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Ferry to Northern Ireland

Discover the best crossings

Fast Ferry
kintyre express

Ballycastle-Port Ellen

1 Hour
Up to 5 times per week
From: $66.00

Cairnryan-Belfast

Scotland ⇔ Northern Ireland
2h 15 mins.
Up to 6 times per day
From: $40.00

Cairnryan-Larne

Scotland ⇔ Northern Ireland
2 Hours
Up to 6 times per day
From: $33.00

Liverpool-Belfast

England ⇔ Ireland
8 hours
Up to 2 times per day
From: $44.00

Ferries to Northern Ireland from the UK

In total, you will find 4 major ferry crossings to Northern Ireland. The ferries depart from:

In addition to the larger ferry lines, you can also take a small passenger ferry from the Scottish Hebrides to Northern Ireland.

Northern Ireland can also be reached via Ireland. This is an option to consider if you are travelling from Southern England or France. 

Take a look at our handy ferry map below for a good idea of the direct ferry services to Northern Ireland.

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Map with all direct ferry routes to Northern Ireland

If you want to travel to Northern Ireland from England, you can sail from Liverpool to Belfast. From Scotland, you can take the ferry from Cairnryan to either Larne or Belfast. These are the shortest crossings but if you take these connections you need to drive far to get to the departure port, it is more comfortable to choose the ferry departing from Liverpool

Check availability and compare prices

An easy way to find a good price is by filling in the fields below:

Travel tip: Book early

The prices for the ferries rise sharply as the boats fill up. Especially during peak season, the ferries and parking decks fill up quickly. Therefore, book far in advance and avoid high costs.

Ferry to Northern Ireland from England (Liverpool)

If you travel from England, you have the option to take the direct ferry from Liverpool Birkenhead to Belfast. The Liverpool-Belfast ferry duration is around 8 hours.

You can make this crossing both during the day and at night. A possible advantage of this last option is that you save on hotel accommodations.

England ⇔ Northern Ireland

1 stenaline ferry

Ferry from Scotland to Northern Ireland

If you travel from Scotland, you can travel from Cairnryan to either Belfast or Larne. These crossings are about just 2 hours. The ferry from Cairnryan to Larne is operated by P&O Ferries, and the Cairnryan to Belfast route is operated by Stena Line.

Scotland⇔ Northern Ireland

1 stenaline ferry
2 PO ferries

Alternative routes by ferry to Northern Ireland

Northern Ireland can of course also be reached via Ireland. Ferries depart from Wales and arrive in Cork, Rosslare, and Dublin. From here you can drive further north.

Wales ⇔ Northern Ireland + Drive

Fast Ferry
stena line irish ferries

Holyhead-Dublin

Wales ⇔ Ireland
2h 15 mins.
Up to 10 times per day
From: $40.00

Pembroke-Rosslare

Wales ⇔ Ireland
4 Hours
Up to 2 times per day
From: $50.00

Fishguard-Rosslare

Wales ⇔ Ireland
3h 30mins
Up to 2 times per day
From: $44.00

Ferry from France to Northern Ireland

From France, there is no direct ferry to Northern Ireland; you could, however, sail to Dublin, Rosslare, or Cork though and travel by car further upwards to Northern Ireland. The ferry takes you 14 to 19 hours to reach Ireland.

France ⇔ Northern Ireland + drive

Rosslare-Dunkirk

France ⇔ Ireland
24 hours
Up to 5 times per week
From: $437.00

Roscoff-Cork

France ⇔ Ireland
14 Hours
Up to 2 times per week
From: $73.00

Cherbourg-Dublin

France ⇔ Ireland
19 Hours
Up to 5 times per week
From: $304.00

Frequently Asked Questions

There are 3 direct ferry crossings to Northern Ireland. From Liverpool, you can sail to Belfast with Stena Line. From Cairnryan, you can sail to either Belfast (Stena Line) or Larne (P&O Ferries). 

The fastest ferries to Northern Ireland are the crossings from Scotland (Cairnryan) to Northern Ireland. These ferries take you in just 2 hours over the Irish Sea to Belfast or Larne in Northern Ireland. From Liverpool to Belfast you cross the Irish Sea in about 8 hours.

Cairnryan-Larne is the shortest crossing. The ferry covers a distance of 40 miles / 65 km on this route. Cairnryan Belfast is approximately 44 miles / 71 km and the longest crossing is from Belfast to Liverpool. This crossing is 135 miles / 218 km.

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2 Comments
  1. Reply
    Rosemary Stevenson July 20, 2023 at 7:36 am

    Delighted foot passengers are welcome and you are open for travel again.

  2. Thanks Rosemary =)

    Indeed foot passengers are allowed on this route!

    Leave a reply

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