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Travel from Scotland to Ireland by ferry in 2026
Plan your ferry trip across the Irish Sea! 🚢Planning to travel from Scotland to Ireland by ferry in 2026? Whether you’re heading for a Belfast city break or a road trip along the Causeway Coast, your journey starts across the Irish Sea. Choose a Scotland to Northern Ireland ferry from Cairnryan to Belfast or Larne, with year-round crossings taking around 2 hr.
Find out everything you need to know about Scotland - Ireland ferries in 2026, from routes and ticket prices to onboard comforts and travelling with pets. Compare crossings with Stena Line and P&O Ferries and book your ferry tickets on Ferryhopper in just a few clicks!
You can cross the Irish Sea in about 2 hr
Scotland - Ireland ferries
There is no direct ferry from Scotland to the Republic of Ireland, but you can travel year-round from the Scottish port of Cairnryan to Belfast and Larne in Northern Ireland. Stena Line and P&O Ferries operate the Scotland - N. Ireland ferry routes with conventional ferries.
Cairnryan - Belfast
The Cairnryan - Belfast ferry route is served by Stena Line with up to 6 daily departures. The ferry trip takes 2 hr 15 min and tickets are priced from about €42.
Cairnryan - Larne
Cairnryan to Larne ferries are operated by P&O Ferries with up to 6 daily crossings. The journey usually lasts about 2 hr and ticket prices start at around €30.
Top tip: for more travel options, check out our guide to England - Ireland ferries.
Tickets, offers & discounts
What is the cost of a ferry from Scotland to Ireland?
Prices for Scotland - Ireland ferry tickets usually start from €30 to €42, depending on your destination. Here are indicative prices for each route:
- Cairnryan - Belfast: from €42.
- Cairnryan - Larne: from €30.
Your exact cost depends on the route, operator, season, accommodation type, and whether you’re travelling as a foot passenger or with a vehicle.
Good to know: for your return trip, don’t forget to look into our blog on Northern Ireland - Scotland ferry schedules.
Offers and discounts
When planning your Scotland - Ireland ferry trip, you can take advantage of the regular discounts offered to specific passenger categories. While these discounts differ from one company to another, children under 16 often enjoy 50% off regular fares, while infants and toddlers up to 3 years old normally travel free of charge.
Additionally, the operators occasionally have special offers on Scotland - Ireland ferry tickets, such as early-bird discounts or lower prices for round-trip bookings. This means that planning and booking your ferry well in advance can result in securing the lowest ferry ticket prices for your trip. These discounts and special offers are applied automatically when you book through Ferryhopper, so you’ll always get the best available price.
Cruising along the Lagan River in Belfast
On-board services & amenities
Stena Line and P&O Ferries operate the Scotland to Ireland ferry routes with conventional ferries, such as the Stena Superfast VII, Stena Superfast VIII, European Highlander and European Causeway. These vessels are equipped with modern amenities and services, ensuring a smooth and relaxing journey across the Irish Sea, such as:
- Comfy air-conditioned lounges and seating on outer decks to enjoy the sea view
- Restaurants, cafés and bars serving a range of hot and cold drinks, snacks and meals (including vegetarian and child-friendly options)
- Onboard entertainment, including children’s play areas, movie lounges, arcades and casino games
- Luxury shops and kiosks selling snacks, gifts and travel essentials
- Wi-Fi hotspot with free and premium options available to stay connected during the trip
On the Stena Line vessels, you will also find wellness facilities, including sauna and spa.
Accessibility
The vessels operating the Scotland - Ireland ferry routes are generally accessible to travellers with disabilities, featuring ramps and lifts between decks, as well as accessible seating and amenities and common areas.
Both Stena Line and P&O Ferries offer boarding assistance upon request and prior notification at least 48 hr before your journey.
Important: accessibility features vary from vessel to vessel, so it is recommended to contact the ferry company at the time of booking for further details.
Cabins & accommodation
Are there cabins on the ferry?
Yes, although the journey from Scotland to Ireland is around 2 hr, you can book a Superfast Suite on the Stena Line ferries from Cairnryan to Belfast. These suites can accommodate up to 5 passengers and include a double bed, a seating and desk area, an ensuite bathroom, a TV, tea and coffee-making facilities, and a fridge stocked with bottled water.
Cabin prices normally start around €100.
Note: P&O Ferries does not offer cabins on the Cairnryan - Larne crossing.
Can I book business-class seats?
Yes, on both Scotland - Ireland ferry routes, you can book a business-class seat:
- When travelling with P&O Ferries, you can usually upgrade your standard ticket to Club Lounge. Seats in the premium lounge come with free Wi-Fi and charging points, as well as complimentary snacks and drinks. Upgrades for the Club Lounge usually cost about €20.
- On Stena Line ferries, you can book a seat in the Stena Plus Lounge. These comfy seats have extra leg room, are in a VIP lounge and come with complimentary drinks and snacks. Prices for Stena Plus Lounge tickets start at about €64.
Luggage
Each ferry operator has its own luggage policy:
- On Stena Line ferries, you can bring as many pieces of luggage as you can carry on board yourself. Hand luggage must not exceed 60×50×40 cm, while larger bags should be checked in before boarding.
- When travelling with P&O Ferries, you can bring as many bags as you can carry on board by yourself, regardless of size or weight.
Pet travel
You can bring your pet when travelling from Scotland to Ireland by ferry, provided you include it in your booking.
Where do pets stay on the ferry?
Each operator has its own pet accommodation options:
- Stena Line (Cairnryan - Belfast): you can keep your pet with you in the Pet Lounge, book a place in the onboard kennels, or your pet can stay in your vehicle.
- P&O Ferries (Cairnryan - Larne): you can only keep your pet in your vehicle. There are no kennels or pet lounges on the ferry, so you cannot travel with a pet as a foot passenger.
What pet travel documents do I need?
When travelling from Scotland to Northern Ireland, you will need:
- A free Northern Ireland Pet Travel Document (PTD), however this is not required for Northern Ireland residents returning directly from Scotland.
- Microchip identification for dogs, cats and ferrets.
Aerial view of Larne in Northern Ireland
FAQs
Which ferry companies operate from Scotland to Northern Ireland?
The Scotland - Ireland ferry routes are operated by Stena Line and P&O Ferries.
Can I take a ferry from Scotland to Ireland with a car?
Yes, the Scotland - Ireland ferries have car decks for transporting vehicles, with the exact cost depending on vehicle type, travel dates and availability.
Prices start at around €130 for a car, €20 for a motorbike and €165 for a caravan or motorhome.
Make sure you bring your driving licence, as well as your vehicle registration and insurance documents.
How long does the Scotland - Ireland ferry trip last?
The ferry trip from Scotland to Northern Ireland takes 2 hr to 2 hr 15 min, depending on the route and operator. Here are travel times for each route:
- Cairnryan - Belfast: around 2 hr 15 min
- Cairnryan - Larne: about 2 hr
Is there a high-speed ferry from Scotland to Northern Ireland?
No, the Scotland - Ireland routes are operated by conventional ferries, with the fastest crossing taking 2 hr.
What is the cheapest ferry to Ireland from Scotland?
The cheapest ferry from Scotland to Northern Ireland is Cairnryan to Larne, with standard foot passenger tickets priced from €30.
Do I need a passport on the ferry from Scotland to Northern Ireland?
If you’re a British or Irish citizen, you should bring valid photo ID, such as a photographic driving licence, along with your booking confirmation. You do not normally need a passport, as Scotland - Northern Ireland ferries are domestic UK crossings.
Travellers of other nationalities should carry a valid passport. Keep in mind that an ETA or visa before their initial journey to the UK, depending on their nationality and immigration status.
The Chaine Memorial Tower in Larne
Book Scotland - Ireland ferry tickets for 2026
Ready to cross the Irish Sea? Compare sailings from Cairnryan to Belfast and Larne, find the crossing that fits your plans and book your Scotland - Ireland ferry tickets on Ferryhopper with no hidden fees. Explore our Map of ferries to visualise your route and plan your next adventure!