Ferry from Spain to Ireland

When planning your trip on the Spain to Ireland ferry, 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.

The Spain - Ireland route is operated by conventional cruise ferries, such as the Galicia, which are designed for long-haul travel. Onboard, you can expect many modern amenities and services, including:

• 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 cinema, 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 Spain - Ireland ferry is 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. For further details, contact the operator.

Cabins and accommodation

What cabins can I book?

On the ferry from Spain to Ireland, 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 €270, depending on the cabin type and your travel dates.

Can you sleep on the ferry from Ireland to Spain?

Yes, the Spain - Ireland ferry trip from Bilbao to Rosslare involves an overnight stay. Booking a cabin is highly recommended, especially if you are travelling with your family or pets. Alternatively, you can stretch out in a numbered reclining seat in the air-conditioned lounge. However, reserved seats do not offer the privacy or en-suite bathroom of a cabin.

Can I travel first class?

Yes, when travelling on the Spain to Ireland ferry, you can book a deluxe Commodore Suite for a first-class experience. 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.

Travelling with pets

Pets are welcome on the Spain to Ireland ferry, provided you include them 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 Spain to Ireland:

• Bilbao can get very busy, especially in the summer, 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 being 1 hr ahead of Rosslare. All times on Ferryhopper are local.
• For your return trip, make sure you book your tickets on the Ireland - Spain ferry well in advance, especially if you are travelling with a vehicle or cabin.
• From Bilbao you can also travel directly by ferry to Portsmouth in England! For more details on all routes, ticket prices and operators, check out the Bilbao ferry schedules.

Where to take the ferry from Spain to Ireland

Ferries to Ireland from Spain typically leave from the Brittany Ferries terminal in the port of Bilbao, in the Zierbena area. The port is 3 km from the port town of Santurtzi, 21 km from the city centre of Bilbao and approximately 30 km from Bilbao Airport.

At the ferry port, you will find basic traveler amenities, such as a snack bar, an information desk, a departure lounge, accessible toilets, Wi-Fi and short- or long-stay parking. There are more car-rental agencies, hotels, shops and restaurants to be found in Santurtzi and central Bilbao.

How to get to the port of Bilbao?

• By car: take the A-8 motorway and leave at exit 130 for the N-644 towards Portua/Santurtzi. Continue along the N-644 and follow the yellow ferry signs to the terminal.
• By metro: take Metro Bilbao Line 2 to Santurtzi, the nearest station and from there you can reach the port with a 5-min taxi ride.
• By bus: Brittany Ferries operates a shuttle for foot passengers between central Bilbao (near the Guggenheim Museum) and the terminal, that aligns with ferry arrivals and departures.
• From Bilbao Airport: Bizkaibus line A3247 connects the airport with Bilbao Intermodal, every 15-20 min, and from there, continue by Metro Line 2 to Santurtzi and take a taxi to the terminal. The entire journey takes around 1-1.5 hr.
• By taxi: a taxi ride to the port of Bilbao takes 20-25 min from central Bilbao and around 25-35 min from the airport.

Where does the ferry arrive in Ireland?

Ferries from Spain generally arrive at Rosslare Harbour, which is about 8 km from the village of Rosslare in County Wexford. The port is on the southeastern shores of Ireland, about 20 km from the town of Wexford, 75 km from Waterford, and roughly 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.

Onward travel from the port of Rosslare

• By car: you can hop on the N25, and reach Wexford Town in about 20 min, Waterford in about 1 hr 20 min from and Dublin in 2 hr 15 min.
• By train: the Rosslare Europort railway station is about a 10-min walk from the ferry terminal with connections to many Irish towns and cities.
• 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 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.