cairnryan to Belfast | Stena Line (Stena Superfast VII and VIII) | 2h15 | About 6 a day each way |
| Cairnryan to Larne | P&O Ferries (European Causeway, European Highlander) | 2h | Up to 6 a day each way |
| Liverpool (Birkenhead) to Belfast | Stena Line (Stena Edda, Stena Embla) | 8h to 8h30, by day or overnight | Up to 2 a day each way |
Fares change daily: with a car, one-way fares are typically about £350 to £400, depending on route and date; compare live prices for your dates in the booking module above. Stena Line advertises car and driver from £149 on Liverpool to Belfast. Check-in closes 45 minutes before departure at Cairnryan with Stena and 30 minutes with P&O.
Check Cairnryan to Belfast · Check Cairnryan to Larne · Check Liverpool to Belfast
The main routes from Great Britain
From Scotland: Cairnryan
Stena Line sails to Belfast in about 2 hours 15 minutes. P&O Ferries sails to Larne in about 2 hours. Both carry cars and foot passengers.
Choose between them using the full journey: where you will arrive, your onward transport and the sailing that fits your day. A 15-minute difference at sea is rarely the deciding factor.
For departure-port advice, onward travel towards Dublin and the return journey, use our Scotland to Ireland ferry guide.
From England: Liverpool-Belfast
Stena Line’s route departs from Birkenhead, on the opposite side of the Mersey from Liverpool city centre. Allow around 8 hours at sea.
An overnight sailing can break up a longer journey. Compare the fare including a cabin with the cost and effort of driving to Cairnryan. On a daytime crossing, the time on board becomes a substantial part of your travel day.
Our guide to ferries to Belfast compares the two departure ports and explains the Belfast arrival options.
Cairnryan or Liverpool? It depends on the drive
The two Cairnryan crossings are short, but Cairnryan is a long way from most of England. Liverpool to Belfast takes longer at sea, but you can sleep on the overnight sailing instead of driving. Approximate driving times to the ferry port:
| Starting from | To Cairnryan | To Birkenhead (Liverpool) |
|---|---|---|
| Glasgow | 85 miles, under 2 hours | to |
| Carlisle | 110 miles, about 2h15 | to |
| Leeds | 230 miles, about 4h15 | 90 miles, about 1h45 |
| Manchester | 230 miles, about 4h15 | 45 miles, about 1 hour |
| Birmingham | 305 miles, about 5h30 | 100 miles, about 1h50 |
| London | 420 miles, about 7h30 | 215 miles, about 4 hours |
From Scotland and Cumbria, take the ferry from Cairnryan. From Manchester southwards, Liverpool to Belfast usually wins: the overnight sailing saves you a long drive north and a hotel night. Just book a cabin.
Belfast or Larne?
Choose Belfast for the city
Belfast is the natural starting point for a city stay or onward travel using Belfast’s transport network. It is also the arrival port for the Liverpool route.
The ferry terminals are outside the city centre. If you are travelling without a car, plan the terminal transfer before booking your onward train or coach.
Choose Larne for the Antrim coast
Larne is worth comparing if your trip starts along the Antrim coast or in the north-east of Northern Ireland. You can begin your coastal drive without first arriving in Belfast.
For destinations farther west or south, compare the actual road journey from both ports. A convenient sailing or a better fare may matter more than the port name.
Reaching Northern Ireland via Dublin
You can also sail to the Republic of Ireland and continue north by road. Holyhead-Dublin is worth comparing from Wales and parts of England, especially for a trip that combines Dublin with Northern Ireland.
This is an indirect route: include the drive from Dublin, traffic and any breaks in your comparison. Rosslare routes can suit a wider Irish road trip, but leave a much longer journey north.
Use our Ireland ferry hub to compare arrival ports in the Republic. If you are considering Holyhead, our first-hand Dublin Swift crossing guide explains the fast-ferry experience.
Isle of Man and seasonal Ballycastle connections
Isle of Man to Larne
Since April 2026 Steam Packet sails Douglas to Larne all year, about three times a week, in around 2h45 on the fast craft (longer when the conventional ferry Ben-my-Chree is used), from about £26 for a foot passenger and £98.50 for a car. Check the sailing days in the current Steam Packet timetable. The old Douglas to Belfast route no longer runs.
Passenger ferries to Ballycastle
Kintyre Express runs a small passenger boat (12 seats) between Ballycastle, Campbeltown and Islay (Port Ellen harbour is closed for rebuilding until 2029, so check where the boat lands), from early April to late September. It does not carry cars, so it serves a different kind of trip from the Cairnryan routes.
Check operating dates and availability with Kintyre Express before planning a journey around them.
Before you book
| Check | What matters |
|---|---|
| Travelling without a car | Check foot-passenger availability, terminal transfers and the last onward bus or train. Compare a through-ticket where offered with separate bookings. |
| Car, campervan or trailer | Enter the correct vehicle dimensions, including any roof load or trailer. Compare the same passengers, vehicle and dates on each route. |
| Day or night crossing | For Liverpool-Belfast, include your chosen cabin or seat in the total fare and think about the arrival time. |
| Check-in and connections | Use the check-in deadline in your booking confirmation. Leave a buffer before separately booked onward transport. |
| Pets | Check the operator’s accommodation, booking and travel-document requirements before paying. |
Identification and travel documents
Check the identification accepted by your operator for everyone in your booking. Requirements depend on the route, nationality and passenger’s circumstances; do not assume that every Irish Sea crossing has the same rules.
If you travel via the Republic, check that route separately. Stena Line states that valid passports are required at check-in on its Holyhead-Dublin and Fishguard-Rosslare routes from 28 September 2026. Our Wales-Ireland passport update explains this change. It should not be read as the rule for every direct Northern Ireland sailing.
Coming via Dublin? If you enter Northern Ireland via the Republic of Ireland, check whether you need a UK visa or ETA before travelling. Requirements depend on your nationality and immigration status. British and Irish citizens do not need an ETA, and exemptions also apply, including for certain residents of Ireland travelling within the Common Travel Area. Use the GOV.UK visa checker and the guidance on when you do not need an ETA.
Continue planning your journey
- Scotland to Ireland ferry guide: Cairnryan options, onward travel and the reverse journey.
- ferries to Belfast: choose between arriving from Scotland and England.
- Belfast to Scotland ferry guide: plan a return crossing towards Cairnryan.
- Ireland ferry routes: compare alternatives through the Republic.
FAQ: ferry to Northern Ireland
How long is the ferry to Northern Ireland?
From Cairnryan in Scotland it takes about 2 hours to Larne (P&O Ferries) and 2 hours 15 minutes to Belfast (Stena Line). From Liverpool (Birkenhead) to Belfast it takes about 8 to 8.5 hours, by day or overnight.
What is the shortest ferry to Northern Ireland?
Cairnryan to Larne with P&O Ferries, in about 2 hours. Cairnryan to Belfast with Stena Line takes 2 hours 15 minutes but arrives closer to Belfast city centre.
How much is the ferry to Northern Ireland?
Fares change with the date, time of sailing and vehicle: foot passengers pay from about £19 to £33 one way, and with a car one-way fares are typically about £350 to £400. As an example, Stena Line advertises car and driver from £149 one way on Liverpool to Belfast. Prices are usually lower outside school holidays.
Is it better to sail to Belfast or Larne?
Belfast is best for the city and for onward travel by train or coach. Larne is handier for the Antrim coast and the Causeway Coastal Route. For destinations further west, compare the actual drive from both ports.
Can you get a ferry from England to Northern Ireland?
Yes. Stena Line sails from Liverpool (Birkenhead) to Belfast up to twice a day each way, including an overnight sailing. From Scotland, the shorter crossings leave from Cairnryan.
Do I need a passport for the ferry to Northern Ireland?
No passport is required for British and Irish citizens on the ferries from Cairnryan and Liverpool, as you stay within the UK. Bring photo ID, as operators can ask for it. The new passport rule only applies to the Holyhead and Fishguard routes to the Republic of Ireland.
Is there a ferry from the Isle of Man to Northern Ireland?
Yes. Steam Packet sails Douglas to Larne in about 4 hours 30 minutes, mainly in the summer season. The old Douglas to Belfast route no longer runs.
Check sailing times and fares
Select your departure and arrival ports, dates, passengers and vehicle to compare available crossings.
Ferry Talk
Questions or experiences? We'd love for you to share them.
Delighted foot passengers are welcome and you are open for travel again.
Thanks Rosemary =)
Indeed foot passengers are allowed on this route!