Ferry from Ireland to England

When travelling from Ireland to Great Britain, you can take advantage of the regular discounts offered to specific traveller categories. While these discounts differ from one company to another, children under 16 are entitled to lower ferry ticket prices, while infants and toddlers up to 4 years old usually travel for free.

Ireland - Wales ferries

• Dublin - Holyhead: you can usually travel with up to 8 daily ferries by Irish Ferries and Stena Line. The journey takes 2 hr 15 min to 3.5 hr and ticket prices start from about € 29.92.
• Rosslare - Pembroke: there are usually up to 2 daily crossings with Irish Ferries, which take around 4 hr and ferry tickets cost about € 43.49.
• Rosslare - Fishguard: there are usually 1-2 ferries every day, which need 3-4 hr for the journey with Stena Line. Ticket prices start from around € 28.48.

Ferries from Northern Ireland to England

The Belfast - Liverpool ferry route is typically served by Stena Line with 1-2 crossings per day. The journey normally takes 8-9 hr and ticket prices start from €40.

Northern Ireland - Scotland ferry schedules

• Belfast - Cairnryan: there are normally up to 4 daily crossings with Stena Line, taking 2 hr 20 min and with tickets priced from €42.
• Larne - Cairnryan: the ferry crossing is operated up to 6 times a day by P&O Ferries. The journey takes around 2 hr and tickets cost from €39.

When travelling by ferry from Ireland to Great Britain, you can enjoy a comfortable journey on modern conventional cruise ferries, with high-speed catamaran services also available on selected Dublin - Holyhead sailings. On the vessels operated by Stena Line, Irish Ferries and P&O Ferries, you will generally find:

• Air-conditioned lounges and deck seating to enjoy the sea view
• Cafés, bars and restaurants serving snacks, drinks and meals
• Duty free shops and kiosk for the essentials, last-minute purchases and gifts
• Entertainment, including movie lounges, play areas for children, arcades and casino games for adults
• Wi-Fi hotspot with limited free access and data bundles to suit your needs

Accessibility

The ferries from Ireland to Great Britain are equipped with facilities for passengers with disabilities and reduced mobility, and all 3 operators offer assistance at the port and during boarding.

• Stena Line: most public areas on its Irish Sea ferries are wheelchair-accessible, while select ships have adapted cabins, accessible toilets, lifts and designated seating areas.
• Irish Ferries: the Ulysses and James Joyce have accessible cabins, adapted toilets and lifts between the vehicle and passenger decks. The Isle of Innisfree also has lifts, accessible toilets and dedicated seating areas for passengers with reduced mobility.
• P&O Ferries: the European Causeway and European Highlander have accessible toilets, wheelchair-friendly dining and shopping areas, lifts and a limited number of onboard wheelchairs. Hearing loops are also available, although these vessels don't offer accessible passenger cabins.

If you're travelling with a wheelchair, mobility scooter or other mobility aid, contact your ferry operator before departure to arrange any assistance you might need. This is particularly important if you're travelling with a vehicle and require a parking space near a lift, or if you'd like to book an accessible cabin.

Cabins and accommodation

Can I book a cabin?

Yes, private cabins are available on selected Stena Line and Irish Ferries sailings, particularly on longer crossings. Cabin options depend on the vessel and may include standard inside and outside cabins, higher-category accommodation, suites and pet-friendly cabins.

• Irish Ferries offers standard cabins, outside cabins with sea views and more spacious suites. Accessible cabins and pet-friendly accommodation are also available on selected vessels.
• P&O Ferries does not offer passenger cabins on the Larne - Cairnryan route, as the crossing takes approximately 2 hours. You can relax in the standard seating areas or upgrade to the Club Lounge.
• Stena Line offers cabins with private bathrooms, beds, fresh linen and towels, while most also feature a TV. Superior and Deluxe options provide additional space and comforts. Pet-friendly cabins are available on selected vessels.

Can I sleep on the Ireland - UK ferry?

Yes, particularly if you're taking an overnight ferry, such as the Belfast - Liverpool crossing, which takes about 8 hr. Booking a private cabin allows you to sleep in a proper bed and enjoy the privacy of your own bathroom throughout the crossing. On shorter routes, you can relax in the passenger lounges or book a cabin where available.

Can I book business-class seats?

Yes, all 3 ferry companies offer premium lounge upgrades.

• Irish Ferries: the Club Class provides exclusive lounge seating, complimentary snacks, soft drinks, wine and Wi-Fi, along with priority vehicle boarding and selected shopping discounts.
• P&O Ferries: the Club Lounge includes comfortable seating, complimentary snacks, hot and cold drinks and a menu of hot meals available at an additional charge.
• Stena Line: the Stena Plus Lounge offers comfortable seating, sea views and complimentary snacks and drinks. Hygge Lounge options are also available on selected ships.

Tip: if you're travelling during a busy period, consider booking premium seating or a cabin in advance, as availability is limited. Premium lounge upgrades aren't necessarily available on every sailing.

Luggage

Each ferry company connecting Ireland and Britain has its own luggage policy:

• When travelling with Irish Ferries, you are allowed as much luggage as you can carry on board, however you can only bring 1 small piece of hand luggage with you, while the rest must be checked in. Each checked-in item must not exceed 22 kg.
• With P&O Ferries, you can bring as many pieces of luggage as you can carry on board yourself.
• On Stena Line ferries, there are no restrictions on weight or the number of checked-in baggage. However, hand luggage must be no larger than 60x50x40 cm, and you must be able to carry it on board yourself.

Travelling with pets

Pets are generally allowed on ferries travelling from Ireland to Great Britain, provided they are added to your booking when you purchase your tickets.

Smaller pets must remain in a carrier, while larger animals must be kept on a lead and wear a muzzle at all times outside cabins or the kennel area. Remember to bring the necessary travel and health documents, including your pet’s microchip identification, valid rabies vaccination, tickets, and any pet supplies needed for the trip.

Important: certain dog breeds are not permitted to travel, as they are banned in the UK and Ireland. These include XL Bullies, Pit Bull Terriers (including American Pit Bull Terrier), Japanese Tosa, Dogo Argentino, and Fila Brasileiro.

Where do pets stay on the ferry?

The pet accommodation options and onboard facilities depend on the operator, route and vessel.

• Irish Ferries: your pet can stay in your vehicle, onboard kennels, Pet Dens or pet-friendly cabins, depending on the vessel.
• P&O Ferries: you can keep your pet in your vehicle only.
• Stena Line: you can keep your pet in your vehicle, onboard kennels, pet-friendly cabins or a dedicated Pet Lounge, depending on the route.

What pet travel docyments do I need?

The documents you need to travel with your pet between Ireland and the UK depend on your departure point and destination:

• Republic of Ireland to Great Britain: dogs, cats and ferrets must be microchipped, vaccinated against rabies and have a valid EU pet passport or another accepted pet health certificate.
• Northern Ireland to Great Britain: dogs, cats and ferrets don't need a pet passport or health certificate to travel to England, Scotland or Wales.
• Great Britain to Northern Ireland: if you live in Great Britain, your pet needs a microchip and a free Northern Ireland Pet Travel Document (PTD). Northern Ireland residents don't need a PTD for return journeys, but their pets must be microchipped.

Important: if you're travelling back to the Republic of Ireland from Great Britain, additional requirements apply, including tapeworm treatment for dogs 1-5 days before arrival.

Here are some useful tips for your ferry trip from Ireland to Great Britain:

• The ports in Ireland can get busy, so it’s best to arrive at least 1-1.5 hr before your trip, especially if you are travelling with a vehicle or a pet.
• The Irish Sea can get a bit rough, so if you are sensitive to the waves, talk to your pharmacist or doctor about seasickness medication options.
• For greater privacy and comfort during the ferry trip, especially for longer or overnight crossings, we recommend you book a cabin. Alternatively, there are reclining seats available in the VIP lounge, which typically have extra legroom.
• Check out our Map of ferries, where you can see all ferry routes to help you visualise and plan your trip from Ireland to Britain.

Where to take the ferry from Ireland to Great Britain

Ferries to England, Wales and Scotland set sail from 4 ports: Dublin and Rosslare in the Republic of Ireland, and Belfast and Larne in Northern Ireland.

• Port of Dublin: located around 3-6 km from Dublin  city centre, with ferries to Holyhead in Wales. Irish Ferries departs from Terminal 1, while Stena Line uses Terminal 2.
• Rosslare Europort: the main port of Rosslare is situated in Rosslare Harbour, approximately 20 km from Wexford town. Irish Ferries operates services to Pembroke Dock, while Stena Line sails to Fishguard, both in south-west Wales.
• Belfast Port: around 6-7 km from the centre of Belfast. Stena Line ferries to Liverpool (Birkenhead) depart from Victoria Terminal 2, while services to Cairnryan in Scotland leave from Victoria Terminal 4.
• Larne Harbour: located close to Larne town centre, approximately 35 km from Belfast. P&O Ferries operates services to Cairnryan in Scotland.

All 4 ports have passenger waiting areas, toilets, check-in facilities and parking options. You'll also find cafés, shops and accommodation in the nearby towns or cities.

How to get to the ports in Ireland and Northern Ireland

You can reach the main ferry ports by car, public transport or taxi, depending on where you're travelling from.

• By car: Dublin Port is accessible via the Dublin Port Tunnel and the M1/M50 motorways. Rosslare Europort is reached via the N25, while Belfast Port connects to the M2. For Larne Harbour, follow the A8 from Belfast. Parking is available at all 4 ports, although availability and charges vary.
• By bus: Dublin Bus route 53 connects central Dublin with Dublin Port, while Translink Metro route 96 serves Belfast's Stena Line terminals. Bus Éireann provides connections to Rosslare Harbour, and Translink operates services between Belfast and Larne.
• By train: Rosslare Europort and Larne Harbour have railway stations close to their ferry terminals. Dublin Port and Belfast Port do not have direct rail connections, so you'll need a bus or taxi for the final part of your journey.
• By taxi: taxis are available from Dublin and Belfast city centres, with journeys to their respective ports typically taking 15-25 min. Rosslare Europort is around 20 min from Wexford by taxi, while Larne Harbour is a short journey from Larne town centre.

Check-in and boarding

The check-in deadlines vary depending on your ferry operator, route and whether you're travelling on foot or with a vehicle.

• Irish Ferries (Dublin - Holyhead and Rosslare - Pembroke): check-in closes 30 min before departure for vehicles and 40 min for foot passengers. If you're travelling with a pet, you must check in at least 1 hr before departure.
• Stena Line (Dublin - Holyhead, Rosslare - Fishguard and Belfast routes): check-in generally closes 30-40 min before departure, except on Belfast–Liverpool sailings, where it closes 1 hr before departure.
• P&O Ferries (Larne - Cairnryan): Allow at least 45 min for foot-passenger or pet check-in and 30 min for vehicles.

Have your booking reference, valid travel documents and vehicle details (if applicable) ready at check-in. If you're travelling by car, follow the signs to the vehicle check-in booths, where staff will direct you to the correct boarding lane. Foot passengers check in at the passenger terminal and board via a covered walkway or shuttle bus, depending on the port and operator.

Tip: check the departure time and check-in deadline on your ticket carefully. Boarding usually starts before the scheduled departure, and arriving after check-in closes may mean missing your ferry.

Where does the ferry arrive in Great Britain?

Ferries from Ireland arrive at the ports of Holyhead, Fishguard and Pembroke in Wales, Liverpool in England, and Cairnryan in Scotland.

• The port of Holyhead is on the island of Anglesey in North Wales, is the main port of arrival for ferries from Dublin. The terminal is near the A55 dual carriageway, which links directly to the British motorway network. Within walking distance from the port, you’ll find cafés, shops, car parks, and accommodation options.
• The port of Fishguard in Pembrokeshire, southwest Wales, is about a 15-min walk from the town centre, where you’ll find restaurants, pubs, and shops. At the port you will find parking, restrooms, and a small café.
• The port of Pembroke (Pembroke Dock) in southwest Wales serves ferries from Rosslare. The terminal is close to the A477 and Pembroke Dock railway station, with parking, restrooms, and a small café on site. Shops, petrol stations, and the town centre of Pembroke are just a short drive away.
• Liverpool is a major British port in northwestern England. The harbour is at Birkenhead, on the Wirral side of the River Mersey and opposite the centre of Liverpool. Around the port are, there are find petrol stations, shops, and hotels.
• The port of Cairnryan, in southwest Scotland, is about 8 km north of Stranraer. Around the terminal area you will find parking, restrooms, and refreshment facilities.