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Ferry to Scotland from Belfast

Discover the best crossings

Cairnryan-Belfast

Scotland ⇔ Northern Ireland
2h 15 mins.
Up to 6 times per day
From: 36,00

Cairnryan-Larne

Scotland ⇔ Northern Ireland
2 Hours
Up to 6 times per day
From: 30,00

Belfast to Scotland ferry

The ferry departing from Belfast to Scotland sails in 2 hours and 15 minutes to Cairnryan. There is also a very good alternative from Larne, as you can see on the map below.

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Map with crossings from Belfast to Scotland

If you want to travel by ferry from Belfast to Scotland, the crossing with Stenaline is the most obvious choice. The Stena Line terminal is located just 3.7 miles from the center of Belfast. This means you have very limited travel time to the departure port. However, you should also take a look at a departure from Larne. That could turn out to be more beneficial. 

The terminal in Larne is a little further north than Belfast. The P&O ferry that departs from Larne docks in Scotland near the Stena Line terminal. 

The Larne-Cairnryan ferry is also useful for people who are not in Belfast during departure but in other parts of Northern Ireland or Ireland. Larne is easily accessible via the A8. An additional advantage of this crossing compared to Belfast-Scotland is that it arrives fifteen minutes faster.

Timetable, availability, and compare prices

Booking your ferry tickets has never been easier! With our online booking module, you can easily find and book your desired ferry crossing in just a few clicks. Simply enter your travel dates and destination, and the system will show you all available options. You can then choose the one that best suits your needs and budget. It’s that simple!

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.

Stenaline ferry from Belfast to Scotland

The direct ferry from Belfast to Scotland runs up to 6 times a day and covers 71 km as the crow flies. The starting price is about £32. You pay that if you book a single journey as a foot passenger. Do you want to go on board with a car and, for example, 2 people? Then you pay about £160. That is a rate in high season.

1 stenaline ferry
From: 36,00
Read full review

P&O Ferry from Larne to Scotland

Larne – Scotland is a little bit cheaper than Belfast-Scotland. You pay about £26 here for a single journey as a foot passenger. A trip for two people with a car in high season can be from around £113. You can get from Belfast to Larne by a 30-minute drive or by bus from the Europa Bus Centre.

1 PO ferries
From: 30,00
Read full review

Compare prices

Ferry prices are subject to change. That is why it is best to look at the prices as they are the date when you want to make your crossing. Then you can make a good decision about whether a detour can be worthwhile. You can compare prices in the following booking engine. (Directferries)

Cairnryan

Cairnryan village

Cairnryan consists of a row of houses between the two ports of P&O and Stena Line.

There is not much going on in Cairnryan. Most people will continue their journey to other parts of Scotland. What might be handy to know: there is a bed & breakfast in Cairnryan. 

Frequently Asked Questions

From Belfast, only Stenaline sails to Scotland. However, you can also depart from the town of Larne, which is located just north of Belfast.

From Belfast, the crossing to Schotland is approximately 71km as the crow flies. However, the Ferry sails a little further because they have to go around a landing. The ferry from Larne is less affected by this. The distance is also 6 km shorter as the crow flies. With a sailing time of 2 hours, the Larne-Scotland crossing is fifteen minutes faster than the ferry from Belfast.

Sailing from Belfast is slightly more expensive than from Larne. P&O ferries, which run between Larne and Cairnryan, are generally a bit cheaper for both foot passengers and travelers with a car.

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6 Comments
  1. Can i get ticket for scotland to irland on the day of?

    • Hi Krishna,

      This might be possible – depends if the ferry is fully booked or not. You can try it of course but it is a small risk. When you plan to bring a car we highly recommend to book in advance.

      Best regards – Team FerryGoGo

  2. Is there public transportation from Carinryan to other parts of Scotland?

    • Hi Anne,

      Thanks for your question. There is public transportation from Cairnryan to the other parts of Scotland. You can travel by bus and train to for example Glasgow and Edinburgh – there are even buses leaving directly from the terminals in Cairnryan to Edinburgh (+/- 3.5 hours). Let me know if there are any remaining questions!

      Best,

  3. Will be traveling to Ireland end of April 2024. Probably rent a car. Can you transport a car from Belfast to Cairnryan, and if so what is the cost? We are planning a trip to Edinburgh.

  4. I live closer to Belfast than larne but i am taking my vehicle with me, would it be worth a cheaper ticket and faster crossing from larne?

    Leave a reply

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