Ferry from Ireland to Spain

When planning your trip on the ferry from Ireland to Spain, you can take advantage of the fixed discounts available to specific passenger categories. Typically, infants and toddlers up to 3 years old travel for free, while children under 16 are entitled to lower ferry ticket rates.

Brittany Ferries operates the Ireland - Spain routes with conventional cruise ferries, such as the Galicia, Salamanca and Santoña. These vessels are designed for long-haul travel and offer a range of modern amenities and services for a comfortable and relaxed journey. Onboard, you can expect:

• Comfortable air-conditioned lounges and spacious outer decks with sea views
• Restaurants, cafés and bars serving hot and cold drinks, snacks, and meals
• Entertainment including children’s play areas with digital and physical games, a video-on-demand platform and a travel and sea exhibition
• Onboard wellness facilities, including spa, massage and beauty treatments
• Duty-free shops and kiosks selling snacks, gifts and travel essentials
• Wi-Fi hotspot with a range of data bundles to stay connected during the trip

Accessibility

The Ireland - Spain ferries are generally accessible to travellers with disabilities, featuring ramps and lifts to move between decks, adapted seating and amenities in common areas, as well as wheelchair accessible cabins with adapted amenities.

Brittany Ferries also offers boarding assistance upon request, with at least 48 hr’s prior notice before your journey.

Important: accessibility features vary from vessel to vessel, so it is recommended to contact the operator at the time of booking for further details.

Cabins and accommodation

What cabins can I book?

On the ferry from Ireland to Spain, you can book a cabin for up to 4 passengers. Typically, you can choose from:

• Standard inside cabins
• Outside cabins with a sea view
• Deluxe cabins and suites with a double bed and a sea view
• Accessible cabins for passengers with disabilities
• Pet-friendly cabins

All cabins feature a desk, toiletries, and an en-suite bathroom.

Prices for cabins start at around €200 to €270, depending on the route, cabin type and travel dates.

Can you sleep on the ferry from Ireland to Spain?

Yes. Both routes involve an overnight stay, while some Rosslare-Bilbao sailings include 2 nights at sea. A private cabin is the most comfortable option, particularly for families or passengers travelling with pets. Alternatively, you can book a numbered reclining seat in the air-conditioned lounge. Bear in mind that a reserved seat does not offer the privacy or en-suite bathroom of a cabin.

Can I travel first class?

Yes, when travelling from Ireland to Spain by ferry, you can choose one of the deluxe Commodore Suites, which offer greater comfort and privacy. These premium cabins have extra space, a double bed and additional amenities and services such as a TV, Wi-Fi access, tea- and coffee-making facilities, complimentary breakfast and access to the exclusive C-Club Lounge.

Luggage

When traveling with Brittany Ferries, you can bring as many bags as you can carry on board by yourself, regardless of size or weight, at no extra cost. You can store your luggage in the baggage room, which remains closed until 20-30 min before arrival. For more details, contact the reception desk when you board the ferry.

Pet travel

You can bring your pet on the Ireland - Spain ferry, provided you include it in your booking. During the trip, smaller pets must be kept in their carrier, while larger pets must wear a muzzle and be kept on a leash.

Make sure you bring along your pet’s health and travel documents, including passport, microchip ID and valid rabies vaccination, as well as tickets and any pet supplies you may need for the trip.

Where do pets stay on the ferry?

When travelling with Brittany Ferries, your pet can either stay in a pet-friendly cabin or in the onboard kennels. The ferries have designated walking areas, however, pets are not allowed in standard cabins, lounges or dining areas.

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

• Rosslare is a major port in Ireland and can get busy, especially during the summer months, so plan your arrival at least 1.5-2 hr ahead of your ferry’s departure to clear check-in and passport control. If you are travelling with a vehicle, it’s best to be there 2-3 hr in advance.
• The sea can get a bit rough, so if you are sensitive to the waves, consider taking seasickness tablets before the trip. As always, you can discuss your options with your pharmacist or doctor.
• Keep in mind that there is a time difference between Ireland and Spain, with Bilbao and Santander being 1 hr ahead of Rosslare. All times on Ferryhopper are local.
• For your return trip, make sure you book your tickets on the Spain - Ireland ferry well in advance, especially if you are travelling with a vehicle or want to book a cabin.
• From Rosslare, you can also travel by ferry to Fishguard and Pembroke in Wales, and Cherbourg in France! For more information on all routes, ticket prices and ferry companies, have a look at the Rosslare ferries.

Where to take the ferry from Ireland to Spain

Ferries to Spain from Ireland normally set sail from Rosslare Europort, the main ferry terminal in Rosslare Harbour, which is about 8 km from the village of Rosslare. The port is in County Wexford, on the southeastern coast of Ireland, roughly 20 km from Wexford, 75 km from Waterford, and 170 km from Dublin.

At the port, you will find useful traveller amenities, including ticket offices, a passenger lounge, a coffee shop, toilets, baby-changing facilities, free Wi-Fi, parking, and a drop-off area. In the village of Rosslare, you will also find pubs and restaurants, hotels, guesthouses, as well as a supermarket, bank, and a few shops.

How to get to the port of Rosslare

• By car: Rosslare Europort is at the end of the N25, with the drive taking about 20 min from Wexford Town, about 1 hr 20 min from Waterford and 2 hr 15 min from Dublin.
• By train: the Rosslare Europort railway station is about a 10-min walk from the ferry terminal.
• By bus: the bus terminal is just outside the port, with the TFI Local Link route 387 connecting Rosslare Europort with Wexford several times a day.
• By taxi: taxis are available to and from the port, usually outside the terminal building.
• From the airport: the nearest airport is in Dublin Airport, roughly 180 km away, with the drive taking around 2 hr. Public transport options normally involve a bus or rail connection via Wexford.

Where does the ferry arrive in Spain?

Ferries from Ireland arrive at 2 ports in Spain: Bilbao and Santander.

• The ferry terminal is in Zierbena at the port of Bilbao, which is around 3 km from Santurtzi and 21 km from central Bilbao. At the terminal, you can find a snack bar, an information desk, a departure lounge, accessible toilets, Wi-Fi and parking. You will find amenities and shops in Santurtzi and Bilbao.
• Estación Marítima in the port of Santander is on the central waterfront, about 500 m from the city’s bus and railway stations, and around 6 km from Seve Ballesteros-Santander Airport. At the port, you will find many traveller amenities, such as a café, an information desk, Wi-Fi, an accessible waiting area and toilets.

Onward travel from the port of Bilbao

• By car: you can reach the city of Bilbao via N-644 and A-8 in about 20-30 min.
• By taxi: taxis can be arranged from the terminal or booked through local operators in Santurtzi, with the ride to central Bilbao taking around 25 min.
• By metro: the nearest metro station is Santurtzi, approximately 3 km from the ferry terminal. You can reach it by taxi, then take Metro Line 2 towards central Bilbao.
• By shuttle: Brittany Ferries may provide a shuttle for foot passengers between the terminal and central Bilbao that aligns with the ferry crossings. Ask the crew before arrival.
• By bus: there is no regular public bus stop directly outside the ferry terminal. For local and regional services, travel first to Santurtzi or central Bilbao.

Onward travel from the port of Santander

• By car: you can reach central Santander via Calle Marqués de la Hermida and Avenida de Castilla in about 5-10 min, while the A-67 and S-10 provide connections to Bilbao, Oviedo and other destinations in northern Spain.
• By taxi: a taxi ride to most city-centre hotels takes around 5-10 min.
• By train: the railway station is around 500 m from the port, with services linking Santander with Madrid, Bilbao, Oviedo and more.
• By bus: Santander bus station is also around 500 m from the port, with local and long-distance services to Bilbao, Madrid and destinations across Cantabria.
• From the airport: Santander Airport is approximately 6 km from the port and takes around 10 min to reach by taxi.

Is it better to sail to Bilbao or Santander?

It depends on your plans in Spain. Bilbao is usually the better option for the Basque Country, La Rioja, the Pyrenees and south-western France, and the Rosslare-Bilbao route operates throughout most of the year.

Santander is more convenient for Cantabria, Asturias, the Picos de Europa and northern Castilla y León. Its ferry terminal is also in the city centre, whereas Bilbao’s terminal is in Zierbena, around 21 km from central Bilbao. However, Rosslare-Santander is a seasonal, outbound-only service, so you may need to return from Bilbao.