Ferry from Belfast to Liverpool

When planning a ferry trip to Liverpool from Belfast, you can take advantage of the regular discounts offered to specific traveller categories. Typically, children under 16 are entitled to lower ferry ticket prices, while infants and toddlers up to 4 years old usually travel for free.

Stena Line operates the Belfast - Liverpool route with conventional cruise ferries, such as the Stena Edda and Stena Embla, are equipped with a range of modern amenities and services for a relaxed journey across the Irish Sea. On board, you will generally find:

• Air-conditioned lounges and deck seating to enjoy the sea view
• Cafés, bars and restaurants serving snacks, drinks and meals
• Shops for the essentials, last-minute purchases and gifts
• Entertainment, including movie lounges, play areas for children and casino games for adults
• Free Wi-Fi hotspot

Cabins and accommodation

Can I sleep on the ferry?

Yes, there are usually a morning and evening ferry from Belfast to Liverpool, so you can sleep during the 8-hr journey and arrive in England fresh. Stena Line offers a range of cabin types, which are recommended for overnight crossings or if you are travelling with family or pets. Alternatively, the ferries feature a VIP lounge with reclining seats that are ideal for stretching out during the trip.

What cabins can I book?

Yes, on ferries traveling from Belfast to Liverpool, you can book a cabin for 2 or 4 passengers for a more comfortable journey. Typically, you have the option between:

• Standard cabins
• Superior cabins (with tea/coffee making facilities)
• Deluxe cabins (with double bed, tea/coffee making facilities and mini fridge)
• Wheelchair-accessible cabins
• Pet-friendly cabins

All cabins feature en suite facilities, towels, bedding and a TV with a free video-on-demand service. Cabin prices normally start from €100.

Can I book business-class seats?

Yes, in addition to standar lounge seats, Stena Line offers reclining seats in a VIP lounge. These comfy seats have extra legroom and are in an exclusive area.

Prices for VIP seats start at around €74.

Luggage

On the ferries of Stena Line from Belfast to Liverpool, there are no restrictions on the weight or number of check-in baggage. However, hand luggage must be no larger than 60x50x40 cm and you must be able to carry on board yourself.

Traveling with pets

Pets are welcome on ferries operating the Belfast - Liverpool route, provided they are added to your booking when you purchase your tickets. Smaller pets must remain in a secure carrier, while larger animals must be kept on a lead and wear a muzzle at all times outside the cabin or kennel area.

Remember to bring all required travel and health documents, including your pet’s microchip identification, valid rabies vaccination, and any tickets or pet essentials needed for the duration of 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?

On Stena Line ferries, you can book a space in the onboard kennels, a pet-friendly cabin, or you may keep your pet in your vehicle.

During the trip, you can visit the kennels and also take your pet for a walk under controlled conditions. If you decide to leave your pet in your vehicle, make sure you leave a window slightly open for ventilation.

Important: some pets may be sensitive to the heat and poor air circulation in the car deck area during the 8-hr journey, so we recommend booking a pet-friendly cabin or a place in the kennels for maximum comfort.

Here are some useful tips for your ferry trip from Belfast to Liverpool:

• The port of Belfast can get busy, so it’s recommended to be there at least 1.5-2 hr min before your trip, especially if you are travelling with a vehicle.
• The 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 overnight crossings, we recommend booking a cabin. Alternatively, there are reclining seats available in the VIP lounge, with extra legroom.
• For your return trip, make sure you book your tickets on the Liverpool - Belfast ferry well in advance, as cabins and car decks spaces are limited.
• From Northern Ireland, it is also possible to travel to Scotland on the Belfast - Cairnryan and Larne - Cairnryan ferry. For even more travel options and details on routes, travel times and ticket prices, check out the Ireland - England ferries.

Where to take the ferry from Belfast to Liverpool

Ferries from Belfast to Liverpool depart from Victoria Terminal 2 (VT2) on West Bank Road, in Belfast Harbour, which is about 7 km of the Belfast city centre, 10 km from Belfast City Aiport and around 27 km from Belfast International Airport. Follow the signs for the Liverpool service, as ferries to Cairnryan use a separate terminal.

Inside the VT2 terminal, you’ll find a ticket office, passenger lounge, coffee shop, vending machines, free Wi-Fi, toilets and baby-changing facilities. Limited short-stay parking is also available outside the terminal.

How to get to Belfast port

• By car: leave the M2 at Junction 1, near Fortwilliam roundabout, and follow signs for Stena Line and Victoria Terminal 2.
• By taxi: the taxi-ride from central Belfast takes roughly 10-15 min.
• By bus: Metro service 96 runs from Upper Queen Street, near City Hall, towards West Bank Road and the Stena terminals. Allow around 20-25 min, plus any walk to VT2.
• From Belfast’s railway stations: there is no direct train to the terminal. From Grand Central or Lanyon Place, continue by taxi or make your way to the city-centre bus stops for service 96.
• From the airports: allow roughly 15-20 min by taxi from Belfast City Airport and 30-40 min from Belfast International Airport. Alternatively, Airport Express 600 connects City Airport with Grand Central in around 10 min.

Check in and boarding in Belfast

Check-in opens 2-2.5 hr before the ferry leaves and closes 1 hr before departure for both foot passengers and vehicles. Always check your booking confirmation for the instructions applying to your sailing and allow extra time to complete check-in before the cutoff.

• Foot passengers: check in at the passenger terminal desk or a self-service kiosk. A shuttle bus then transfers you from the terminal to the ferry.
• Passengers with vehicles: follow the signs to the vehicle check-in booths. Present your ticket and required travel documents, then join the boarding lane assigned by staff.

Where does the ferry arrive in Liverpool?

Ferries from Belfast arrive at the Birkenhead (Twelve Quays) terminal, located on the Wirral side of the River Mersey, opposite the centre of Liverpool. The terminal is around 1.5 km from Hamilton Square and 8 km from  Liverpool Lime Street.

The terminal has a passenger lounge, coffee shop, vending machines, free Wi-Fi, toilets, baby-changing facilities and parking and nearby you will find cafés, car rentals, and hotels, as well as taxis and Mersey Ferry connections that take you directly across to the city.

Onward travel from the port in Liverpool

• Liverpool city centre: allow around 15-25 min by car or taxi through the Mersey tunnels. By public transport, take the terminal bus to Hamilton Square, followed by a train into Liverpool. The train ride takes approximately 5 min, with the entire journey taking roughly 30-45 min, depending on connections.
• Manchester: the drive via the M62 takes about 1 hr. Alternatively, from Liverpool Lime Street, you can catch a direct train to Manchester Victoria, taking around 35-40 min. Allow approximately 1.5-2 hr from the ferry terminal, including transfers and waiting time.
• Chester: you can drive south via the M53 in around 30-40 min. Without a car, travel to Hamilton Square and take a direct Merseyrail train to Chester, taking approximately 40 min, plus your terminal transfer and waiting time.
• London: the drive via the M4 can take about 4-4.5 hr, while the direct train to London Euston from Liverpool Lime Street takes around 2.5 hr, plus additional time to reach the station from Birkenhead.