Ferry to Scotland from Belfast
Belfast to Scotland by ferry
Belfast to Cairnryan takes 2 hours 15 minutes with Stena Line, and Larne to Cairnryan with P&O is 15 minutes quicker and usually cheaper. Both land at Cairnryan on the Galloway coast, so the choice comes down to which terminal is nearer and which fare is lower on your date.
Map: crossings from Belfast to Scotland
About these crossings
The Stena Line terminal in Belfast is only 3.7 miles from the city centre, which makes Belfast to Cairnryan the easy option if you are starting in the city. Larne, north of Belfast on the A8, suits anyone coming from elsewhere in Northern Ireland or driving up from the Republic, and the P&O crossing from there takes about two hours. Both ferries dock within sight of each other in Cairnryan, so the onward drive into Scotland is the same.
Belfast to Cairnryan with Stena Line
- Terminal: 3.7 miles from Belfast city centre.
- Crossing: about 2 hours 15 minutes.
Larne to Cairnryan with P&O Ferries
- Terminal: north of Belfast, straight off the A8.
- Crossing: about 2 hours, 15 minutes quicker than from Belfast.
- Arrival: next to the Stena terminal in Cairnryan.
Our take
From the city, Belfast to Cairnryan; from anywhere north of it, or from Dublin and the south, Larne. Compare both on your date, because P&O is often cheaper for cars and foot passengers alike and the time difference is small. Our guide to the ferries to Belfast covers the same routes in the other direction.
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.
On board and route maps
Timetable, prices and availability
Select Belfast or Larne as departure below for live sailing times and fares to Cairnryan, side by side.
Belfast or Larne?
Larne to Cairnryan with P&O is generally the cheaper of the two for foot passengers and cars. The Belfast crossing is about 44 miles as the crow flies but the ship takes a longer line out of Belfast Lough; Larne is 3.7 miles shorter and less affected by that, hence the two-hour crossing. For most people north of Belfast, Larne is the practical port.
Useful for travellers to Scotland
Tips for ferry travellers
Can i get ticket for scotland to irland on the day of?
Hi Krishna,
This might be possible – depends if the ferry is fully booked or not. You can try it of course but it is a small risk. When you plan to bring a car we highly recommend to book in advance.
Best regards – Team FerryGoGo
Is there public transportation from Carinryan to other parts of Scotland?
Hi Anne,
Thanks for your question. There is public transportation from Cairnryan to the other parts of Scotland. You can travel by bus and train to for example Glasgow and Edinburgh – there are even buses leaving directly from the terminals in Cairnryan to Edinburgh (+/- 3.5 hours). Let me know if there are any remaining questions!
Best,
Will be travelling to Ireland end of April 2024. Probably rent a car. Can you transport a car from Belfast to Cairnryan, and if so what is the cost? We are planning a trip to Edinburgh.
I live closer to Belfast than larne but i am taking my vehicle with me, would it be worth a cheaper ticket and faster crossing from larne?
Hello..Contemplating visiting Belfast in September of this year..arriving from Dublin…going to Edinburgh from from there..want to fly…is that the best and fastest mode of travel..most direct..also..everyone mentions rail transport..how does the train travel to Scotland w/all of that water surrounding it…thanx and hope to hear…
Hi Steve,
Within Great Britain, there are some good train connections. However, when travelling from Dublin to Scotland, you’ll really need to take a ferry (or a plane), but the ferry is a great and comfortable way to travel. You could either go via the Dublin to Holyhead route or through Northern Ireland and then on to Scotland via Larne to Cairnryan. The Dublin to Holyhead route is probably a bit quicker, as it’s better connected to the rail network. Still a 9 hour train trip from Holyhead to Edinburgh though.
Hope this helps!
JW
Hello! Just wondering how the crossing between Belfast and Cairnryan is in October: stormy? rough? Or possibly fine? Considering a trip at that time of year. Thank you for any information on what to expect in general.
Hi Suzanne,
It’s hard to say in advance – can be stormy, rough but also possibly fine. I’ve looked up the weather for a sailing from Scotland to Belfast around that time but found no general consensus. I think though how closer to winter how rougher the seas in general, so October should be relatively fine I think. But we can’t guarantee anything
Best regards, hope this helps.
Ps. You can also check ferryweather.com
Do passengers on these ferries need to show ID? Passport or driver license? Or not necessary?