Ferries to Belfast
Travel to Belfast by Ferry
If you’re planning to take a ferry to Belfast, the main city of Northern Ireland, you have two direct options:
- From Liverpool Birkenhead in England
- From Cairnryan in Scotland
Scotland to Northern Ireland
The direct ferry from Cairnryan to Belfast is a popular choice, but an excellent alternative is the Cairnryan to Larne route. From Larne, it’s just a 30-minute drive to Belfast by car, or you can travel by bus.
Map: ferry routes to Belfast
Crossings to Belfast
About these crossings
Ferry Routes to Belfast
The map above shows the ferry routes from Liverpool and Cairnryan to Belfast, as well as the Cairnryan to Larne crossing. The two short crossings from Scotland take approximately 2 hours, while the ferry from Liverpool is a longer journey of about 8 hours to reach the capital of Northern Ireland.
It’s also possible to sail to Dublin and then drive to Belfast. If this is an option you’re considering, be sure to check our Ireland page for a full overview of crossings to Ireland and Northern Ireland.
Ferry from Liverpool to Belfast
The Liverpool to Belfast ferry operates twice daily and takes approximately 8 hours. You can choose between a day or night crossing, both operated by Stena Line.
Ferry from Scotland to Belfast
A direct ferry from Scotland reaches Belfast in just 2 hours and 15 minutes, with six daily departures to choose from.
Alternative from Scotland to Belfast
The Cairnryan to Larne ferry, operated by P&O, is an excellent alternative. While it doesn’t take you directly to Belfast, Larne is located slightly to the north. This crossing is shorter and often more affordable.
From Isle of Man (Mann) to Belfast
There are also ferries from the Isle of Man (Mann) to Northern Ireland's capital: Belfast.
Alternatively, you can also sail to Rosslare or Dublin with one of the ferries to Ireland. From Dublin, it’s a 2-hour drive to Belfast, while from Rosslare, it’s about a 4-hour drive.
On board, the route and maps
Ferry schedule/timetable
To explore and compare ferry crossings to and from Belfast, including schedules and prices, you can use the booking module below. This tool allows you to plan your journey and secure your tickets efficiently.
I wanted a trip with my children in a cabin where they could sleep, why don’t you do that, it’s supposed to be fun. I can’t sleep in a seat with 2 children (both autistic) there was another sight where we could pick an am travel out so seats were fine and a return in a cabin? Why can’t I do that on here?????
Hi Emi,
For which particular crossing are you looking? The ferry from Liverpool to Belfast for example is possible with cabins. But in general on the shorter routes there aren't always cabins on board of the ferries. Let me know if we can help you further.
Best regards,